Category Archives: Nazism

Left and Right? New claims about Soviet spy Anthony Blunt

In a fascinating and provocative article in the Sunday Times (April 28th), Rosamund Urwin discussed the possibility that Anthony Blunt, the ‘fourth man’ in the infamous ‘Cambridge Five’ Soviet spy ring, may have passed secrets to the Nazis in World … Continue reading

Posted in American history, British history, European History, Extremism, Fascism, German History, Historiography, History of war, Nazism, Public History, Research, Russian History, Secret State, Soviet Union, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Exploring the Nazi Career of Otto Skorzeny, the ‘Devil’s Disciple’

Although studies of Otto Skorzeny, said to be Hitler’s ‘favourite commando’, tended to be limited and were often of highly questionable quality for much of the post-war period, this situation appears to have changed in more recent years. Some qualitatively … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-fascism, Conspiracy theory, European History, Extremism, Fascism, German History, Historiography, History of war, Nazism, Public History, Research, Uncategorized, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amazons against the Nazis: Women’s Home Defence in Wartime Britain

At the height of invasion fears in the summer of 1940, the British government asked for civilian volunteers ‘to go on duty against airborne invasion’ and be ‘entrusted with certain vital duties’ for which a knowledge of firearms would be necessary. Many … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-fascism, Archives, British history, Fascism, Gender History, German History, Historiography, History of war, Local History, London history, Museums, Nazism, Public History, Research, Women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Decadence and Decline: Looking back on the gloomy world of Dean Inge

There has been some interesting coverage on social media in recent months of the views of William Ralph Inge (1860-1954), who was known as the ‘Gloomy Dean’ or the ‘Gloomy Philosopher’, and was Dean of St. Pauls Cathedral in London … Continue reading

Posted in British history, British politics, European History, Extremism, Fascism, History of war, London history, Media history, Nazism, Public History, Research, Uncategorized, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Holocaust and Hate: When the late Zigi Shipper recalled Auschwitz

We were very sad to learn of the passing of Zigi Shipper, aged 93, in 2023. He came to Kingston University to deliver a talk on his experiences of the Holocaust and it was a truly moving experience for all … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-fascism, European History, Events, Extremism, Fascism, German History, History of war, Kingston, Kingston University, Nazism, Public History, Teaching, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Notorious in Northampton: The anti-Semitic career of Walter Crick

When historians dig deeply, many towns and cities often have at least some notorious skeletons in their historical cupboards, individuals who represent the darker side of the past, usually people who current-day citizens would rather forget. In March, 1925, a … Continue reading

Posted in British Empire, British history, British politics, Conspiracy theory, European History, Extremism, Fascism, German History, Local History, London history, Nazism, Public History, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The dangerous world of Marine Le Pen: a research note

Worrying opinion polls in France in recent months have indicated that Marine Le Pen and her ‘National Rally’ (NR) have become more popular than many of the mainstream French political parties and, indeed, indicate that the NR leader herself has … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-fascism, European History, Extremism, Fascism, French History, Gender History, Media history, Nazism, Public History, Research, Teaching, Uncategorized, Women's history, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weaponising the Past: The British extreme right’s concept of history

From Alfred the Great to Wellington, via Nelson to Churchill, and from Francis Drake to Scott of the Antarctic, the extreme right in Britain have regularly sought to appropriate individuals who they claim were the ‘greatest’ Britons of the past. … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-fascism, British history, British politics, Conspiracy theory, Events, Extremism, Fascism, Historiography, History skills, Local History, Media history, Nazism, Public History, Research, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment