The Intelligence from The Economist The fascists and the furious: remembering the 43 Group
Apr 10, 2020
Andrew Miller, Culture editor for The Economist, explores post-war Britain’s surprising fascist undercurrents, revealing how the 43 Group, made up of Jewish ex-servicemen, boldly confronted this threat. They used confrontational tactics to dismantle fascist operations, shedding light on anti-fascist resistance’s complexities. The conversation also weaves in the artist Leonora Carrington’s surreal journey from Paris to Mexico, illustrating how cultural resilience shaped her vibrant art. Plus, catch a glimpse of the fascinating resurgence of Burmese wizards in modern Myanmar.
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The 43 Group
- The 43 Group, Jewish ex-servicemen, resisted post-WWII fascism in Britain.
- They were motivated by both patriotism and the horrors they witnessed during the war.
Group Leaders and Members
- Jerry Flamberg, a former paratrooper, led the 43 Group.
- Members included Vidal Sassoon, who used scissors as a weapon, and a young Harold Pinter.
Attack on Harry Bidney
- Harry Bidney, a 43 Group member, was attacked at his home, breaking the group’s rule against such attacks.
- Retaliation involved a symbolic act of laying Bidney's attacker on hot coals.