Sir Robert Vansittart's Search for Italian cooperation against Hitler, 1933—36

Abstract

As Permanent Under Secretary of State and head of the British Foreign Office from 1930 to 1938 Sir Robert Vansittart acquired a reputation as a relentless foe of Germany. From the time Hitler came to power Vansittart never ceased to warn his government about the German menace and the need for Britain to re-arm. An acknowledged expert in foreign affairs, his advice was actively sought and sometimes followed even by those who had reservations about his policies. He was respected by Britain's Foreign Secretaries with whom he worked, Sir John Simon, Sir Samuel Hoare and Anthony Eden, all of whom had high regard for his ability.1 Despite Hitler's peaceful rhetoric during the first years of the Nazi regime, Vansittart mistrusted the Fiihrer and predicted after only seven months of his leadership many of the disasters that would befall Britain unless she changed her course towards Germany.2 Since in his view Hitler's Germany was the main enemy, Vansittart believed Britain should