This episode is brought to you by Audible. But soon, I will have other sponsors, so you won't have to hear me say that all the time.

Audible is awesome. They have thousands of books to choose from. They have newspapers. They have radio programs, and you can get one for free.

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This time, I would like to recommend an oldie, but a goodie. It's called The Last Lion, Winston Spencer Churchill, Volume 1, Visions of Glory, 1874 to 1932, by William Manchester.

Churchill is perhaps the most important political figure of the 20th century. His great oratory and leadership during the Second World War were only part of his huge breadth of experience and achievement.

Studying his life is a fascinating way to abide the history of his era, and gain insight into key events that shaped our time.

In political office at the end of World War I, Churchill foresaw the folly of her side, and feared what a crippled Germany would do to the balance of power.

In his years in the political wilderness, from 1931 to 1939, he alone, of all British public men, constantly raised his voice against Hitler and his appeasers.

For 50 years, he was constantly involved in, and usually at the center of, the most important events of his age.

Or instead of saying all this, I could simply say, in my view, the subject is awesome, the times were eventful, and the writer William Manchester is one of the best. Trust me, you want this book.

And at 41 hours long, it will keep you busy until I get a few more episodes out. I highly recommend it.

Hello, I thank you for listening to a history of World War II, Episode 33, Loyalty's.

Renaud's Republic was out, and Petain's regime was now in control of France. For those who had maneuvered to obtain for Petain, the top spot, their time had come.

Most were known and rewarded. Others not exposed until after the war, during the tribunals, still found themselves given positions of power.

In the last hours of June 16th, British Ambassador Campbell and General Spears defeated and discouraged by Renaud's resignation, still had to think of tomorrow, and Great Britain.

But when asked if he would leave France and had a French resistance movement, he said no. He was convinced he would soon be asked to form another cabinet when Petain fell.

But what he didn't consider was that regimes don't fall. They have to be conquered.

To the two British representatives, the former Premier was still living in that other world he seemed to reside in for the last few weeks.

Then they moved on and asked Mendel, the former stalwart minister of the Interior, the same question, and he said no as well, but for different reasons.

He argued as a Jew it would look like he was running away, but that pride in being a Frenchman and of what others thought of his kind would turn out to be his undoing.

Earlier that night, Charles de Gaulle had returned, arriving in a special plane loaned to him by Churchill. He made it back by 9.30 pm, only to be present when Renaud came out of Le Bras office and announced his resignation.

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