TALBOT C. IMLAY
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199261222
- eISBN:
- 9780191717550
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199261222.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, Military History, British and Irish Modern History
This chapter argues the British and French strategy developed along similar and increasingly radical lines during the Phoney War, a convergence fostered by the growing inclination of the British to ...
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This chapter argues the British and French strategy developed along similar and increasingly radical lines during the Phoney War, a convergence fostered by the growing inclination of the British to identify with French concerns and fears. Broadly speaking, British strategy in the 1930s tended towards isolation from Europe. However, beginning in 1938, the mounting German threat together with strong French pressure rendered this aloofness from the Continent increasingly untenable. Compelled in 1939 to reaffirm and strengthen Britain's military contribution to the Continental defence, the British soon found themselves conceiving of the balance of power in Continental terms.Less
This chapter argues the British and French strategy developed along similar and increasingly radical lines during the Phoney War, a convergence fostered by the growing inclination of the British to identify with French concerns and fears. Broadly speaking, British strategy in the 1930s tended towards isolation from Europe. However, beginning in 1938, the mounting German threat together with strong French pressure rendered this aloofness from the Continent increasingly untenable. Compelled in 1939 to reaffirm and strengthen Britain's military contribution to the Continental defence, the British soon found themselves conceiving of the balance of power in Continental terms.
Martin Ceadel
- Published in print:
- 2000
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199241170
- eISBN:
- 9780191696893
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199241170.003.0011
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
When Britain entered World War II on September 3, 1939, it was deemed a minor watershed in comparison with the Prague crisis. Of greater intellectual impact was Adolf Hitler's military breakthrough ...
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When Britain entered World War II on September 3, 1939, it was deemed a minor watershed in comparison with the Prague crisis. Of greater intellectual impact was Adolf Hitler's military breakthrough in the summer of 1940, after which only the most obdurate or the most apolitical could support non-resistance, and only the most optimistic or gullible could expect a satisfactory negotiated peace. A more gradual change of mood occurred after the Soviet Union and the United States entered the war during the second half of 1941, thereby improving the prospects of military victory.Less
When Britain entered World War II on September 3, 1939, it was deemed a minor watershed in comparison with the Prague crisis. Of greater intellectual impact was Adolf Hitler's military breakthrough in the summer of 1940, after which only the most obdurate or the most apolitical could support non-resistance, and only the most optimistic or gullible could expect a satisfactory negotiated peace. A more gradual change of mood occurred after the Soviet Union and the United States entered the war during the second half of 1941, thereby improving the prospects of military victory.
Robert Mackay
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719058936
- eISBN:
- 9781781700143
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719058936.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, Military History
The term ‘Phoney War’ was used to illustrate that no massed flights of German bombers appeared above Britain's cities to batter the citizens into submission. After the eight months of relative ...
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The term ‘Phoney War’ was used to illustrate that no massed flights of German bombers appeared above Britain's cities to batter the citizens into submission. After the eight months of relative inactivity, there came a period of momentous events: the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk, the collapse of France, the threat of invasion, the Battle of Britain. This was followed by subjecting London and several provincial cities to heavy bombing and the persistence of threat of invasion. Finally, the last phase showed the withdrawal of threat of invasion, the bombing became more patchy and intermittent and the war took on the character of a long haul to victory. Inactive character itself became a threat to popular morale during Phoney War. Fear, panic and hysteria were present among civilians subjected to bombing. Russia's involvement meant that victory was not quite so difficult to imagine.Less
The term ‘Phoney War’ was used to illustrate that no massed flights of German bombers appeared above Britain's cities to batter the citizens into submission. After the eight months of relative inactivity, there came a period of momentous events: the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk, the collapse of France, the threat of invasion, the Battle of Britain. This was followed by subjecting London and several provincial cities to heavy bombing and the persistence of threat of invasion. Finally, the last phase showed the withdrawal of threat of invasion, the bombing became more patchy and intermittent and the war took on the character of a long haul to victory. Inactive character itself became a threat to popular morale during Phoney War. Fear, panic and hysteria were present among civilians subjected to bombing. Russia's involvement meant that victory was not quite so difficult to imagine.
David Reynolds
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198206262
- eISBN:
- 9780191677052
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198206262.003.0015
- Subject:
- History, British and Irish Modern History, Political History
In 1940, Britain faced the greatest crisis in its history since Napoleon's armies massed on the French coast in 1804–1805. Yet at the same moment Churchill at last attained his cherished ambition, ...
