Philip James Day Archives - Aspects of History

Empire’s Witness: An Interview with Philip James Day

In discussion with Gautam Hazarika, the author reflects on discovering the hidden wartime diary of his grandfather, Corporal Alwyn Day, a quiet and emotionally reserved veteran shaped by extraordinary experiences in World War II.

Philip James Day

Philip, welcome to Aspects of History. Congratulations on the upcoming release of Empire’s Witness: A Soldier’s Secret War Diary 1942–45. What were your memories of your grandfather, Corporal Day, prior to beginning this project, and how and why did his “quiet life...

The Battle to Keep the War Moving

A rediscovered wartime diary shows how the Persian Corridor supply route workedin practice. Not as strategy, but as constant repair under immense pressure.

Philip James Day

In 1942 Hitler turned on Stalin and drove towards the Caucasus, aiming for the oil that would sustain the German advance. If he succeeded, the balance of the war could tilt. To hold them at bay, Stalin needed supplies quickly; fuel, vehicles, and equipment. Britain...