What was only touched on was the
irony that the countries comprising that
evil axis of power Japan and Germany -- despite their defeat by Britain, USA and France had vast resources poured into them post war to stem what was seen as the creeping menace of communism. At the same time--- as the "defeated parties" they were not permitted to re-arm and had only nominal defence forces. This meant their defence was mainly provided, at not inconsiderable cost, by the armed forces of Britain and the USA . Remember the
British Army of the Rhine for years defending West Germany against the ravening hordes of "commies" just across the border in East Germany? The close proximity of a communist block East Germany may have also played a more subtle role in the thinking of the trade unions in West Germany post war. Nothing like some of your relatives in East Germany writing and hinting how **** it was living in a Communist state to colour your view on the " workers struggle"?

Meanwhile back in Britain perhaps buoyed up by victory

we were busy pouring millions into developing weaponry which didn't work

and defending Germany and Japan while they developed their manufacturing industries which were later to shaft us.

That's not to decry the effort both the German's and Japanese put in post war to recover their devastated economies--- they did it of their own bat

---but we afforded them the resources to do it and spent billions defending them while they did! While there are sensitivities associated with the past there is scant acknowledgement of these economic realities from Germany or Japan today. When will we see a VAG advert like
Das beste oder der nichts which says " British Army officer Major Ivan Hirst REME at your service. Let's get this sorry show on the road what!" Don't hold your breath!