Poland

At 0445 hours the German forces invade Poland without a declaration of war. The operation is code-named Fall Weiss (Plan White). Appeals for reconciliation have been made by several small European countries including one by Leopold III of Belgium himself. Also, exhortations by President Roosevelt, prayers of Pope Pius XII and a last minute proposal for mediation by Mussolini all remain unanswered.

The Germans put 53 divisions into the attack, including their 6 armored and all their motorized units. Of the divisions left on the Western Front only about 10 are regarded by the Germans as being fit for any kind of action. Gen Walter von Brauchitsch, the Commander in Chief, is in full charge of the campaign and, indeed, will only meet Hitler on a few occasions in the course of the battles. Col-Gen Fedor von Bock leads Army Group North and Col-Gen Gerd von Rundstedt leads Army Group South. Bock's army commanders are Gen Georg von Küchler (4th Army) and Gen Guenther von Kluge (3rd Army). Runstedt's commanders are Gen Johannes Blaskowitz (8th Army), Gen Walther von Reichenau (10th Army) and Col-Gen Wilhelm List (14th Army). Heinz Guderian and Ewald von Kleist leadPanzerCorps. Air support comes from Albert Kesselring's and Alexander Lohr's Air Fleets which have around 1,600 aircraft. Von Runstedt's troops, advancing from Silesia, are to provide the main German attacks. Blaskowitz on the left is to move toward Poznan, List on the right toward Krakow and the Carpathian flank, while the principal thrust is to be delivered by von Reichenau who is to advance in the center to the Vistula between Warsaw and Sandomierz. Von Küchler from East Prussia is to move south toward Warsaw and the line of the Bug to the east. Von Kluge is to cross the Polish Corridor and join von Küchler in moving south.

The Poles have 23 regular infantry divisions prepared with 7 more assembling, 1 weak armored division and an inadequate quantity of artillery. They also have a considerable force of cavalry. (Although it is commonly believed, it is not true that cavalry will be used later in the campaign to charge German tanks.) The reserve units were only called up on August 30 and are not, therefore, mobilized as yet. In the air almost all the 500 Polish planes are obsolete and will be able to do very little to blunt the impact of the German attack. The Polish Commander in Chief, Marshal Edward Rydz-Smigly, has deployed the stronger parts of his army in the northwestern half of the country, including large forces in the Poznan area and in the Polish Corridor. Although there are few natural barriers favoring defense in the western half of the country (the dry summer weather confirms this), he hopes to hold the Germans to only gradual gains. By thus stationing his forces well forward and by the attacking tactics adopted, Rydz-Smigly has risked a serious defeat. Many units will be overrun before their reinforcements from the reserve mobilization can arrive.

The Germans cross the frontier at several points and their superior training, equipment and strength quickly bring them the advantage in the first battles. The Polish defenses are overwhelmed in a short time and the German tanks drive deep into enemy territory. The Germans also bomb several cities including Warsaw, Lodz and Krakow. At sea, as in the air, the story of Polish inferiority and crushing early attacks is much the same. 3 of the 4 Polish destroyers manage to leave for Britain before hostilities begin and later 1 submarine also escapes.

Schleswig-Holstein Fires on Danzig

The success of the invasion has been taken for granted by the Germans. The general lines of the partition of Poland have already been agreed upon in the secret clauses of the Russo-German pact of August 23. Generally speaking, the demarcation line between Germany and the USSR is to run along the lines of the rivers Nurew-Vistula-San. Lithuania is to be included in the German sphere of influence, while the Russian sphere includes Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Bessarabia (which is to be returned to Russia by Rumania).

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Bombing Aftermath in Wielun

Before the Second World War, Wielun was a peaceful Polish town of about 15,000, located 12 miles (20 kilometers) from the German border. On September 1, 1939, at about 04:40 am, Stuka dive bombers of the German Luftwaffe attacked the town indiscriminately. Approximately 90% of the historic old town was destroyed, and many important buildings were hit, including the medieval Gothic church, the old town hall, and the hospital (despite a huge Red Cross sign painted on its roof). About 1,200 civilians died, representing 8% of the population.

