Posted on 08/27/2009 6:07:11 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
DUCE:
I have received your communication on your final attitude. I respect the reasons and motives which led you to take this decision. In certain circumstances it can nevertheless work out well.
In my opinion, however, the prerequisite is that, at least until the outbreak of the struggle, the world should have no idea of the attitude Italy intends to adopt. I therefore cordially request you to support my struggle psychologically with your press or by other means. I would also ask you, Duce, if you possibly can, by demonstrative military measures, at least to compel Britain and France to tie down certain of their forces, or at all events to leave them in uncertainty.
But, Duce, the most important thing is this: If, as I have said, it should come to a major war, the issue in the East will be decided before the two western Powers can score a success. Then, this winter, at latest in the spring, I shall attack in the West with forces which will be at least equal to those of France and Britain . . .
I must now ask a great favor of you, Duce. In this difficult struggle you and your people can best help me by sending me Italian workers, for both industrial and agricultural purposes . . . In specially commending this request of mine to your generosity, I thank you for all the efforts you have made for our common cause.
ADOLF HITLER
The Duce replied meekly late in the afternoon that the world would “not know before the outbreak of hostilities what the attitude of Italy is” – he would keep the secret well. He would also tie down as many Anglo-French military and naval forces as possible and he would send Hitler the Italian workers he requested.
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
* A dozen Warsaw shopkeepers were arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Bereza for raising prices or refusing to sell the required amount of foodstuffs.
** Japanese soldiers, reflecting the Tokyo government’s displeasure over Germany’s signing of a nonaggression pact with Russia, were reported to have slapped the faces of several Germans at the barriers to the foreign concessions.
Britons had been the chief victims of these incidents previously.
Two weeks ago there was a story about an American woman being slapped. It is time for retaliation. I suggest we send Larry, Moe and Curly to China.
*** But there is still a long, long way to go before the First Army or any army under the American flag becomes in truth a combat force.
Both horsed and mechanized cavalry are useful to any army, essential in certain situations.
A battalion of the 165th Infantry and a squadron of the 101st Cavalry, about 300 men in all, [arrived] at Grand Central, 2:30 A. M. daylight time yesterday.
Aren’t these amazing times? In just a few years the 101st will be using airplanes for some of their trips. Of course, they will have to carry their own luggage.
Now for some news broadcasts.
It's not Ribbentrop, himself?
These are great soundbites. The Czech ambassador's is especially chilling.
It doesn’t say its Ribbentrop and it really doesn’t sound like other recordings of him so I’m thinking it is not. Probably some subordinate.
The Czech ambassador is pretty interesting isn’t it. He really just tells it like it is and basically say, he has the right to after what happened to his country. I agree.
Is is conceivable that the Poles really didn't expect an immediate war, or were they just keeping their mouths shut publicly?
The Japanese tactic of slapping foreigners while it humiliated the foreigners probably was designed to increase the contempt for foreigners among the Japanese military. The reaction by a Japanese in the equivalent situation can only be imagined.
The US military was in great shape I see, if it was possible for Hitler to attack us first, he would have won the war.
August 27, 1939. Poland defeats Hungary, the best soccer team in the world at that time 4-2. It was to be the “Last Game”, as it is known as in Poland.
It provided the last joy Poles would have for many years.
You scooped me! One of tomorrow's headlines (we're about ready to run the 8/28 edition) is "Poles Dig Trenches and Watch Soccer." But the writer, Jerzy Szapiro, forgot to include the outcome of the match in his story. Or maybe it was that Hungarian editor spinning the news again.
I saw where Gen. Drum was in charge of the botched maneuvers. He was a protege of Pershing, and many (including Drum himself) thought that when war did come, Drum would command the combat forces in Europe. He had a very high opinion of himself. Unfortunately for him, he was stuck in old 1917 tactics, and would not have fared well in modern warfare. Fortunately for us, Gen. Marshall was wise enough to see it and Drum never held a major command.
Poles don’t expect an immediate war? Wow. They’re so scared they were yammering nonsense.
Britains Territorial Army women’s auxiliary was paying $7 per week?
Thats a bit exorbitant
quoting the article: "The Poles look forward to a quite Sunday confident that there will be no outbreak of hostilities at least within the next twenty-four hours -- which is a comforting thought these days. Political circles base this view on the news reaching the Warsaw Government on Chancellor Hitler's proposals to Sir Neville Henderson, the British Ambassador..."
Much criticized, Poles were not as stupid as sometimes alleged. It was their choice not to follow the appeasement example of Czechoslovakia. Instead, they paid the unimaginable price of courage. Czechs also paid a price, but nothing like that of Poland. Today we admire the Poles for their courage against Nazism, and the Czechs for their courage against the Soviet Union -- Prague spring, etc.
Poland might have stood a chance to hold out for awhile against Germany, but what they didn’t count on was also having to deal with the Soviets.
The fact is that Stalin deserves considerable blame for starting the war, that killed millions of his own subjects.
If it wasn't for Solidarnosc, we'd probably still be dealing with the Soviet Union today.
ah missed that.. yep thats pretty immiediate
Totally agree. I was just trying to say something nice about Czechs, not put down Poles. ;-)
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