The party is over, and the lights are going out across Europe. In this intense penultimate chapter of the Unity Mitford saga, we witness the terrifying moment where high-society daydreaming meets the cold, hard reality of global conflict.

We track the escalating tension as Adolf Hitler moves beyond mere rhetoric, shifting into an aggressive land-grab across Central Europe. We dissect the infamous 1938 Munich Peace Accord—the high-water mark of the "Don't Mention the War" strategy—and explore Unity’s delusional belief that she was the living symbol of a British-German brotherhood. But the "perfect" plan falls apart when the Reich forms a cynical pact with the Soviets, turning the UK from an imperial idol and potential ally into an official enemy.

We reveal the haunting private conversations where the Führer looked the Mitford sisters in the eye and told them the "unthinkable" was now unavoidable– all that while Richard Wagner’s Dawning of the Gods rang through their ears. When the Declaration of War echoed across the radio waves, Unity’s world vanished in an instant and her reaction was as extreme as her life: a suicide attempt that left her hospitalised in Munich before her controversial return to England in January 1940. How do you go home when you’ve spent years cheering for the enemy?

It’s a story of shattered illusions, political heartbreak, and the tragic end of a "Valkyrie" who realised too late that you can’t have your tea and your fascism too.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Recap (sorry, but it’s all going to sh*t now…)

0:04:47 Hitler taking back “German” territories

0:09:35 Hitler going into full Invasion Mode (Sudetenland)

0:15:30 The Munich Agreement & the Peak of Appeasement

0:22:43 Unity’s destiny is…. unity! (between GB and the Nazis)

0:27:11 Things go wrong: Alliance with Stalin & war with the English

0:33:22 Hitler warning Unity and Diana that War is inevitable

0:36:38 The Declaration of War & Unity’s reaction

0:43:57 Unity in hospital & returning to England

0:50:42 Wrap & Outlook (Unity’s final years)

A museum tip if you want to visit Munich: We strongly recommend the NS Doku Zentrum. Their website is available in 14 languages :-)

We also recommend the excellent podcast of the Daily Mail about Unity’s diaries called “The Secret Diary of Unity Mitford”.

(even though the Daily Mail’s historic record on Adolf Hitler is questionable, that podcast is almost a rehabilitation)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

And for Londoners: Do you want to book a massage with Women + Health? Or maybe organise a Team Event with us?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #UnityMitford #MitfordSisters #1930sHistory #WWIIHistory #MunichAgreement #Appeasement #AdolfHitler #1930sEurope #BritishUnionOfFascists #Chamberlain #RichardWagner #BritishAristocracy #HistoricalDrama

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: There will be some quotes that are anti-semitic and disturbing.

Unity Mitford is no longer just a guest in Munich—she’s practically part of the furniture. In this episode, we follow Unity from 1935 to 1938 as her proximity to Nazi power reaches a fever pitch; while Central Europe descends into fascism, Unity is in heaven.

We start with her chillingly close bond with the notorious Julius Streicher, the founder of the most virulent anti-Semitic magazine you’ve ever seen. Their friendship leads to Unity addressing the Hitler Youth, sparking a massive scandal in both the British media and the House of Lords. In a bit of "appeasement politics" (pun intended!), Unity tries to soothe her enraged parents by inviting them to Munich. And would you believe it? Lord and Lady Redesdale dropped by for a spot of tea with the most dangerous man in Europe. Was the British establishment—and the media—dangerously naive, or were they willfully blind?

As their friendship tightens, Adolf Hitler invites Unity to his mountain retreat, the Berghof, where she greets the Duke of Windsor (the abdicated King Edward VIII) with a Hitler salute—and he returns it! (Just try to picture that). At the peak of their relationship, Adolf even “gifted” Unity a new apartment in Munich; never mind what happened to the previous owners, a Jewish couple. Finally, we ride along as Unity witnesses the Anschluss—the annexation of Austria—from her seat in the front row.

Everything is going perfectly for fascism, and Unity is living the dream. But how much longer can this blissful life last?

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Recap (“my sweet Julius”)

0:01:56 Julius Streicher, the Hitler Youth, and Unity’s speech

0:10:03 The 1936 Olympic games - summer AND winter

0:12:58 Unity’s parents meet Hitler for Tea

0:18:25 Were the British naive about Hitler? Even the press?

0:24:24 1937 - the friendship of Adolf and Unity tightens

0:31:29 The Duke of Windsor and Unity at Hitler’s mountain retreat

0:36:51 Unity’s new apartment - with love from Adolf

0:40:33 Unity at the Anschluss (annexation) of Austria in 1938

0:54:30 Wrap & Outlook (when everything is going to sh*t)

A museum tip if you want to visit Munich: We strongly recommend the NS Doku Zentrum.

