Alex Massie Alex Massie

Tweeting the Second World War


 

It’s good to talk about something other than the election and its aftermath. So let me recommend this: the National Archives are tweeting the Second World War. Day by day and several times a day and with a 140 character limit they bring you the news as it was in 1940. It’s a strangely effective ploy. Consider these tweets from [sic] May 13th 1940:

War Cabinet to meet at 1830 BST. New Prime Minister Winston Churchill to make statement to House of Commons at around 1400 BST. Germans advancing in Holland, Belgium. RAF has lost 76 aircraft in 48 hours. UK forces continuing to retreat in Norway Members of new War Cabinet formally announced to House of Commons. Leader of Opposition Clement Attlee to join coalition as Lord Privy Seal. Former PM Neville Chamberlain to remain in War Cabinet. Lord Halifax to remain Foreign Secretary. Prime Minister Churchill rising to speak. PM: “I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this Government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

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