September 5 - Winston Churchill Returns!!!

After being appointed to office, Winston Churchill becomes First Lord of the Admiralty returning to a position that was quite familiar to him (he had been there in the First World War). At the same time, he also participates in the newly formed War Council.

He immediatly begins to organize the Royal Navy for the hard times ahead. Altough the German Navy is no match to her counterparts, Great Britain was unprepared for war and a lot has to be done.

All ships in the fleet receive the message: “Winston has returned!”
On this day a British Anson reconnaissance airplane mistakes 2 Royal Navy’s submarines for U-Boats and attacks, causing the first “friendly fire” casualties of the war.

Also, the first two Allied freighters are sunk by German submarines. The Bosnia is lost to the U-47 and the Royal Sceptre is torpedoed by the U-48.

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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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