At 12:17 AM 10/6/2001 +0000, you wrote: >When did England declare war on Germany? Was it at the invasion >of Poland, at the invasion of Belgium, or some time between the two? > >Alberto Monteiro
Knowing of your fondness for timelines, here's a mini one: March 31, 1939: Britain and France announce in a joint declaration that they will guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of Poland against any possible aggressors. September 1, 1939: At 4:45am (local time), without a formal declaration of war, German forces cross the Polish border. Polish defenses are overwhelmed in a few hours. September 2, 1939: While the German army sweeps through Poland, both the British and French governments discuss events at fever pitch. There is no doubt about the determination to carry through on their pledges to Poland, but governments and general staffs cannot agree on how and when to intervene. September 3, 1939: At 9:00am (local time) the British Ambassador in Berlin sends His Majesty's Government's ultimatum to Hitler's interpreter. The document states that, unless the German army have given definite assurances about the withdrawal of their forces from Poland by 11:00am (ie within two hours), Britain will consider itself at war with Germany. At 12 o'clock the French Ambassador in Berlin delivers the French ultimatum, to expire on September 4. At 11:15am, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tells his countrymen the news, stating "We have nothing to reproach ourselves with," ending "God protect us, and defend the right." Later that day, Great Britain announces a naval blockade of Germany; India, Australia and New Zealand also declare war on Germany. At 5:00pm, France declares war against Germany, anticipating the expiration of its ultimatum, not due until the following day. In the Atlantic Ocean, at 9:00pm the German submarine U-30 sinks the British passenger ship SS Athenia, mistaking it for an armed merchantman; 112 lose their lives. September 4, 1939: Japan declares her neutrality. September 5, 1939: The German Army crosses the Vistula line, and prepare to cross the Narew and western Bug rivers. The United States declares her neutrality. john
