After asking for instructions, Ribbentrop told the Italian ambassador that although "Germany must reject the British and French statements, the head of state is studying the Italian leaders' suggestions. If Rome confirms that the British and French statements are not ultimatums, the head of state will give a reply within a day or two." . At the same time, Rome's "peace talks" activities are also intensifying. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon on September 2, Ciano met with the British and French ambassadors, and told Halifax and Ponner on the phone the conversation between Ambassador Attolico and the German Foreign Minister in front of them. Ponner was as enthusiastic as ever. He warmly thanked Ciano for his efforts for peace. Halifax was cooler, confirming that the British note was not an ultimatum. However, he went on to say that he personally believed that Britain would not be able to accept Mussolini's proposal for talks unless Germany withdrew from Poland. On this issue, Ponner remained silent this time. Halifax promised Ciano to inform him by telephone of the British Cabinet's decision on the issue.
Shortly after 7pm, the British Cabinet’s decision came. Britain accepted the Italian Prime Minister's proposal, but on the condition that Hitler must withdraw his troops into Germany. The Italian Foreign Minister knew that Hitler would never accept this condition, so as he wrote in his diary, "There is now absolutely no alternative." The last remaining hope of averting World War II was now gone.
On Sunday, September 3, 1939, the sun was shining brightly and the air was filled with fragrant fragrance. This was rare good weather in Berlin at the turn of summer and autumn. Just after dawn, the British Embassy received a telegram from Lord Halifax to Henderson, instructing him to try to hold a meeting with the German Foreign Minister at 9 a.m. and deliver a note from the British government. give him.
The Chamberlain government has reached the end of its road. It had informed Hitler about 32 hours earlier that Britain would declare war if Germany did not withdraw its troops from Poland. But there was no reply, and the British government determined to fulfill its promise. As Charles Coppin, the French ambassador in London, reported to the hesitant Ponner at 2:30 pm the previous day, the British government was worried that Hitler might deliberately delay his reply in order to seize as much Poland as possible. territory, and once Danzig, the Corridor and other places are firmly in his hands, he can propose a so-called "magnanimous" peace plan. In order not to fall into this trap, Halifax asked the French to consider that if the German government did not provide a satisfactory reply to the British and French declarations of September 1 within a few hours, the two Western countries would declare war on Germany. . After the British cabinet made a clear decision on the afternoon of September 2, Halifax made specific suggestions. At midnight that day, the two countries jointly submitted an ultimatum to Berlin that was limited to a reply before 6 a.m. on September 3.
In fact, the divided French cabinet went through many difficulties last week before reluctantly deciding to first fulfill France's obligations to Poland. However, on September 2, when the British urged the French to agree to issue an ultimatum to Hitler in the middle of the night, General Gamelin and the French General Staff hesitated. They believed that if the Germans launched an immediate offensive on the Western Front, France would have to fight alone. Not a single British soldier would come to support them. The General Staff insisted on waiting another 48 hours to issue the ultimatum in order to "smoothly carry out mobilization."
At 6 p.m., Halifax called the British Ambassador in Paris, Eric Phipps, and told him, "The British Government cannot wait another 48 hours. His Majesty's Government is deeply embarrassed by France's attitude." "Two hours later, the British government's situation had reached an unsustainable level. When Chamberlain stood up to speak in the House of Commons, most MPs, regardless of which party they belonged to, were already extremely dissatisfied with Britain's delay in fulfilling its obligations. patient. After listening to Chamberlain's speech, they could hardly contain themselves. Chamberlain told Parliament that the British government had not yet received a reply from Berlin. Unless Germany responded and promised to withdraw from Poland, Britain "must take action." If the Germans really agreed to withdraw, then the British government "would like to believe that the situation remains the same as it was before the German troops crossed into Poland." The British government is currently in contact with France on the time limit for the two countries' ultimatum to Germany.
After 39 hours of fighting in Poland, the House of Commons can no longer accept this delaying tactic. Lawmakers have called on the government to take action. Arthur Greenwood, the leader of the Labor Party's interim parliament, stood up and said indignantly, "At a time like this, when Britain and everything it owns and all human civilization are threatened, I don't know how long we intend to hesitate. March alongside the French."
That's the problem. At the time, moving France forward proved difficult. The House of Commons was so angry that Chamberlain was on pins and needles. He had to interrupt the heated debate to defend himself, saying that it would take time to negotiate with Paris over the phone to achieve "unanimity of views and actions." He went on to say, "I would be shocked if anyone in the House of Commons thought that the statement I made showed the slightest wavering against this government or the French government." He said that as far as he knew, the French government was "in a meeting at the moment" and that news from them would be available "in a few hours." He assured the outraged MPs that he would have only one answer to give to the House of Commons tomorrow, so that everyone would believe he was telling "the absolute truth." Chamberlain knew very well that the British people were very dissatisfied with him. At this critical moment of the country's survival, his government was likely to be overthrown.
