The Information Battle

Both governments interpret, filter and circulate evidence, revealing how records and public narratives shape decisions as much as events themselves.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Speech on the Radio

Words Broadcast Chamberlain’s Address The Prime Minister asks the public to await events calmly and insists that peace remains possible. Mixed Signals His language communicates both alarm and reluctance to fight, leaving listeners to infer what Britain will actually do.

The German Translation

Meaning Recast Rapid Translation Hartmann translates the broadcast for the German Foreign Ministry. A Missing Threat He sees that Chamberlain’s public words omit the firm warning conveyed privately, exposing the gap between diplomatic signals and public rhetoric.

Hitler’s Reply Copied

A Secret Duplicate Official Message Hartmann carries Hitler’s letter to the British Embassy and secretly arranges a copy. Resistance Evidence The duplicate can help the opposition demonstrate that Hitler is not making a genuine compromise.

A Directive Leaks

Operational Plans Reach London A Home Delivery A secret military directive arrives at Legat’s house without an explanation. Verification Cadogan judges the document credible, though the British must still assess its source and political usefulness.

A Larger Record Emerges

The Earlier Conference Minutes An Expansionist Programme Legat reads a record of Hitler’s strategic discussion about territorial expansion and the use of force. Too Late for Policy The evidence reaches him as the Munich agreement is nearly complete, creating a painful distance between knowing and changing events.

27 September 1938, 8 p.m.

27 September 1938, shortly after 8 p.m.

27 September 1938, late evening

27 September 1938, late evening

29 September 1938, night