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To: Maurice Winn who wrote (145225)	10/2/2006 12:05:00 AM
From: matherandlowell	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 152472

"Per Angusta Ad Augustus". [Auckland Grammar School motto, where I believe they still teach latin, which I suppose means through anguish to the august heights of humanity, occupied at one time by Augustus himself]" A fellow could go to august universities and still pick up a thing or two from the world down under. Actually, while we are off subject, and have been for some time, let me quarrel a moment about London during the Blitz. The assertion that Great Britain was "strengthened" during the blitz seems to me to be simply erroneous. Certainly Churchill was putting a positive spin on things when he spoke of that moment as the Empire's "finest hour." I can see how he had a purpose in inspiring the English people at that time (and his audience in the English speaking provinces and colonies around the world), but I have a hard time thinking that he really thought that London had been strengthened. If Hitler had crossed the channel at that time, it is hard to see how he would have been repelled. Truth is, the English had nothing to stop the Panzers except garden tools. The Blitz demonstrated complete German air superiority. Anthony Eden later said that Winston was sounding the roar of the Empire's lion, but he didn't have much else to work with. It was really Hugh Dowding, then the Air Chief Marshall of the RAF, who understood the problem and "beat" the Germans by fooling them into thinking that the British had more than they really did. In fact, I think the case could be made that his contribution was as important as anyone's in preserving the world as we know it. If you haven't read it already, you might order a copy of "A Summer Bright and Terrible" by David Fisher. Incredible story. I think Great Britain was demoralized during the Blitz. That's a little like saying (and watch this transition) that Qualcomm stockholders were not demoralized by the recent market drubbing. Saying that such events simply strengthen our resolve assumes that we will win the war. That wasn't completely clear in 1940 and some would argue that it isn't clear in our present circumstances-- although, admittedly, they are a bit less consequential. I hope that we look back on the summer months as simply strengthening our resolve. I hope so in a big way. j.