Slight thread drift, but 4 or 5 years ago saw a dramatic production of Requiem for a Wren at Exbury (nr Lymington) where Shute was stationed in the RN during the war, and where he wrote the book. Many of the themes in the book are based on actual happenings. Various scenes were acted around the estate, and ended on Lepe Beach (this was the evening of 5 June) in the rain watching a representation of the D-Day outload - hairs on the back of my neck vertical. Great writer.