We also recommend the excellent podcast of the Daily Mail about Unity’s diaries called “The Secret Diary of Unity Mitford”.

(even though the Daily Mail’s historic record on Adolf Hitler is questionable, that podcast is almost a rehabilitation)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

For Londoners: Do you want to book a massage with Women + Health? Or maybe organise a Team Event with us?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #UnityMitford #AdolfHitler #1930sMunich #1936Olympics #Anschluss #TheBerghof #BritishRoyals #DukeOf Windsor #Antisemitism #TrueHistory #TheDailyMail #MitfordSisters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WARNING: There will be some quotes that are anti-semitic and disturbing.

Unity Mitford hasn’t just entered the room—she’s moved into the inner circle. It’s 1935, and Unity is living her best life in Munich; and the most problematic one.

In this episode, we take a close look at Unity’s life and the Nazi circles she moved in. Why was the Gestapo watching her? And who reported whom to the Gestapo? - We also explore the terrifying "Mean Girl" side of the Third Reich, as Unity enters a "who’s more Nazi" competition that ends badly for the other girl.

But it’s not all grim politics—it’s also weirdly surreal. We look at Unity’s frivolities and her bizarre Munich lifestyle. We dive into her "fascist flings" with figures like János Almásy (whose brother was the real-life inspiration for The English Patient) and her surprising friendship with Ella van Heemstra—better known as Audrey Hepburn’s mother. And finally, we tackle the dark and a surprising evil side of Unity: her friendship with the sadistic anti-semite Julius Streicher.

We wrap up by looking at the German resistance and how effective the Nazi regime was in muzzling it. Methods still in use across the world today. Unity is no longer just a fan; now, she’s a participant. And from here, it only goes downhill.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Recap (Unity made it into Hitler’s inner circle)

0:03:44 It’s 1935 - Unity’s life in Munich

0:08:49 Was Unity a British spy? - the Gestapo is watching

0:13:55 Who’s more Nazi? - Unity destroying a girl’s life

0:17:39 How Aryan was Adolf Hitler? Was his grandfather a Jew?

0:19:30 Unity’s monkey, her Great Dane, and her convertible

0:25:35 Unity’s fascist affairs (János Almásy)

0:29:18 Unity’s fascist friends (Ella van Heemstra, aka the Hepburns)

0:39:37 “Mission from the leader”: the British fascist broadcast

0:41:38 Unity’s friend Julius Streicher (anti-semite, sadist, war criminal)

0:48:45 Resistance in Germany & the methods of authoritarian regimes

0:54:30 Wrap & Outlook (Unity’s spiralling down into anti-semitism)

A museum tip if you want to visit Munich: We strongly recommend the NS Doku Zentrum. Their website is available in 14 languages :-)

We also recommend the excellent podcast of the Daily Mail about Unity’s diaries called “The Secret Diary of Unity Mitford”.

(even though the Daily Mail’s historic record on Adolf Hitler is questionable, that podcast is almost a rehabilitation)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

For Londoners: Do you want to book a massage with Women + Health? Or maybe organise a Team Event with us?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: #UnityMitford #Hitler #AudreyHepburn #Gestapo #1930sMunich #Antisemitism #Fascism #DailyMail #TheBUF #BritishAristocracy #TrueHistory #TheCrown #Scandal #MitfordSisters

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready for the ultimate masterclass in "How to Stalk a Dictator." In this third episode about Unity Mitford, we follow her as she packs her bags, leaves the London high society behind, and moves to Munich with one goal in mind: getting face-to-face with the Führer.

We explore why Munich was the "place to be" in the early 30s—a shift from bohemian art & culture to rising Nazi fervor. We track Unity’s daily routine of sitting in Hitler’s favorite restaurant, Osteria Bavaria, waiting for a glance from HIM. It’s a level of dedication that we can only compare to the most hardcore Taylor Swift fans (sorry, Swifties, but the "Easter egg" hunting and cult-like devotion are eerily similar!).

We will then look into why Unity perfectly fit Hitler’s "type"—an unhealthy pattern of young, blonde, and utterly devoted women. We also touch on the most dramatic and defining relationship in Hitler’s life (hint: it didn't end well).

And YES, we’ll also dive into Adolf Hitler’s SEX life (why wouldn’t you?), and into the mental health of the women around Hitler as well as Hitler’s own mental health (frankly: it was quite Scheisse / shit). Is there a psychological link to the prototype of a "Messianic / Bachelor Leader"?

This episode will culminate in what Unity was to eventually call "The most wonderful day of my life!" - when she finally met HIM. It’s a story of obsession, unhealthy patterns, and the moment a fan girl becomes a confidante to the most dangerous man in history.

