Tightening the Knot

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Contents VII
3. Preface XIII
4. Abbreviations Used in Appendices and Notes XVII
5. Comincia la Commedia
6. The Separate Slide Over the Precipice 3
7. The Reluctant Allies 8
8. Slouching into War: Poland 18
9. The Politics of Pessimism 21
10. Disparities, Divisions, and the Search for Diversions 26
11. Finland: The Alliance Makes Its Debut 37
12. Dress Rehearsal in Norway 43
13. All Quiet on the Western Front 52
14. The Allied Balance Sheet 57
15. Tightening the Knot 61
16. I. Trial by Fire in the North (May 10-June 4)
17. Breakthrough on the Meuse 71
18. The Battle for Air Support 74
19. The Looming Contingency 80
20. Paper Tiger: The Counterattack Manqué 89
21. A Chill Descends 95
22. Giving Up the Ghost 101
23. Dunkirk 109
24. II. The Growing Rift Between the Allies (May 15-June 12)
25. “A Certain Eventuality” 123
26. The French Temptation 130
27. The Problem Posed 137
28. May 26: The Crisis Contained 143
29. Stiffening the French 153
30. Always Hungry, Always Asking for More 160
31. The Battle Lost 169
32. III. Crisis Over the Armistice (June 12 - June 16)
33. The Opening Phase: June 12 181
34. Paul Reynaud at Tours: June 13 187
35. Cangé II: June 13 201
36. June 14: Dangerous Moves 206
37. The Slide Downhill: June 15 211
38. June 16: Britain's Conditional Acceptance 219
39. June 16: The Proposal of Union 227
40. The Government's Collapse 234
41. IV. The Question of the French Fleet (June 17- June 22)
42. The Telegrams Resurface 247
43. Promises, Promises 256
44. To Leave or Not to Leave 262
45. The Bordeaux Conversations 267
46. Hitler’s Terms 274
47. Sir Ronald’s Vigil- Diplomatic Confusion 281
48. Diplomatic Conclusions 287
49. V. Towards a Final Break (June 17-July 4)
50. The Politics of Intimidation 297
51. North Africa: Its Role in British Policy 303
52. North Africa: The French View 313
53. Caution Cast Off 318
54. Straws in the Wind 325
55. The Enigma of Admiral Darlan 329
56. British Planning and the French Fleet 340
57. Operation Catapult 352
58. Mers-el-Kébir: Analysis and Aftermath 361
59. End of the Affair 369
60. When All Is Said and Done
61. The Nature of the Problem 377
62. Resolution and Inevitability 390
63. Appendices
64. A. Leopold's Surrender 403
65. B. Churchill, Weygand, and the Breton Redoubt 406
66. C. Mme Hélène de Portes 409
67. D. Reynaud’s Last Appeal to Roosevelt 413
68. E. The Possibility of a Coup in Bordeaux 416
69. F. Behind the Chautemps Proposal 419
70. G. The Case of the Elusive Telegrams 421
71. H. Reynaud’s Cabinet- Rundown on the Armistice 424
72. I. Reynaud’s Resignation 428
73. J. Reynaud and the American Embassy 430
74. K. The Republic’s Three Presidents 432
75. L. Churchill Roosevelt and the British Fleet 435
76. Notes and References
77. Bibliography
78. Index