The so-called Phony War from September 1939 to May 1940 occupies a peculiar yet distinct place in popular memory. All the sensations of war, except the fighting, were present; yet, instead of massed air attacks and great land battles, very little happened. The British government was said to be complacent, and the people downright bored. Then, France fell to German attack, and the small British army was evacuated (minus its equipment) from Dunkirk. Reaction to this major strategic catastrophe was naturally to blame the men deemed guilty for bringing the nation to the verge of humiliating...
The so-called Phony War from September 1939 to May 1940 occupies a peculiar yet distinct place in popular memory. All the sensations of war, except...
The National Government that ran Britain during the 1930s has always received a very bad press. Its ultimate disgrace over the Munich crisis and the catastrophic opening phase of the Second World War sealed the fate of an experiment which had always been criticized by both Left and right and which has since made any further peacetime attempts at coalition government utterly disreputable. While not claiming that it was a success, Dr. Smart argues, however, that the National Government has been woefully misunderstood by historians who have allowed themselves to be too influenced by its much...
The National Government that ran Britain during the 1930s has always received a very bad press. Its ultimate disgrace over the Munich crisis and the c...