The Machine Gunners

<p><b>Celebrate 50 years of adventure in Carnegie Medal-winner Robert Westall's compelling first novel for children set during World War Two, with a powerful introduction by Michael Morpurgo.</b><br><br><b>'Fifty Years on this remains the greatest WW2 novel ever penned.' Phil Earle</b><br><br>Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth but wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the wreckage of a downed German bomber, he finds the ultimate trophy – a working machine gun.<br><br>Hiding his discovery from the local police, Chas recruits his friends and together they build a fortress for their prize. But war is not a game and soon both friendships and loyalties are tested when the gang's actions have dangerous consequences.<br><br><b>Robert Westall wrote <i>The Machine Gunners</i> for his son, Christopher, based on his own experiences during the Second World War. A modern classic of children's fiction, it went on to win the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 1975 and has been in print ever since.</b></p>