The bombing of Wielun is considered one of the first terror bombings in history, and the very first in of World War II. The bombing had no military justification. Tactically, there were no Polish military forces stationed in Wielun. Strategically, the town held no heavy industry. German claims that the attack was a result of a mistake of the Nazi intelligence services (who reported that there was a Polish cavalry brigade stationed near the town) have been disproved. Officially, Poland recognizes the bombing of Wielun as a war crime.

Britain, Home Front

The National Service (Armed Forces) Act is passed calling for conscription for men aged 19-41. The RAF Advanced Air Striking Force begins deployment in France.

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Diplomatic Relations

• Throughout the day there are frantic talks in London and Paris attempting to decide how to oppose Germany. They are determined to carry out their pledges to Poland, but the governments and general staffs cannot agree when and how to intervene. The British Parliament is openly opposed to the passive line that Chamberlain's government is taking and in the evening the Cabinet decides to present an ultimatum to Germany. A French ultimatum is also to be sent.
• Mussolini declares Italian neutrality and again calls for an international conference to meet on September 5 to stop the conflict.
• Germany says Norwegian neutrality will be respected.

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Poland

Having advanced 50 miles into Polish territory in 36 hours, von Rundstedt's troops are already over the Warta River in many places. Krakow is now near the front line. In the north, von Küchler's 4th Army make contact with the von Kluge's 3rd Army from East Prussia. The Luftwaffe, having destroyed most of the Polish aircraft on the ground, is spreading chaos in the Polish rear. The Polish regular troops have been stationed too far forward so the German advance is soon in their rear areas preventing the movement of reserves and completely dislocating any communications left unscathed by the Luftwaffe's repeated attacks in support of the ground forces.

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Battle of the Atlantic

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.

Athenia

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

War Declared! 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 its 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.

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.

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.

Britain’s King George VI broadcasts to the British nation on the first evening of the war, on September 3, 1939, in London. (AP Photo) King George Radio Broadcast

Air Operations, Europe

The first attacks by RAF Bomber Command go in against German warships in the Heligoland Bight. The pocket battleship Admiral Scheer is hit 3 times but the bombs do not explode. Of the 29 attacking aircraft, 7 are lost. The cruiser Emden is damaged by the wreckage of a Blenheim shot down by German anti-aircraft fire. There is no question at this stage of attacking targets in Germany. For the next few months only leaflets are dropped and when the question is raised in Parliament in October the government reply is that there can be no thought of bombing industry in the Ruhr because it is private property!

Allied Preparations

Traveling in destroyers advance units of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) land at Cherbourg.

German Propaganda

The Völkischer Beobachter declares that Churchill arranged the sinking of the SS Athenia to create an incident between Germany and the United States.

Japan

Japan declares her neutrality and will 'concentrate her efforts on a settlement of the China affair'. There have been Japanese troops fighting in China since 1931 and open war since 1937.

Poland

In the north the Polish Modlin Army under Gen Emil Krukowicz-Przedrzymirski begins to retreat after putting up a stubborn defense around Mlawa. In the south Gen von Reichenau's forces have already advanced more than 50 miles.

Air Operations, Europe

2 British submarines are attacked by an RAF Anson reconnaissance aircraft by mistake. The conning tower of the HMS Snapper is damaged by depth charges.

Battle of the Atlantic

A small steamer, the Bosnia (2407t), is the first British freighter to be sunk. It is sunk by Prien's U-47. 1 crewman is lost and the survivors are picked up by the Norwegian tanker Eidanger. Later in the day the armed merchantman Royal Sceptre (4853t) is sunk by U-48. 1 of the crew is lost and the survivors are rescued by the steamer Browning.

Britain, Home Front

The Ministry of Information is set up.

Poland

The Polish High Command realizes that the situation is critical and there is no hope without immediate help from its Allies. A general retreat order is issued behind the Vistula. The Germans force the line of the Vistula and the western Bug. Bydgoszcz is taken by the German II Corps at the southern end of the Corridor.

South Africa, Politics

After a dispute in the existing Cabinet over whether to join the war, Jan Christiaan Smuts forms a new ministry and replaces pro-German Prime Minister James Hertzog. War is declared on Nazi Germany.

United States, Policy

• The United States proclaims its neutrality via radio announcement by President Roosevelt. Two proclamations are issued, one according to the Neutrality Act of 1937 which forbids the shipment of arms and munitions to belligerents and the other in accordance to international law.
• The President orders the formation of a Neutrality Patrol by the Navy to report and track any belligerent air, surface or underwater naval forces approaching the Atlantic coasts of the United States or the West Indies.

Air Operations, Europe

In the 'Battle of Berking Creek' 2 RAF Spitfires in error shoot down 2 Hurricanes.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The first convoy leaves the US for Britain. In the convoy are 36 ships in 9 parallel rows of 4 each. There is 1 escort ship in front plus 2 more to port and starboard.
• U-38 sinks the steamer Manaar (7242t) off the Bay of Biscay northwest of Cape St Vincent. 7 crewmen are lost with survivors being rescued by the Dutch steamer Mars, the Italian liner Castelbianco and the Portuguese liner Carvalho Araujo.
• U-47 sinks the steamer Rio Claro (4086t) southwest of Ireland. All the crew are rescued.

• A survivor from the Athenia talks to journalists after coming ashore at Galway, from the Norwegian tanker, Knute Nelson, which rescued the survivors. The British ship, Athenia, was torpedoed by a German submarine on September 3rd, the first attack of its kind.

Athenia Survivor

Diplomatic Relations

South Africa declares war on Germany. Iraq breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

Poland

The 3rd and 4th Armies of Army Group North and the 8th and 10th Armies of Army Group South advance on Warsaw. Von Reichenau's 10th Army continues to lead the German advance, having already penetrated to the east of Lodz. Panzers take Tomaszow and Kielce. After forcing Army Krakow under Gen Antoni Szylling to withdraw eastwards to avoid encirclement from the north, troops of List's 14th Army take Krakow and are now marching towards the Rumanian border. The Polish supreme command issue orders for a general retreat to the line of the Rivers Narew, Vistula and San. During the night the Polish government leaves Warsaw for the area of Luck-Krzemieniec. The supreme command is moved to Brzesko on the Bug River.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The first British Atlantic convoys set out. Three protected routes are established, two from Liverpool and from the Thames to the Atlantic, and one from the Thames and the Firth of Forth. The convoy system has already been reintroduced on the east coast. Although escorts can only be provided as far as 12.5 degrees West they do provide effective protection against U-boats. Many of the faster ships and some particularly slow ones do not sail in convoy at this stage or later in the war. During 1939 almost all the U-boat successes are from such 'independents'.
• U-33 sinks the steamer Olive Grove (4060t) off the Bay of Biscay 250 miles southwest of Fastnet. The survivors are picked up the American steamer Washington.
• U-34 sinks the steamer Pukkastan (5809t) 70 miles southwest of Land's End. The crew is picked up by Dutch steamer Bilderdyck.
• The steamer Gartavon (1777t) is sunk by U-47 170 miles southwest of Cape Finisterre. The entire crew is picked up by the Swedish tanker Castor.

Poland

• After 7 days of desperate defense and inflicting heavy German casualties, the Polish naval base at Westerplatte surrenders. The old battleship Schleswig-Holstein begins a daily bombardment of Hela, another Polish naval base. The Polish command decides that it will be impossible to hold the line of the Narew although the order to do so has only been in force for one day. The forces in the Narew area are to retire to the Bug.
• Marshal Smigly-Rydz moves his HQ from Warsaw temporarily to Brest-Litovsk.

Aftermath at the Westerplatte

Western Front

French patrols cross the German frontier near Saarlouis, Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. The French mobilization is too slow and their tactical system too inflexible to permit any grander offensive operation. This is the beginning of what is called the 'phoney war', where armies face each other without fighting, waiting for some diplomatic effort to ease the tensions. These gentle probings continue until September 17 when a larger advance is meant to be made but is in fact cancelled because the Polish collapse makes it pointless.

