Al Murray

So, on this day, or roughly around then, in the Second World War.

So...

And we include 1939 in this because it's part of the swirl.

And anyway, if like me, you think the Second World War starts with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, because everyone needs an angle.

Yeah, that's my angle.

That's when the international order begins to collapse and Hitler gets his freedom of manoeuvre or gets the green light.

Basically, he thinks, well, the Japanese got away with it in Manchukuo.

Why not me?

So there you go.

And every historian needs an angle, Jim, and that's mine.

So in 1939, April 14th, FDR messages Hitler asking for assurances Nazi Germany would not invade or attack a list of 31 independent nations with his armed forces.

Mussolini is also asked to make similar guarantees, which is interesting.

I mean,

You can ask Hitler for guarantees.

And this is in the wake of the collapse of the Munich Agreement, isn't it?

Because the previous month, the Germans have carved up what's left of Czechoslovakia.

And the Poles have a little grab, haven't they, as well?

Let's not forget that.

Basically, it looks like things are crumbling in the European order.

And so FDR is saying, if you don't mind awfully, Jim, you could do FDR asking this.