Eighty years ago this week Britain proposes unconvincing roads towards future motor transport and away from colonialism

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 A plan was announced for the  national trunk road network in Britain. The programme had started in 1937 when trunk roads were established as the responsibility of national government outwith local authority control but the onset of war meant that very few new roads were built. Britain had been a notable laggard in developing a road network suitable for motor vehicles. The scheme was subject to economic constraints with shortage of labour being mentioned in particular. Britain's desperate financial straits were an even greater impediment.

In an apparently striking retreat from colonialism the British government announced the withdrawal of all its armed forces from Egypt. However a base was to be maintained to protect regional stability. The status of the Suez Canal was the chief preoccupation and what was to become the "Canal Zone" became a major bone of contention.

 The proposed constitution for the new Republic in France was rejected in a national referendum by a significant but not overwhelming margin. This was seen as a defeat for the left notably the communists who saw a second chamber as an unwelcome check on their plans. The defeat undermined the authority of socialist President Gouin and rumours of his resignation circulated. Before it had even formally been created the Fourth Republic was displaying the instability for which it became infamous.

The trial of Japanese leaders for war crimes before the International Military Tribunal began in Tokyo. Whilst it followed the practices of the Nuremberg trial of German leaders this was essentially a US project. The defendants were both soldiers and politicians, notably including former prime minister General Tojo. The Emperor was not tried because the Americans saw him as a useful legitimising tool for a democratic government and not because of doubts as to his culpability.



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