Chamberlain came out of the House of Commons and immediately called Daladier. He proposed a compromise plan and issued an ultimatum at 8 a.m. tomorrow, with a deadline for replying before 12 noon. Daladier replied that unless the British bomber group was ready to dispatch immediately, France believed that it would be best to postpone the attack on the Germans for a few hours.
Less than an hour later, Halifax also called Ponner at 10:30 p.m. He strongly urged the French government to accept the British compromise, which was to issue an ultimatum to Berlin at 8 a.m. on September 3, with a deadline of 12 noon. The French Foreign Minister not only disagreed, but also protested to Halifax, saying that the British insistence on acting in such haste would give "a very bad impression." He asked London to wait a little longer and not to issue an ultimatum to Hitler until at least noon.
The House of Commons will meet at noon on Sunday, September 3, and judging from the mood at that meeting on Saturday night, both Chamberlain and Halifax understand that if this government is to survive, they must give the answers Parliament demands. . At two o'clock in the morning the next day, the French ambassador to London, Copin, warned Ponner that the Chamberlain cabinet was in danger of being overthrown if it could not give a definite answer to Parliament. So Halifax finally told Ponner on the phone that Britain planned to "act alone." Subsequently, the British Foreign Secretary telegraphed Ambassador Henderson at around 4 a.m., asking him to submit the British ultimatum to the German government at 9 a.m. on September 3. This ultimatum mentioned that the British government announced in a note on September 1 that if the German troops did not withdraw immediately, Britain would fulfill its obligations to Poland. The ultimatum went on to point out, "If the German Government does not provide satisfactory guarantees on the above issues before 11 a.m. British Summer Time today, September 3, and send them to His Majesty's Government in London, then from that time the two parties will The country is in a state of war."
In the conference room of the Chancellery, Hitler, General von Blomberg, and Army Commander General von Brauchitsch were discussing the progress of the attack on Poland. Göring, Hess and other high-ranking officials were also listening. The atmosphere was very heated. Hitler said to the two bosses of the officer corps, "Dear General, we must take Poland as soon as possible. If we cannot take it, the scale of the war will be difficult to control."
"Führer!" General von Blomberg stood at attention and said seriously, "Since the war is going well now, why can't you wait a moment? After all, the current Wehrmacht has not fought a war for more than 20 years. Let's Wouldn't it be good for them to accumulate war experience?" What General von Blomberg said is indeed true. Whether it was a surprise attack on the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, or the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia, there was basically no conflict, and the army only had Tens of thousands of people participated in the Spanish Civil War and gained little practical experience.
Oh my God! At this time, Hitler really wanted to shout to the sky. No country likes military personnel to interfere in politics. In this regard, the German Wehrmacht did a very good job. Especially when Hitler did not come to power, the army was still in charge of everything. , but even then, they did not abolish the Weimar Republic government, but non-interference means non-interference. As a high-ranking military official, non-interference in politics proves that your conduct is remarkable, but if you do not understand politics at all If so, that would be another matter.
Hitler now very much hopes that the political sense of the two generals in front of him can be sharper. But having said that, Hitler still admired some of the principles that the Wehrmacht adhered to, so he explained, "The faster we solve the Polish problem, the more the British will be unable to intervene. In this way, we can control the war within our own control." Within the acceptable range, understand? My generals."
"Führer, even if what you say makes sense, according to the current progress of the army, it can be said to be very fast. This was simply unimaginable in 1914," General von Brauchitsch explained.
"Can't we do it faster?" Hitler turned around and said, "Hermann, what do you think?"
Goering said with a big belly, "The Führer and the soldiers of the air force are constantly pouring the fury of the German Empire on Poland. All transportation hubs and railways have been bombed to a standstill, so I think the army can take advantage of the situation. ,Is not it?".
General von Blomberg, commander of the army, said at this time: "Lundstedt's South Army Group has Reichenau's 10th Army as the main force in the center, Lister's 14th Army as the right wing, and Brass on the left wing. Under the cover of Kowitz's 8th Army, it advanced towards the middle reaches of the Vistula River from the west and southwest; Ludwig Beck's North Army Group, with Kruger's 4th Army as the main force, headed eastward into "Poland" "Corridor", if the armies of the South and North Routes meet in Warsaw, Poland will be in doom."
"So what's the situation now?" Hitler asked.
