Military History academic contributes chapter to published book

In June, Alan Malpass, Senior Lecturer in Military History at Lincoln Bishop University, had a new book chapter published! 

The chapter discusses a remarkable but little-known initiative that sought to introduce British society to German prisoners of war following the Second World War – appearing in a volume that is freely available to scholars, students and the public worldwide.

Alan’s chapter explores the so-called ‘Braintree Experiment’, a grassroots initiative centred on Camp 180 at Radwinter, Essex. The Experiment brought local civilians and German prisoners together in organised discussions and social activities intended to foster democratic values and mutual understanding. While historians have devoted considerable attention to official Allied re-education programmes, the Braintree Experiment reveals how local communities also contributed to these efforts. The chapter also sheds light on broader questions of reconciliation, citizenship, and the reintegration of former enemies after conflict.

Reflecting on the publication, Alan said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity of contributing a chapter to the volume. The Tasks of Peace shows that the end of war involved far more than repairing physical damage. How wars end, and the efforts made to build peace afterwards, are a crucial aspect of military history.”

Alan’s chapter builds upon research first presented at an international conference hosted by the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. The conference brought together historians from across Europe and beyond to examine processes of resocialisation, democratisation, and social change after the Second World War.

Edited by Søren Werther Kjær Rasmussen, The Tasks of Peace explores how Western Europe confronted the social, political, and administrative challenges of 1945. Published by Aalborg University Open Publishing, the volume is open access, enabling readers around the world to engage with cutting-edge research on the challenges of establishing peace after conflict for free.

Read the book here: https://openbooks.kb.dk/aauopen/catalog/book/658

Find out more about studying Military History at Lincoln Bishop here. 

Image credit: Imperial War Museum (D 26724): German Prisoners of War inspect displays in the information hut at a PoW camp, somewhere in Britain. The man nearest the camera is looking at a panel explaining the benefits of the English parliamentary system. Part of the curved ceiling for the Nissen hut used to house this exhibition has been decorated with murals. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205202275