Foyle's War.... English Life in the War

[old_pop2000]

One my most favorite PBS series is Foyle's War. I have the first three series, and intend to get series 4-6 when I return from my cruise. I've been watching the series and kept seeing small boxes carried by everyone in the program. They appeared to be cardboard but hard to tell..... They were cardboard. In fact, the producers had gone to such detail as to outfit the cast with the cardboard boxes that were carried by people during that actual time period.

What was in them? Apparently, gas masks. I certainly can't speak to the other levels of detail in the program since I don't live in England but this aspect of the program is, to me, what makes it excellent. I am certain that attempting to make a program, set in wartime Hastings, is difficult and someone from England, probably will spot the mistakes. But for those of us in the colonies, it is wonderful. I especially appreciate the demeanor and attitudes that the cast portrays. The stoutness and resoluteness of the majority of the English people, despite the threats and bombings.

As an American, I am glad we helped you in your time of need. You were worth saving. ;)

[Fleet Command CC]

Your right it is a good program my dad is a big fan, :D he was a boy it the time of WW2.

The British government at the time was very worry about the nation being gas, so everyone in the country was issue with a gas mask, even small ones were made for kids.

The British stiff upper lip, was the Nazi biggest problem they knew if they could beat that they would win the war, that's why the bombing and V2's were still being fire at us and till VE day.

It's a shame the American government and people wasn't wiling to join us at the start of WW2 in 1939. The Japan did us a good turn went they attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This made the US government think we can't let this go on.

So I'm glad US help in the end, because if they hadn't us Brit's would have been in the shit.

[old_pop2000]

...The British stiff upper lip, was the Nazi biggest problem they knew if they could beat that they would win the war, that's why the bombing and V2's were still being fire at us and till VE day.

It's a shame the American government and people wasn't wiling to join us at the start of WW2 in 1939. The Japan did us a good turn went they attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This made the US government think we can't let this go on.

So I'm glad US help in the end, because if they hadn't us Brit's would have been in the shit.

Hi Fleet:
The problem with entering the war in 1939 was that the American people felt that they had been hoodwinked into joining the fray in WWI. They did not view WWI as a necessary war for the US. It was just another European war that did not affect the US.

But we did help you more than you realize. The variable pitch prop which made the Spitfire and Hurricanes fly as well as they did, was built by De Havilland under license from Hamilton Standard of the US. Japanese Zero had the same prop, that was how the Koga Zero was able to fly. The prop was damaged beyond repair, but someone at North Island noticed the Hamilton Standard ID plate, so Hamiliton standard sent a prop to North Island and the plane flew. The high octane fuel additive was made in the US... Ethyl. The guns were Vicker's built Browning .30 cal machine guns. They were capable of being operated remotely, which was a big advantage and they were extremely reliable. Your Chain Home system was based on a patented magnetron design in the US in 1935. However, in a twist of fate, the whole concept of the split tube magnetron was a German idea and patented in Germany and the US and used by GE personnel. It was later improved upon and that improvement was what you British used in your Chain Home system.

The point to be gained is that, covertly, we were helping you long before the war started. We understood the risk versus reward. However, many in the US felt the Japanese were our biggest threat although the Rainbow plans specified Germany first.

Believe me, you were never alone.

[Fleet Command CC]

Hi Fleet:
The problem with entering the war in 1939 was that the American people felt that they had been hoodwinked into joining the fray in WWI. They did not view WWI as a necessary war for the US. It was just another European war that did not affect the US.

Hello old_pop2000.

Yep that is true, but they were forgetting Allies are meant to help each another, a good example is the Iraq war 2003. The British people said no to the Iraq war but FPM Tony Blair said he would backup the US and he did, even if the UK people said no to the war which they did. ;)


But we did help you more than you realize. The variable pitch prop which made the Spitfire and Hurricanes fly as well as they did, was built by De Havilland under license from Hamilton Standard of the US. Japanese Zero had the same prop, that was how the Koga Zero was able to fly. The prop was damaged beyond repair, but someone at North Island noticed the Hamilton Standard ID plate, so Hamiliton standard sent a prop to North Island and the plane flew. The high octane fuel additive was made in the US... Ethyl. The guns were Vicker's built Browning .30 cal machine guns. They were capable of being operated remotely, which was a big advantage and they were extremely reliable. Your Chain Home system was based on a patented magnetron design in the US in 1935. However, in a twist of fate, the whole concept of the split tube magnetron was a German idea and patented in Germany and the US and used by GE personnel. It was later improved upon and that improvement was what you British used in your Chain Home system.

