Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; a series of interesting tips ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Hitler wanted war, already since months. He realized that "sooner or later he had to come to a confrontation with Poland," the dictator declared on August 22, 1939 before his highest generals. To be honest, he adds, "I made that decision in the spring." However, he had believed that he could "turn first against the West" and "then only against the East." But the time series could not be maintained. "

Now everything is different: first, Poland must be attacked, with the backing of Stalin and his Soviet Union, which has bought Hitler a generous portion of foreseeable spoils. Once again, on August 26, 1939, he had to withdraw the orders to attack. Now, five days later, the Wehrmacht will open the campaign (September 1, 1939).

Berlin, shortly after midnight.

Unusually early, the night meeting dissolves in the Reich Chancellery. Joseph Goebbels points out in his diary: "The Führer is studying maps with us, then ends for today, we have to get some sleep."

Warsaw, at the same time.

Polish Foreign Minister Józef Beck is awaiting the report of his ambassador in Berlin, Józef Lipski. He spoke with Hermann Göring late in the afternoon, but after a few minutes he was dismissed by the second man of the Third Reich because he had no instructions to accept the German ultimatum. Back at the Polish Embassy, ​​Lipski realized that his phone does not work.

Berlin, at the same time.

Secretary of State Ernst von Weizsäcker, second in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, observes fatalistically: "A new section has begun, if my life still has any meaning, it will be seen." The professional diplomat has tried to persuade Poland to accept Hitler's latest demands.

Berlin, around 0:30 hours.

Goebbels tells his wife Magda about the events of the night and the next attack. "She is waiting impatiently," he says. "And then sleep, at night, fate will take its path."

Channel of the port of Danzig/Gdansk, at one o'clock.

The training ship "Schleswig-Holstein", a former battleship of the First World War and visiting Danzig/Gdansk, slowly approaches the Polish position on Westerplatte, which controls the Free City port channel. At the same time, 225 men from the Marinestoßtrupp-Kompanie, an elite unit, are taken ashore in small boats. This is completed around 01:45.

Along the German-Polish border, around 02:30 hours.

Several hundred thousand soldiers of the Wehrmacht wake up. They are among the approximately two dozen divisions that will lead the first attack.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!. :up:
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Berlin, just before 03:00 o'clock sharp

The correspondent of the United States CBS Radio Corporation, William Shirer, begins his almost nocturnal report live: "Hello, America, here is Berlin." The first thing that can be said from Berlin at this moment is that the final decision what to expect is unlikely tonight. "

Washington D.C. at the same time (21:00 local time)

Franklin D. Roosevelt dines at the White House without guests. The political situation is reaching a critical point when the already battered president of the United States has a weak phase.

Marienburg (East Prussia), a little later

An alleged freight train consisting of 63 wagons leaves East Prussia to cross the Vistula bridge towards the Reich. On board, however, there are German sappers. Polish security guards are arrested or killed. These are the first casualties of the Second World War on Polish soil.

Berlin, around 03:30 o'clock

Shirer has finished his live broadcast. He has promised his listeners in the United States "that in case of important news tonight, we intend to air immediately from Berlin." But instead of waiting, he goes to his hotel, the "Adlon" at the Brandenburg Gate.

Hochlinden, around 04:00 o'clock sharp

In customs at the German-Polish border, the fire is opened to the German officers. Allegedly, Polish volunteers occupy the office building for a short time, but withdraw when the SS approaches. Actually, the attackers are also an SS squad.

Berlin, around 04:00 o'clock sharp

William Shirer goes to sleep in the "Adlon". The city is quiet, the streets are empty and the houses are dark. Remember his impression: "People are sleeping, probably went to sleep waiting for peace."

Breslau / Wroclaw at the same time

Claus Weyrosta, then 14 years old, wakes up. From a distance, he hears locomotive whistles and the roar of numerous freight trains heading east.

