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Moment of Destiny - One Day in Oran: An Alternative History of World War II

by Roger Branfill-Cook

220 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-1728; ISBN 1-4251-4179-X; US$27.55, C$31.68, EUR21.48, £14.24

Deadly confrontation at Mers el-Kébir…In this alternative history of World War II, the powerful French fleet joins the Allies, and the whole course of human history changes!

About the Book

Moment of Destiny was written to correct a terrible wrong, to heal an old wound.

In July 1940, when the European Democracies collapsed before the Nazi war machine, only Britain stood defiant, but alone and vulnerable. Ambassador Kennedy wrote Britain off as a lost cause.

Churchill decided to show the world Britain's ruthless determination to fight on.

Tragically the issue on which he made his stand was the fate of the French Fleet, then the fourth most powerful in the world. To prevent their falling into fascist hands, Admiral Somerville was ordered to open fire on the French squadron at Mers el-Kébir. 1,300 French sailors died, and a huge opportunity was lost.

This book examines the possibility that Admiral Somerville might have acted in a different manner, in the best traditions of the naval commander on the spot. Suddenly the course of the Second World War begins to change, and with it the history of the entire world.

Barbarossa begins on schedule, and when the Russian Winter bites, the Wehrmacht is hundreds of miles east of Moscow.

Rommel is sent not to North Africa, but to the Caucasus.

Pearl Harbour, the Philippines and Malaya are not attacked in 1941, and Japan turns elsewhere. The first atom bomb is not dropped on Japan…

Unlike the disparate collection of chapters, each detailing a single hypothesis, all too often found in alternative histories, the Author carries his story through to its logical conclusion. One after another, the dominos fall inexorably in another direction.

About the Author

Author Roger Branfill-Cook built his first Airfix Spitfire at the age of six, which sparked off his lifetime passion for military history. He draws from his considerable knowledge of historical characters, events and military technology to bring his subjects to life.

Chairman of the Ordnance Society, Council Member of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association and Secretary of the Foundation for European Societies of Arms Collectors, Roger is an acknowledged expert on fortifications, firearms, armoured vehicles and warships. He is a keen collector and shooter of historical rifles and pistols, and enjoys taking part in Living History re-enactment weekends.

Forthcoming titles include "X.I.THE ROYAL NAVY'S MYSTERY WEAPON A Milestone in British Submarine Development", "THE MADSEN LIGHT MACHINE GUN", "FRENCH MILITARY REVOLVERS" and "TIGER KILLER", the memoirs of his Cousin's wartime exploits in the SAS.

He regularly lectures to enthusiasts in Museums across Europe. He also drives around in a London Taxicab, a rare sight in the lanes of North East France where he lives and works. To relax he watches classic movies, and takes his Portuguese Estrela Mountain Dog on long walks in the country.