Prologue to War

News correspondents and diplomats in Germany and Warsaw recall what they were doing and how they felt when reports about the invasion of Poland came in. In London, a politician, a police officer in Downing Street, a mother trying to decide whether or not to evacuate her children and a flower-seller in Piccadilly all vividly describe the atmosphere during the days leading up to the declaration of war.

Note: this item was recorded live from the radio playout of the original broadcast.

Most countries involved in World War II had a policy of evacuating civilians to safer regions, but Britain moved more people than anyone else. About four million adults and children were evacuated under a government scheme and two million more were relocated privately. In the first few days following the invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, 827,000 unaccompanied youngsters and 524,000 mothers with pre-school children left their homes. However, because of the lack of activity during the 'Phoney War', 80 per cent had returned by early 1940.