Washington D.C., at 22:30, local time (04:30 German time)

Roosevelt consulted the White House doctor after dinner and now goes to bed.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!. :up:
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

In Dirschau (south of Danzig/Gdansk), 04:34 hours

The dive bombers (Ju-87) attack the positions of the Polish sappers near the double bridge of the Vistula. They are intended to prevent the explosion of the strategically important connection for replenishment.

Wielun, just before 04:40 hours

Eugeniusz Kolodziejczyk, 13, meets his father at the train station in the small town near the German-Polish border. Men must be taken by train to the nearest barracks. Suddenly he hears a loud roar and shouts: "Planes, dad, planes!" Then the first bombs fall. He looks at his father's clock: it's exactly 04:40.

To the west of Tuchel, at the same time

As part of the 23rd Infantry Division (23. ID), the Potsdam 9 Infantry Regiment (IR 9) crosses the German-Polish border at dawn, about ten minutes before sunrise. With him are platoon leader Heinrich von Weizsäcker and in the machine-gun company, his younger brother Richard, only 19 years old.

Channel of the port of Danzig/Gdansk, 04:43 o'clock

The "Schleswig-Holstein" has come even closer to the Polish position in the Westerplatte.

Wielun, around 04:45

Many buildings in the small city are destroyed. The first bombs hit the All Saints Hospital, although a red cross is painted on the roof of the huge building. 32 patients, doctors and nurses die. Father and son Kolodziejczyk packed two wounded girls in a horse-drawn carriage.

In Dirschau, at the same time

The supposed freight train with the German sappers can not arrive as planned to the bridges of the Vistula to occupy them: the gates (that block the tracks) are closed, important barricades are placed on the railway line. It unleashes a violent shooting on the bridge.

Channel of the port of Danzig/Gdansk, 04:47 o'clock

The Kapitän Gustav Kleikamp orders the crew of his "Schleswig-Holstein" to open fire. With its 28-centimeter heavy artillery and the 17-centimeter medium guns the training vessel shoots from a few hundred meters to the position of Westerplatte.

Westerplatte, 04:50 hours

Major Henryk Sucharski, commander of almost one hundred men on the Westerplatte, reports the attack on his superiors in Gdingen/Gdynia: "The bombing continues."

Westerplatte, around 04:55 o'clock

After the bombing ends after just less eight minutes, the men of the Navy Assault Company blow up the rail gate at the southern end of the Polish munitions depot. But the defenders fight back with machine-gun fire. German soldiers have almost no coverage.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!! :beer:
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Danzig/Gdansk, at 05:00 o'clock sharp

The Gauleiter of NSDAP (National Socialist Party) Albert Forster sends a telegram prepared to Berlin, in which he announces the reunification of the Free City with the Great German Reich.

Pomerania at the same time

Army Group North pushes east with two attack wedges. The smallest part of its units is moving towards Gdingen/Gdynia near Danzig/Gdansk, the largest is heading towards Dirschau, where its spearhead will connect as quickly as possible with the 3rd East Prussian Army, thus cutting the corridor.

Berlin, a little later

In the midst of the "dawn of God", Joseph Goebbels was taken to his office in the Ministry of Propaganda: "There is no news yet. The action is still going in Danzig/Gdańsk. Struggles. In Westerplatte and Gdingen shots. Forster calls: so far everything it's okay ".

Danzig/Gdansk at the same time

The SS and the city police attack the Polish main post office on Heveliusplatz. The almost 60 officials who are there are ordered to defend themselves in case of an attack for six hours.

Silesia, after 05:00 o'clock sharp

The 8th and 10th Armies of the Wehrmacht are advancing on Polish territory, but unlike the units in the north, they feel resistance. They manage to push the opponent back on a broad front, but not defeat him.

East Germany, around 05:15 o'clock

Everywhere in and to the east of Berlin, citizens with "important occupations for the war effort" are notified by phone, especially doctors and health personnel. They must report immediately to their previously announced military service. Then the news of the attack extends.

