Peace In Their Time

Episode 218 - Thank God for the French Army

Equipment and organization episode! Even if the French commanders got thoroughly discredited after 1940, the actual gear used by the army kept a decent reputation. But that might not be entirely justified as their arsenal was riddled with deficiencies all its own. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Doughty, Robert Allan The Seeds of Disaster: The Development of French Army Doctrine 1919-1939 Archon Books 1985
2. Porch, Douglas Defeat and Division: France at War, 1939-1942 Cambridge University Press 2022
3. Bishop, Chris The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II Barnes & Noble Inc 1998
4. Johnson, Lee The French Army 1939-45 Osprey Publishing 1998
5. Porter, David World War II Tanks: Western Allies 1939-45 Amber Books 2009

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

 

Episode 217 - Building the Shield

I'm talking about bunkers today and I desperately hope you guys are as excited as I am. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Doughty, Robert Allan The Seeds of Disaster: The Development of French Army Doctrine 1919-1939 Archon Books 1985
2. Kaufmann, J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II Praeger Security International 2006
3. Porch, Douglas Defeat and Division: France at War, 1939-1942 Cambridge University Press 2022

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 216 - Marching to the Wrong Beat

Today we move away from the overview history of France to focus on purely military matters. Namely, how the French went wrong in preparing for the next war and how that would play into the disaster of 1940. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Doughty, Robert Allan The Seeds of Disaster: The Development of French Army Doctrine 1919-1939 Archon Books 1985
2. Kaufmann, J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II Praeger Security International 2006
3. Porch, Douglas Defeat and Division: France at War, 1939-1942 Cambridge University Press 2022

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 215 - Empire of Necessity

For France, lacking in both population count, natural resources, and industry when compared to their hostile neighbor, the colonies were indispensable. But the lackluster engagement from the Popular Front government would help drive local leaders from forming partnerships with their imperial overlords, as even a supposedly friendly government ruled with a clumsy hand. So while the major components of the empire were productive, the people actually living there began envisioning futures separate from Paris. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Jackson, Julian The Popular Front in France: Defending Democracy, 1934-38 Cambridge University Press 1988
2. Roberts, AD The Cambridge History of Africa: Volume 7 from 1905 to 1940 Cambridge University Press 1986
3. Conklin, Alice L et al France and Its Empire Since 1870 Oxford University Press 2011
4. Thomas, Martin The French Empire at War, 1940-45 Manchester University Press 1998
5. Brocheux, Pierre and Daniel Hemery Indochina: An Ambiguous Colonization 1858-1954 University of California Press 2009

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 214 - The Popular Front in Power

The honeymoon period of the Popular Front was basically nil within the actual French government. The establishment may have been willing to entertain limited reforms, but sweeping changes were out of the question, killing the momentum of the entire movement and dooming it to failure. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Jackson, Julian The Politics of Depression in France, 1932-1936 Cambridge University Press 1985
2. Jackson, Julian The Popular Front in France: Defending Democracy, 1934-38 Cambridge University Press 1988
3. Bernard, Philippe and Henri Dubief The Decline of the Third Republic, 1914-1938 Cambridge University Press 1988
4. Adamthwaite, Anthony Grandeur and Misery: France 1914-1940 Arnold, 1995
5. Wright, Gordon France in Modern Times, 4th Ed WW Norton Company, Inc, 1987
6. Fortescue, William The Third Republic in France 1870-1940 Routledge, 2007
7. Weber, Eugene The Hollow Years: France in the 1930s WW Norton & Company Inc 1994

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 213 - By Popular Acclaim

By the time the Popular Front came to power it seemed like nothing would be the same in France. Politics were polarizing, the Communists became a viable electoral force, and the old order appeared dead and buried. Strikes were sweeping the nation and the business class appeared to be in retreat. It wouldn't last, but it felt great at the time. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Jackson, Julian The Politics of Depression in France, 1932-1936 Cambridge University Press 1985
2. Jackson, Julian The Popular Front in France: Defending Democracy, 1934-38 Cambridge University Press 1988
3. Bernard, Philippe and Henri Dubief The Decline of the Third Republic, 1914-1938 Cambridge University Press 1988
4. Adamthwaite, Anthony Grandeur and Misery: France 1914-1940 Arnold, 1995
5. Wright, Gordon France in Modern Times, 4th Ed WW Norton Company, Inc, 1987
6. Fortescue, William The Third Republic in France 1870-1940 Routledge, 2007
7. Weber, Eugene The Hollow Years: France in the 1930s WW Norton & Company Inc 1994

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 212 - Prelude to the Popular Front

Switching topics to France in the mid-to-late 1930s, today I cover the early coming together of the Popular Front in France. Expect becoming re-acquainted with the political and economic situation there at the time, as well as an introduction to the key factions and figures that would comprise the Front. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Jackson, Julian The Politics of Depression in France, 1932-1936 Cambridge University Press 1985
2. Jackson, Julian The Popular Front in France: Defending Democracy, 1934-38 Cambridge University Press 1988
3. Bernard, Philippe and Henri Dubief The Decline of the Third Republic, 1914-1938 Cambridge University Press 1988
4. Adamthwaite, Anthony Grandeur and Misery: France 1914-1940 Arnold, 1995
5. Wright, Gordon France in Modern Times, 4th Ed WW Norton Company, Inc, 1987
6. Fortescue, William The Third Republic in France 1870-1940 Routledge, 2007
7. Weber, Eugene The Hollow Years: France in the 1930s WW Norton & Company Inc 1994

 

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 211 - The Kids Aren't Alright

Today I finally wrap this miniseries with a look at the Hitler Youth, how it developed and its role in the Nazi state. I also touch on the effects of Nazism on the German educational system. Like most things it had any effect on, it wasn't great!

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. HW Koch The Hitler Youth: Origins and Development 1922-1945 Cooper Square Press 2000 (originally Barnes & Noble Books 1975)
2. Evans, Richard J. The Third Reich in Power Penguin Press 2005
3. Gellately, Robert Hitler's True Believers: How Ordinary People Became Nazis Oxford University Press 2020

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 210 - Labyrinth, Part II

Today I take a look at the development of the Nazi security apparatus while under the supervision of the SS. This will include a proper description of the activities of the Gestapo, as well as how the regular police fit into the picture, and how these groups interacted with the SD. Plus, a guest appearance from the SA. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Hohne, Heinz The Order of the Death's Head: The Story of Hitler's SS Penguin Books 2000
2. Weale, Adrian Army of Evil: A History of the SS Penguin Books 2010
3. Siemens, Daniel Stormtroopers: A New History of Hitler's Brownshirts Yale University Press 2017

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com

Episode 209 - Labyrinth, Part I

Today is the first of a two-parter covering the General SS. The sub-section of the group covered a lot of the administrative activities, but also oversaw the efforts to merge the police forces of Germany into the organization. This would never be totally completed, but the closeness of the SS and law enforcement in Germany was such that they would be linked for most of the Third Reich's existence. On top of that, there was the SD lurking around offering yet another instrument of monitoring and control. 

 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Hohne, Heinz The Order of the Death's Head: The Story of Hitler's SS Penguin Books 2000
2. Weale, Adrian Army of Evil: A History of the SS Penguin Books 2010

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com