Possible Clues:

• Antebellum
• From the '30s, say
• Like the Great Depression, timewise
• Eg, before 1939
• Less experienced coppers turned up before the outbreak of hostilities
• Before 1939
• Under pressure, cut pay before conflict erupts
• Turns up inexperienced taking direction right at the start of primary before outbreak of hostilities
• Looking back, sore in hospital with pressure before outbreak of hostilities
• Period prior to 1941, in the U.S.