History between the Lines

S5 E10: "Don't let's be beastly to the Germans": The British in Germany, 1945-1949


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May, 1945. Nazi Germany lies smashed and defeated at the mercy of the Allies. The country is carved up into four zones of occupation, with the British being given control over the zone in the north-west. They face problems of near-famine, housing shortages, refugees and the trauma of the post-war world. How did they deal with these crises?

Dr Daniel Cowling joins me to talk about his new book, "Don't let's be beastly to the Germans", which explores this British post-war occupation of Germany.

Cover artwork: "Comfort of a Bed of Roses" by James Gillray, courtesy of Look and Learn History Picture Archive.

Music by Lexin Music from Pixabay.

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History between the LinesBy Jonathan Brown