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In 1940, Britain faced the greatest crisis in its history since Napoleon's armies massed on the French coast in 1804–1805. Yet at the same moment Churchill at last attained his cherished ambition, becoming Prime Minister and leading his country at a time when his peculiar talents could be given full rein and just appreciation. Britain's worst hour was also Churchill's finest. This chapter argues that a sober examination of Churchill's performance as war leader in 1940 does not belittle his greatness. On the contrary, it makes him a more human and thereby a more impressive figure than the two-dimensional bulldog of national mythology. This chapter explores Churchill's role as war leader in three main areas: first, naval strategy during the Phoney War while he was at the Admiralty; the realignment of British foreign policy following the collapse of France; and defence policy and domestic leadership during the Battle of Britain.Less
In 1940, Britain faced the greatest crisis in its history since Napoleon's armies massed on the French coast in 1804–1805. Yet at the same moment Churchill at last attained his cherished ambition, becoming Prime Minister and leading his country at a time when his peculiar talents could be given full rein and just appreciation. Britain's worst hour was also Churchill's finest. This chapter argues that a sober examination of Churchill's performance as war leader in 1940 does not belittle his greatness. On the contrary, it makes him a more human and thereby a more impressive figure than the two-dimensional bulldog of national mythology. This chapter explores Churchill's role as war leader in three main areas: first, naval strategy during the Phoney War while he was at the Admiralty; the realignment of British foreign policy following the collapse of France; and defence policy and domestic leadership during the Battle of Britain.
A. W. Brian Simpson
- Published in print:
- 1994
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198259497
- eISBN:
- 9780191681974
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198259497.003.0005
- Subject:
- Law, Legal History
The new regulation was analysed by L. S. Brass, the assistant legal adviser to the Home Office, who identified five categories of potential detainees; logically there were really eight. But Home ...
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The new regulation was analysed by L. S. Brass, the assistant legal adviser to the Home Office, who identified five categories of potential detainees; logically there were really eight. But Home Office policy was to distinguish merely two basic categories—those of ‘hostile associations (and/or origin)’, and those involved in ‘acts prejudicial’. Standard forms of order indicated which was involved, but gave no additional information. There was a problem of transition. The committee had heard twenty-four cases, recommending continued detention in only thirteen, and release in six, four subject to restrictions, figures which suggest that confidence in Military Intelligence Section 5 (MI5) was already waning. When the new Regulation 18B came into force, Alexander Maxwell and Sir Ernest Holderness thought that Sir John Anderson should review all existing orders. This chapter examines executive detention during the period of the ‘phoney war’, when the Home Office made very modest use of its powers, much to the irritation of MI5.Less
The new regulation was analysed by L. S. Brass, the assistant legal adviser to the Home Office, who identified five categories of potential detainees; logically there were really eight. But Home Office policy was to distinguish merely two basic categories—those of ‘hostile associations (and/or origin)’, and those involved in ‘acts prejudicial’. Standard forms of order indicated which was involved, but gave no additional information. There was a problem of transition. The committee had heard twenty-four cases, recommending continued detention in only thirteen, and release in six, four subject to restrictions, figures which suggest that confidence in Military Intelligence Section 5 (MI5) was already waning. When the new Regulation 18B came into force, Alexander Maxwell and Sir Ernest Holderness thought that Sir John Anderson should review all existing orders. This chapter examines executive detention during the period of the ‘phoney war’, when the Home Office made very modest use of its powers, much to the irritation of MI5.
John Baxendale
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- July 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780719072864
- eISBN:
- 9781781700662
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Manchester University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7228/manchester/9780719072864.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Cultural History
This chapter deals with Priestley and the period of war. Priestley was among those who saw the war as an opportunity for much-needed social and cultural change. For him, the hope of radical postwar ...
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This chapter deals with Priestley and the period of war. Priestley was among those who saw the war as an opportunity for much-needed social and cultural change. For him, the hope of radical postwar reconstruction grew out of despair at the condition of the nation in the 1930s. It extended beyond the familiar Wigan Pier territory of unemployment and social conditions in the depressed areas, to bring in issues of democracy, culture, national identity and the distribution of power and status in British society. During the war, much to the irritation of Churchill and his colleagues, he was the most widely heard spokesman for radical postwar reconstruction, appealing to the oft-expressed desire for ‘no return to the thirties’.Less
This chapter deals with Priestley and the period of war. Priestley was among those who saw the war as an opportunity for much-needed social and cultural change. For him, the hope of radical postwar reconstruction grew out of despair at the condition of the nation in the 1930s. It extended beyond the familiar Wigan Pier territory of unemployment and social conditions in the depressed areas, to bring in issues of democracy, culture, national identity and the distribution of power and status in British society. During the war, much to the irritation of Churchill and his colleagues, he was the most widely heard spokesman for radical postwar reconstruction, appealing to the oft-expressed desire for ‘no return to the thirties’.
