The world is at war, and the stakes for Diana Mitford (now Diana Mosley) couldn't be higher! In this high-stakes times, we trace her life from 1939 into the early days of WWII, a time when Britain's fate—and Diana’s—truly hung in the balance.
We set the scene with the ominous atmosphere of Wagner's opera (the Dawn of the Gods) giving way to the Second World War. While London endures the Blitz and the Second Great Fire, Diana’s political allegiance comes into brutal contrast with her sister Nancy, whose husband is fighting the Germans at Dunkirk. During these years, alternative outcomes were terrifyingly possible, and Britain's destiny was truly on the brink!
Then comes the moment of reckoning: the dramatic imprisonment of both Oswald and Diana Mosley under Defence Regulation 18B, enacted to crush any potential conspirators. We delve into the genuine fear of a German invasion and the desperate measures taken by the British government. Diana gives birth to her fourth son, is arrested four weeks later, and forced to stop breastfeeding. Finally, we explore the shocking prison conditions at Brixton and Holloway, a harsh reality for one of Britain's most infamous women.
This episode is a gripping dive into wartime Britain, aristocratic fascists, and the shocking reality of political dissents behind bars.
Perfect for fans of WWII history, wartime drama, and the Mitford Sisters' ultimate collision with destiny!
Chapters:
0:00:00 Intro & Recap up to 1939
0:02:21 The Dawn of the Gods (Wagner) at the Dawn of WWII
0:11:10 Start of WWII: phoney war, the Blitz, the 2nd Great Fire of London
0:18:31 Dunkirk - Diana on side of the Nazis, against her sister Nancy
0:23:48 Imprisonment of Oswald & Diana under Defence Reg. 18B
0:32:00 The fear of a German invasion & a Fifth Column in Britain
0:40:50 Diana’s fourth son is born and she’s forced to stop breastfeeding
0:43:43 Conditions at Brixton & Holloway Prison
0:48:44 Wrap & outlook on Diana part 8 (more time in prison)
You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod
And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com
Do you want to do a Team Event with Women + Health in London?
Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk
Tags: Mitford Sisters, Diana Mitford, Oswald Mosley, Adolf Hitler, Nazis, BUF, Richard Wagner, the Blitz, Dunkirk, Breastfeeding, WWII History, Historical Drama, True Stories, Women History, Period Drama, The Crown, House of Guinness.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.