Air Operations, Europe

5 French Air Force Curtiss Hawk fighters engage 5 Me-109s shooting 2 down.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British tanker Kennebec (5548t) is severely damaged by U-34 70 miles southwest of the Bishops. It is determined to be beyond salvage and is scuttled by the destroyer Wolverine. The survivors are picked up by the Dutch steamer Breedyk.
• U-29 torpedoes the British tanker Regent Tiger (10,177t) 250 miles WSW of Cape Clear, but the vessel does not sink until the 10th. The crew is rescued by the Belgian steamer Jean Jadot.
• U-48 sinks the steamer Winkleigh (5055t) 500 miles west of Ushant. The survivors are picked up by the Dutch liner Statendam.

Poland

Late in the day, having advanced 225 Km in 7 days, 4th Panzer Div part of von Reichenau's 10th Army reach the southeastern suburbs of Warsaw. In a short fight close to the capital, the 4th Panzer loses half its tanks. Okecie airfield, on the outskirts of Warsaw, is captured. Other sections of 10th Army are heavily engaged around Radom. List's 14th Army reaches the San north and south of Przemysl. In the north Guderian's XIX Panzer Corps is attacking along the line of the Bug east of Warsaw. Garrison commander Gen Walerian Czuma broadcasts, "We shall fight to the last ditch." 100,000 civilians dig trenches in the outskirts of the city

France, Home Front

Identity cards are made mandatory.

Poland

The German 4th Panzer Div mounts the first attack on Warsaw from the southeast but is beaten back after about three hours of fighting losing 60 tanks. The German command believes that almost all the Polish forces have retired east of the Vistula but in fact unfought units from the Poznan Army and part of the Pomorze Group have joined together around Kutno. About 10 Polish divisions are assembled in this area under the command of Gen Tadeusz Kutrzeba. They now begin a counterattack over the Bzura against the German 8th Army. Initially, the Poles are successful and inflict heavy casualties on the German forces due to the element of surprise. They even manage to push the Germans back in several areas but are unable to maintain momentum due to low food and ammunition supplies. The battles fought here will be the hardest fought of the campaign.

Western Front

The first units of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) under Gen Lord John Gort leave for France.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Off the Norwegian coast, the British submarine Triton torpedoes sister submarine Oxley by mistake. There are only 2 survivors.
• The British steamer Goodwood (2796t) hits a mine and sinks off the British east coast 1 mile southeast of Flamborough Head. The mine was laid by U-15 on September 6th. 1 crew member is lost.
• The British steamer Magdapur (8641t) sinks on a mine laid on the 4th by U-13 off Orfordness on the Briish east coast. 6 crew members are lost.

Diplomatic Relations

Canada declares war on Germany.

Poland

There are more successes for the Poznan and Lodz Armies, but the Polish military command realize that the Germans are advancing at such a rate as to prevent the Poles from retreating or regrouping.

Western Front

The first major units of the BEF begin to land in France.

Small advance parties have been arriving since September 4. In the first month 160,000 men, 24,000 vehicles and 140,000 tons of supplies are sent to France.

In reply to insistent demands by the Polish commander Rydz-Smigly, Gen Maurice Gustave Gamelin, the French Chief of the General Staff, announces that more than half of his active divisions are in contact with the enemy on the northeast front, and that he can do no more.

Battle of the Atlantic

• German crytographers crack the British merchant shipping code giving away convoy information.
• The British steamer Firby (4869t) is sunk by U-47 300 miles WNW of Cape Wrath. The British destroyer Fearless picks up the survivors.
• U-30 sinks the steamer Blairlogie (4425t) west of Ireland. The crew is rescued by the American steamer American Shipper.
• The British tanker Inverliffey (9456t)is sunk by U-38 270 miles west southwest of Land's End. The American steamer R G Stewart picks up the survivors.

English Channel

The British have quickly mined the Channel to prevent German naval incursions there.

Poland

The German forces cross the San River north and south of Przemysl. The Polish resistance at Radom is overcome and 60,000 men are captured. The industrial area of Upper Silesia is completely in German hands. The battle on the Bzura continues but the leaders of the German Army South, von Rundstedt and his Chief of Staff, Erich von Manstein, are beginning to assemble reinforcements for 8th Army.

