SEPTEMBER 3, 1939

EVENTS OF THE DAY

When the demand for an immediate withdrawal is ignored by the Germans to leave Poland, both nations along with India, Australia and New Zealand declare war on the Third Reich.Belgium declares its neutrality. For the second time in 21 years was has broken out on the continent of Europe.

In Poland, Czestochowa falls to the German and the Tenth Army crosses the Warta River. The German Fourth Army makes contact with the Third Army advancing from East Prussia and cuts the 'Polish Corridor' to Danzig and the Polish outlet to the sea. The Polish Air Force is no long an effective fighting force.

The RAF air drops six million leaflets on German cities, the first of several 'propaganda' raids.

The British people complete a three-day evacuation of 1.5 million civilians from its largest cities.

German submarine U-130 sinks the S.S. Athenia 250 miles northwest of Ireland. Of the 1400 passengers, 118 are killed, including 28 Americans. The U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969) sends his son, John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) as his personal representative to the surviving Americans. U-130 attacked without warning against Hitler's orders. Upon returning to their base in Germany, the crew swore they were 200 miles away from the Athenia's actual position at the time of the attack.The truth will not come to light until the Nuremberg War Crimes trails after the war.

The British government asks all combatant nations to not use position gas. Germany and Japan agree to do so.

Winston Churchill, (1874-1965) ends a decade long absence from the Conservative government by becoming First Lord of the Admiralty. Each ship in the Royal Navy receives the news succinctly,:Winston is back." The Royal Navy begins a naval blockade of Germany.

General John Gort (1886-1946)is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force whose very existence and preparedness are mostly due to him. Field Marshal Sir Edmund Ironside (1880-1959,) succeeds Gort as Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

In a fireside chat to the nation, FDR tells the American people: "This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well."

THE LONG GOODBYE....

Today in 1948, Eduard Benes (1884-1948), former president of Czechoslovakia dies of natural causes at his villa in Sezimovo Usti, Czechoslovakia at age 64. During his first term as president of his country he watched helplessly as the Munich Agreement between Hitler, Chamberlain and Daladier dismembered his country. In 1940 he headed the Czech government-in-exile. After the war he was elected to his second term as president. He resigned in June 1948 when a single slate of Communist were elected.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1939

Welcome to Day after Day....

I'm Mike Tucker, this blog that will chronicle each day of the most cataclysmic event in centuries.....The Second World War. We are just getting started and as we grow in interest, readers and contributors we are committed to improving the look, depth and breath of our blog.

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September 1, 1939....

German intelligence conducts a false attack on the Gleiwitz radio station that triggers a German invasion of Poland. At about the same time the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein then on a courtesy visit to Danzig harbor opens fire, at 0445.

The Wehrmacht attacks with 52 divisions (1.5 million troops) from Silesia, East Prussia and Slovakia. The Polish Army is one-third the size of Germany's. The German Army is a modern, highly mobile armor and tactical aircraft. It unleashes a 'blitzkreig' war, overwhelming the Poles. The Luftwaffe destroys the vast majority of the Polish Air Force. Hitler orders his military to show no mercy. Historian Paul John summed up Hitler's approach: "He ceased to woo; he now sought only to force and terrorize."

Britain and France warn Germany that unless military action is halted the two nations will come to the aid of the Poles. The two governments also looks to Mussolini's proposal for an international conference to revise the terms of the Versailles treaty.

Italy announces its non-belligerent status; Norway, Switzerland, Portugal and Finland declare their neutrality.

In Washington D.C. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), appeals to all belligerent nations to not bomb unfortified cities or civilian populations. Over the next six years no country will be able to keep that pledge.

SEPTEMBER 2, 1939

EVENTS OF THE DAY

Poland asks France and Britain to initiate military action against Germany as soon as possible. France declares it will keep that commitment.

Britain and France commit to bombing only those with 'strictly military objectives.' Germany makes a similar pledge. Over the next six years no country in the war will be able to keep that pledge.

The RAF Advance Striking Force, ten British bombing squadrons begin deploying to France.

After the first air raid warning in Paris thousands of French citizens volunteer for civil defense.

Adolph Hitler (1889-1945) hints to the Western Allies that he would withdraw from Poland if Germany is allowed to keep Danzig and the Polish Corridor. This offer is rejected and a joint ultimatum is given to Germany demanding she begin withdrawing her troops within twelve hours or find her at war once again with Britain and France.

Ireland declares its neutrality.

DIGGING DEEPER....

Books on the Polish campaign are rare in English. Two I recommend are Alexander B. Rossino, Hitler Strikes Poland: Blitzkreig, Ideology and Atrocity, Univ, of Kansas Press, 2003. S. J. Zalonga, Poland 1939: the Birth of Blitzkreig, Osprey Publishing, 2002. For anyone wanting a behind the scenes 

SEPTEMBER 7, 1939

EVENTS OF THE DAY....

Polish soldiers defending the enclave of Westerplatte in Danzig, surrounded and out of ammunition surrender. 

The Poles attempt to hold a defensive line on the Warta river, west of Warsaw fails to hold. The German Tenth Army is advancing south and and is now 36 miles from Warsaw. The German Third Army is advancing from the north 25 miles from the Polish capitol. But now the Wehrmacht changes their objectives and turn toward the Bug river, 100 miles east of Moscow in order to create a second and even deeper development. The only trouble for the Germans is caused by the Polish Poznan Army attacking the German Eighth Army from the rear, inflicting heavy casualties.

Meeting with Admiral Erich Raeder (1876-1960) Hitler orders the German Navy "not to provoke neutral countries, especially the United States." The order prohibits the attacking of passenger steamers, even when sailing in a convoy. The Fuhrer also prohibits attacks on French merchant ships, warships and mine laying off the coast of France. The order is a result of the sinking of the Athenia and reflects Hitler's hope that major conflict in western Europe could still be avoided.

The Canadian Parliament holds a special session to discuss the war in Europe.

Nine French divisions penetrate into German territory of Saarland. Their advance is slow and the French Army makes no move on the Westwall.

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