James Lonsdale-Bryans facts for kids

James Lonsdale-Bryans (1893–1981) was a British writer who tried to be a diplomat, especially during World War II. He was also known for having some sympathy for the Nazi party.

Early Life and Education

James Lonsdale-Bryans was born in Harrow, London, in 1893. He was the oldest child of Herbert William Bryans, who was an artist.

He had a younger sister, Katherine, and a younger brother, George. His family lived in Regent's Park, London, by 1901. James Lonsdale-Bryans went to a famous school called Eton College.

Attempts at Diplomacy

Starting His Mission

During World War II, a German diplomat named Ulrich von Hassell was against the Nazi government. He wanted to find out if Britain would offer a fair peace deal if the Nazis were removed from power.

James Lonsdale-Bryans, who lived in Rome, Italy, offered to help. He told people he was connected to Lord Halifax, a top British official. Lonsdale-Bryans saw this as a chance to "win the peace" and save lives. However, some historians believe he was also looking for fame and money.

In late 1939, Lonsdale-Bryans met Count Detalmo Biroli, an Italian who was married to Hassell's daughter. Biroli gave Lonsdale-Bryans a letter with peace ideas from the German opposition.

Meeting British Officials

In January 1940, Lonsdale-Bryans went to London to meet Lord Halifax. At first, Halifax didn't want to see him. But with help from Lord Brocket, a friend of Lonsdale-Bryans, a meeting was arranged.

Halifax agreed that Lonsdale-Bryans could meet Hassell. He told the British ambassador in Rome to help him. But Halifax also privately said that Lonsdale-Bryans was "clearly a lightweight" and not officially sent by him.

Meeting with Hassell

Lonsdale-Bryans returned to Rome and arranged to meet Hassell. Hassell was worried about being watched by the secret police. So, they decided to meet in Switzerland.

On February 22, 1940, they met in Arosa. Lonsdale-Bryans introduced himself as a special envoy from the British Foreign Secretary. Hassell believed he had more authority than he actually did.

Hassell explained that many German generals would turn against Hitler if Britain promised a fair peace. He also said that Britain should not publicly ask for Hitler to be overthrown. Hassell feared that Europe could become communist.

Hassell gave Lonsdale-Bryans a letter with his peace terms. He wanted Germany to keep Austria and the Sudetenland. He also wanted the German-Polish border to be like it was in 1914. Hassell believed Eastern Europe should be Germany's main area of influence.

Lonsdale-Bryans had his own idea: Germany would control Europe, and the British Empire would control the rest of the world.

Later Efforts and Challenges

When Lonsdale-Bryans returned to Britain, the Foreign Office learned he expected a lot of money for his work. Officials saw him as someone motivated by money.

He met with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax again. Halifax made it clear he wanted a professional diplomat to deal with Hassell. He also said he had already sent messages to Hassell through another channel.

Despite this, Lonsdale-Bryans went back to Arosa to meet Hassell again in April 1940. However, by this time, Germany had invaded Norway. This meant that talking about peace was no longer realistic.

Lonsdale-Bryans continued his unofficial diplomatic work in Italy until Italy joined the war in June 1940. He then moved to Portugal and kept trying to arrange meetings.

In October 1940, he even tried to set up a meeting with Hitler in Switzerland to discuss peace. He wrote to a German publisher, again asking for a lot of money.

By January 1941, the British Foreign Office wanted Lonsdale-Bryans to return to Britain. They called him "undesirable and untrustworthy." He finally returned in 1941, which was a relief for the Foreign Office.

British officials had a very low opinion of him. One official called him "an idiot and something of a crook." They were worried he would talk too much and cause embarrassment.

Lonsdale-Bryans was friends with powerful British aristocrats who also had some sympathy for the Nazis. When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister, Lonsdale-Bryans's political influence faded.

He still tried to talk to important American officials, like Dwight D. Eisenhower, and British General Bernard Montgomery. The British government had to tell the Americans that Lonsdale-Bryans was "unreliable."

As late as 1943, he was still trying to meet with British officials. He was warned that if he continued his unauthorized contacts with Germans, he could be charged with treason.

Personal Life and Writings

James Lonsdale-Bryans published two books about his experiences. In 1941, he released The Curve of Fate. In 1951, he published The Blind Victory: Secret communications, Halifax-Hassell, which told the story of his wartime efforts.

He suffered from health problems later in life, including osteoporosis and dementia. James Lonsdale-Bryans passed away in 1981 at the age of 87.