Allied Planning

The first meeting of the Anglo-French Supreme War Council takes place at Abbéville.

Poland

Some of List's troops are fighting near Lvov while others are moving north from their bridgeheads over the San. The Poles begin a fighting withdrawal from Bzura.

Western Front

The sporadic and virtually ineffective French operations against the Germans are halted. It is clear that nothing can now be done to directly help the Poles.

Atlantic

The French navy suffers its first loss when the minelayer Platon accidentally detonates one of its own mines.

Platon

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British trawler Davana (291t) is sunk by U-27 21 miles northwest of Tory Island. Survivors are picked up by the British steamer Willowpool.
• The Norwegian steamer Ronda (5136t) hits a mine and sinks off Terschelling in the northern Netherlands with a loss of 17 crewmen. The survivors are picked up by the Italian steamer Provvidenza.

France, Politics

Following the British example, Prime Minister Edouard Daladier forms a War Cabinet in which he is responsible for foreign affairs as well as his normal duties.

Mediterranean

French cruiser La Tour d'Auvergne is sunk by accidental explosion while offloading mines at Casablanca.

Poland

A small German force begins to cross the Vistula just south of Warsaw. The Bzura battles are now going badly for the Polish forces. The heaviest fighting will be over by September 15 but some engagements will continue until the 19th. Although the Germans will take their largest single haul of 150,000 prisoners in this battle, by September 19 units of 2 Polish brigades and elements of others will manage to escape to Warsaw.

The last meaningful flights by the Polish Air Force are undertaken in an effort to supply the besieged city of Modlin.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-39 attacks the a carrier, the HMS Ark Royal, northwest of Ireland but is depth-charged by 3 destroyers, Faulknor, Foxhound and Firedrake, and sinks. The crew of 43 is captured.

  U-39

  Class	Type IXA
  CO	Kapitänleutnant Gerhard Glattes
  Location	NW of Ireland
  Cause	Depth charge
  Casualties	None
  Survivors	43

• The British trawler Hawarden Castle (210t) is lost to gunfire from U-17 in the North Sea.
• The British steamer Vancouver City is sunk by U-28 southwest of Ireland. 3 of the crew are lost.
• U-29 sinks the British steamer British Influence southwest of Ireland. The crew is rescued by the Norwegian steamer Ida Bakke.

Poland

German troops enter Gdynia. Guderian's XIX Panzer Corps reaches Brest-Litovsk. The Army of Pomorze launches a surprise offensive around Lowica. Von Rundstedt pulls units from Warsaw and Kielce, but the Polish Gen Tadeusz Kutrzeba keeps all these force occupied for 5 days with hard fighting and tough resistance.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The first British trans-Atlantic convoy sails from Kingston, Jamaica.
• The British steamer Truro (974t) is sunk by U-36 130 miles east northeast of Rattray Head. Survivors are picked up by a Belgian trawler.

• The Belgian liner Alex Van Opstal (5965t) sinks on a mine laid by U-26 on the 8th off Shambles Light. The Greek steamer Atlanticos picks up the survivors.
• The British tanker Cheyenne (8825t) is seriously damaged by U-53 150 miles WSW of Fastnet. The crew is picked up by the Norwegian steamer Ida Bakke. As the British destroyer Mackay arrives, it is determined the tanker is beyond salvage and is finished off by gunfire from the Mackay.

Poland

The Germans surround Warsaw and occupy the Galician oilfields in southwest Poland. The German 14th Army moves into position to cut off a possible Polish retreat int Rumania.

Air Operations, Europe

The Luftwaffe dive-bomb the Jewish quarter of Warsaw.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The first U-boat attack on a North Atlantic convoy occurs. U-31, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Hans Habekost, sinks SS Aviemore. The first of 3 escorted convoys leave Halifax, Nova Scotia for Britain. The others depart on the 17th and the 23rd.
• The British steamer Bramden (1594t), inbound from Dunkirk, sinks when it hits a British defensive mine. 3 of the crew are lost.
• U-33 sinks the British steamer Arkleside (1567t) 150 miles southwest of Land's End.
• The British trawler Rudyard Kipling (333t) is sunk by U-27 100 miles west of Donegal. The entire crew is towed in their boats by the submarine to within 5 miles of the coast.

