The Great War was sometimes called “the war that will end wars”. The phrase was first used by HG Wells in an article that appeared in the Times (of London) in August 1914. Variations of the original version have been used by many writers and commentators over the years. By 1938, it was clear that the sentiment was completely out of step with reality. The Spanish Civil War had started in 1936. The second Sino-Japanese War started in 1937. Many people argued that neither conflict would have a significant impact on British interests. The British Government adopted a broadly neutral stance in both cases, at least openly.
Developments in Germany were far harder to ignore. Hitler was making a series of ever more belligerent statements and demands. Unless he could be persuaded to modify his position, war seemed inevitable. A war that no sane person could want.
Strategic decisions are made at the highest level of Government. Overwhelmingly, they are made by men of significant experience. The Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, was 69. (Great experience, of course, does not always correlate to great wisdom.) The Emergency Powers (Defence Act) of August 1938 had empowered the British government to take certain measures in defence of the nation and to maintain public order.
September 1938 saw the first instance of what we would subsequently regard as ‘shuttle diplomacy’. On the 15th, the Prime Minister took his first ever flight as he visited Hitler at Berchtesgaden. The urgency of the situation was such that travelling by boat and train was seen as unacceptably slow.
A second meeting between the leaders took place on 22/23 September. The German position seems to have hardened in the interim. Hitler now demanded that the Czechoslovakian army leave the Sudetenland by 1st October. This was a demand designed to provoke the Czechs and provide an excuse for invasion of the whole country. It is apparent that Chamberlain was extremely disappointed by the turn of events. He returned to Britain and the country started preparations for war.
Sandbags were filled. Trenches and air raid shelters were made available in many of Britain’s cities. Priceless treasures started to be moved to places of safety. Gas masks were issued. Plans for the evacuation of children to the countryside were put into place. On 25th September, the Royal Navy put to sea, in preparation for mounting a blockade of German ports.
The third and final meeting took place took place in Munich on 30th September. With the extremely reluctant agreement of the Czechoslovakian government, Chamberlain offered Hitler control of the Sudetenland. It was seen as a choice between suicide (conceding the Sudetenland) or being murdered (invaded by a much larger army). Chamberlain flew back to Heston Airport brandishing his famous ‘peace in our time’ paper. Churchill fulminated against the deal. Others breathed a sigh of relief. But not for long.
Whilst the politicians were engaged in great matters of state, other vital decisions were being made across the realm, down to the level of the individual family. Patrick had survived the Great War. (See “Medal Ribbons” etc.) His eldest son, Bill, was 18 in August of 1938. His youngest son, my Father, would be 15 a few days later. The young men are the ones that do the fighting. What advice could Patrick give to safeguard his family?