Category Archives: World War II

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 →

Posted in In the news, Vignette, World War II | Tagged , | Comments Off on In the news/Vignette: Robot discovers the Lascaux Cave (1940)

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 →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 28 Oct–3 Nov 1940: Emergenza G—Crisis in Greece

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 →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 21–27 October 1940: Entering the path of collaboration

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 →

Posted in Book, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 21–27 October 1940: Turning point at Hendaye

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 →

Posted in Movie, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 14–20 October 1940: The Great Dictator

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 →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on This fall in the War, September–November 1940: Heading for an election on the 5th of November

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 →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 7–13 October 1940: Five reasons why Hitler did not invade Britain

This week in the War, 30 Sept–6 Oct 1940: The statute of 3 October

Posted on October 5, 2012 by secondbysecond

On 3 October 1940, the first of the anti-Jewish laws was enacted by the Vichy government, which held authority in the Free Zone—that part of France that was not occupied by the German or Italian military. The statute of 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 30 Sept–6 Oct 1940: The statute of 3 October

In the news: House for sale (in Paris!) & songwriter Cole Porter’s connection with the little song sparrow herself: Edith Piaf.

Posted on October 2, 2012 by secondbysecond

According to Jean Rafferty’s article in the New York Times (27 September 2012), A House… , Cole Porter’s old house in Paris is up for sale. For house, read mansion—or maybe palace or mini-château. Check the previous link for a picture. … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on In the news: House for sale (in Paris!) & songwriter Cole Porter’s connection with the little song sparrow herself: Edith Piaf.

This week in the War, 23–29 September: Failure at Dakar

Posted on September 28, 2012 by secondbysecond

This week in the war, on 23 September 1940, the Free French leader, Charles de Gaulle, arrived with a Royal Navy task force at Dakar on the coast of the Vichy-controlled colony of French West Africa. He sailed on board … Continue reading →

Posted in World War II | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on This week in the War, 23–29 September: Failure at Dakar