WARNING: There will be some quotes that are anti-semitic and disturbing.
Unity Mitford hasn’t just entered the room—she’s moved into the inner circle. It’s 1935, and Unity is living her best life in Munich; and the most problematic one.
In this episode, we take a close look at Unity’s life and the Nazi circles she moved in. Why was the Gestapo watching her? And who reported whom to the Gestapo? - We also explore the terrifying "Mean Girl" side of the Third Reich, as Unity enters a "who’s more Nazi" competition that ends badly for the other girl.
But it’s not all grim politics—it’s also weirdly surreal. We look at Unity’s frivolities and her bizarre Munich lifestyle. We dive into her "fascist flings" with figures like János Almásy (whose brother was the real-life inspiration for The English Patient) and her surprising friendship with Ella van Heemstra—better known as Audrey Hepburn’s mother. And finally, we tackle the dark and a surprising evil side of Unity: her friendship with the sadistic anti-semite Julius Streicher.
We wrap up by looking at the German resistance and how effective the Nazi regime was in muzzling it. Methods still in use across the world today. Unity is no longer just a fan; now, she’s a participant. And from here, it only goes downhill.
Chapters:
0:00:00 Intro & Recap (Unity made it into Hitler’s inner circle)
0:03:44 It’s 1935 - Unity’s life in Munich
0:08:49 Was Unity a British spy? - the Gestapo is watching
0:13:55 Who’s more Nazi? - Unity destroying a girl’s life
0:17:39 How Aryan was Adolf Hitler? Was his grandfather a Jew?
0:19:30 Unity’s monkey, her Great Dane, and her convertible
0:25:35 Unity’s fascist affairs (János Almásy)
0:29:18 Unity’s fascist friends (Ella van Heemstra, aka the Hepburns)
0:39:37 “Mission from the leader”: the British fascist broadcast
0:41:38 Unity’s friend Julius Streicher (anti-semite, sadist, war criminal)
0:48:45 Resistance in Germany & the methods of authoritarian regimes
0:54:30 Wrap & Outlook (Unity’s spiralling down into anti-semitism)
A museum tip if you want to visit Munich: We strongly recommend the NS Doku Zentrum. Their website is available in 14 languages :-)
We also recommend the excellent podcast of the Daily Mail about Unity’s diaries called “The Secret Diary of Unity Mitford”.
(even though the Daily Mail’s historic record on Adolf Hitler is questionable, that podcast is almost a rehabilitation)
You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod
And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com
For Londoners: Do you want to book a massage with Women + Health? Or maybe organise a Team Event with us?
Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk
Tags: #UnityMitford #Hitler #AudreyHepburn #Gestapo #1930sMunich #Antisemitism #Fascism #DailyMail #TheBUF #BritishAristocracy #TrueHistory #TheCrown #Scandal #MitfordSisters
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