At the start of World War II, few ordinary soldiers knew exactly why they were fighting, or the significance of each theatre of war. Such ignorance did not boost the fighting spirit amongst the men; hence the need for education of the forces in current affairs was recognised and ABCA conceived. Officers attended courses on conducting discussions groups, and these were started as hourly sessions each week. Such was the response that ABCA rapidly expanded resulting in photographic display, wall newspapers articles written by the men themselves and an "Anglo American Brains Trust". ABCA would not only benefit the men during war time, but play an important part in post-war period during the building of the "new peace".