Where else do you hear the names of Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin, and Jesus Christ in one sentence? - Only here with us, at Raiders of the Lost Archive :-)

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Recap (the becoming of a Hitler fan girl)

0:03:24 Unity’s move to Munich - Why Munich?

0:11:51 Unity stalking the Führer in Munich’s bohemian & soon-Nazi area

0:18:51 Crazy fandom & cults (and a parallel to Taylor Swift fans - sorry!)

0:27:15 Unity fitting Adolf Hitler’s type - an unhealthy pattern

0:38:23 The messianic & bachelor country leader

0:42:38 The most dramatic & defining relationship for Hitler

0:47:19 “The most wonderful [day] of my life!”

0:49:24 Wrap & Outlook (let’s chat about friendship with Adolf Hitler)

A museum tip if you want to visit Munich: Lyn strongly recommends the NS Doku Zentrum. Their website is available in 14 languages :-)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

Do you want to organise a Team Event with Women + Health in London?

Or maybe you’re interested in our services and our ethos?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: Unity Mitford, Mitford Sisters, Fascism, Adolf Hitler, Eva Braun, Virgin Suicides, NS Doku-Zentrum, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, True Stories, Personality Cults, Historical Psychology, Taylor Swift, History Podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let’s follow the most notorious Mitford sister into adulthood! In this episode, we explore how Unity Mitford transformed from every teacher’s nightmare into a radicalized devotee of the far right.

We start with the strange paradox of the Mitford bond: how could Unity maintain a fierce love especially for her sister Jessica Mitford while they were diametrically opposed on every political conviction? We also peek into her unsuccessful and short stints at schools and the desperate hopes her parents pinned on sending her to school.

Then, things get juicy. We dive into Unity’s "coming out" into society, addressing those scandalous sexual rumors and the reality of her private life. But instead of finding a husband, Unity preferred to shock society which didn’t matter that much, because her sister Diana’s high-profile breakup spoiled the social season anyway. And while Unity and Diana bonded over rule breaking, they both spiral toward the British Union of Fascists.

Finally, we track the moment that would be Unity’s dark enlightenment: her radicalisation at the 1933 Nuremberg Rally. This wasn't just a trip abroad; it was the birth of an obsession.

Get ready for the story of how a British debutante decided her true "coming out" belonged in the heart of Nazi Germany. Next step? Meeting the Führer himself.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro & Recap

0:02:35 Unity’s love for her sisters against all their convictions

0:06:06 Unity’s unsuccessful schooling & her favourite governess

0:13:01 The parent’s hope with schooling

0:18:01 Unity’s coming out, a juicy rumour, and her sexual life

0:27:25 Diana’s break-up spoiling the ball season

0:32:00 Unity, Diana, Decca, their politics & the dawn of British fascism

0:36:56 Unity’s radicalisation - the Nuremberg Parteitag 1933

0:44:45 Wrap & Outlook (Hitler calling!)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

Do you want to organise a Team Event with Women + Health in London?

Or maybe you’re interested in our services and our ethos?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: Unity Mitford, Mitford Sisters, Diana Mitford, Jessica Mitford, British Union of Fascists, Nuremberg Rally, Adolf Hitler, British Aristocracy, Historical Gossip, True Stories, The Crown, Period Drama.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buckle up, because it’s time to meet "Sister Number 4"—the most obsessed, attention-seeking, and truly bizarre member of the Mitford clan: Unity Valkyrie Mitford. If you thought Diana was intense, you haven't seen anything yet! - How does one become the ultimate Hitler fan girl?

In today’s episode, we look at the eccentric Mitford family dynamic that produced six legendary sisters - and after three outstanding sisters comes Unity. Her story starts with a "too-strange-to-be-fiction" coincidence: Unity was actually conceived in a town called Swastika, Ontario. Was her fate written in the stars, or just a really dark geographic omen?

We also dive into her unusual names and explore the Wagnerian connection that was immediately appealing to the Nazis (and yes, Lyn even found a way to link it to Klingons!).

Finally, we tackle the core of Unity’s personality: her extreme, boundary-pushing attention-seeking. From pet snakes at church to her table manners (or rather: ill manners). Unity was a girl who refused to be ignored. And this is the basis for a growing obsession and a very close relationship with a certain German/Austrian dictator.

Join your favorite German hosts as we begin the wild, tragic, and utterly head-spinning journey of the girl who wanted to be at the center of the Third Reich.

Chapters:

0:00:00 Recap, Intro & Overview

0:06:47 Unity’s upbringing (and of the Mitford sisters in general)

0:19:19 Unity’s conception in Swastika

0:25:50 Unity’s names: Unity Valkyrie (from Klingons to Wagner)

0:37:15 Unity’s personality: attention seeking on the extreme

0:50:50 Wrap & Outlook (a lot of Adolf coming your way!)