General von Brauchitsch pointed to the map and said to Hitler, "Führer, the fastest advancing North Army Group is Guderian's 19th Armored Corps. Now they have advanced to the Vistula River. As long as they defeat the defenders there, the Pomeranian Army in the northernmost part of Poland will be surrounded, and the German mainland will be connected with East Prussia."
After finishing speaking, he pointed to the city of Krakow in southern Poland and said: "The fastest advancing South Army Group is the SS Imperial Division commanded by Paul Hausser. Now they have reached the city of Krakow. Like Guderian, as long as Paul & Hausser defeated Army Group Krakow, the road from southern Poland to Warsaw would be open."
Hitler nodded, "In other words, as long as Paul Hauser and Guderian defeat their current opponents respectively, the army groups of the North and South armies can successfully meet in Warsaw?"
"That's generally true, Führer," General von Brauchitsch replied.
boom…
Ribbentrop stumbled in, his hands trembling slightly.
"What happened! Let the tension become like this?" Hitler scolded angrily.
"Führer!" Ribbentrop said with a slight trembling, "The British have sent an ultimatum" and handed the document to Hitler.
hiss…
Hitler was motionless, sitting on the sofa blankly, as if nothing had happened. Generals von Blomberg and von Brauchitsch
He also remained silent without saying a word.
Bang... Goering lit a thick cigar and puffed out smoke and said, "If we lose this war, God will forgive us."
"Führer, Führer..." Ribbentrop softly called the supreme leader of Germany.
Hitler slowly came back to his senses and said, "Generals, we have no way to retreat." After listening to Hitler's words, no one refuted. Hitler shouted, "So now, we must defeat Poland as soon as possible." The main force of the country is all in Poland. If the French are involved, the troops on the Western Front will never be able to resist for too long."
"Order General Guderian on the northern front and General Paul Hausser on the southern front to defeat the enemies they face as soon as possible," Hitler roared, "General Ludwig Beck and General Rundstedt Also, we must annihilate the surrounding Polish army as soon as possible, and then meet up in Warsaw."
"Now I also have to go out and prepare," Hitler said.
"Fuhrer, how can I get the British back?" Ribbentrop asked.
"Don't ask me, I never know about ultimatums!" Hitler said impatiently.
"I understand, Führer," Ribbentrop said. Ribbentrop understood something. Of course, he still used his old method of dragging it on. Anyway, the Führer didn't know anything. With the Führer, then it would What else are you afraid of
Following the British, after repeated discussions, the French government also submitted an ultimatum roughly similar to the British one to the Nazi government at 10:20 am on September 3. From then on, Hitler's attempt to use diplomacy to keep Britain and France out of the war declared complete failure. That afternoon, Hitler issued the "Secret Operational Order No. 2" and ordered all German industries to shift to a "wartime economic track."
At 12:06 noon on the 3rd, Chamberlain, a politician who had risked his political life by appeasing Hitler blindly in Godsberg and Munich, delivered a poignant speech to the House of Commons, announcing that Britain was now on par with Germany. in a state of war. He said, "Today is the most heartbreaking day for all of us, but no one is more heartbroken than me. Throughout my life in public office, everything I have believed in, everything I have worked for, has been destroyed." Once and for all. The only thing I can do now is: devote all my efforts to win the cause for which we have to pay a heavy price... I believe that I will live to see the day when Hitlerism is destroyed and Europe is liberated again.
On September 3, Britain and France declared war on Germany in accordance with the Franco-Polish Covenant and the Anglo-Polish Treaty of Mutual Assistance. Germany ignored the ultimatums issued by Britain and France. From then on, World War II broke out.
At this time, the 19th Armored Corps, which had advanced to the Vistula River, under the leadership of Guderian, began to attack the defenders here. Guderian placed the two armored divisions of the 19th Armored Corps on On the front of the Polish army, the remaining two light armored divisions marched downstream.
The Polish army on the opposite side faced Guderian's armored division as a formidable enemy and deployed heavy artillery and trenches on the other side of the river. Guderian also made a posture of forcibly crossing the Vistula River. The two light armored divisions downstream had already taken advantage of the favorable conditions of the dry season in September to cross the Vistula River through the shallow water.
At this time, the two armored divisions in front of Guderian began a frontal attack, and the heavy artillery began to roar. Under the guidance of the radio, the Stuka of the Air Force immediately flew over to support, and shells exploded on the Polish army's position. The Polish troops were overwhelmed by the flying bullets and could not lift up and throw them.
The Poles now hope that Guderian can cross the river quickly so that they can fight Guderian head-on, instead of hiding in the trenches like a turtle. Guderian was indeed preparing to cross the river, because the light armored division that had gone out earlier had sent a radio message and had crossed the Vistula River from the shallow water area.