Britiain.....just a thought

Hey everyone and welcome to May!!!!! Bloody hell where has this year gone!!!

Currently the biggest project i'm working upon is......yep trains. The success of the industry between 1830 & 1914 to be exact. Its great and I'm just about getting there with it. Another 1,000 words to go and referencing and its all sorted. However i was having a chat with another history colleague and friend, James Cotton, and he came up with an interesting theory. What would Britain by like today if we hadn't of had two world wars???

This actually really fascinates me. Just what could Britain have been like if we hadn't had two horrific world wars? Would we have a society very different from the one he have today, set within some elemental Edwardian backdrop perhaps??? Or maybe we could of had something set comfortably in a "Foyle's War" module but without the war or dodgy customers that Milner has to deal with in an according manner? OR......am i just thinking above the clouds and thinking in the realms of pure fantasy? Personally however much i don't want it to be, i think its the last one.

We can never be certain would could of been if we hadn't had the two major conflicts, but neither can properly judge what "could of been" if their wasn't. Could we have seen Lord Halifax be PM at some period? Would we seen advances in Aircraft technology (ie like the Spitfire & Comet) like we did as a product of the war? Would Brooklands have really held the first British Grand Prix instead of Silverstone in 1950? Like with most things conterfactual, their are a lot of "if''s", and the tragic fact is that something like this idea of what Britain could of been like if their were no world wars, it will always remain that way.

Shame.....what would i give just to see one race at Brooklands and see such racers like Cobb, Birkin & Campbell battle it out along the Weybridge banking. WWII ended all that & the track was but destroyed by Vickers. Oh well....we can all dream cant we.

The "good old days": John Cobb loses touch with the track in his legendary Naiper Railton whilst smashing the all time lap record, setting a speed of 143.44mph at Brooklands in 1935 . The record still stands today

The Brooklands banking today in 2010: Silent & derelict. A visionary tale of what could of been if WWII hadn't of taken place. Tragic

Britain at war & through the silver screen....... is their really a "Myth"?

"Enemy Coast Ahead......" A still from the superb 1955 Dambusters film. I shudder at the thought of the proposed remake due sometime in 2011.

"We couldn't afford the Minis Charlie so we've had to fork out on Spitfires instead"

Britain during the Second World War. Its a well know subject which is enjoyed and remembered by millions of people on weekends and rainy days through the media of film. Such classics like The Dambusters and Battle of Britain (likewise seen above) filmed in the 1950's & 1960's, are great examples of what most people would associate with the dashing and brave nature of the fighting men (and not forgetting women) during that time of impending gloom and strife. I myself love these two films. Even to the point that these two could well be two of my most favourite films of all time. Come on though, is their anything wrong in revealing in these great films and thinking that you could of very well been an old Hurricane Pilot or a member of 617 squadron in a previous life??? Could just be me to think that to be honest! However thanks to my History lectures and the seminar i had today, it brought about quite an interesting question. "Is there a certain myth culture created around Britain and the events of 1940 and essentially the entire war?" Films certainly portray this glamorous imagery of these clean, smartly spoken chaps dashingly fighting for King & Country, kicking the Bosch to high heaven and back in time for tea at six and enough time to take the lady in waiting to the flickers to watch the latest film from across the waves. In fact the real imagery was very different from that given on the screen.

Leslie Howard in smoking pipe mode as R.J Mitchell in "The First Of The Few"

To show the extent of how the "Myth" was created around Britain at War, I'm going to use this dashing man, Mr Leslie Howard and the film he's in as an example. The photo is from the 1942 film "The First Of The Few". Howard's character is the legendary Supermarine aircraft designer R.J Mitchell, better known as the designer of the Spitfire. Its basically a celebration of this iconic aircraft and how Mitchell and a certain test pilot and close friend called Crisp (David Niven) develop this aircraft in time to fight against the cunning Germans. The Battle of Britain created this aircraft in the public eyes as the "Aircraft that saved Britain". A very bold statement to quote. Very true the Spitfire was a great machine and was very much loved by pilot and schoolboy alike, but to give it its status is to me a bit unfair and unjust. To me the real "Winner" of the Battle Of Britain was its older and more rugged friend, the Hawker Hurricane. With 65% of all the kills Fighter Command took during the whole campaign, Hurricane's occupying 29 Squadron's to the Spitfire's 19 and the majority of its aces flying Hurricanes, Sidney Camm's brilliant fighter should surely deserve the honour of the "real" hero. But sadly its left aside. The Spitfire was far more glamorous and perfectly captured the mood of the nation desperately seeking a shining beacon of hope and heroes to lift the country's depleting morale. In 1940, The RAF were their heroes and the Spitfire was the nation's jewel in the crown against the ever increasing evil that was Nazism. That still stems today, the notion that the Spitfire was indeed the only aircraft that saved Britain during the Battle of Britain. It is indeed an good example of the "Myth Of 1940".If you believe that the Spitfire was the one true aircraft that won the the Battle of Britain single handily, You've missed out the Hurricane, the Blenheim, the Wellington, Gladiator, Battle, Defiant, Lysander, Whitley, Hampden & Beaufighter which were all notable aircraft that also formed a key part in the survival of Britain during those hectic summer days in the skies above Southern (and in a couple of cases Northern skies) in 1940. The myth becomes dangerously unwanting towards expressing detail that would seem exciting or just about relative to what the general public would want to read or see about. "The "First Of The Few" is defiantly one of them.

