September 20 - Lublin falls at last

Lublin, one of the last Polish free cities outside Warsaw falls into German hands. Poland’s capital continues to be bombed by the Luftwaffe and bombarded by the Nazi artillery.

In the Western front, Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe clash for the first time. In the border between Germany and France, Messerschmitt Me109s attack a squadron of Fairey Battle bombers. The score comes to 2 British planes down against 1German.

At sea, as the convoy system begins in the North Atlantic merchant routes, Allied navies become more aware of the submarine menace. On this day, the second U-Boot, the U-27, is sunk by depth charges from the HMS Fortune and HMS Forester.


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September 9 - Poland Resists…and the average citizen falls in!

The Polish Army of Poznan, although in severe conditions, manages to put an offensive into the left flank of General Blaskowitz' 8th Army. This movement, in a rare occasion where the Polish Air Force was able to support ground troops, stall’s further movement of this army into Warsaw.

In the West, apart from intense movement and naval units deployment all over the North Sea and North Atlantic, there are few movements. Full mobilization and organization to the coming was continues but the feared intense bombings and attacks from day one are slowly being replaced by a resolute calm and resignation to the need to move on.


More than any other conflict before, this war will demand from the average citizen courage, determination, endurance and capacity to overachieve. And this will happen on both sides. Soldiers and civilians will endure more than ever before and will see and suffer more than it would be expected, much more than the limits dreamed before.

In the end, the victory goes to the women and men that placed all they had to place, many times giving “the last full measure of devotion”: LIFE

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September 6 - Situation in Poland deteriorates

The Polish Government abandons Warsaw as the frontline between Czestochowa and the capital is completly broken. French troops make some moves on the Siegfried Line and the Saarbruken but nothing really significant.

Neither Great Britain nor France will ever do anything to help the doomed Poles.

South Africa declares war on Germany.

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September 4 - The beginning of Air Raids over Germany

On the previous day, reconnaissance flights had already taken place over German territory.

But on the 4th of September 12 airplanes (2 Vickers Wellington and 10 Bristol Blenheim) drop their bombs over Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuttel naval bases, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and poor weather. No major damages are reported.

Though no serious bombing takes place in the first months of war, the British will fly a large number of missions and most of them have the objective of launch millions of leaflets explaining the risks for the German people in going to war against the Allies. The success of these measures is highly dubious.

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September 3 - The World at War

Hitler ignores the British ultimatum and at 11:15 Prime Minister Chamberlain, admitting the failure of his “Appeasement Policy” declares over the radio waves of the BBC that a state of war now exists between both countries. France will do the same that afternoon as well New Zealand, Australia and India. The world is now, again, at War...

Listen here the speech of Neville Chamberlain in which he declares war to Germany.

A War Cabinet is formed and Winston Churchill is appointed First Lord of the Admiralty

In Poland, Krakow falls and government decides to move on to prepare the defense of Warsaw. The German advance is so unbelievable that many panzer and motorized units have to halt due to lack of infantry support. Several mobile artillery batteries also fire no shots due to constant need to move to another location.

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September 2 - The Reactions to War

There is an intense activity in London and Paris’ cabinets in order to establish a joint response to the aggression against Poland. The French, more reluctant, still believe that war because of Poland can be averted. But the patience in “Old Albion” has run out. In a heated debate in the Parliament, Chamberlain is criticized for the somehow soft reaction to Hitler. More is demanded and an ultimatum is sent to the embassy in Berlin: Germany has to show proof that will withdraw entirely until the next day, at 11:00. Otherwise, a state of war will begin.

After the debate, a War Cabinet is discussed to include as many parties as possible although severe differences separate them. The Dominions (New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa) show full support to all decisions to be made by Great Britain.

In France general mobilization is declared but reactions are still shaken and fear of move into a state of war exists. The Foreign Minister George Bonnet still believes that an international conference can avoid full war with Germany.

Spain and Ireland declare their neutrality in the conflict.

As far as the war goes, the military news couldn’t be better for Hitler. The Polish army fights but is completely surprised by the speed and movement of the Germans, combined with intense aerial bombardment of communications, ground forces, roads, etc. In the North forces reach the outskirts of Mlawa on the road to Warsaw. In the corridor to the Baltic Sea, the forces coming from Germany and from East Prussia unite in isolating Danzig. Von Rundstedt armies move 80Km in 36 hours, reaching the Warta River. In the South, alpine troops press Jablunka gorges and approach Krakow.

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