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THE CHINA MAIL,
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1959.
BEGINNING THE CASE-BOOK OF BRITAIN ON THE BRINK OF WAR
A FASCINATING FINE-FOCUS ON THE DAYS BEFORE THE STORM That ASTOUNDING August
What were you doing 20 years ago today?
was just 20 years ago 'this nionth. In far-
away Danzig, the free city on the shores of the Baltic, Nazi troops disguised as tourists lurked in the gabled houses of the lovely Han- seatic town-waiting for the signal Trom Berlin to launch the coup that would turn the city over to Hitler.
In the Polish Corridor a few miller towery-the
Corridor
that was the thuth in Hitler's fish, because it cut GermaONLY in two-Polish Tranța, warted with: itchy fingers and what was to prove mismaided crentidence for the first Nazi invaders 15 cross the frontire.
In Berlin, Hitler rasted. In Rome, the Pupe prayed. But in Britain. It was holiday the. Parlament had risen. The Prime Minister. Neville Chanderivin, and his Cabinet had gone to the country to rest. "Parliament
pass, with an occasional ng
(new model, prie
is taking a holiday-why not pe?" asked an advertisement in the Daily Express "Visit Standard
at (29) Disming out to show off
Belgian Comtehere everyone a bright colours. Happy, Peaceful and Smiling."}
Shadows
Twenty years ago
was
Britain
an holiday....on borrowed time. Hitler rantad, but the sun shono on the deck-chair dozers. Wore you among them? Can you recall what life was like in the darkening Even for those who are too young shadows of wor?
to remember, the last days of peace presont fascinating study.
by LEONARD MOSLEY
rom-
REMEMBER Sir Malcolm Campbell and his speedboat Blue Bird? With him is a 1959 record-
breaker-his 2011 Donald, then 18.
stoutly denied that any of-his--ful-new-song, "Boop-boop dilitens --
men could be blamed.
clettem winitem CHOO!" " "Such a happening, if a Ger- inner cousels
But for those in the nation's
There come man did it. would be a discre sudden shock. A British spy, dit tu Line National Socialist Party," He said. "We are all operating out of Germany, sent Nazis in this ship. IL in the despatch to M.1.3 that al- Jows who have done it just to vanised discredit us. I am sure of it."
Demonstration
Whitehall, He pro- duced convincing evidence to back his sensational Informa- tion;
"August 15,"he announced, "will be the day. All the Ger
If
A plump and ebullient blonde man forces have been alerted to American dancer of 19 named prepare for the attack on Danzig
Lhat case, Mirian: Verre landed in England and Poland on after triumphing in a version iller doesn't move on August of The Merry Widow at the 15-If the Alles can only con- Opera House in Munich, tiller vince him that they will de- was in the royal box. After initely oppose him should he wards he sent Miriam a bouquet nove-the crisis should be over, and invited her to Supper.
for this year at least,"
"1 won't hear word against him," she told the British public. "He slaps his thighs and is al- ways making jokes against him. self. He is absolutely thr
test man I know."
Action
August 15 there were only.
REMEMBER the girl in this picture 7. She toas one of the carly 1939) terbugs. Her partner is Frank Albertson, They were in a film called "Bachelor Mother." Placed the girl yet 7 Why... Ginger Rogers, of course,
because of chaos In Whitehall was fullowed by the military
delegation. "preparations,
This But on the night of August 10
party bad sailed-by the lights went bul over half slow boat-to Russia at the
Leginning of August. Its leader: That meant of England.
was a man with a long name but. It would be dramatic lo say a few doys
curtailed powers, "God old Hedley," he rand. In Margate a crowd at
sang: "I'm
that the people reacted to the severely concer Evo mu13′′
to put into action the emergency ensuing: blackout with the same Admirat Sir Plunkel - Emle- "ha's really get them in
demon-
He Danzig with tubre in my eyes."
talked All s now."
out to have
sense of history as Lord Grey, Erle-Drax Was Everyone
A range organisation called munstures that would
August with "Tow
Stalin's *144 'yot mran mindsked Verity,
fu, tint Bank Hoilday. They The Link, which had supporters sitate to Germatty that we were when he looks out on While through
and Mikoyan, But the plans hall in August 1814, and said: alder, Molotov in some most influential British ready for war. whether crowded the pubs for whisky or "They can't rede
chose the rightpence a nlp, and quarters,
holiday had already been
The lights of Europe are going without much result.
