Are you doing the summer read-along? Did you start Inferno: The World At War this past week? I realized I didn’t clarify how many chapters of World War II history I’ll be reading each week in the introductory blog post (sorry!). Just two chapters each week.

We should probably note that this book is not suitable for children, even if they are voracious readers. If you’re looking for World War II history books for children, please check out the booklist on that era’s resource page.

Here are a few historical notes from the first two chapters in the read-along:

Introduction

Don’t skip the introductions in books! Inferno‘s is comparatively short and helps explain the perspective and scope of this history books.

I knew we’d picked a good one when the author explained: “My story emphasizes bottom-up views and experiences, the voices of little people rather than big ones.” It goes right along with my premise that history is about real, ordinary people, and it’s great to be reading a book that isn’t just about the colossal figures and military commanders during World War II.

Chapter 1: Poland Betrayed

• On September 1, 1939, Nazi tanks, planes, and infantry crossed the border into Poland.
• On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war against German but did little to actually help Poland, betraying previous agreements.
• Russian – having a previously signed an agreement with Nazi Germany – invaded Poland from the east.

• The Polish Army resisted bravely but was overrun.
• Russians slaughtered Polish captives while Nazis began rounding up Polish Jews.
• Poland was the only European country to have no collaborators with the Nazis, and many citizens fled the country, eventually fighting with the Allies.
• Britain and France struggled to mobilize for war and the majority of their leaders and citizens were not keen on entering the struggle at all.

Quote of the chapter: “I saw the very face of war change – its glory shorn, no longer the soldier setting forth into battle, but the women and children being buried under it.” General Adrian Carlton de Wiart, a British general in Poland during the invasion and city bombings. (page 10)

Chapter 2: No Peace, Little War

• Britain, France, and Germany all needed to strengthen their militaries and supply systems.
• In Britain and France, morale support for the conflict was at an all-time low; the economic depression and memories of World War I were contributing factors.
• In October 1939, Stalin (Russia) decided to invade Finland and capture the nickel mines.
• Finnish troops put up a desperate and successful defense while that countries civilians accepted relocation and sacrifice with generally high morale; Britain and France gave nominal or useless aid during the Winter War.

• In the ceasefire, Stalin claimed only 10% of Finland and did not occupy the rest of the country; the conflict cost at minimum 127,000 Russian lives and 48,243 Finnish lives.
• When the Allies failed to help Finland, the country turned to Hitler and Nazi German for assistance in re-arming.
• The winter’s “Phony War” phase ended in April 1940 as German headed for Norway and the British fleet pondered and deployed for a move.

Quote of the chapter: “Comrade Commander. Tell me, why do we fight this war? Did not Comrade Voroshilov declare at the Party Congress that we don’t want an inch of other people’s land and we not surrender an inch of ours? Now we are going to fight? For what?” A Ukrainian peasant to a Russian officer. (page 33)

Thoughts

The sections examining Britain and France’s lack of enthusiasm for the conflict and half-hearted mobilization stand in stark contrast to the attitudes later in the war. I can’t help wondering what would have happened if Britain and France had mobilized quickly and attacked Germany during the autumn and winter when Hitler was struggling with internal economic conflict, supply issues, and weaponry production.

I’d always wondered how the Germans convinced their countrymen that a Polish attack prompted the invasion. Come to find out, a German unit with some condemned prisoners actually staged an attack dressed in Polish uniforms. The prisoners were killed and images and reports of this scene were broadcast through the Nazi communications and propaganda.

Your Opinion?

What quotes stood out to you in the chapters? What new ideas or considerations do you have after reading the first two chapters or the chapter notes? Leave a comment and let the “book club discussion” begin!

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah

P.S. Read Chapters 3 & 4 to get ready for next week…