September 1, 2009 will mark the 70th anniversary of World War II. On that date in 1939, forty-four German divisions invaded Poland, igniting a bloody world conflict. The response to Poland and the coming of war can only be blamed on Adolf Hitler, despite last minute attempts from many quarters, including his own General Staff, desperate to avoid a general war.
Poland and the Fruits of Appeasement
It is believed that the failure of Britain and France to intervene at the German annexation of Czechoslovakia following the Munich Pact emboldened Hitler who might have hoped that Poland would lead to another Munich. To the contrary, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was stung by the betrayal and, moving closer to the Churchill position, sensed that war was inevitable.
Germany wanted a corridor through Poland, connecting East Prussia with the Reich. Additionally, Germany wanted the return of Danzig, a subject discussed with Poland in late 1938 but rejected by the Polish government. Warsaw also rejected Germany’s request for a rail line connecting the two German entities.
The Role of the Soviet Union
Secret negotiations between the Soviet Union and Germany had been in progress since the spring of 1939. Putting principles aside, Hitler wanted to neutralize the Soviet Union in the event of a general war. At the same time, Britain and France also made overtures to Stalin, hoping to isolate Germany. For his part, Stalin saw the failure of collective security and the utter incapacity of the League of Nations after appeasement. He determined not to pull British and French "chestnuts out of the fire."
German Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop and his Soviet counterpart V. Molotov, stunned the world with the signing of the August 23, 1939 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, to be effective for ten years. Germany would receive needed resources such as oil, wheat, and coal, leading Hitler to downplay any allied blockade of Germany should war erupt. (The trade agreement was signed August 19th)
Secret protocols of the treaty allowed both parties to carve up Poland and ceded to the Soviet Union Estonia and Latvia. The Pact would buy time for Hitler to defeat France and Britain if those nations reacted to “Case White,” the plan to invade Poland. Hitler never considered, however, Germany’s lack of munitions, lack of trained reserves, an inefficient communications system, and a lack of heavy equipment such as tanks.
Last Minute Attempts to Avoid War
In the days before the German assault, the British government stressed its support of Poland, signing an alliance to formalize their position. Benito Mussolini, through his Foreign Minister Ciano, emphasized that he needed at least two more years to prepare for war, mindful of the Pact of Steel that bound him to Germany. When Ciano asked Ribbentrop at a meeting in Austria what Germany wanted, Ribbentrop replied, “we want war.”
Top generals and admirals also urged caution. The navy needed more time to build the necessary number of U-boats that were projected for a German victory. Even a Swedish emissary, a friend of Herman Goering, Birger Dahlerus – who managed to secure a personal meeting with Hitler, was treated to a violent harangue.
The Polish Provocation
German soldiers faked an attack on a German radio station near the Polish border. Dressed in Polish army uniforms, they attempted to give the impression of a Polish first strike. Male corpses from a concentration camp were left at the scene, dressed in Polish uniforms. Hitler ordered the army into Poland, declaring in the Reichstag, “since 5.45 AM, we are shooting back…”
Britain and France declared war two days later even as Stalin’s troops invaded Poland from the east. Thus began the most ferocious global conflict ever seen in the history of mankind. The 70th anniversary must include a sobering account of the failures of diplomacy so that so great a calamity can never happen again.
Sources:
- Klaus P. Fischer, Nazi Germany: a New History (New York: Continuum, 1995)
- Walter Goerlitz, History of the German General Staff (Westview Press, 1985)
- Gunter Streich, Personal Memoir of his life and service in World War II
- The Gleiwitz Case, 1961 DVD, directed by Gerhard Klein
 |