Berlin, around 05:30 hours

The morning rush hour begins in the capital of the Reich. On buses and trains, there is a depressed atmosphere. Almost all Berliners already know about the attack on Poland. Almost nobody is satisfied or even enthusiastic.

Wielun, 05:40 hours

According to the records of the German Air Force, the first air strike against Wielun is now taking place. If time is a mistake it is controversial.

Germany, at the same time

All German stations broadcast words of Adolf Hitler. He says: "The Polish state has denied the peaceful settlement of the disputes I have sought, and instead has appealed to arms." In fact, in April 1939, at the latest, Hitler decided to conquer Poland militarily.

London, around 05:45

Hitler's radio broadcast was intercepted and translated into the news center of the British General Staff. Therefore, it is confirmed that it is not, as in the last days, small skirmishes, mostly staged, but the beginning of a war.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Berlin, around 05:50 hours

The Chicago Daily Tribune correspondent Sigrid Schultz, who listened to Hitler's announcement on the radio, begins calling her American reporters colleagues and informing them of the news.

Berlin, just before six o'clock

William Shirer is awakened by the phone. Sigrid Schultz responds and says: "It happened!" Tired, Shirer, who has just slept an hour and a half, says: "Thank you, Sigrid," and barely leaves the bed.

In Dirschau (south of Danzig/Gdansk), at 06:10 hours

The Polish sappers have repaired the ignition cables of the explosive charges on the Vistula bridges that were damaged by the Stuka and blew up the pillar of the west bridge. Both the railroad and the road that crosses the Vistula are severely damaged.

In Dirschau (south of Danzig/Gdansk), around 06:12 hours

Despite the fierce fighting, the Polish soldiers ignite the explosive charges on the pillar of the eastern bridge of the Vistula bridges.

Westerplatte, 06:22 hours

The Marinesturmkompanie (assault company) reports to the "Schleswig-Holstein" the failure of the surprise attack: "Losses too high, we are going back". The Linienschiff opens the fire again.

Berlin, at seven o'clock

Gray and heavy, the sky looms over the capital of the Reich. William Shirer notes that men normally work at a construction site in front of their hotel. But the streets seem "desolate", as the correspondent of "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" points out.

Danzig/Gdansk, around 07:30 hours

By telegram to Hitler The Gauleiter of NSDAP, Albert Forster, issued by his own authority a "Constitution" for Danzig. The telegram says: "I ask you, my Führer, in the name of Danzig and his people, to consent to this constitution and carry out the reintegration into the German Reich according to the laws of the Reich." Hitler accepts by telegram.

Berlin, around eight o'clock

Columns of SS and SA men march through the Unter den Linden and the Wilhelmstrasse to form an honor guard. It extends from the Chancellery of the Reich to the Krolloper (Opera Kroll), seat of the Reichstag.

In Berlin, at the same time

The Swedish businessman and negotiator Birger Dahlerus arrives at the special train of Hermann Goering, who has been conducting negotiations with Great Britain for days. Dahlerus finds the second man of the Third Reich "remarkably depressed."

Danzig/Gdańsk, at 08:30 hours

The NSDAP Gauleiter Albert Forster informs the High Commissioner of the League of Nations for the Free City of Danzig, the Swiss Carl Jacob Burckhardt, who is now "a persona non grata". He must leave the city within half an hour.

Border between Germany and Poland, around nine o'clock

On a broad front, German troops have invaded the neighboring country. In many places it was fought fiercely, in other places, the advance almost found no resistance.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Berlin, around 09:30 hours

The negotiator Dahlerus is on his way to the British Embassy to send a message to London through his radio equipment. He did not notice any enthusiasm for war on his way through the suburbs or downtown: "The streets are deserted."

London, at the same time

Great Britain proclaims the general mobilization of its troops. The Royal Navy sends strong units to the North Sea and the English Channel to prevent German ships from entering the Atlantic.

Warsaw, at 09:30 hours

German bombers attack the Polish capital for the first time.