Hawker Hurricane: The REAL hero of the Battle of Britain

Then we lead onto the imagery of the everyday person fighting during this period. We can now easily mock this films from the period as a living example of our "stiff upper lipness" that Britain is apparently renowned for. Films like "Miss Miniver", "In Which We Serve" & "Went The Day Well" are all branded as "what we were all like during World War Two" and this is how we should always live, together as one, helping each other out, drinking Brooke Bond Tea whilst listening to George Formby on the wireless saying to us that its sodding turned out nice again. If your the debatable type, you'd be thinking right now along the lines of "REALLY?????" But before you shun this the recycle bin, its a pretty valid "REALLY". Just how many people were like the Noel Coward's and the Thora Hird's we see in such films that were created and depict what it was like during the war. Was it a fair representation of the past? To some extent, this isn't true. Just take the highly "accurate" films of "The Guns of Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare" for example. Fun and entertain replaced facts and relevance. The films produced during the 1940's can be argued to be very patriotic and wooden in delivery, but these were designed to raise and keep the moral of the people intact. The very sense to keep at it, be vigilant and to carry on towards victory. The idea of the "Myth" around wartime is a key debate. Films most certainly are, but in fairness they pretty much did there purpose, to entertain, but above all to inform us not to give in in the face of great crises and also with remembering in today's society, never to forget.

After all, what can be more uplifting and moral boosting to the masses than to see Thora Hird heralding a gun in "Went The Day Well"? If your wondering which one she is in the picture below, she's the one on the right.


Anyway that's me sorted for another entry here. Very happy to get my presentation over and done with today on the Festival Of Britain+ Britain & The Cold War. Hope everyone who was their to see it liked it =). Take care everyone and speak to you very soon!

Britain.....and everyone else thrown in at the side!

On the aftermath of what can be described as "D-Day+1" after becoming an official "old man" of 22 years and counting (it being my birthday yesterday) it was back to the lecture room to talk about the position of Britain with regards to powers, figures and situations around them in the 1920/30's.

The lecture and discussions defiantly brought up some interesting debates and questions with the 2 1/2 hour session. One thing is almost certain from looking at the presentations that were presented today. That is that Britain were the creators of their own downfall. Negative Britain strikes back..........again!! Their refusal in the creation of a "United Europe" and their willingness to remain "that 7 year old child that just wants to sit on the fence and watch the bin man struggle and fall over trying to put a full to the brim wheelie bin into the back the rubbish lorry" was later devastating to the recovery plan that Britain desperately needed in the aftermath of WWII. The reliance upon America was just as evident in the inter-war period than it is today with all the "Obama" bashing that is commonplace at the moment. But dont get me wrong, Obama does seem like a complete legend. But on viewing everything, especially with our case, what was with this whole issue and necessity that American MUST be involved??? It just gives the overall picture that America was the special cool kid in the playground....and Britain was the snotty, acne ridden pleb which most people wanted to avoid.

The events of the 1920's & 30's from the British perspective is extremely interesting to evaluate. Especially with the avenues that were open to us, it is certainly frightening to just imagine what could of possibly happened if he had made an alliance with Germany, or if we had managed to get ourselves mixed up (officially) in the Spanish Civil War. What would the outlook of Britain be today if just one of these options was taken? I know the age old answer would be from the average Facebook loving, McDonald's swilling, Chelsea "til i die" mucker on the street would say "we'd all be speaking German". Hang on matey......THE MAJORITY OF OUR MONARCHY'S HERITAGE IS GERMAN YOU PLEB! It easily mock able but its a really interesting question and theory to consider. For example if the Germans had been successful (somehow) with Operation Sealion in 1940, abdicated King Edward VIII (who was exiled for marry what technically could be called "an undesirable bint") would of been reinstalled as King because of his support for the Nazi's and Hitler. Unbelievable??? It didn't happen but how close would we have got to become "Hitler's Britain???"

