“Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen”: British Figure Proposed Dividing World Between England and Germany During World War II

Documents have been uncovered that James Lonsdale-Bryans, an amateur diplomat and fascist sympathizer, proposed to German diplomats during World War II that the two countries simply divide up the world. Lonsdale-Bryans had high-level connections to the English Foreign Ministry, but there is no evidence that he was supported in his efforts.

Lonsdale-Bryans tried to negotiate the agreement with German ambassador, Ulrich von Hassell. The Secret Service warned about these discussions and noted that “Bryans is a talkative and indiscreet fellow who is in possession of a story which he delights in telling and which if told publicly would be likely to cause embarrassment to the Foreign Office.”

Yet, the British did not stop him and, while distancing themselves from him when Americans were consulted by Bryans, the Foreign Ministry simply said Lonsdale-Bryans was “unreliable though not disloyal.”

The thought of America being forced to drink warm beer, to watch cricket, and eat fish wrapped in newspapers is too horrible to contemplate.

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