Hillsdale Dialogues: Churchill’s The Second World War, Part Twenty-Three

In this penultimate episode of their deep dive into Winston Churchill's 'The Gathering Storm,' Hugh Hewitt and Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn examine the critical period of the 'phony war' from September 1939 to May 1940, a time of strategic paralysis despite looming catastrophe. They explore Churchill's frustration with bureaucratic inertia, particularly within the Admiralty and War Department, where committee-driven decision-making paralyzed effective action. The discussion centers on the failed Norwegian campaign, where Churchill's urgent calls to act were ignored, allowing Germany to secure vital iron ore supplies and gain a strategic foothold. The episode highlights key military insights—such as the German use of blitzkrieg tactics, the critical role of tanks and air power, and the near-miss of a British intelligence coup when a German staff officer crashed with invasion plans in Belgium. The hosts also reflect on Churchill’s emphasis on individual heroism in naval battles, like the daring charge of Captain Cunningham, and the broader implications of executive authority in wartime, drawing parallels to modern debates over the unitary executive. The episode closes with a sobering assessment of Britain’s declining military capacity and a preview of the dramatic conclusion to the volume next week.