The emphasis is got from the lecture today was that it brought about the ideals of the "what if?" or "what could of been?". And to be very honest, i liked it. I wont lie. It was pretty quality. The case and debates centred on the "What ifs" are good and interesting in a historical sense.....surely???

Now i don't like to end stuff on a bad note, however i do love my football and it was very sad to hear about the tragic passing of Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander today at the very early age of 53. Sympathy's to his family and everyone who knew him.

Anyway take care everyone and I'll speak to you soon =)

America: It was built on......TRAINS!

Yes you have heard it here on my blog, it twas indeed built upon the greatest invention ever to come out the British Isles (and it certainly ain't Jedward or the legend that is the Twirl chocolate bar!) It was interesting to hear about how the development of the railway system with the USA was determined by the boom & growth in railways within the country. Even though the actual lecture i had today was running over the reconstruction of the American South from the period from the end of the Civil War to the end of the 19th century. It was also fascinating to hear about the problems that were faced the difference in gauges between railways in the North & the South. To most people that actually have a life, this relatively small factor doesn't really mean much, however in all fairness it certainly was a big problem.

In fact we the Brits had our very own "gauge" issue with a certain short bloke with a huge massive hat and his own railway system...and no it isnt Abraham Lincoln. It was with a certain Mr Brunel and his broad gauge that caused the stir in this country. The key to any success is to have a similar or compatible system which can be used by everyone. Brunel didnt think this. His gauge was seen (by him) to be the best but in short singled out his railway from everyone else's. The majority of the UK was, and still uses the "standard" gauge designed by George Stephenson, therefore you had to change trains, all because of the different size of your train. Crazy....definatley. It wasnt until 1892 that Brunel's system was finally converted to the "standard gauge" and then all of the UK was "one" size to fit all. The counties that had once been under the "Broad Gauge" certainlly benefited from the switch to the standard gauge. The Irish decided to stick with the Brunel system, and sorry to seem like im poking fun, just look at their system now. I love Ireland to bits but its always seemed like ive stepped back 20 years in time when im over there. It hasnt been able to develop has it could of done. The same could be said about the Southern States of America.

Bristol Temple Meads Today: Originally centre to Brunel's "Broad Gauge", converted to standard gauge

Dublin: Line to Croke Park-now abandoned (Broad Gauge)

Of course the US was a dire mess after the Civil War and one key element of the reconstruction could be argued that the ecomonic structure of those states deeply affected by the war needed to be stabilised and controlled in such a way to be able to flow freely. The Southern states have always been 2nd best to the Northern States, Top Gear certainlly showed us why most globetrotters would avoid these "hick" states like going to a game at Fratton Park in a Southampton top with "Redknapp" on your back. To the normal eye, its a no brainer. But with all the questions flying around about emancipation, reconstruction and of course the issue with newly freed slaves, the answer that could of solved a great deal of the problem was clearly evident. To the statement by Richard Hill, n ex slave to who my seminar group & myself talked about, these people didnt want to rise up against their former slaves, but they wanted "work and land". However this wasnt possible because southern whites werent willing to help these guys out, racism was about as rife as a force 12 hurricane and employment towards the ex slaves was either out of reach or non vi-able. And this is where the railway issue comes into this mini debate. Would it of helped the situation with regards to the ecomonic state of the southern states if their were more railways? And if so of the same track size to those of the North? I believe to could of helped one way or another, but at least its given me the chance to ram something in about trains and history into my blog! Oh and also throw in one of my photos as well!! (Its the top one!) With regards to the issue ive just raised, its certainly something else to have a think about.

For god sake please dont this in the proper season!!!!

Now i dont know about you guys but im really looking forward to the new F1 season coming up. After the brilliance of last years championship, 2010 is looking like a proper belter. Mercedes (nee Brawn) are back, Schmacher has returned, and we have brand new teams joining in the party. Virgin, USF1, Campos Meta (if they actually make the grid) and most exciting of all, Lotus. First time in since 1994 and with money behind them, a soild driver lineup behind them and good basis for a team, all is looking good.

However it all looked good and rosy until i saw this via the BBC website.......

