Having researched my dad's wartime record, I discovered an interest in Churchill's life.
This led me on to consider how Germany, defeated in 1918, could have risen from the ashes to challenge the world just 20 years later. Surely the victors in 1918 would have put controls in place to ensure a re-match couldn't be contemplated by the losing team?
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ISBN 978-0-2976-0959-9 |
Churchill's book The Gathering Storm covers the inter-war years leading up to World War 2. It relates the peace loving attitudes that prevailed in Great Britain during this time, and a difficult period for Churchill who was practically mocked and given the unfortunate reputation as a "warmonger". It is easy to draw parallels between Winston in the wilderness years and a few modern day politicians, where opponents and the media try to assign misleading labels as a possible distraction from the individuals main message or beliefs.
During the 1930's, Germany was allowed to rearm because many thought it was 'unfair' to constrain this once great nation by depriving it of an army and a navy. Hitler took control of his own country using terrorism, violence and fake news, and eliminated any political opposition by creating a dictatorship.
When he took control of the Rhineland, he should have been evicted by the French and the British. If he had, he may have been toppled by German military leaders, and 10's of millions of people would not have suffered and died as a result of his actions.
Even after Germany had marched into Austria, Chamberlain was convinced Hitler was an honest man. It wasn't until Czechoslovakia was carved up by the Germans and the Poles that Chamberlain realised he was wrong to trust him. By this time, Italy had invaded Albania, and all three of the Axis powers had gained territory.
Offers of diplomatic assistance from the USA were brushed off, and the chance of an Anglo-French-Soviet military alliance were politically unacceptable, especially to Poland and Romania. So many opportunities were missed, and as each year passed, Germany grew stronger and Hitlers domestic opposition faded.
Reading this book, I found myself getting angry with the pacifists and peace-makers like Neville Chamberlain who didn't stop the rise of Hitler. But this is rather like a turkey voting for Christmas, as I would never have come into existence if it hadn't been for the second world war!
This book is essential reading for anyone researching war related family history, and should probably be on the study list for secondary school History pupils.