We shall not see them t What the British Government on t
weekend to
a pamphlet they sat in their chairs on the out. cigarettes at a shilling for 20
did not
was that the know
of thinking Russians were And do you know what story called "The Case for Germany" seaside plers, reading their Banit again in our Ume."
I in which its author, Professor Holiday papers, the men heard
dumping the Allies and making caused most
a part with Hitter all the time they were talking, to Plunkett- Enle-Eric-D.mx.
The battles of that August Bank Holiday puucerned sport, 1 lot you for fur ar six." said hot war, art the feds ver Len. which they were fought were at
Verity bowjed
Washbrook
004 Tralford Manchester and with the next bail, and helped the White City in Londen rather to bring victory to Yorkshire by than the disputed territories of five wickets. Eastern Europe.
There were smiles every one's fees at home to Life suddenly seemed to be reused- Ing. pleasant and prewing hot Up North, beneath a typically not even the weather seemed weepy Mantunan ekg, the gnak expable
chastering The Hedley Verily, the wickesleal holidaymakers. The un broke efter bowl of them all, was through for two and a half hours senda down the kind of balts at Southend and three at Black-
paralysed his opponents wool, but most of the time it won
stil his positised the crowel. dull warm (til degrens), and Wei, But thougly" there were dirker shadows in the sides than rainclouds, the crowds were out to ignore them.
'Roses' game
it WB9
Do let über speil pour
the classic **!" holiton said a feudian article match between Lancashire and In one newspaper. "Don't talk Yorkshire, and Verity was at about crisis actes. Change the the top of his form. This wa subject if others bring it up. the summer when he beat all- Don't brood. Take plenty of comers by taking percise. Stack tirers cause for just over 13 runs apiece. most of the tarld's ploom.”
True, in this particular match
191 wickets
The race
It was not his fad appearance in first-class cricket, but it way certainly one of the matches he will be remembeard bg.
He went into the Army shortly afterwards-one vol the firat cricketers to volunteer-and was badly wounded in Sielly while leading bls company of Green Howards into the attick. He died of wounds in a prison camp in 1949.
The crowd of 50,000 at the White City had turned up in the hape ut seeing a grudge-race One between two great milers.
Sidney Wooderson, the uther the Ameri- ean runner Blaine Rideout.
Britain's Was
There was really no need for there were tensions when his this admonition. Con Brighton attention
wander arvni to pier, day maples banged "ouch away from the game, and be other's bulthels in a vulgar, new hundrel 3 UNS dance, the Boomps a’Dały. on a platter.
The cars prowled, humper ket Ben Hutton Bumper, along the Kingston by bringing him
A British Crossword Puzzle
2
[3
14
3
14
13
115
18
24
26
28
27
ACROSS
1 Hand-worked doll (0).
& Fish with a rod! (5).
8 Amass a fortune (4).
Get moving (0).
11 Root projection (6).
12
Copper undressing (6).
Fruit, in appearance, any-
how. (4).
16 Upset a
lighter (5).
18 Bene from tuition (5).
18 Man, maybe (4),
20 Move like an adder? (0).
24 Take and cook eges (5).
25 Wandering like a kright?
(6).
28 Bird, partly Bernese (4).
A two-way revolver (5).
20 Put on trial (5).
0197
discussion?
Issue
inade.
Off to the Army
camp goes Major Eden
sauce," In court
withdrew
race over the mile dis- concerned a housewife named Laurle, described Hitler as
kind, to his opponents tance at Princeton, U.S.A., twe Mrs Florence Starkey of Wat- Benlus,
nuth, before, Wonderson had ford, who had summoned
her Ample." and a way at lost to Rideout-principally, in husband for whipping her fai back
10 form. th opinion of ite experts. a punishment for giving him
because he had bren hadly bumped on the turns. This was to be a return match, and, some | sukpiveted; a revenge match too,
But did not quite work out that way. Wooderson had to scratch because of a twisted nusele. Rideout automatically [became the favourite. When the gun went off and the runners went into the strat curve, how- ever, it was noticed that Ride- oul was having difficulty,
Euch time he tried
b
DOWN
1 The sexxls of tine (4).
2 Line support (4).
3 Duelling weapon (4).
Cultivator in a boat (8). Given a pound she would be, unequalled (7). Day-dream (7).