Now i know this is Heikki's first time out in the car but for god's sake man dont make this a regular thing when your driving for real in the season!!!! There is a lot riding upon this team this season, with the name of Lotus and the heritage behind it, the last thing they need is images like this to be a regular practice. Is this picture a single sign of things to come for the upcoming season??? Lets hope for the sake for British Racing Green, these are few and fair between.

Thoughts from a lecture....Britain....whats in the name??

OK here's my first proper post on my brand new blog. The lecture Ive just been in talked about the ideas of Britain and its so called "image" as a powerful nation alongside other European nations around it. The basic element in my view regarding this so called issue of whether Britain was such a powerful nation, directly centred around the very idea of that so called "image". The heavy state of Jingoism that has been a common factor within this country could be a centre cause to why we got, and still do, get carried away with the very idea that Britain is the greatest country in the world, and no one else is.....unless we managed to take over a random country a couple of decades ago, stuck a flag there and said "Right matey this place its now ours!". A good question to ask is this. With all the propaganda and Jingoism; what "exactly" does it mean to be British? What does make you British? This is certainly something you could ask yourself. What IS the criteria of being properly British? Its certainly a problem that's still going strong today. The Fact that Britain likes to still think its the greatest and still compete with other nations about it. People have certainlly taken this on board throughout the decades, and to some extent, it has caused more harm than good.

Take our natural obsession with Germany for example. Fair enough we fought them in two world wars and beat them in a certain World Cup final but do we really need to keep kicking the same old rusty Heinz baked bean can into the bin? Is their any point of still refering those guys "across the river and slightly to the right" as the natural enemy? Clearly their really shouldnt be. However this is sadly not the case. This still all boils down to the type of Jingoistic, happily produced, union jack wrapped patroitism which we have become renouned for. The Two World Wars against them certainly havent helped, and niether has the works of a certain Basil Faulty or Harry Enfield played any part in finally laying this much flogged ghost to rest. But take into consideration those people that fought during the conflicts. With the experiences that they went through and the suffering that they must of went through, the emphasis shifts in a completely new direction. Can you blame them? To a massive extent no. But what about the the other aspect of the argument? I'm just writing this. That's up for you to decide.

So what is the right definition of British? Its definatley a tricky one. Is it the "Keep Calm & Carry On" emphasis the same old patterns that we have grown up with. Or does it mean something else? That's only something for you to decide. The issue though isnt modern. The issue is firmly in the past. Why were we so stubborn in the face of European events/intervention? Even in the face of great struggle, especially as the 20th Century rolled into the 2nd half the century, we still stood there with the impression that Britannia was still riding high with spear in hand, when in reality we were nothing more an secondary state to America, holding up nothing more to the world than a plastic spoon. Why did we do that?!?! Why were we so "stiff upper lipped" about everything, even though we were basically broke? Whatever routes or choices we could of taken, and whatever "image" we had, whether it be with alling with the Germans before WWI, the finanical and social turmoil that gripped the UK in the 1970's, one thing is for certain. As regards to Britain looking back other the decades and the trouble we have been in, and the possibilites we could of taken, we certainly didnt help ourselves one little bit. But then again, thats my own view.

Anyway take care everyone and speak to you all soon.

Hello everyone!

Hello everybody and welcome to my newly created blog on my History work, and also pretty much anything thrown into it as well! The idea for this is to put together all my own ideas and views upon the historical topics which are thrown at me and evaluate and talk about them in my own way. So hence with the title "Dreams & Nightmares" :A 'Woking' Point of View, i aim to do just that, a view on history; from a "Woking" point of view, that being me.

However apologies for the awful photo just to the left of the text but that's just the way i feel at the moment about this. At 01:18 at the time I'm writing this, i don't have a bloody clue what to write.......and this is the sodding introduction!!!! Any i hope to update this as much i can and i can hopefully get a few people to have a look and make their own minds up on what Ive written.....or just snigger at it......or just wait for me with bricks made out of custard by the bottom SU doors in protest of this just wasting valuable C.O.D or World Of Warcraft time just looking at this blog when they next venture into uni!

Anyway in the face of pressure, i hope this blog does work out, nevertheless i do also intend to chuck some other stuff in too, as if you don't know me already I'm a very very keen photographer and I'll probably put some of my exploits up on here too. Right that's my first post up on this blog, and i leave you with this link to a great fast motion video i found on Youtube, placed to the soundtrack of "Cult Logic" by Miike Snow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBh-UBnGy0s

Really Brilliant video. Have fun, take care and speak to you all very soon =)