2-Sep-39 — British, French Deliver Ultimatums to Germans; Invasion Continues Successfully; Other Countries Declare Their Neutrality.
As the second day of the war begins, British Ambassador to Germany Sir Nevile Henderson delivers a last warning to Germany; similar action was taken by M. Robert Coulondre on behalf of the French Government. German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop receives Sir Henderson at 09:40 and said he will refer the British Government’s communication to Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler.
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tells Parliament:
“The British Ambassador in Berlin has been instructed to hand to the German Government a communication stating:
“Unless the German Government are prepared to give assurances that the German Government have suspended aggressive action against Poland and are prepared promptly to withdraw their forces from Polish territory, the Government in the United Kingdom will without hesitation fulfill their obligation to Poland.”
“If the reply to this last warning is unfavorable, and I do not suggest it is likely to be otherwise, his Majesty’s Ambassador is instructed to ask for his passports. In that case we are ready.”
The National Service Act is passed, allowing for the conscription of all men aged 19-41 throughout Britain.
The French hold deliberations on the Polish invasion throughout the day and decides to transmit a similar ultimatum to Germany, declaring that it will fulfill its obligations to Poland as well. The British Royal Air Force Advanced Air Striking Force of 10 bomber squadrons arrives in France.
The Swiss government orders a general mobilization; the Irish government in Dublin declares its neutrality. Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini declares Italian neutrality and calls for a five-power peace conference. Hitler rejects the offer to mediate the German-Polish dispute (made on 31-Aug.) and the proposal for a peace conference.
In Berlin, the German government announces that Norwegian neutrality will be respected, provided that Britain and France do the same.
Meanwhile in Poland, troops of German Army Group South (under the command of Gen. Gerd von Rundstedt) cross over the Warta River in many places after rapid but expensive victories in the battles of the border. Krakow is now near the front line.
In the north, the Fourth Army (under Gen. von Kluge) makes contact with the Third Army (under Gen. Kuchler) which is invading from East Prussia. Two Polish divisions are destroyed while attempting to pull back through the Danzig Corridor.
The Luftwaffe is spreading chaos in the Polish rear. Polish regular troops often find themselves posted too far forward; the German advance is soon behind them, preventing movement of reserves and completely destroying any remaining communications.
There are six air raids on the Polish capital, Warsaw.
In Washington, D.C., President Franklin D. Roosevelt states that it is his firm intention to keep the United States out of any general war.
28-Aug-39 — British, French Answer Hitler’s Demands; German Troops Head East
French Ambassador to Germany Robert Coulondre delivers a reply to Reichskanzler Adolf Hitler’s restatement of German aims (that Danzig and the Corridor must be returned to the Reich), which was delivered by Herr Hitler to the British and French Ambassadors the previous day. In his restatement, he made it very clear that he reserved to himself the right, as he has always done, to settle his dispute with Poland to his own satisfaction.
The French reply to Hitler is that “it is not possible to agree in advance that certain matters should become the subject of discussion unless Herr Hitler can give precise indication of what, in his view, the scope and nature of these discussions should be.” Hitler is also reminded that France has given to Poland “binding guarantees of support in defence of her vital interests and territorial integrity, and that these cannot and will not be abrogated.”
The British reply to Hitler is drafted and awaits final approval at Cabinet; it takes a similar form to the French reply. The British reply is somewhat delayed, or at least later than the French, because Hitler insisted that British Ambassador Sir Nevile Henderson should take his communique in person to London, rather than attempt to explain it by telegram. So, Sir Henderson flew to London in a plane placed at his disposal by the German Government.
According to the London Telegraph,
“Sir Henderson seems to have been charged to explain that Herr Hitler desired only the most friendly relations with Britain, and felt there was no matter at issue between Germany and Britain which should lead to war between them. While the colonial issue must some day be solved, it was not urgent and need never lead to war. But the Polish question was apart, and was altogether urgent. In this matter he did not recognise the right of the Western Powers to interfere as obstacles to the solution he was resolved to obtain. If this question could be resolved peacefully and immediately, then it would be possible for the nations to have discussions on other matters of common interest.
“Germany would be ready to attend such a conference after the Polish issue had been disposed of, and Herr Hitler would accept, or require, a British guarantee that the conference decisions would be carried into effect.”
CBS’s William Shirer, reporting from Berlin, broadcasts the situation in Germany as the diplomatic flourishes are ongoing:
“In the meantime, Germany seemed already on a complete war footing today. Housewives stood in lines beginning early this morning to get their ration cards. It was the first time since the World War that these cards had made their appearance and the people, who had hardly believed a couple of days ago that war was possible, certainly looked grimmer as they stood patiently waiting for their cards. With true German efficiency the rationing system swung into operation very smoothly. At any store today if you wanted certain foodstuffs, or soap, or shoes, you had to show your card; otherwise you were politely turned down. …
“The military took an ever-increasing part in the picture in Berlin as the day advanced. Cars with high army officers sped up and down the Wilhelmstraße, or down the Tiergartenstraße to the War Ministry in the Bendlerstraße. Many cars and motorcycles have been requisitioned. I saw several civilian motorcyclists who had been called up with their vehicles. They received an army armband and could be seen speeding through the streets carrying messages. … Squadrons of big bombers have also been roaring low over the city in formation.
“In other words, though the talking state has not yet been completely abandoned, the grim preparations for the worst go on. … Note that Germany has already assured Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland that it will respect their neutrality in case of war. But tonight we heard that Holland had decided to mobilize.”
Later that evening, in a separate broadcast, Shirer notes:
“… as the night wore on, troops thundered through the streets, eastward-bound toward Poland. They weren’t the crack units with the magnificent equipment which I had seen parade before the Fuhrer on the occasion of his birthday on April 20th. Most of these troops were being transported on the most strange-looking vehicles you could imagine. Moving vans, grocery trucks, florists’ delivery wagons, and so on.”
Fall Weiss is now four days away from its jump-off date. The last days and hours of peace in Europe are ebbing away quickly.