‘48 required a great deal of research into World War II and conditions in London around that time. Where possible, I’ve stuck to the facts, but in instances such as the escape along the Tube line between Holborn and the Aldwych, which was in truth closed down during the war years, I’ve allowed the story to stretch the actuality. There also appears to be some confusion between the experts as to whether trams were allowed to run through the tunnel beneath Kingsway during those dangerous years, so again I’ve opted for artistic licence (or not, whichever the case may be). Most other details should be accurate, but please forgive any mistakes I’m bound to have made and certain elaborations used for the sake of dramatization.
JAMES HERBERT
Sussex, 1996