The point to be gained is that, covertly, we were helping you long before the war started. We understood the risk versus reward. However, many in the US felt the Japanese were our biggest threat although the Rainbow plans specified Germany first.

Believe me, you were never alone.

It not me who doesn't realize what the US government did, its my Dad and Grandfather they lived through the war and after, and didn't see much of the help and till end of WW2 like WW1. Both of them have always said all the US government wanted to do was to become the top dog of the world, and put Great Britain into the shadows, which is what happened. :(

Another thing they have always said to me is US government just wanted to get UK back for the War of Independence, but my Dad and Grandfather have always been a bit Anti-American. Having said that with the things the US government has done to UK in the past I'm beginning to think they are right.

[old_pop2000]

It not me who doesn't realize what the US government did, its my Dad and Grandfather they lived through the war and after, and didn't see much of the help and till end of WW2 like WW1. Both of them have always said all the US government wanted to do was to become the top dog of the world, and put Great Britain into the shadows, which is what happened. :(

Another thing they have always said to me is US government just wanted to get UK back for the War of Independence, but my Dad and Grandfather have always been a bit Anti-American. Having said that with the things the US government has done to UK in the past I'm beginning to think they are right.

Well, Fleet, I think it is a matter of opinion. However, remember that the British lost their position as leader of the world after WWI. That war expended your empire's wealth. Your leaders did that, not the US. There was a void, and we just filled that void. Would you rather have had the Germans, Japanese or the French fill that void? Because someone was going to fill it, trust me.

All empires have three phases; youth, middle age and old age. All great empires have gone through it, yours was no different. We will go through in time. It does not diminish your greatness or heritage, it simply means that the world changes.

[Fleet Command CC]

Well, Fleet, I think it is a matter of opinion.

Hello old_pop2000.

Yep that is very true my friend we all have got are own opinions on things. :):cool:


However, remember that the British lost their position as leader of the world after WWI. That war expended your empire's wealth. Your leaders did that, not the US. There was a void, and we just filled that void. Would you rather have had the Germans, Japanese or the French fill that void? Because someone was going to fill it, trust me.

Yep I hate politicians, they are no good for any nation, but I well leave that has it is.

I have often wonder how would the world have been if Great Britain and Germany had work together, because of our ties with Germany in history, i.e. Royal family and wars where our two nation's have fort a common foe. :)


All empires have three phases; youth, middle age and old age. All great empires have gone through it, yours was no different. We will go through in time. It does not diminish your greatness or heritage, it simply means that the world changes.

Very true all empires have their day, who do you think might be the new top dog China or India or someone else?

Change is one of a things few that is guarantee to happen in the world, but I guess that is a good thing for all. ;)

[old_pop2000]

Yep I hate politicians, they are no good for any nation, but I well leave that has it is.

I have often wonder how would the world have been if Great Britain and Germany had work together, because of our ties with Germany in history, i.e. Royal family and wars where our two nation's have fort a common foe.

Very true all empires have their day, who do you think might be the new top dog China or India or someone else?



Hi Fleet:
Don't blame the politicians, they are only reflecting the mood and desires of the nation. Your nation was tired of war and that was it. They wanted peace at any cost. Had Lloyd George and Wilson worked together to help Germany rebuild, like the Marshall Plan did, WWII might not have occurred. As to the idea that a democratic nation like England and totalitarian nation like Germany might have had something in common, that's just wishful thinking. The Nazi's didn't like England any more than they liked the French. Once the Kaiser was gone, any semblance of compatibility between the two nations was gone.

As to the current and future situation, I believe that globalization of the world's economies and information networks has eliminated the need for one or two world powers. That is a concept whose time has passed. It is now up to world organizations, for all their problems, to maintain peace and prosperity. Organizations like the IMF, NATO, UN, even the EU will replace such outdated concepts as an empire. It will take many years for those ideas and those organizations to gain strength and take control of the world and its problems but it will happen. Will it eliminate wars? Absolutely not, but they may have less world wide effect. Take my word for it, with all nations tied economically and financially, the last thing you will do is go to war with the country whose debt you own and who is your best customer. ;)

[old_pop2000]

I've been examining maps concerning 11 Group RDF stations and fighter fields. The nearest to Hastings, the setting for Foyle's War is probably Pevensey, a CHH station and Dunwich, a CHL station. I do not see any sector stations or forward air fields near Hastings. West Malling was north of Hastings, Lympne was to the north east, but nearby, I haven't seen any. Anyway, just something interesting.