Hello everyone, and thank you once again for listening to the saga of World War II,

a Cassus Belly project.

This week, we will cover the lead-up to September 1939 and Hitler's life until he joined the Nazi party.

Don't forget to visit Cassusbelly podcast.com slash World War II Chronicles.

That's World War One Word, the number two, Chronicles.

To find all episodes and stream them on SoundCloud. You can also download them in iTunes.

Just search World War II Chronicles. I also ask that you forgive me if I mispronounce any French words in this episode.

I'll do my best, but I study German in high school. Regardless, let us begin World War II Chronicles, Episode 2, Architect of Armageddon.

Frankly and definitely there is danger ahead. Danger against which we must prepare. We shall defend our island, whatever they can't be here.

Whatever they can't save me. We shall defend our island, whatever the cross may be.

We shall fight on the beaches.

We shall fight on the landing grounds.

We shall fight in the fields and in the streets.

We shall fight in the hills.

We shall never surrender. You'll recall that in episode one, we discussed Lloyd George's warning that surrounding Germany was small states, many of which contained ethnic Germans, was a horrendous idea.

Well, by 1934, his prediction was beginning to bear fruit. Hitler's first target was

Austria. Like most of Europe, his homeland was politically unstable and the government weak.

The Austrian Prime Minister Dolphus attempted to put a lid on unrest by banning the growing

Nazi party.

This had the opposite of the intended effect.

At Hitler's urging, the Austrian Nazis began a violent campaign similar to those carried out by Fastists and other countries.

They were disruptive and combative.

...