This country is at war with Germany.

We shall go on to the end.

I remember the sheets of flame which came up and almost blinded us from our guns.

Hello, welcome to another episode of the World War II podcast. I'm Angus Wallace.

In this episode, we're doing something a little different. I recently joined Scott Burry on his podcast, Beyond Barbarossa, which takes a close look at the eastern front of the Second World War from the Soviet perspective. Together we explore the topic of American aides to the USSR through the

Lenleys program. The usual narrative often paints Lenleys as the lifeline that saved the Soviet Union, but,

as with most things in history, the reality

is far more complex. While Lendlase undeniably made a difference, especially in those later

stages of the war, its impact, timing and strategic value are all worth examining more closely.

So in this episode, we dig into what was actually sent when it arrived and whether or not

it really was decisive in turning the tide on the eastern front.

Scott has already given a big picture overview of Len Lease in episode 32 of Beyond Barbarossa,

but for those who have not listened to that episode of his podcast,

we start with Scott giving us an overview of the Lenleys program.

In the 1930s, there is a strong isolationist trend in the United States politics.

And in fact, the neutrality acts in 1935, 1936 and 1937 were intended to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars.

And the laws made it illegal for any American to sell or transport arms or other war material to any nation at war, whether it was a defender or an attacker.

The last Neutrality Act lapsed in 1939 and President Franklin Roosevelt, he was

interested in getting involved in the looming war in Europe.

He proposed a replacement to the Neutriety Act that would give him more flexibility

in dealing with aggressive Germany and Japan and Italy. Now, that bill was initially defeated

until Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 and the Congress turned around and passed the

...