Diplomatic Relations

The Soviet and Japanese governments sign a cease-fire treaty which brings the Mongolian conflict to an end. Japan has been bitterly stung by the 1939 war, and the militarists in the government will argue exclusively for campaigns in Southeast Asia and the Pacific rather that into the bleak hinterlands of the USSR. This treaty will enable the USSR to move troops from east to west.

Poland

Warsaw is now surrounded but a surrender demand is refused. The German generals propose to besiege Warsaw and wait until starvation drives it to surrender, but Hitler replies that the Polish capital is to be regarded as a fortress and orders the use of artillery and bombers against the city. A curious note, the Polish general in charge of the forces in the city is named Rommel, Maj-Gen Juliusz Rommel.

The bulk of the Polish army is now concentrated between Lvov and Chelm. Part of List's army is still fighting west of Lvov advancing north to link with Guderian's forces who are maintaining their attack along the Bug.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British aircraft carrier Courageous is sunk by U-29 under the command of Cmdr Otto Schuhart while on anti-submarine patrol off the southwest of Ireland. 514 of 1,200 are dead. 48 aircraft are also lost. Her escorting destroyers had failed to alert her to the presence of the U-boat. The carrier Ark Royal had a lucky escape on September 14 from a submarine attack while similarly misemployed. After these incidents the carriers are withdrawn from such work. Courageous has been one of the most effective of the British carriers.

Occupied Poland

As the Germans begin their campaign to reduce the Poles to slave status and annihilate the Polish Jewry, so the Soviets bring their own brand of terror to eastern Poland. They immediately subjugate the population to communist misery as they steal Polish lands and businesses, freeze bank accounts and currency, and treat the Poles with general contempt. They will also send 1.5 million Polish workers to the Soviet Union, fewer than half of them will return. In the Kolyma gold mines, for example, the annual death rate of Polish slaves alone rose to more than 50 percent in 1940. After 8 hours of inhumanly hard work, Polish workers received a bowl of potato soup and a slice of frozen black bread.

Poland

Vyacheslav Molotov, Soviet Foreign Minister, declares that the Polish government has ceased to exist. The order is given for Soviet troops to advance and occupy eastern Poland. Naturally because of the German attack there is almost no defense in the east. The Soviets employ 2 Army Groups or Fronts consisting of 24 infantry divisions, 15 cavalry divisions and 2 tank corps. The Poles have only 18 battalions in the east of their country. The Soviets will push toward the west, stopping at the Bug River and effectively absorb 125,000 square miles of Polish territory and 13 million Polish citizens.

German Army Groups North and South link up at Wlodawa on the River Bug. The Germans occupy Brest-Litovsk. The Germans then evacuate some of the areas and cities they have occupied including Lvov. This is done in accordance with the terms of the non-aggression pact of August 23 with the Soviet Union.

The Polish president, Ignacy Moscicki, his government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish armed forces, Marshal Rydz-Smigly, resign and take refuge in Rumania.

Battle of the Atlantic

• SS Kensington Court (4863t) shelled and sunk by U-32. 2 RAF Sunderland Flying Boats rescue 34 men.

  SS Kensington Court

• U-35 sinks the British trawlers Arlita (326t), 22 miles WNW of St Kilda, and Lord Minto (295t), 30 miles NW of St Kilda. The survivors of both vessels are picked up by the British trawler Nancy Hague, spared by the submarine to rescue the other crews.

Poland, Politics

Under pressure from the German government, the Polish president, Ignacy Moscicki, and the Commander in Chief, Rydz-Smigly are interned in Rumania. They leave behind messages telling their troops to fight on.

Occupied Poland

Lavrenti Beria, chief of the Soviet NKVD (People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs), sets up a Directorate for Prisoners of War and establishes camps for the 240,000 Polish prisoners of war in Soviet custody - 37,000 will become slave laborers.