Berlin, around 09:45 hours

Adolf Hitler leaves the Chancellery of the Reich and is taken to the Opera Kroll, where the Reichstag has assembled. He wears a simple Wehrmacht uniform with his World War I decorations: it will be his normal attire from that moment onwards.

Berlin, around 09:50 hours

At the British Embassy, ​​Birger Dahlerus speaks with Ambassador Nevile Henderson. The experienced diplomat is depressed, still sees no possibility of avoiding a European war.

Germany, shortly after ten o'clock

Everywhere in the Third Reich, people gather in front of radio receivers, from which Hitler's speech is transmitted on all frequencies. But his phrases do not arouse enthusiasm. While most listeners diligently raise their right arm after the end of the speech, few believe the accusations of a Polish attack and a German counterattack. "The population is serious, but quiet," says Joseph Goebbels.

Berlin, shortly after ten o'clock

Before the Reichstag deputies, of whom a good hundred are just substitutes, because the elected regularly officials were enlisted, Hitler justified the attack on Poland. Crucial in the biased speech is a double lie: "Tonight for the first time, regular Polish soldiers opened fire on our own territory, since 05:45, we returned the fire." There were never Polish soldiers in German territory, and the fire started shortly after three o'clock.

Danzig/Gdańsk, around 11 o'clock

With two 75-mm guns hastily deployed, SS troops attack the central post office occupied by Polish officials.

Berlin, around 11:30 am

At Göring's request, Birger Dahlerus goes to the Reich Chancellery to speak directly with Hitler. For the conversation with the negotiator, the "Führer" chooses a strange tactic: realizing that London does not want peace, he flings to the visitor and adds: "If England wants to fight for a year, I will fight for a year; if England wants to fight for two years, then I will fight for two years, if England wants to fight for three years, I will fight for three years. " Then Hitler shouts: "And if necessary, I will fight for ten years." Dahlerus leaves the Chancellery of the Reich with despair.

Berlin, around noon

The Chargé d'Affaires of the United States, Alexander C. Kirk, sends a message prepared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is received by all governments involved in the hostilities and encourages them to refrain from bombing non military targets.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Berlin, around 14 o'clock

Hitler responds to Roosevelt with a note: "Therefore, I agree wholeheartedly with the proposal that the governments involved in the ongoing hostilities make a public statement, and for my part, in my speech to the Reichstag today, I publicly announced that it was ordered the German Luftwaffe to limit itself to military targets in its combat operations". Actually, Warsaw had been bombed several times since the morning.

Danzig / Gdansk, at 15 o'clock

Officials at the Danzig post office are waiting. They ignore a two-hour SS ultimatum. Meanwhile, the attackers put an explosive charge under the portal in the basement already conquered.

Berlin, shortly before 17 o'clock

Director Leo Borchard and his partner Ruth Andreas-Friedrich visit former judge Günther Brandt for tea. They arrive a little early and meet Brandt, who is balancing on a ladder. He is placing dark brown wrapping paper in a window frame. "German Eclipse", the Nazi opponent welcomes his two guests, blushes and hits the last nail in the wood.

Danzig / Gdansk, around 17 o'clock

After the ultimatum expired, the SS soldiers and the Danzig police again attacked the central post office, this time with the support of a 10.5 centimeter howitzer. They detonate the explosive charge under the portal, which makes a big hole in the facade. But the resistance continues.

London, around 17:45 hours.

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain arrives at the parliament to make a government statement. Ambassador Henderson informed him of Hitler's comments to the negotiator Dahlerus and the British embassy in Warsaw about the bombing of the Polish capital.

Danzig / Gdansk, at 18 o'clock

As the defenders of the central post office still hold up, the attackers flood the basement with gasoline and burn it with flamethrowers. The fire soon makes the position of post office officials unsustainable.

