A 6 part programme started last night on BBC 2 by Laurence Rees whose Timewatch series requires no introduction and whose track record is second to none in presenting modern history. The first programme deals with the German/Soviet Russian non aggression pact of August 1939 to share the territory of Poland and the destruction of the Polish state and its people along with the agreement on spheres of influence in the Baltic states.(At least Stalin was not duped by the offer of a 100 year pact and thought 10 years would be appropriate but history had already proved that Hitler saw agreements as not worth the paper that they were written on) Despite early warnings from senior Soviet generals and dwelling on his self assurance of the pleasing of Hitler by provision of war materiel to support the German assault in the west,Stalin refused to accept that his country could become a another victim of Hitler's expansion. Quite a lot of this material has appeared in post war publications but in the post Soviet Union, greater detail has emerged of the fate of Polish officer POWs from those who took part in the murder of these POWs organised by Beria. For any student of history this series should provide a good insight to the events leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Thanks for the tip off Harry. I'm disappointed to have missed that episode as it is one I have an interest in but will tune in to the others.
Thanks for the tip off Harry. I'm disappointed to have missed that episode as it is one I have an interest in but will tune in to the others. I did post it in the TV thread the other day
I did post it in the TV thread the other day And you have my most extreme apologies for not taking greater notice Drew!! I'm very sorry and shall have to make sure to "tune in" to your TV thread more often! My mistake!!
No worries.....I imagine you can still view it on Iplayer. failing that I have sky + it and I think I can record it onto disc for you if you want. I must warn you though it will take me years to figure out how to do it
I missed it as well , hopefully it will get a repeat on 3 or 4. The German / Soviet Pact was little more than a blank cheque which Stalin signed away to Hitler , whilst I would have absolute sympathy for the lot of the sufferring of the Russian people in WW2 it was truely a sign of the times that Stalin was still there in 1941 - a loathesome creature amongest men. I think Churchill said that if Hitler invaded Hell he would find something favourable to say about the devil "to the house" - it about sums up what WSC thought of "Uncle Joe".
I recall it very7 clearly at the time,and the country wide consternation that it brought about, if there had been any doubt previously about what was to come? By the signing of that pact it removed any last hopes of avoiding a world war. And everyone knew it and became acutely aware of what was now to happen, and it was not nice! Sapper
On a further recommendation from Capt.S I watched it on iPlayer - very well done indeed (and I realise I had it on in the background last night but hadn't taken any of it in ).
Remrkably similar in style to "Nazis: A Warning From History" - and I saw a little bit of recycled footage - the interview with the Obersalzberg housekeeper etc.
I watched it last night on Iplayer and was most impressed. I shall certainly be taping the rest of the series for my Advanced Higher class. Anyone know if once a programme has been downloaded from Iplayer it can be burnt to disc? Len
I watched it last night on Iplayer and was most impressed. I shall certainly be taping the rest of the series for my Advanced Higher class. Anyone know if once a programme has been downloaded from Iplayer it can be burnt to disc? Len Early Christmas present perhaps? http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/-/48/63/-/6855008/World-War-2-Behind-Closed-Doors/Product.html?searchtype=genre
Remrkably similar in style to "Nazis: A Warning From History" - and I saw a little bit of recycled footage - the interview with the Obersalzberg housekeeper etc. "Nazis. A Warning from History" is from the Laurence Rees stable. Previous footage will always turn up in these documentaries but as long as there is relevance to the documentary it can be accepted.Here it was, as the domestic staff have been proved to be one of the few categories people, apart from Hitler's inner circle to witness his reflection to events as they unfolded when he was relaxing on the Obersalzberg. When footage inserts have no bearing on a documentary, it does affect its acceptance that observers feel about a documentary.
Laurence Rees talking recently (27th Jan 2017) about his new book "The Holocaust: A New History" with Dan Snow: https://www.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/laurencerees-theholocaust-anewhistory Laurence Rees - The Holocaust: A New History (30ish mins) Laurence Rees @WW2History has spent twenty-five years meeting survivors and perpetrators of the Holocaust. In his new book, The Holocaust: A New History, he combines eyewitness testimony, a large amount of which has never been published before, with the latest academic research to create the first accessible and authoritative account of the Holocaust in more than three decades.
