Author Archives: secondbysecond

This week in the War, 4–10 November 1940: Election Day

Posted on November 4, 2012 by secondbysecond

As I write this post on Sunday 4 November 2012, I have no idea who will win Tuesday’s US election. Democrat incumbent Barack Obama is pitted against Republican challenger Mitt Romney, and the race is close. The economy and entanglement … Continue reading →

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In the news: Princess Noor Inayat Khan

Posted on November 1, 2012 by secondbysecond

Jane Martinson (The Women’s Blog with Jane Martinson 23 October 2012) recently reported in the British newspaper The Guardian that a statue is soon to be erected in London to honour Princess Noor Inayat Khan. The princess, who was descended from … Continue reading →

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In the news/Vignette: Robot discovers the Lascaux Cave (1940)

Posted on October 31, 2012 by secondbysecond

According to Tom Kington, recently reporting from Rome for the British newspaper The Guardian (18 October 2012), two men noticed a wandering cat slip through a small opening in a cliff face close to their home in the ancient city. When … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 28 Oct–3 Nov 1940: Emergenza G—Crisis in Greece

Posted on October 30, 2012 by secondbysecond

The euro: €. Today, everyone knows that the present decline in the European currency has much to do with the current crisis in Greece. Like anywhere else, Greece has known ups and downs, and will eventually bounce back. Believe me, … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 21–27 October 1940: Entering the path of collaboration

Posted on October 27, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on Thursday 24 October, Adolf Hitler and Maréchal Philippe Pétain, the leader of Vichy France, met at Montoire-sur-le-Loire. In most respects, the two men were remarkably different. Hitler spent his early life as an aspiring, though … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 21–27 October 1940: Turning point at Hendaye

Posted on October 25, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on Wednesday 23 October 1940, Adolf Hitler met with Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco at Hendaye, a small town on the French-Spanish border, at the foot of the Pyrenees. In some respects, the two men were … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 14–20 October 1940: The Great Dictator

Posted on October 18, 2012 by secondbysecond

          To quote Charlie Chaplin: “Dictators are comic. My aim is to make people laugh at them.” This week in the war, on 15 October 1940, the movie The Great Dictator, premiered in New York City. Chaplin starred … Continue reading →

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This fall in the War, September–November 1940: Heading for an election on the 5th of November

Posted on October 16, 2012 by secondbysecond

This evening (Tuesday 16 October) I watched the American presidential debate on CNN: Obama vs Romney. Politics in the USA are more interesting than any in any other country I can think of—and I’m speaking as outsider. The brilliantly-orchestrated party … Continue reading →

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In the news: The White Rabbit

Posted on October 11, 2012 by secondbysecond

A 23 September 2012 article by Jasper Copping in the British newspaper The Telegraph reviewed Sophie Jackson’s recent biography of the British WWII spy known as The White Rabbit. The White Rabbit was the code name for Wing Commander Forest Frederick … Continue reading →

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This week in the War, 7–13 October 1940: Five reasons why Hitler did not invade Britain

Posted on October 8, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on 12 October 1940, Hitler postponed his planned invasion of Britain, Operation Sealion, until the spring of 1941. (By then, of course, he would have a new enemy and a different country to invade). Despite … Continue reading →

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