Poland

At the end of the Battle of the Bzura River as the German 10th Army has defeated the trapped Polish forces, remnants of the Poznan and Pomorze Armies, about 170,000 men, surrender. The Soviet advance reaches the Hungarian frontier. In the north Vilna is taken. The Soviets link up with the Germans at Brest-Litovsk which is given up to the Soviets according to the provisions of the secret agreement of August 23. For practical purposes the Polish campaign is now over. All that remains is mopping-up operations.

Hitler makes a triumphal entry into Danzig and makes a foreign policy speech that seems to offer conciliation with France and Britain.

Air Operations, Europe

The first air engagement in the west occurs. 3 Battle reconnaissance planes are attacked by Me-109s. 2 Battles and 1 Me-109 are shot down.

Battle of the Atlantic

The destroyers HMS Fortune and Forester sink U-27. The entire crew of 4 officers and 34 ratings is rescued by the British destroyers Faulknor and Fury.

U-27

Poland

Lublin finally capitulates.

Germany, Policy

Reinhard Heydrich announces from Berlin that all Polish Jews are to be herded into ghettos.

Poland

Artillery bombardment of key points in Warsaw is intensified.

Murder of the Defenseless

Rumania

The Rumanian prime minister, Armand Calinescu, is murdered by the Iron Guard, a Fascist organization.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Arkenside (2694t) is sunk by U-7 25 miles southwest of Bergen. The entire crew is rescued.
• U-4 captures the Finnish steamer Martti Ragnar (2262t) 50 miles off Arendal, Norway, tows her to a point 5 miles south of Arendal before scuttling her with explosive charges. None of the crew is lost.

Britain, Home Front

Wartime shortages settle in as gasoline rationing begins.

Occupied Poland

The NKVD begins rounding up thousands of Polish officers and deporting them to the Soviet Union. Many will be executed at Katyn Wood in 1940.

Poland

The rapidly advancing Soviet troops take Lvov.

Entry of the Red Army into Lvov, Poland

Battle of the Atlantic

U-4 captures the Finnish steamer Walma (1361t) off Smagen on the west coast of Sweden. The ship is scuttled, but the entire crew is saved.

Japan, Politics

Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura becomes foreign minister in Gen Nobuyuki Abe's recently appointed government. Between now and their fall in Jan 1940 some conciliatory moves are made toward the United States. These are not reciprocated and this strengthens the beliefs and standing of the more militant Japanese politicians.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The German steamer Minden (4318t) scuttles herself when intercepted by the British light cruiser Calypso 330 miles northwest of Cape Wrath. The crew is taken aboard the light cruiser Dunedin and taken to Scapa Flow.
• The French merchant ship Phryne (2660t) is sunk by a mine about 3 miles east of the Aldeburgh Light Vessel laid by U-13 on the 4th. Survivors are rescued by the British destroyers Brazen and Boreas and taken to Tyne later in the day.

• U-34 captures the Estonian steamer Hanonia off the Norwegian coast. The ship is taken to Hamburg where it is later placed in German service.
• U-4 sinks the Swedish steamer Gertrud Bratt 10 miles off Jomfruland, southeastern Norway.
• The British steamer Hazelside is sunk by U-31 10 miles southeast of Fastnet. 12 crewmen are lost, 22 are injured and rescued.

Poland

The Germans isolate Modlin Fortress, north of Warsaw. The Russians enter the Galician oilfields.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-36 sinks the Swedish merchant ship Silesia (1839t) 45 miles WNW of Egersund, Norway.

Germany, Home Front

Food rationing of bread and flour is introduced.

Poland

The Germans step up their bombardment of Warsaw and add heavy air attacks to it. 400 bombers and Stukas make repeated sorties starting huge fires. Hitler wishes to complete the conquest as soon as possible and since the garrison is fairly strong, it is necessary to force them to submit by terrorizing the civilian population. The bombing continues until the surrender.

Battle of the Atlantic

After a near miss in an air attack the German propaganda machine claims that the Ark Royal has been sunk. This is the first of several such false claims made during the coming months.