4
5
G
of it (7).
10
(3)
He's blue just before sailing
Unfriendly, to say the least
14 Display by bell-hop
insect (7).
were not
An adventure
The mood in 1939 was nothing like so led with overtones.
Stalin was convinced that wär True, there
He was resolved were thousands of was coming. thoughtful people who realised to have no part of it, but to the signilleance of what was stand aside instead and let Ger- happening as they swliebed of many and the Alles clash in a their lights. Many a parent devastating war after witch looked in angulsh and fear as he would move in and pick up their children organ to ask the pieces.
So over while the British
questions.
But save for a few boisterous delegation were talking and folic who heaved bricks though getting nowhere an intrigue the shop windows they found was set in train by Stalls that still lighted, the blockout weat was 15 have momentous conze- through 15 an adventure. In quences for the world. Piccadilly Circus, the
crowd
hunds elasped
and loudly sang "Show Me the Way to Go Home."
Supper plot
Next morning London and the
One evening in Berlin the nation other big cities of the
charge d'affaires at the Soviet were ringed with the dipping. Embassy, Astakhov, Invited the announcemen! over
the blob-shapes of the barrage Bulgarian Minister to Berlin,
bations, riding clumsily in a Draganay, to supper. "There will be an experi- blue and grey patched sky.
Astakhov and Draganov.... mentri blackout tomorrow There was a picture in the They sound like characters out night, over parts of England paper of Major Anthony Eden of a Ruritanian play. Belween stretching from the Humber M. P. (hơ had resigned from them, they helped to change
The Channel. Twenty the Cabinet as a protest against the face of the world.
to
All
"a the modest and B.B.C.:
Even in Use Cabinet there were several of the most im- portant Ministers who believed the charge, and told the magis. that Hitter was blumug, that he million people will be affected. refusal to Impase sanctions on Dragunov was known to be trate she no longer had any would hold his hand if only we All windows must be covered Italy after that country invaded pro-Nazi and to have the car complaints against her husband, stood Irm. For them the, pre- or lights extinguished. Cars Abyssinia), marching of to of the German Foreign Offer. "If I give him sauce, he has cautions we were quietly taking will drive on aldellghia only." camp with his battalion of And over cavior and cham- a right to thrash me" she said. throughout Britnin
conversation took nlr-ruld wardens were Territorials.
pagne, a "Leave Ulika court," said the preparations for war so much us called up for duty. Imperial National
Volunteers place that was as Balkon in its about the magistrate, sternly, and try to a demonstration to
complaining air- were show the Airways (ns the national
chetpeter by it two partiel- remember that you are a Nazis that "this time we are line was known in those days) food they were being served. pants' names. woman, not a dog.”
announced that it was suspend "Do you know what they gave The Russian, Astakhov, talked through supper about ing all bookings and would, for us for breakfast this morning?" all Everyone laughed when a
soldier. Russia's desire to come to terms Turns you with Germuny", He said that local couneli in Eck threatened the time being carry almal! Bacon and prunes!
only. man for keeping
the Soviets
themselves hens and a gout in his air-raid history, the fighters
And, for the first time in its up. don't it?"
vulnerable. and tomb- sholler, A business girl AG- nounced that she had assembled era of the R.A.F. would carry exercise to bare (France}
Yot it would be wrong to of tho characterise the mood
British people as feckless or uneoring in thore twilight hours of 1939.
serious."
