Author Archives: secondbysecond

In the news: Memorial Day 2018

Posted on May 27, 2018 by secondbysecond

We honour our troops and veterans on Memorial Day, Monday 28 May 2018. The photograph shows  US Army Staff Sergeant Agnieszka Sosnowska of the 131st Military working Dog Detachment. She is praising Military Working Dog Quaid, who has just completed … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Les Parisiennes — by Anne Sebba

Posted on April 4, 2018 by secondbysecond

What is it that Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) says in the movie Casablanca when Ilsa (played by Ingrid Bergman) asks if he remembers Paris? Rick says, “I remember every detail. You wore blue; the Germans wore grey.” Those lines … Continue reading →

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Book Review: March Violets — by Philip Kerr

Posted on December 25, 2017 by secondbysecond

After the success of the Nazis in the election of 5 March 1933, swarms of Germans scrambled to jump onto the bandwagon by joining the Nazi Party. Such latecomers were termed ‘March Violets’ by the old-time Nazis. March Violets is … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 27 Aug–2 Sept 1945: Japan signs the instrument of surrender

Posted on September 1, 2017 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on 2 September 1945, Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, signed the instrument of surrender on board the battleship USS Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay. General Douglas MacArthur signed on behalf of the Allies. Representatives of … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 20–26 August 1945: Ho Chi Minh stays in charge

Posted on August 23, 2017 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, 20 August 1945: As agreed at the Potsdam Conference, the Chinese forces of Chiang Kai-shek crossed into northern Vietnam (Indochina) to accept the surrender of the Japanese. The Chinese left local control in the hands … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 13–19 August 1945: Hirohito broadcasts to the nation

Posted on August 13, 2017 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on 15 August 1945, Emperor Hirohito broadcast on the radio to the Japanese nation. His broadcast announced Japan’s acceptance of unconditional surrender to the Allies. It was the first time that the Japanese People had … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 6–12 August 1945: Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Posted on August 11, 2017 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on 6 August and on 9 August 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The necessity of using the atomic bomb is still debated today.

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This week in the War, 30 July–5 August 1945: King George and President Truman meet at Plymouth

Posted on August 4, 2017 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, off the coast of Plymouth, England, President Harry S. Truman, en route home from the Potsdam Conference aboard the USS Augusta, met with King George VI, who was on board the British battlecruiser HMS Renown. The atomic bomb … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 23–29 July 1945: Clement Attlee becomes prime minister of Great Britain

Posted on July 28, 2017 by secondbysecond

In the July general election, the British Labour Party had won its first majority in British history and, this week in the war, on 26 July 1945, Clement Attlee became the first Labour prime minister of Great Britain. The Labour Party’s … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 16–22 July 1945: Opening of the Potsdam conference

Posted on July 22, 2017 by secondbysecond

The Potsdam conference opened this week in the war, on 17 July 1945. Three countries participated: The Soviet Union—represented by Joseph Stalin, the United States—represented by Harry S. Truman (who had become president following the death of President Roosevelt), and … Continue reading →

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