Britain, Home Front

Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir John Simon presents his first War Budget. Income tax is raised from 5s/6d (25-1/2p) to 7s/6d (37-1/2p) in the pound.

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Germany, Home Front

The Reichsicherheitshauptamt (Security Ministry) is established by Hitler. Heydrich becomes the head of the Gestapo, the Kripo (Police) and the Security Service.

Germany, Planning

Hitler tells his service chiefs that he plans to attack in the west as soon as possible, probably November 12. He has reached this decision entirely on his own. This announcement is met with hostility by the military, who resent Hitler assuming direct control over strategic planning and also feel unprepared for this undertaking. His plan for invading the Low Countries will be called Fall Gelb (Plan Yellow).

Poland

Warsaw surrenders after 2 days of vicious land and air bombardment. The siege has resulted in the deaths of 2,000 Polish soldiers and 10,000 civilians. There are more than 150,000 prisoners. An eighth of the city's buildings have been destroyed

Warsaw Surrenders

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-32 sinks the Norwegian steamer Jern (875t) 65 miles west of Skudesnes. Her 14 crewmen are rescued by the Swedish ship Caledonia.
• The Swedish steamer Nyland (3378t) is sunk by U-16 off Kvitsoey, 45 miles southwest of Stavanger. Her survivors are rescued by the Norwegian minelayer Olav Tryggvason.
• U-7 severely damages the Norwegian steamer Solaas (1368t) 25 miles southwest of Lister Light. She sinks the next day.
• The French submarine Poncelet stops the German merchant ship Chemnitz (5522t) and begins escorting her to Casablanca where she is renamed and placed in French service until the fall of France.
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Diplomatic Relations

Soviet-German Treaty of Friendship

Occupied Poland

German-Soviet Military Parade

Poland

The Polish forces under Gen Wiktor Thommee in the city of Modlin and the area of Kutno, encircled since September 10, surrender to the Germans after a long and valiant defense. Elsewhere the Polish resistance is nearly over.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-7 torpedoes the Norwegian steamer Takstaas (1830t) 16 miles off Bergen. The crew is rescued by a Norwegian torpedo boat.

Diplomatic Relations

A Soviet-German Treaty of Friendship is announced. By its terms Poland is partitioned and the German and Russian spheres of influence are re-defined. The Soviet Union is given a free hand in Lithuania which was previously to be included in the German sphere. In exchange, the demarcation line between the Russians and Germans is moved eastwards. The Russians are to retire to the line of the Narew-Bug-San, and the area between the Vistula and the western Bug goes to Germany. The Soviet Union gets slightly more land mostly agricultural with about 13,000,000 inhabitants, but the Germans now control the majority of the population, about 22,000,000 people, and the industrial and mining centers.

The Soviets begin to put real pressure on the Baltic states. A Soviet-Estonian Mutual Assistance Pact is signed, giving the USSR the use of bases in Estonia. A similar agreement is concluded with Latvia on Octonrt 5 and with Lithuania on October 10. Vilna is ceded to Lithuania. These pacts are designed to ensure Soviets control of the Baltic, particularly in the event of future German aggression.

Air Operations, Europe

15 Me-109s destroy a flight of 5 RAF Battles over the Saar.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-3 sinks the Danish steamer Vendia (1150t) 35 miles northwest of Hanstolm, Denmark and the Danish steamer GunM 30 miles northwest of Hanstolm. The Vendia loses 11 of her crew while U-3 picks up 6 survivors. The Danish steamer Svava rescues the rest. The Danish steamer Dagmar picks up the crew of the Gun. (Allied Ships Lost in September)

German Raiders

The German pocket-battleship Graf Spee sinks the British steamship Clement (5051t) in the Atlantic off the coast of Brazil. 185,000 tons of merchant shipping have now been lost by the Allies. The Royal Navy begins its search for the German pocket-battleships.

Clement Being Shelled by the Graf Spee

Poland, Politics

A new Polish government is formed in Paris. Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz is the new president and Gen Wladyslaw Sikorski the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. This is only the first in a long line of European governments-in-exile to be set up in the wake of German domination.