Throughout the summer of 1939, tensions in Europe steadily increased. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler’s language grew more bellicose each time he addressed Poland’s refusal to turn over the port city of Danzig to Nazi control, or allow a permanent land connection through Poland between Germany and East Prussia (see blog Feb. 3, 2021).
England and France had agreements with Poland to come to the aid of the Poles should Germany attack. In an effort to further discourage the Nazi regime from attacking Poland, an Anglo-French delegation sought a military alliance with the Soviet Union. But in late August, 1939, Germany announced the signing of a non-aggression pact with the Soviets. The pact meant the Russians would not join an alliance with France and Britain.
Announcement of the non-aggression pact prompted British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to send a letter to Hitler, warning that England would honor its commitment to Poland. Hitler dismissed Chamberlain’s warning and replied that while he would like England and Germany remain on peaceful terms, Germany would rather have war now than in another five to ten years’ time.
As August drew to a close, military mobilizations were ordered in Germany, England, and France. German soldiers massed along the border with Poland. In England, museums closed and began to shift their collections to safe storage places. Blackout preparations went into effect in major British cities. And everywhere in Europe, Americans and Canadians scrambled for passage on any ship leaving for anywhere in North America. Despite the ominous signs, many in Europe held out hope that war could be averted. People placed their hopes on possible peace conferences being proposed by the Pope and by Italy’s dictator, Benito Mussolini.
Between August 28 and 30, messages flew back and forth between Chamberlain and Hitler. Chamberlain insisted that in any negotiations between Germany and Poland, the interests of the Poles must be safeguarded. Hitler responded that any negotiations would have to take place in Berlin in less than 24 hours, and the Polish representative would need full negotiating powers.
In the early morning hours of August 31, Hitler issued sixteen new proposals any Polish negotiators would have to consider by the end of the day. Poland did not send negotiators to Berlin and did not respond to the new demands.
The next morning, Friday, Sept. 1, 1939, Europe woke up to the news that German military units had begun to invade Poland.
In our next blog: England’s confusing responses to the crisis.
And don’t forget to visit our Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign with new videos about our documentary film, Athenia’s Last Voyage, at: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/athenia-s-last-voyage-documentary/x/24232459?create_edit=true#/
