What is the German name for the war when the Provincial Lady lived? 
E. M. Delafield:  In sequels, the Provincial Lady buys a flat in London, travels to America, attempts to find war-work during the Phoney War, and tours the Soviet Union. Phoney War: The Phoney War (French: "Drôle de guerre" ; German: "Sitzkrieg" ) was an eight-month period at the start of World War II, during which there were no major military land operations on the Western Front.
Sitzkrieg