Leaving the British isles behind for now, I'm going to be spending the next couple of episodes covering its empire's crown jewel, India. The turn of the decade to the 30s saw the British Raj in crisis as laws confirming the colony's system of government had to be approved, and the Indians were not about to have the status quo get reaffirmed. Resistance would materialize in the form of Gandhi's celebrated Salt Satyagraha, but that would merely be the first round in the renewed struggle with the British authorities.   

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Today is the last of the military overviews for the foreseeable future, and I'm covering the Royal Air Force! They were famous for their fighters, but their extensive pool of bombers dominated the attentions of the branch's planners until close to the outbreak of the war. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Now that I've gone off on the army leadership for the British, I switch topics to the actual weapons they used. Which was a far brighter story, just don't ask about the tanks. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

The British Army had a rough go of it in the years leading up to the war and during the first few years. Today I take a look at why that was, and the challenges that had to be addressed under live fire. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

I finally get to go over the notable ships of one of the big navies!

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

I finally get to cover one of the truly big navies of the period! In this first episode covering the Royal Navy, I'll be taking a look at the planning and strategy of the British admiralty in the 1930s. Obviously things didn't go according to plan, but it's good to have context on what their intentions were going into the war. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Rearmament presented the leadership of the UK with a dilemma. The economic recovery afforded the military the means necessary to lay at least the groundwork for future success, but not in every branch. And not perfectly anywhere, which hey was the story everywhere else too. What ensued were years of back-and-forth over how the country's slender resources would be allocated. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Today I switch over to events in the UK during the 30s and how they handled the challenge of the Axis. I'll be starting off with a look at their economic situation in the aftermath of the Depression and leaving the Gold Standard. Which for once was mostly good news, but still very much a recovery from years of disaster. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Today I wrap up this miniseries with a look at French diplomacy during the 30s. Upon recording this episode I realized there may have been not one single success during this entire period, an impressive record even by the standards of this show. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]

Coverage of the French military is wrapped up today with a look at the development and equipment of their navy and air force. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

Questions? Comments? Email me at [email protected]