YA Novel set in WWII

[Deep]

I'm trying to remember the name of a book I read about an English boy who runs out one day near the end of WWII to find the home of his friend down the street blown up by a German bomb and his friend dead. It was a terrific novel by someone like C S Lewis or Roald Dahl or William Golding or someone like that.

[Rainbowheart]

When did you read it?

How old is the boy, teenager or younger child?

[Deep]

I read it when I was about 13.
I think the boy was about twelve or something. In my mind, the same age as the boy in "A Separate Peace."

[Tab]

How many years ago did you read the book?
Anything about the cover?
Part of a series?
What was the main plot of the book?
Did the boy have any family?

[Deep]

It was a book from the library read in the early 80s (so no idea when published). No idea about the plot (description of Britain during the time of German bombing?) - the friendship with the boy who would eventually blow up was quite naturally emphasized. I remember the boy who survived was always happy to run outside to see his friend. Both boys had families. The boy down the street blew up with his whole family.

[Rainbowheart]

Kinda reminds me of Hope and Glory, but I don't think any of the MC's friends died. He did see his house and school get bombed, though.

[Joseph]

This might be Susan Cooper's Dawn of Fear

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Deep, you must add plot details to your topic header/title, since there are tons of YA novels set in WWII. Use the little edit link.

[Rainbowheart]

The Machine-Gunners?