Read on Twitter
@daniel_todman made some very measured and subtle critiques of the Battle of Britain position that I have been arguing that I thought it was worth a separate response after consideration. Would also want to hear what experts on commemoration like @AdrianGregory20 think
1 https://twitter.com/daniel_todman/status/1282563695810314240
1 https://twitter.com/daniel_todman/status/1282563695810314240
Starting with the idea of not attacking the myth too aggressively. Dont agree. Others have challenged the myths of the Battle of Britain in academic (measured ways) for decades and yet the same tropes of the Few are trotted out every year
1
1
By not directly challenging the focus on a few, brave pilots it feeds the dangerous tendency in much military history and public discussion to stress on individual heroism and sacrifice as crucial in war--when it really isnt.
2
2
It glamorizes war and violence while setting up examples that we are supposed to emulate. It makes war exciting, is deliberately aimed at appealing to young men (originally) and I would argue makes state use of violence more likely.
3
3
Why has Britain engaged in war far more than most other European states since 1945? Would you think the Few myth is part of that or not?
So I would argue that ideas like the Few are romantic nonsense in modern war--there is heroism and cowardice on all sides and sacrifice and heroism dont win wars. If people understood more the reality of war (and avoid the glamor) that would be helpful
4
4
Also, by only gently challenging myths such as the Few or Britain stood alone, the UK, one could argue, has gotten itself into the present state of mind over the east of Brexit. I dont want to turn this into a Brexit tweet--but would argue the two are connected
5
5
Lastly, I am tired of having to indulge myths to try and disprove them. Maybe this is a personal reaction to hearing so much about them. But by saying we need to be careful to confront untruths, it feels we are saying untruths have validity because some people believe them
6
6
As @DEHEdgerton reinforced in other strands of this discussion. Myths of Empire versus Europe are leading to some serious problems