to prosecute pas,
Denial
ocked
asked
one
Service
young
'On the run'
felt
I only Germany would undertake not to attack tho Soviet Union, or would make
Union would
one of the other competitors seemed to be in occupation of the lane. The excitement among the crowd began to mount, Boos
6 cosmette il "for keeping my put manoeuvres from a foreign self pretty In an air-raid." Alest the air defences of Britalnız.. The hours ticked by to August some non-aggression pact with • urx cateulls were heard us Rideout was seen to be fight- When a snup poll was taken magistrate, having rebuked a The British public had visions 15, and the more they ticked the them, the Savlet Ing, with us and elbows, to by a reporter at Margate of 15 Girl motorist for turning up in of the vast cloud of mighty less they seemed like the sound probably refrain from conclud-
ing a treaty with Britain. hoped that British bombers roaring eross of a time-bomb. make his way through.
random holidaymakers he met court in trousers,
When Duranov woke up next "the girls who aro
True, Hiler was still ranting. He did not surveed in doing along the prom, be
now going the Channel and North Sea in True, there were troop move morning, the first thing he asked into the forces will not be en- an impressive demonstration of ments all over so until the final straight, and them—
to couraged
Germany, and himself was: "Why on earth did Do you think Hitler will get masculine truppings
then their hitting power. No doubt concentrations on the frontiers the Soviet charge d'affaires say then it was too late. The Eo-
an active Germany had the same impres of the Polish Corridor, Five replies glishman, Pell, was in the lead. Dancig
Yes, service,"
all those sensational things But the Day came, and Hitler In fact, howover, only two did not attack. This was the
It did not take him long to squadrons of bombers tock Day Hitler was to Strike, sald
come to the right answer, He part. The Wellington
called his car and went round that the headlines in the newspapera. to the German Foreign Office, so much to hit back at The Attack that Never Como Germany in later years were
ed.
He finished In 4 mier. 15.2 sec., six No, and four were undecld- with fudeout lying fourth and obviously mentally as well as Phypically distressed.
No smile...
to
He was photographed with
but refused the winner, amile. He told reporters; "I am not going to protest about the mee. To which a sports wriber added the comment:--
wear
Nat Gubbins summed up the "Do you think we should go femule in the Army rather more to war to defend Danzig?" humoratisly: Seven said Yes, four No, four "tock-a-bye baby, or daddy will wire uafeclded.
dinle there will be Mothers at Aldershot driving a war?" Eight said Ne, four tank,
Yes, and three were undecided. When the camp's over Mum will
But when they were asfued: "Do return, you think Hitler wantz war?"! And ohi what a lot of ney all 18 answered NO, HE'S
words you will learn. BLUFFING.
Bernard George
Show weighed in with a pronounce- ment of his own.
sion, too,
not yet coming oft the line in the Cabinet
In pubs, in Whitehall, and in where he imparted his informa
to
tion to abigh Nezl oMcial everyone breathed named Woermann, who.. any numbers. There were only again. a few squadrons of Splifire
presently conveyed it to his "Hitler's on the run," they chief, von Ribbentrop, who took fighters yet, and not enough, said. But was he?
it an to Hitler. Hurricanes.
Whitehall had always had its
And it was this information. tome strategists who were con- and not the blackout and vinced that itler would never gestures of defence in Britain make war so long as two factors which persuaded Adolf Hitler the situation remained con- not to move, as he had planned
that Britain and on August 15.
So slow...
in
further
that
determined to fight whe
Instead, realising that time
now on his side, he aggression,
and told his Bemy and air force to the attitude of hold their hand.
And he sent towards the
Wealern his anvoys to Moscow to talk ·
*
"I should think not. He was
Skie by side in the newspapers So short of craft were the stant-first, outraces, Kr outwitled and
The Jews will bo let's were two advertisements. One, R.A.F., in truth, that a bomber her Allies showed themselves tried to get out by force, I run in the long run," he said, from a canning firm, said, "Why and three fighters, which had resolutely didn't work."
