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The Machine Gunners

Learning: Primary

Robert Westall's famous novel set during World War Two in the fictional town of Garmouth.

Listen to The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall, abridged in 10 episodes. Set during World War Two, The Machine Gunners is the story of young Chas McGill and his friends living in the fictional town of Garmouth in the north east of England. With Nazi planes raining bombs on Garmouth night after night, every boy has a collection of war souvenirs. But nothing comes close to the machine gun which Chas pulls down from a crashed German bomber plane. While the police and Home Guard search frantically for the missing gun, Chas and his friends build a secret fortress and plan to fight the Germans themselves.

Antony Byrne

Penny Leicester

Roland Taylor

Bridget Dowty

The Machine Gunners: 5: Life at the fortress

5: Life at the fortress

English KS2: The Machine Gunners. 5: Life at the fortress - BBC Teachdocumentaudioaudioaudio

School has closed early for Christmas and the children spend time at Nicky’s.

School has closed early for the Christmas holidays and the children are spending most of their time in Nicky’s garden. They have extended ‘Fortress Caparetto’ and furnished it with items acquired from unsuspecting adults. Then, one night, a terrible event changes their childish game into something far more serious.

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The Machine Gunners

5: Life at the fortress

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