London, at the same time

Neville Chamberlain begins his speech in front of the lower house. A "single man" was responsible for the beginning of the war, that is, the Chancellor of the Reich. Hitler threw the world into a state of war only to satisfy his foolish ambition: "We have nothing against the German people except that it can be controlled by a National Socialist government." As long as this government persists, there can be no peace in Europe, we are determined to put an end to their methods. "

Berlin, at 18.30 hours.

Joseph Goebbels is immediately informed of the British Prime Minister's speech and states: "Chamberlain is speaking, hard against us, we should withdraw our troops, otherwise England and France will act accordingly."

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Western Poland, 18:39 hours.

The sun sets, but the fight continues even at sunset. German troops have separated the Polish Corridor to Gdingen / Gdynia from the rest of Poland. In Silesia, progress is made more slowly. The units of the 14th German Army are being detained when approaching Krakow. In general, however, the objectives of the first day have been reached or exceeded, even if the command operations against Westerplatte and the Vistula bridges in Dirschau have failed.

Berlin, around 18:55 hours.

In the midst of the melancholy conversation between Leo Borchard, Ruth Andreas-Friedrich and Günther Brandt, a strange noise sounded. "High and low, low and high, a long up and down," Andreas-Friedrich feels the tone. Borchard exclaims in alarm: "Air attack alert!"

Berlin, at the same time

While William Shirer prepares his transmission for the CBS noon magazine, the alarm sounds. All Reichsrundfunk employees rush to the shelters; but the journalist uses confusion to escape the crowd. In a deserted studio, he writes his thoughts: "The ugly sound of the sirens, the run to the basement with a gas mask (if you have one), the black darkness of the night, how will human nerves last? "

Berlin, 19:00 hours.

After only five minutes arrives the information of all good - false alarm.

Westerplatte, at the same time

After several attacks, the Marinesturmkompanie (assault company) finally abandons the attempt to conquer the Polish position frontally. Out of 225 men, 82 are dead or seriously injured.

Danzig / Gdansk at the same time

The 50 surviving defenders in the Central Post Office surrender. All will be shot in a few days as allegedly irregular fighters.

Berlin, around 19:15 hours.

A secretary of the British embassy calls the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting the immediate reception of British Ambassador Nevile Henderson and his French colleague Robert Coulondre by the Reich Foreign Minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, "on an urgent matter". The Ministry rejects the request because a British diplomat can not request an appointment for the French ambassador. Then an appointment was made at 21:00 sharp just for Henderson.

Berlin, around 19:30 hours.

The French embassy calls the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and requests an appointment for Ambassador Coulondre at the same time as for Henderson. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuses and grants a second appointment at 22:00 sharp.

Rome, at the same time

The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who does not want a war at this time, sends his ambassador in Berlin to see Hitler for the third time that day. But the Chancellor is not ready, like eleven months ago to arrange a conference like in Munich.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Beginning of the war step by step 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more ......................................

"From 05:45, we are answering the fire!"

Berlin, 21:00 hours.

Ambassador Henderson gives Ribbentrop a clear ultimatum: if the Wehrmacht does not withdraw from Poland on Sunday morning, Britain will declare war. The Foreign Minister of the Reich, who speaks excellent English, translates the note and declares that he will report the matter to Hitler.

Berlin, 22:00 hours.

Ambassador Coulondre delivers a note written almost identical to that of Henderson's in the Ribbentrop office. Once again, the Minister of Foreign Affairs acts as if he does not understand and translates it. Then, he also responds that he will speak with the Chancellor.

Western Poland at the same time

After the first almost 18 hours of war, the Wehrmacht is at several points several tens of miles on Polish territory. Withdrawal is not an option, there is no planning for it.

This text is an excerpt from the "History in the Protocol" e-book. The "international" authors Lars-Broder Keil, Sven Felix Kellerhoff, Sophie Koch, Olga Saltykova and Berthold Seewald reconstructed the 14 crucial days of the story minute by minute.

Source: https://www.welt.de/geschichte/zweiter- ... ossen.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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