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

Do you want to organise a Team Event with Women + Health in London?

Or maybe you’re interested in our services and our ethos?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: Unity Mitford, Mitford Sisters, Diana Mitford, Swastika, Valkyrie, Richard Wagner, British Aristocracy, Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, Historical Comedy, True Stories, Women in History, Central European Perspective, House of Guinness, The Crown.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final curtain call for Diana Mitford! In this comprehensive, concluding episode, we attempt to untangle the knotted legacy of the most controversial Mitford sister—the good, the bad, and some truly ugly.

We begin by examining Diana's and Oswald’s patchwork parenthood, breaking down the relationships and careers of all three sets of children—Oswald’s children with Cynthia Curzon, Diana’s with Bryan Guinness, and the two sons of Diana and Oswald Mosley, including the famous Max Mosley. We explore how their paths reflected, and only in one case rejected, the dark family politics.

Then, we face the uncomfortable truth: the unrepentant legacy of the Mosleys. We dive deep into the post-war political life of Oswald and Diana and their controversial stances on immigration. We confront the unsettling question whether there was a Holocaust denial and Diana's absolute lack of remorse for her fascist past—as we attempt to pass judgment on a life lived without apology.

This is the ultimate closing chapter on a life steeped in scandal, striving for power, and tied to political extremism. Perfect for fans of WWII history, aristocratic memoirs, and those who want to understand how a beautiful woman became a defining, and divisive, figure of the 20th century.

Next up: Unity Mitford!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Today’s episode: an attempt to a legacy

0:02:20 Oswald’s Children with Cynthia Curzon

0:10:16 Diana’s Children with Bryan Guinness

0:15:24 The Children of Diana & Oswald

0:22:09 Alexander and Max Mosley - from Diana’s Memoirs

0:25:40 Oswald’s Legacy (M on immigration)

0:42:21 The Politics of the Mosley’s: a gamble and no change

0:52:40 Holocaust denial? - Definitely no remorse!

1:01:22 A Question of War & Peace, Violence & Free Speech

1:06:05 Diana: The good, the bad, and the ugly

1:16:39 Wrap & Outlook on the Unity episodes

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

Do you want to do a Team Event with Women + Health in London?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: Mitford Sisters, Diana Mitford, Oswald Mosley, Max Mosley, Bryan Guinness, Cynthia Curzon, Holocaust Denial, Fascism, WWII History, Historical Drama, True Stories, Women History, House of Guinness, The Crown.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Prison Time, baby! The WWII saga of Diana Mitford reaches its climax! This intense episode covers Diana and Oswald Mosley's time in prison, the outrage caused by their release, and their immediate escape to the continent, leaving wartime Britain behind.

We open by stepping inside Holloway Women's Prison—the very same prison that once held the Suffragettes—to explore the harsh conditions and the political maneuvers that swirled around Winston Churchill regarding the Mosleys' fate. We paint a picture of Diana as arguably the most hated woman in England on Christmas Day, 1941.

Then comes the twist: the shocking decision to allow Diana and Oswald to live together in a prison cottage, a privilege that caused national outrage! We discuss Oswald's declining health and breakdown, and the immense political pressure leading to their early release in 1943. Finally, the war ends, and the couple makes a rapid escape from Britain to their new life in Paris, finding themselves in a bizarre new social circle that includes The Abdicated King (Edward VIII) and the occasional brush with Audrey Hepburn’s parents and similar far-right / fascist sympathisers.

This is the incredible story of privilege, loyalty and infidelity, and life changing decisions. Perfect for fans of WWII history, scandalous prison memoirs, and the Mitford Sisters' ability to land on their feet no matter the scandal!

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro

0:00:40 Holloway Women Prison & the Suffragettes

0:04:51 Prison conditions & Winston Churchill

0:15:25 Xmas 1941 - Diana, the most hated women in England

0:19:04 Diana & Oswald in the prison cottage

0:28:53 Their health declines - Oswald’s breakdown

0:34:17 1943 - their release from prison

0:40:44 Diana & Oswald escape Britain after WWII

0:44:11 Move to Paris - The Abdicated King & Hitler & the Hepburns

0:47:48 Move to Paris - The Abdicated King & Hitler & the Hepburns

0:50:50 Wrap & Outlook on ep. 15 about Diana’s legacy

You can also find and follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raidersofthelostarchive_pod

And you can email us: raidersofthelostarchive.pod@gmail.com

Do you want to do a Team Event with Women + Health in London?

Look us up online: www.womenandhealth.org.uk

Tags: Mitford Sisters, Diana Mitford, Oswald Mosley, WWII, Holloway Prison, Winston Churchill, Paris, Edward VIII, Audrey Hepburn, Historical Drama, True Stories, Women History, Period Drama, The Crown.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.