Duke of Windsor - Traitor

My parents were born in the first decade of the 20th century. Most definitely remember the rise of fascism in this country and many of my relatives took part in 1936 in the 'They Shall Not Pass' demonstration in London's East End to prevent the Blackshirts, Of Course, totally condemned by the fascist Daily Mail.

My mother actually told me that had the Nazi's invaded England she was intending to gas me and my brother to prevent us (jewish) falling into their hands.

So, many aunts and uncles involved in anti-fascist activities in the 30's and 40's in London, My brother very involved in similar in the 50's. Yes Mosley was still around, and I, my hubbie and our friends prevented them using Ridley Road for their soapbox meetings in several occasions in the 1960's AND they hated us, even set fire one night to our Labour Party rooms, which were in a terraced house with multi-occupied housed on both sides. Just sheer good luck that a couple of our members going home late that evening passed and noticed that the front door was not firmly closed!!!

So do not tell me that none of on GN can really have memories of these evil people and their evil philosophy

Fleurpepper

We take our own trip into the dark and deep depths of the Daily Mail’s racism and xenophobia through the last century.
Fanatical about fascism

Let us begin in 1930 when Adolf Hitler made considerable gains in the German elections. Mein Kampf had already been written, making clear Hitler’s ideas on the racial supremacy of the supposed ‘Aryan’ race. And yet, for the Daily Mail, Hitler, his party and their success represented the “birth of Germany as a nation”.

Fast forward a few years to January 1934, when they ran with the headline “Hurrah for the Blackshirts” with an article celebrating Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists (BUF). Mosley was highly influenced by Benito Mussolini, so much so that members of the BUF were given the nickname of ‘Blackshirts’ as their uniform was modelled on that worn by those belonging to the National Fascist Party in Italy. Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail and author of the article, praised Mosley and the Blackshirts seeing them as the correct party to “take over responsibility for [British] national affairs”.

Lest we forget.

Exactly Fleurpepper. I think this paper should be banned in the UK.

It still holds an extreme right-wing bias and along with other right-wing media, holds a very strong sway over public opinion. An unhealthy one.

I don't buy the "he had a rotten childhood" argument. So did his younger brother, but he turned out all right, didn't he?

Edward, or David as he was known before his accession apparently grew up with no idea at all that as Prince of Wales and the future king his duty was first and foremost to his country and that he had no right to either involve himself with women he could not marry, nor with political ideologies that would basically ruin both the country and the monarchy.

It is no excuse either to say that plenty of the aristocracy favoured either Nazism or Fascism - each and every one of us is responsible for having sufficient moral fibre to distingiíush right from wrong.

As to the fact that he seldom came to Britain. Surely it is a historical fact that the then Duke of York made it very clear to his elder brother that he would not be welcome in his brother's realm if he abdicated?

Are you sure the younger brother turned out ok? He had an appalling stutter and a dreadful temper. His smoking habit killed him.

I'm not sure whether the Duke of Windsor was an out and out Nazi supporter or more one of the idle rich (and others) who thought it a better idea than Communism but he was an incredibly loose canon who would have been a disaster as King.

It's many years now since I began to think that Wallis Simpson should not have been vilified as the woman who stole the king (see, always the woman's fault ?) but the woman who saved the monarchy.

GagaJo

Fleurpepper

We take our own trip into the dark and deep depths of the Daily Mail’s racism and xenophobia through the last century.
Fanatical about fascism

Let us begin in 1930 when Adolf Hitler made considerable gains in the German elections. Mein Kampf had already been written, making clear Hitler’s ideas on the racial supremacy of the supposed ‘Aryan’ race. And yet, for the Daily Mail, Hitler, his party and their success represented the “birth of Germany as a nation”.

Fast forward a few years to January 1934, when they ran with the headline “Hurrah for the Blackshirts” with an article celebrating Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists (BUF). Mosley was highly influenced by Benito Mussolini, so much so that members of the BUF were given the nickname of ‘Blackshirts’ as their uniform was modelled on that worn by those belonging to the National Fascist Party in Italy. Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail and author of the article, praised Mosley and the Blackshirts seeing them as the correct party to “take over responsibility for [British] national affairs”.

Lest we forget.

Exactly Fleurpepper. I think this paper should be banned in the UK.

It still holds an extreme right-wing bias and along with other right-wing media, holds a very strong sway over public opinion. An unhealthy one.

A pity I typed and shared my first post without checking. Yes, the Press, the dreadful DM in particular, and quite a significant proportion of the British population in the early 30s, supported and admired Hitler. And this continued way into the 80s- remember Mosley- remember the series last year 'Ridley Street'

So no-one on GN today, but some of the parents, perhaps. And there are many here on still read and support the DM, and their right wing, anti immigration stance. It was the Jews then, then those from India and Pakistan, Cyprus or Malta, or Ireland, or Italy or ... Pretending to care for those who put their lives at risk in small boats- even calling them (I still can't believe anyone actually wrote this on GN!) - rubber taxis.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Are you sure the younger brother turned out ok? He had an appalling stutter and a dreadful temper. His smoking habit killed him.

