Battle of the Atlantic
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The British passenger ship SS Athenia (13,581t) is torpedoed off the northwest coast of Ireland by U-30 believing Athenia to be a British auxiliary cruiser. There are 112 dead including 28 Americans. The 376 survivors are picked up by the the American steamer City of Flint, the Norwegian steamer Knute Nelson and the Swedish yacht Southern Cross. This incident arouses strong anti-German feeling in the United States. Britain believes that this is the start of unrestricted submarine warfare but in fact after this the German naval authorities impose even stricter controls which are gradually removed after about the middle of October. Britain also considers reviving the convoy system which was adopted toward the end of the First World War to protect sea communications.
At this stage 39 of the German fleet of 58 U-boats are at sea. Karl Dönitz, the submarine chief, had hoped for a fleet of 300 before contemplating war with Britain. 2 U-boats are sunk this month. Allied shipping losses for the month are 53 ships, of which 41 of 153,000 tons are sunk by German submarines.[
]Diplomatic Relations
| Acknowledging failure of his appeasement policy, at 1115 hours Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announces that war has begun after receiving no reply from Britain's ultimatum to Germany. Australia, New Zealand and India also declare war immediately. Egypt announces it neutrality but breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany. The War Cabinet formed by Chamberlain includes Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty (Navy Minister) and Anthony Eden as Secretary for the Dominions. Churchill and Eden have been the most prominent opponents of Chamberlain's appeasement policy. Britain also announces a naval blockade of Germany with goods being carried to Germany on ships of any nation subject to be confiscated. At 1135 hours, as if to confirm the state of war, there is an air-raid warning in London but it is a false alarm. In the afternoon, at 1700 hours, the French follow suit and declare war, in fact, before their ultimatum expires. |  |
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Germany, Policy
Jews are forbidden to be out of doors after 8pm in winter and 9pm in summer. All radios owned by Jews are confiscated.[
]North Sea
German ships start laying mines in the North Sea, concentrating on the defense of the German bight. Such mining operations continue throughout the year and become one of the navy's most important contributions to the war during its first winter.[
]Poland
The German forces cut the 'Polish Corridor' in two. The Polish Lodz Army under the command of Gen Juliusz Rommel is now in retreat after being beaten in the frontier battles with Army Group South. Polish forces, mostly foot infantry, are unable to fall back and establish defensive lines because of the speed of the German motorizied advance. Many units are surrounded and destroyed while trying to either defend or withdraw. Gen von Reichenau's forces have crossed the Warta in some areas while List's troops are converging on Krakow. Czestochowa is captured by the Germans.[
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