 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
The Beginning of the War
with written commentary
by J Kennington
by A Hayton
The announcement of the war with Germany by Neville Chamberlain
"I am speaking to you from the cabinet room at 10, Downing Street. This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German government the final note stating that unless we heard from them, by 11 o'clock, that they were prepared, at once, to withdraw their troops from Poland a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received and that consequently this country is at war with Germany."
Adapted extracts from the broadcast to the nation from King George VI
"We have
been forced into
conflict. I ask you to stand calm, firm and united in this time of
trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead but with
God's help we shall prevail."
"(Britain) need expect nothing other than annihilation as an enemy of the nation (of Germany)," Adolf Hitler.
|
1918 Germany loses World War One. Britain, France and Russia had fought against the Germans. 27th January 1923 The first meeting of the Nazi party in Germany takes place. Their leader is called Adolf Hitler. 15th March 1933 Adolf Hitler and his Nazis come to power in Germany. March 1936 German troops march into the Rhineland in Southern Germany, breaking the promise they signed when they lost World War I. September 1938 Germans invade some of Czechoslovakia. Britain says that's okay. March 1939 Germans invade the remaining parts of Czechoslovakia. Britain and France don't stop them. 31st March 1939 Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, promises Poland that if Germany invades them Britain and her ally France would help. 1st September 1939 Germany invades Poland. The British Government sends many women and children from cities into the countryside in an effort to keep them safe should war break out. 3rd September 1939 Britain
declares war on Germany. It is the start of (what will come to be known
as) World War II. |