So you’re implying that anyone with a stutter and who smokes ‘has not turned out well’?

That’s a bit harsh. As for his temper, yes, apparently he did have one, maybe linked to frustration with his stutter, but I don’t think it was when he was on public duty.

I don't think he realised what he had lost until it was gone and he was left with no power. He turned to the Nazis as the only people who would acknowledge his wife as HRH and got entangled with all that was going on in the 30's when his experience of any kind of normal life was nil. I guess Wallis spent the rest of her life wishing she could have somehow wriggled out of it all. We should be grateful she couldn't.

I think what was meant was that many of the GN who read and support the Daily Mail would be horrified to know that the Daily Mail supported the Nazis. Now they stir up racial trouble

Hugo Boss used to make uniforms for the Nazis are you suggesting that we shouldn’t purchase their clothes?

My parents were born in 1896 and my father served in the Great War so definitely were aware of all the atrocities.

GrannyGravy13

Hugo Boss used to make uniforms for the Nazis are you suggesting that we shouldn’t purchase their clothes?

Yes. They shouldn't be in business.

Not the same though. They're not promoting racist / fascist viewpoints on their clothes.

Fleurpepper

Yammy

Fleurpepper

Many in the UK were nazi sympathisers, including some of the favourite GN readers supporters.

I think Gransnet supporters would have had to be in a time warp to be Nazi supporters even my parents were not really old enough to know what it all really meant.

My parents were born in 1912 and 1915- they certainly remembered those days- and how sections of the Press supported Hitler in the 30s.

Mine wasn't born till 1923. They were too young . My father had an older friend who ran away and fought with the International Brigade in Spain. He did volunteer for the Navy as soon as he could.

I wouldn’t touch Hugo Boss or Chanel even if I could afford them.

AmberSpyglass

I wouldn’t touch Hugo Boss or Chanel even if I could afford them.

I did not know that about Coco Chanel. That's a fortune on perfume saved, then.

Coco Channels code name was Westminster apparently

Calendargirl

Ladyleftfieldlover

Are you sure the younger brother turned out ok? He had an appalling stutter and a dreadful temper. His smoking habit killed him.

So you’re implying that anyone with a stutter and who smokes ‘has not turned out well’?

That’s a bit harsh. As for his temper, yes, apparently he did have one, maybe linked to frustration with his stutter, but I don’t think it was when he was on public duty.

Yes, he and his wife did a good job considering it was thrust upon them.

Just as well he fell for an American divorcee and so felt obliged to abdicate

My thoughts too.
Perhaps it was a good way of getting rid of him.

We must not forget that fascism in Europe, particularly in Germany and Italy, also Japan, was popular because people wanted strong leadership after WW1. Mussolini was the first to use the term fascism when he started his political party just after WW1.

That meant other countries like Britain took a keen interest and started their own popularist fascist movements. Britain's, of course, was led by Oswald Moseley, not disbanded until just after the start of WW2.

Far too easy to call others in the past 'fascists' or 'racists' or 'prejudiced'

and then support those, politicians, some sectors of the Press, and the same or similar policies a generation or two later!

Lest we forget.

They came from a very dysfunctional home, no wonder they had problems. It’s a good job Wallis came along! That he never got to be King. It is interesting how children bought up under the same conditions were so opposite. I don’t think a stutter and smoking means someone hasn’t turned out well. George was a lovely man and King despite his health issues, nothing like his brother.
I didn’t know the Daily Mail was accused of supporting the Nazis. They are on tge opposite side now,

What do you mean by 'on the opposite side'. Are you sure?

As for the Nazi connection, there is no doubt at all. It is all very well documented.

By Ashley E Bowen, historian

'At its best, history asks us to face difficult, complex and sometimes conflicting truths and confront how those truths reverberate in the present. That can be enlightening and distressing at the same time. Many people will turn away from history when it challenges fundamental beliefs about a nation or a people. Or they will simply work to distort the historical record, cherry-picking evidence and interpretations that align with a specific worldview, often in order to create a legitimating precedent. When she appears as a truth teller, rather than a shoulder to cry on, History is much more difficult to love.'

Hmmm Nt that the Daily Mail was accused of supporting the Nazis. They did, over a long time support the Nazis and Nationa Union of Fascists (Moselyite in GB) Very openly in support.

They ave not moved very far now - how can anyone say the are now the opposite1!!! They support all and every right wing group or idea. Oppose Trade Unions and anything even the most vaguely socialist. They stir up hatred against Europe, against immigrants, against the homeless, against travellers, etc. etc. Typical and usual fascist activities.

Ban the Daily Mail ? Ban freedom of speech?

Who asked for DM to be banned? No-one on here. Just wish that there was far more 'freedom of speech' amongst our media, particularly the national newspapers.

Anniebach

Ban the Daily Mail ? Ban freedom of speech?

What does 'freedom os speech' mean?

What if the DM turned again against the Jews, as they did in the past, instead of the groups they demonise now? Why is antisemitism be beyond freedom of speech?