Beyond the Odds: Providence in Britain's Wars of the 20th Century

by John Scriven, Tim Dieppe

At many times in the two World Wars the nation was saved from disaster in circumstances that defied probabilities. There were sudden changes in the weather, inexplicable mistakes in strategy and tactics by the enemy and other extraordinary events. Beyond the Odds explores turning points in the World Wars, with in-depth accounts of diplomacy and wartime operations. Leaders and commanders in the Second World War, such as Churchill and his Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Alan Brooke, saw the outworking of providence in that war. Recording the beliefs of commanders and National Days of Prayer, the book provides fresh perspectives on momentous occurrences, as seen by those who experienced them.

Three chapters focus on the First World War – 1914 and 1918 – when the Allies were perilously close to defeat, and the 1917 campaign in Palestine. The five chapters on the Second World War include the fall of France, the Dunkirk evacuation and the Battle of Britain in 1940, as well as the war in North Africa, Italy, Russia and the Pacific in 1941-1943, and D-Day in 1944. Further chapters encompass the siege of Malta in the Second World War and the Falklands conflict of 1982, and there is a revealing discussion of Churchill’s Christianity.

The book includes surprising accounts from contemporary sources. These include the evacuation of Channel ports by the French in 1914 – the Germans failed to see that they could take these (as they then did in 1940); the experiences of the soldiers who captured Jerusalem in 1917; British diplomacy in 1938 and 1939, with a remarkable admission by Chamberlain to Hitler about the opening of the First World War; and incidents in the Dunkirk evacuation, including one recounted to the writer by his father.

The authors do not shrink from the calamities of war and describe failures as well as successes, but the resilience of the wartime generations shines through. The book is strong on accessible narrative history.

Extracts from commendations
This terrific book … describing events in a compelling narrative … I am therefore delighted to commend this account which faithfully documents the wartime providence of God, in a previously unseen level of detail and historical credibility.
MAJOR GENERAL (RETD) TIM CROSS, CBE

If you like history, you will really like this book. Well researched, clear and engaging, this account of conflict from a UK perspective, from WW1 to the Falklands, is enlightening and compelling.
MAJOR GENERAL (RETD) CHRIS MCPADDEN, FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, US ARMY

Rich in the way the military overcome acute personal danger or the burden of high command. There is something here to make every reader stop and think.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RETD) ROBIN BRIMS, CB, CBE, DSO

A sweeping narrative spanning three wars and almost a century. The story of the leaders is an inspiring one, fully knit into the narrative of war, and full of wisdom for today.
DR CARL E. ARMERDING, CAPTAIN (RETD) US NAVY, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, REGENT COLLEGE VANCOUVER

The degree of attention to allied and enemy perspectives is especially refreshing. And, beyond this, here is an account that without loss of scholarly objectivity opens up the question of the place of God in it all.
PROFESSOR JOHN NOLLAND, PHD (CANTAB), TRINITY COLLEGE, BRISTOL

About the authors
John Scriven read history and law at Trinity College, Cambridge and served as a Captain in 6/7 Battalion (Territorial Army), The Queen’s Regiment. His books include Belief and the Nation (2013).

Tim Dieppe studied at St Edmund Hall, Oxford and later obtained an MA in Kingdom Theology from Westminster Theological Centre.

Genres: Christian, History

602 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2021

Reviews

[Peter Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about how God has intervened for the UK during the wars of the 20th Century. The book is well written and some may worry that it contains too many Christian bits - it actually contains many many more details on the battles and situations themselves than the bits about prayer. Either way would not have bothered me but I thought I should mention this all the same. In fact I think this book missed something on Palestine perhaps because it applied more to Zionist thinking at the time - the motto of Squadron 14 that helped liberate Palestine in 1917 "I spread my wings and keep my promise" which for the Jews was quite a sign.

My favourite part was the chapter on Churchill showing his strong personal faith which I was not fully aware of - the story of the 16 year old Churchill telling his friend he would be involved in the defence of London is simply jaw dropping (I had heard that bit before but to set it written down is something else). Churchill's comment on noticing the decline in Christian teaching also seems on the money given what we now see in the Church of England leadership decades later. He did indeed see further than most also reflected in his 1954 chat with Billy Graham.

Something for everyone interested in the nation wars of the 20th century here - I would recommend it.

[Shane Goodyear · Rating 3 out of 5]

* This is an ok book
* It is interesting to see how God answered pray for this nation during its time of great need
* Churchill’s faith is another interesting fact his believe in providence and his meeting with billy Graham
* Some of the miracles that happened in battle, angels being seen in the ww1 battlefield
* Rainbow on d day
* Goes through the history and the battles in good detail and then shows the correlation between prayer and deliverance
* Commanders, national days of prayer the bible college in wales praying and correlates the dates to show when things happened through the power of prayer
* Don’t give up praying for the nation revival etc
* Excellent conclusion
* Looked Ww1 and 2 Falkland’s Churchill
* Thought it could of been better weaving in the answers to prayer with historical events
* German soldiers suing angels protecting the British positions in ww1
* The delays in the invasion of furnace and the halt orders for the panzers allowed Britain to be ready to face the Germans in 1940
* Providence of God working through human action
* Encouraging book

[Clive Baggallay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this it covers from WW1 through WW2 to the falklands war. On the one hand the areas it portrays whether battles, individuals or the geo politics in the background is succinct and cogent so good for those who want to understand the wars beyond just the action and its easily understood. On the other it reviews, lightly, some of the national days of prayer and the effect it appears to have had to turn the tide of battle from defeat into victory. Most chapters this is done in a gentle way so those who scoff will be able to read through them. Two chapters and the epilogue however go into more depth especially when seeing the faith of someone like Churchill. I personally do believe in prayer and miracles but this book may make some people, if not think about themselves turning to the Lord, will either have their beliefs in Christians confirmed whether positive or negative , make them think to look further or at least understand Christians a little more so I say this book is for Christians, other faiths or no faith.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book that combines British History and Theology!!! Particularly loved the chapters on Malta, Churchill and the Falklands War.
The raid on Michmash in 1917 (& 1 Samuel 14!) is a remarkable find.

[Gerard Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in parts, in others not great. As a non military man I struggled with the tactical sections and progress of battles. The epilogue did not seem very connected and a bit of a rant.