Part II, pgs. 289-330 Summary and Analysis

Shirer spends some time with his family in Switzerland and is sick with the flu. He returns to Berlin on February 23. The food shortages are worse than ever. Many public schools are closed due to the lack of coal. The Germans have amassed considerable troops on the Dutch border. American representative Summer Welles arrives in Berlin for talks with Hitler. Afterwards, Shirer learns that there is no chance of an immediate peace. Hitler also wants the naval disarmament of Britain.

On March 13, a Russian-Finnish peace agreement is announced. There is no longer any discussions about a German offensive. However, on March 17, the Germans bomb British bases at Stromness and Kinkwall. On March 20, the British strafe the German seaplane base on Sylt and the German newspapers claim t hat the British have bombed Denmark. Shirer tours...