James Lonsdale-Bryans

Infobox Ambassador
name = James Lonsdale-Bryans


birthdate = birth date|1893|5|10|fm=y [National Archives: catalogue reference KV/2/2839 - Image 5]
birthplace = Regent's Park, London, UK. [1901 Census of Great Britain]
nationality = British James Lonsdale-Bryans was a writer, amateur British diplomat and Nazi sympathiser.

In 1940, Lonsdale-Bryans travelled to Italy to meet Ulrich von Hassell, the German ambassador to Italy. He believed von Hassell would be receptive to the idea of a pact between Britain and Germany at the outbreak of World War II. The terms of this pact were that Germany would have a free hand in Europe in return for Britain running the rest of the world. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/30/wayward.diplomat.ap/index.html] However, he unsuccessfully attempted to arrange a meeting with both General Eisenhower and General Montgomery. [National Archives: catalogue reference KV/2/2839 - Image 4]

Lonsdale-Bryans had the ear of several members of British Parliament, including Lord Halifax, but the level of support of said MPs is unknown. A handwritten note by the MI5 stated:

"He went to Italy with the knowledge of the Foreign Office in order to develop his contacts. He greatly exceeded his instructions."

MI5 decided against arresting him, due to the possible support he was receiving from members of Parliament (potentially including Neville Chamberlain), and the embarrassment this would have caused. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7589251.stm BBC News] When Winston Churchill succeeded Chamberlain as Prime Minister, he had Lord Halifax replaced and Lonsdale-Bryans's political influence disappeared, along with the potential threat to British opposition to fascism.Fact|date=September 2008

Lonsdale-Bryan was on friendly terms with powerful members of the British aristocracy, including the Duke of Buccleuch and Lord Brocket, who also were Nazi sympathizers. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220186503336&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull UK diplomat sought deal with Nazis] , "Jerusalem Post", Sept. 2, 2008]

External links

* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7960568 National Archives Records of MI5's surveillance of Lonsdale-Bryans]
* [http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=F0_371/26542#top_idtop Your Archives reference]
* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=3534807&j=1 Negotiations by "writer, James Lonsdale Bryans", Foreign Office papers of 1941]
* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=6&CATID=3625366 Pro-Franco position of Lonsdale Bryans, 1950 ]

References