Countdown to World War Two: Saturday 2 September 1939

Outcry over Poland

Headline: Today in Parliament - there was an outcry in the House of Commons this evening when Mr Greenwood asked the Prime Minister why Britain was not standing by Poland.

The Commons began an emergency sitting at 3.00pm when a full house of members and ministers attended this special session on the crisis. It was not until a 7.45pm that the Prime Minister entered the chamber to loud cheering.

Anxiously awaiting news of the developments since yesterday, members were told by Mr Chamberlain that the warning message read to the House yesterday was delivered to Herr von Ribbentrop at 9.30pm last night. There has still been no reply.

Mr Chamberlain assured the House that His Majesty's Government would be bound to take action unless German forces are withdrawn from Polish territory. He also drew attention to the vital question of the time limit to be observed within which the German forces would be allowed to withdraw from Poland. The Government, he said, were in communication with the French Government over this.

Mr Chamberlain went on to announce that yesterday the Reichstag passed a law reuniting Danzig with the Reich. His Majesty's Government, he said, refused to recognise this act which was a flagrant violation of the League of Nation's protection of the Free City and the rights given to Poland in Danzig, by treaty.

There were loud cheers when Mr Greenwood, the acting leader of the opposition rose to reply to cries of, 'What about Britain?' and, 'Speak for the working classes!' The whole House, he said, was perturbed by Mr Chamberlain's statement. An end to the incessant strain was sought by all quarters.

Cries of 'Now!' accompanied this remark, and Mr Greenwood concluded by saying: 'I hope, therefore, that tomorrow morning, however hard it may be to the Right Honourable Gentleman - and no one would care to be in his shoes tonight - we shall know the mind of the British Government, and that there shall be no more devices for dragging out what has been dragged out too long. The moment we look like weakening, at that moment dictatorship knows we are beaten. We are not beaten; we shall not be beaten; we cannot be beaten.'

In reply Mr Chamberlain hoped that despite the difficult position the Government was in tonight, his statement earlier did not betray the slightest weakening.

The earlier business in the Commons today was to debate the several bills dealing with the Emergency Provisions for Personal Injury and National Health Insurance and Contributory Pensions. The first and longest debate this morning was the National Health Service (Armed Forces) Bill, which will make all fit males, aged 18 to 40 liable to be called up. After several objections to the lowering of the minimum age to 18 had been heard, the Bill was given a Government majority of seven votes in its first reading.

[*Reports taken from BBC news bulletins, and a range of daily newspapers]

Invasion continues

Headline: The German invasion of Poland continues regardless of warnings from Britain and France to withdraw.

Germany has bombed over 21 Polish cities since beginning her invasion of Poland yesterday. So far, it's estimated that 1,500 people have been either killed or wounded during the last two days. Throughout the day the German invasion forces have been penetrating further into Poland. The Polish forces are putting up a brave fight, but they are unable to stop the German advance.

A communiqué from her High Command announced German air superiority over the whole of the battle zone. According to Germany, their army is sweeping through Poland, meeting little effective resistance from the Polish forces.

Meanwhile in Berlin a statement, which has just been published from a semi-official political source, says that Germany is not at war with Poland, she is simply trying to 'rectify' her Eastern Frontier. One frontier that was rectified very quickly is that of Danzig, from where Gauleiter Forster has sent a telegram telling the Fuehrer that Danzig is now part of the Reich.

In reply, Herr Hitler appointed him as head of the civil administration in Danzig. Germany is at great pains to ensure that no one else is involved in their conflict with Poland, and so far their gamble seems to have paid off.

Paris

Headline: Paris applauds condemnation of German action

In Paris today the whole chamber of deputies rose to its feet in applause when the Speaker Monsieur Herriot associated France with Mr Chamberlain's condemnation of Germany's action against Poland, and on several occasions referred to France's fraternal solidarity with Poland.

The Chamber of Deputies has rarely experienced such unanimous feelings of moral indignation and national fervour as it did today when speaker Monsieur Herriot delivered his appeal for national unity following the German invasion of Poland. His references to Germany signing the Pact with Soviet Russia were greeted with boos from the majority, directed at the Communists, who remained seated, but all rose to their feet when he uttered his final phrase, 'Now there is no room for any other cry than "Vive la France!"'

The British, American and Polish Ambassadors were all in the Diplomatic gallery to hear another rousing speech from Prime Minister Daladier. Emphasising France's commitment to Poland he said, 'The young men have rejoined their regiments and cover our frontiers. They think of nothing else but the service of France. Let us swear to show ourselves worthy of them.'

Other stories

Mobilisation follow-up

Following yesterday's announcement that our forces have been mobilised there has been plenty of military activity. Throughout the day soldiers and sailors from the reserves have been rejoining their ships or units, and it won't be long before Britain's services are ready for action.

Blackout flawed

The first night of the blackout last night, was only a partial success, according to the London Regional Commissioners. On their rounds they discovered that not enough care had been taken to obscure house and vehicle lights, and they say that garages, cafes and pubs were the worst offenders, although Buckingham Palace set a good example and was totally dark.

Zoo prepares for war

London Zoo is preparing for war. In case the Regent's Park buildings should be involved in an air raid, all the poisonous insects and snakes have been destroyed. The chimps team party goes on as ever, but other animals are being evacuated to the peace and safety of Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, while a scheme is also afoot to raise money for the upkeep of the animals that remain.

Members of the public are being asked to adopt an animal and pay for its upkeep. The costs will vary from sixpence a week for a dormouse to thirty shillings a week for a penguin.

And finally ...

The prospect of war has had an unexpected effect on many young couples. They've been deciding all over the country to get married, and today registry offices everywhere have been doing a roaring trade, both with actual marriages and with people coming in to book their wedding.

Audio archive: The countdown to war

[If you haven't listened to audio clips before, you may need the free Real Player plug-in. BBC's WebWise help has a step-by-step guide to help you download it.]

Find out more

Books

The conduct of the Air War in the Second World War edited by Horst Boog (1992)

Bomber Command by Max Hastings (1979)

The Bomber Command War Diaries by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt (1985)

Most Secret War by RV Jones (1978)

Links

Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum: Bomber Command

About the author

Mark Fielder is executive producer of the BBC Battlefields series. He has made many other series, including D-Day, Burma, War Walks, and Western Front.