NOTHING ABOUT THIS ON CNN! :-)
Posted on 09/01/2004 8:24:03 AM PDT by lizol
1939: Germany invades Poland German forces have invaded Poland and its planes have bombed Polish cities, including the capital, Warsaw. The attack comes without any warning or declaration of war.
Britain and France have mobilised their forces and are preparing to wage war on Germany for the second time this century.
Just before dawn today, German tanks, infantry and cavalry penetrated Polish territory on several fronts with five armies, a total of 1.5 million troops.
My grandfather was killed on the train travelling to Warsaw when it was bombed by the German air force
Soon afterwards German planes bombarded the cities. They have been making swift progress in penetrating Polish defences which are heavily outnumbered in artillery, infantry and air power.
The cities of Katowice, Krakow, Tczew and Tunel were attacked with incendiary bombs. Air raids on Warsaw began at 0900 local time.
Communications to Katowice have been broken but earlier reports said German planes were coming over in squadrons of 50, every half-hour, and there have been many casualties.
The German Army struck from Slovakia, East Prussia and from Pomerania into the Polish Corridor and the port Danzig, which has declared itself part of the Reich.
The 4th Army came in from East Prussia at Deutsch-Eylau supported by air raids on cities north of Warsaw. There is heavy fighting reported along the whole of the East Prussian border.
Poznan was attacked from the main body of the German Reich and border towns occupied.
The 8th and 10th armies are moving north-east from Silesia towards Warsaw; and the 14th Army struck from Slovakia towards Krakow.
Warning sent to Germany
The Times newspaper reports that when the air raid sirens in the capital first sounded at 0600 inhabitants reacted calmly and some even ran out onto the streets to look up at the sky and had be driven back inside by air raid wardens.
The unprovoked attack follows yesterday's report on German radio that the border town of Gleiwicz had been raided by a group of Polish soldiers, who had all been shot dead.
German radio broadcast a list of "demands" never submitted to the Polish Government.
The Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, held a meeting with King George today in Downing Street.
Later this evening Mr Chamberlain told a packed House of Commons that British and French Ambassadors in Berlin had given German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop an ultimatum.
He was to tell Berlin that unless the Nazis withdraw, Britain and France would fulfil its promise of support to Poland.
Von Ribbentrop said he would refer the message to Adolf Hitler.
US President Roosevelt of the United States has sent an appeal to the governments of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Poland urging them to announce publicly their determination not to launch air attacks on civilians.
In reply the British and French governments say they intend to confine their bombing to military objectives, so long as their opponents do the same.
Seems like history is realy a teacher of life. Now the French again are not willing to fight terrorists. And we'll see what te result will be for France.
That's still sooner than the MSM will get around to the SwiftVets.....
Sadly, France will again live down to our expectations. It is worth noting that the Poles put up a real fight, unlike the French.
The same applies to Germany and the experience it made during and after the Nazi regime and WW2. Too many peaceniks here who haven´t understood that freedom and peace must be armed and defended.
Yes, and like our friend John Kerry he dilly-dallied around, engaging in fruitless "negotiations," springing from a position of weakness, until someone was attacked. By then, of course, it was too late.
This doesn't belong in breaking news ...
NOTHING ABOUT THIS ON CNN! :-)
This was a topic I discussed with one of my professors last year. Statistics show that the average height, strength, and IQ of Europeans dropped following the First World War because most of the dead were the strongest and brightest of their generation.
I remember this day in 1939, it is seared in my memory. President Nixon ordered me to Poland to view the invasion.
Here's to our Polish allies, This day in 1939 started a series of terrible and gut wrenching events. Americans have never been tested like these people (thank god).
One thing is certain the Polish know the cost of freedom.
I salute the brave Polish citizens.
Considering what they were up against, yes.
Seriously though France had superior tanks to the early panzers, not to mention the numerical superiority on the western front in September 1939. All the Frenchies could muster is to sit smuggly behind the Maginot line during their "sitzkrieg" offensive.
In a way it reminds me of the left's response to Saddam: "Ok, technically we are @ war with him (GWI ended in a truce only) , but who's he gonna harm?"
There I corrected the title.
Well, we'll talk about Soviet invasion on September 17.
Good, I figured you would. But most do forget that the carving up of Poland was a joint Nazi-Soviet operation.
Well, one can only hope. However; the Polish will no doubt put their national interest in priority (as they should).
I do think unlike the French and Germans who consider us a rivals. The Polish see the USA as a role model and trading partner.
A salute to the heroes of Westerplatte.
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