The Day We Went to War by Terry Charman Read Free Book Online Page B

British and French concession. Jap sentries are manning all the barbed wire fences and searching everyone. . . Englishmen received the same treatment as coolies ! I have no words to denounce the policy that has placed our men abroad in such ambiguous positions. It is a disgusting and crying shame for Baldwin, MacDonald and Chamberlain, besides a lasting let down of our pride.’ (Helena Mott)
    15 June, L ONDON
    Lord Chatfield, Minister of Coordination of Defence, gives a speech in which he says that every day that war is postponed is of the greatest value to Britain in building up her defences.
    17 June, M OSCOW
    William Strang meets with Soviet foreign minister Molotov for the first time. Molotov is contemptuous of the British proposals for an Anglo-French-Soviet front against Hitler. He tells Strang, ‘If you think that the Soviet Government is likely to accept these proposals, then you must think we are nitwits and nincompoops!’
    18 June, D ANZIG
    Nazi propaganda minister Dr Josef Goebbels delivers a violent speech at the end of the Free City’s Cultural Congress. He tells anenthusiastic crowd, ‘Danzig is German. It must return to Germany. It is our understandable clear, definite and sacred wish.’ Throughout the Free City, there are huge banners proclaiming, ‘We Want To Go Home To The Reich!’
    24 June, L ONDON
    The Illustrated London News runs an advertisement from German Railways:
Seeing is believing. Come and See Germany.
Visitors from Britain are heartily welcomed at all times.
They will find that friendliness and the sincere desire to help are the
characteristics common to every German they meet.
    25 June, D ANZIG
    Over 1,000 SS men from East Prussia have arrived in the Free City, ostensibly to take part in a sporting competition. This month has seen over fifty ‘incidents’ in which Danzig and Polish officials have clashed.
    25 June, W ORTHING
    ‘News not good – the situation in Tiensin is very ugly – the Japs are behaving abominably, stripping Britons naked publicly and so on.’ (Joan Strange)
    29 June, T EDDINGTON
    ‘Lord Halifax gave a speech in which no doubt is left in German minds that we are only to take action if she starts.’ (Helena Mott)
    30 June, B ERLIN
    Von Ribbentrop’s deputy State Secretary Ernst von Weizacker tells the French ambassador, ‘We are not on the eve of a tremendous eruption, unless it is provoked by Polish excesses.’
    30 June, W ARSAW
    The Polish Government receives official notification that the German cruiser Koenigsberg will be making a courtesy visit to Danzig on 25 August.
    30 June, W ORTHING
    ‘Everyone talking about Lord Halifax’s speech last night. “All Britain’s might behind her pledges – unchallengeable navy: air force to fear none.” It sounds like 1914 over again. Hitler is expected to snatch up Danzig – will this let loose the “dogs of war”?’ (Joan Strange)
    30 June, T EDDINGTON
    ‘German activity going on in Danzig. The Poles have been very patient and have handled the trouble in a statesman-like manner.’ (Helena Mott)
    July
    1 July, P ARIS
    In an interview with the German ambassador, foreign minister Georges Bonnet reiterates France’s ‘firm determination’ to fulfil its obligations to Poland.
    2 July, L ONDON
    As a further measure of Britain’s preparations for war, the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force is given Royal Assent.
    4 July, H AMBURG
    The French consul general passes on to Paris some disturbing news that he has heard: ‘If some agreement is not shortly concluded between London, Paris and Moscow, the Soviet Government will be prepared to sign a non-aggression pact with the Reich for a period of five years.’
    4 July, L ONDON
    The Daily Telegraph begins a campaign to bring Churchill into the government. The News Chronicle and Yorkshire Post also call for Churchill’s inclusion. Hoardings appear in London with the slogan, ‘What Price Churchill?’
    9 July, L ONDON
    Sir Nevile Henderson returns from