Brilliant episode setting the scene for possibly the most important year in world history. Quite rightly, Al and James recognise that much of the fighting in 1945 was not only about winning the war but also about the shape of post-war Europe and Asia. In the UK, 6m men and women were in the armed forces. Events and decisions in 1945 were to determine the direction of the country where most of them were to return to civilian life in little more than 12 months. 8 May (Victory in Europe Day, but perhaps it should now been seen as Peace in Europe Day?) was the greatest moment in British history. A nation burdened by debts that weren't to be repaid for 50 years was nevertheless victorious and more unified than at any point its history. In July 1945, the votes of men and women in uniform set the scene for post-war reconstruction; the dismantling of the British Empire and the baby-boom generation; those (like me) born between 1946 and 1964 . Perhaps there should an episode involving boomers; post-boomers like Al and James and younger people to address the key question the war generation would have asked 80 years ago. What kind of country did they want to create out of the triumph and ruins of 1945? And to what extent have their hopes and dreams been fulfilled?
Lend Lease Settlement "Over the whole period from March 1941 to September 1945, the balance in favour of the United States in the mutual aid books24 was in round terms about $21,000 millions. But by the settlement of 1945 Britain was required to pay no more than $650 millions, or £162 millions sterling." page 547 British War Economy UK Civil Series Under article V of the 1942 Lend Lease agreement, all LL items were to be returned to USA custody unless lost, consumed or destroyed.
Brilliant episode setting the scene for possibly the most important year in world history. Quite rightly, Al and James recognise that much of the fighting in 1945 was not only about winning the war but also about the shape of post-war Europe and Asia. In the UK, 6m men and women were in the armed forces. Events and decisions in 1945 were to determine the direction of the country where most of them were to return to civilian life in little more than 12 months. 8 May (Victory in Europe Day, but perhaps it should now been seen as Peace in Europe Day?) was the greatest moment in British history. A nation burdened by debts that weren't to be repaid for 50 years was nevertheless victorious and more unified than at any point its history. In July 1945, the votes of men and women in uniform set the scene for post-war reconstruction; the dismantling of the British Empire and the baby-boom generation; those (like me) born between 1946 and 1964 . Perhaps there should an episode involving boomers; post-boomers like Al and James and younger people to address the key question the war generation would have asked 80 years ago. What kind of country did they want to create out of the triumph and ruins of 1945? And to what extent have their hopes and dreams been fulfilled?
Does McMillan have a decent biography / archive covering his WW2 and working with Alex?
Bill and Seth has an excellent and thus gruesome episode on the firebombing of Tokyo with the author of Black Snow.
Lend Lease Settlement "Over the whole period from March 1941 to September 1945, the balance in favour of the United States in the mutual aid books24 was in round terms about $21,000 millions. But by the settlement of 1945 Britain was required to pay no more than $650 millions, or £162 millions sterling."
page 547 British War Economy UK Civil Series
Under article V of the 1942 Lend Lease agreement, all LL items were to be returned to USA custody unless lost, consumed or destroyed.
Frist 😊