This week we continue exploring the Second World War by revealing one of its most surprising, colourful and sometimes farcical stories - the two year undeclared war between Britain and Vichy France. 

Tim Bouverie is Phil’s guest and he tales us through some of the terrific - and little known - stories in his new book Allies At War. 

Although London and Paris are firm allies when Nazi Germany invades France in May 1940, relationships soon fall apart and true disappears. Then, in July 1940, Winston Churchill - a lifelong francophile - takes the fateful decision to send the Royal Navy to attack the French fleet (to ensure it does not fall into Hitler’s hands). 1,300 French sailors, who had been allies of the British just weeks before, die in this attack.

There follows a series of military campaigns and diplomatic intrigues with the (often clashing) personalities of Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill at the heart of them all. 

You can buy Tim’s book here...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Allies-War-Politics-Defeating-Hitler/dp/1847926231/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

There’s also information and extracts from Phil’s new book here...

https://sites.google.com/view/1945thereckoning/home

You can pre-order the book now on Amazon UK - and it will be available all around the world as an e-book and an audio book...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1945-Reckoning-Empire-Struggle-World/dp/139971449X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=#

For anyone in Australia, you can purchase the book here...

https://www.amazon.com.au/1945-Reckoning-Empire-Struggle-World/dp/1399714503/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Aj6KiOnX8mB9IxbXa3MSftEn8ltcHpwdCwI_Y1Z9x_6wh1ZDhht_FEQApFtINIK18K6LpvzplQqjfqGwtGCX75E5idzD4XzxO4v5_7lTzseE1lilWhbmDGqQQNh41MCEhUEj3m2d_NqvbpQTzmbwiIy0x7yEhwDJnEK40Qp1ShuiNkayBHilBGbMJ2uS42z_EYICj2G1ukW0iEL0xwjyXCclJ4VwBeo2JkpEpY-vrgUNjbiZJ2WGQHUJe618JbwEOamp0n7LAcY0-C9Jd2K2kMVhcn0qj38FrKQ9kyxmsqk.KcgY2jzaJzHaHZX53DPc4FD3ClSuNzEEmTH0X6-HiG0&qid=1744266867&sr=8-1

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