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Telegram from Adolf Hitler to Berlin Reich Foreign Minister, Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop
"I hereby grant full power to negotiate, in the name of the German Reich, with authorized representatives of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, regarding a non-aggression treaty, as well as all related questions, and if occasion arises, to sign both the non-aggression treaty and other agreements resulting from the negotiations... [when signed] treaty and these agreements shall enter into force as soon as they are signed." -Adolf Hitler (Photo: Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop) -
From M. Garreau, French Consul-General in Hamburg, to M. Georges Bonnet, Minister for Foreign Affairs:
"I learn on good authority that the German Government hopes, by a lightning attack, to dispose of Poland before the end of the month... The rumour that the offensive against Poland would be launched on August 22 has been circulating in Hamburg... it would seem that the occupation of these centres by the German Army was expected very soon.... the departure of the 20th Mechanized Division for the Polish frontier has taken place within... 48 hours..." -M. Garreau (Photo: Georges Bonnet) -
Neville Chamberlain writes Hitler a warning telling him the German-Soviet Agreement agrees that Britian will not come to the aid of Poland
"Your Excellency will have already heard of certain measures taken by His Majesty's Government, and [have been] announced... These steps have ... been rendered necessary by the military movements... from Germany, and by the fact that apparently the announcement of a German-Soviet Agreement is taken in some quarters in Berlin to indicate that intervention by Great Britain on behalf of Poland is no longer a contingency that need be reckoned with..." -Neville Chamberlain (Photo Neville Chamberlain) -
Sir William Seeds, British Ambassador in Moscow, accuses Molotov of negotiating in bad faith
(Photo: Sir William Seed) -
Hitler tells his generals that the destruction of Poland "starts on Saturday morning" (26 August)
Hitler Proclaims: "Our strength is in our quickness and our brutality. Genghis Khan had millions of women and children killed by his own will... Thus for the time being I have sent to the East only my "Death's Head Units" with the order to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish race or language. Only in such a way will we win the vital space that we need. Who still talks nowadays of the extermination of the Armenians?" -Adolf Hitler (Photo: Adolf Hitler) -
Period: to
Pre-War
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Italians Declare that They Won't Fight
Sir Percy Lorain, British Ambassador to Rome, informs his government that he is confident the Italians will not fight. Mussolini declares himself ready to mediate. President Roosevelt writes to King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. (Photo Italy) -
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
The German-Soviet Non-aggression Pact is signed in Moscow. Sometimes called the Ribbentrop-Molotov Agreement of Non-aggression (or simply the 'Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact'), it sets up plans for a 10-year partnership between Germany and Soviet Russia.
Secret additions are added to the pact and Hitler is all together delighted with it. -
German-Jews Ordered to Turn in all Radios or have them Confiscated
(Photo radio) -
French Citizens Advised to Leave Paris
Daladier asks the Permanent Committee for National Defense whether they can stand by and watch the disappearance of Poland and Romania and they agree that they cannot. (Photo Official checking papers of French refugees) -
Poland and Britian Sign Treaty
Royal Assent is given on the same day and the Royal Navy is ordered to war stations. Soon afterward a general mobilization begins. Hitler predicts the Chamberlain government will fall.
American President Roosevelt telegrams the President of Poland:
"It is, I think, well known to you that, speaking on behalf of the United States, I have exerted, and will continue to exert, every influence on behalf of peace..." Roosevelt will ask again for peace on the 25th. (Photo President Roosevelt) -
Pope Pius XII Pleads for Peace
"The danger is imminent, but there is still time. Nothing is lost with peace; all can be lost with war. Let men return to mutual understanding! Let them begin negotiations anew, conferring with good will..." (Photo Pope Pius XII) -
The Number of Incidents Along the Polish-German Border Increase
(Photo Germans crossing Polish border) -
Polish Increase the Pace of Military Mobilization
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Slovak Premier Father Josef Tiso Invites German Army to Occupy Slovakia
(Photo Father Josef Tiso) -
Netherlands (Holland) Start Military Mobilization
(Photo Holland Dyke) -
Chaim Weizmann Tells England that Palestine Jews will Fight
(Photo Chaim Weizmann) -
Switzerland Orders Full Mobilization of its Frontier Forces
(Photo Swedish Flag) -
German Troops Enter Slovakia on Poland's Southern Frontier
(Photo German Troops) -
Evacuation of British Children Begin
(Photo evacuating children) -
All Radios Interupted in Germany to Brodcast Hitler's Plan for Poland
At 9 PM the brodcast contained 16 points of action against Poland. -
World War 2 Officialy Begins
Germany invades Poland (Photo Nazi Party) -
Hitler's Proclamation to the German Army
The Polish State has refused the peaceful settlement of relations which I desired, and has appealed to arms.
"The German Army will fight the battle for the honor and the vital rights of reborn Germany with hard determination. I expect that every soldier, mindful of the great traditions of eternal German soldiery, will ever remain conscious that he is a representative of the National-Socialist Greater Germany. Long live our people and our Reich!" -
Invasion of Poland
4:45 AM, German troops cross the Polish frontier. (Photo a map of WW2 in Europe)