even if they perish with him not live well and inexpensively been lent to a film company Day This little episode in the especially ir enough perish in strenuous times? Stock up making an air thriller called second, friendly world of sport was only with him. Has war become more with tuned goods: Baked beans, Q Planes, with a young actor Russla one of the piquant episodes of imminent? No, the peace at b. tins, 2 doz. 10/-, 20 varieties named Ralph Richardson, were Allies remained friendly out with Stalin. the Bank Holiday weekend, present is maintained by funk. of soup, 2 dos 14/-"The demanded back at short notice. worst, neutref,
There were queues outside Anything that intensifies funk other said: "This Complete Home
"Hitler daren't make War in The final scene in Q Planes the West unless he can be sure 13 Insecure footwear? (7), the cinemas for Gary Cooper makes for peace. . A lasting double bed, wardrobe, drawers,
to supposed
show and in Beau Geste, whose cast in peace is a dream, but any dining table and chairs, 3 place was
he's sure in the East," they said, That modern
the British morning bomber small-part
meant there was cluded a
And that ployer statesman who is not desperately sulte, divan bed and side tables mysterious for a afraid of starting a cannonade For 3/6 a week."
being chased across the North nothing to worry about, Hyler newspapers carried stories of re
newed festivillés at the holiday. : 15 That uniquitous player (7), nannt Sun Hayward,
Sca by three
stood of the RAF's and Nazi Germany comedian named · David should be sent to a mental her-
for light
"THIS 17 Steady workert. (5).
place resorts.
13 that speedlest fighters. What actually everything
Commun fat 1 Closely
crowded," said one repárt from under Niven in Bachelor Mother, and pilot." occupied
appeared in
haled, the film was an Russia Gracie Fields in Shipyard Sally. canvas7 (6).
would Southend, "No one has brought Writer Paul Holt summed up old six-seater In her home at Peacehaven, making these remarks, poller at
passenger plane, never form up with the Fascist agus masi: All, that sort of. by two out-of-dato hordes, in Sumex, Grein herself was Plymouth were discovering that "The Joys of Life in 1039" as pursued
stuff is forgotten here." The Cabinet was so sure of THERE WERE 18 DAYS TO. telegram from the the Royal Marines War Memorial "Hearing Deanna Durbin pereh Tiger Moths. opening a
Their speed was 40 miles an this that it was only with great GO. a blackbird Queen congratulating her on had been daubed in red paint on a top note luce
AND SHOCKS WERE", her recovery from a serious with a swastika, with the words; on a raspberry
that it had sent a COMING. cane; watching hour less than Sir Malcolm reluctance operation. And great crowds "Hell Hitler" underneath.
Spency Tracy cat an apple; e Campbell was achieving in his delegation to Russia to talk tant about a milliary, pact with, the gathered outside to cheer her, Who was responsible for the ing Myrna Loy push a fly off speedboat Blue Bird in a while B.B.C. engineers rigged vandalism? Suspicion fell upon her none; hearing the voleer of over Lake Coniston that mame Soviet Government,
First it sent a polítieni delegá- ip nes so that she could broad- the crow of the only German Adelaide Hall and Mr Middle August, He hit 187 milco
ition under the leadership of Sir The truth behind cast her thanks to the people. merchantman, the E. RUSS, in ton the Gardener on Sunday; hour in his second run.
"Who cares about Adolf?" Plymouth harbour at the time. folling in love with Mr Grise In the event, the pmetler William shouted a speaker in Hyde Park. But her skipper, Captain Jenevan woods, and doing that wrandes blackout. bad to be postponet power and few plans. This a fantastic rumour,
21 But it doesn't
boot (4).
12 Ecstatic (4),
grow in a
23 Horse-collar accessory (4).
YESTERDAYS GROSSWO RD.-Across; i Harem, 4 Romp- ed, 8 Cabins, 10 Layer, 12 Acruns, 14 Sullire, 17 Pisa, in Effects. 20 Pop-u-lor, 22 Seal, 23 Masters, 27 Tonsil, 29 Lorna, 30 Nog gin, Bi Salver, 32 Screw(driver). Down: 1 Hacks, 2 Rebel, 3 Men-A.1., 5 Oslo, & Physic, 7 Dorcas, 9 Screama, 11 Aspect, 13 Refrain, 18 Al-p-e, 10 Teuton, 10 Stor (zov.), 20, Paulma," 21 Patrol, 24 Slogs, 25 Migar, 26 Sinew, 28 Napa.
Even while the Irish ange was
They
Strong. They had no
NEXT WEEK;