military@cbnews.att.com (09/30/89)
Sunday, 1 October, 1939 The Polish garrison on the Hela peninsula surrenders. Several ships from the naval base there escape to Britain, including 3 destroyers (Blyskawica and Burza, and one other) and several submarines (including Wilk). The destroyers are eagerly added to the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, based in Harwich. (1,2) 4000 men had held the peninsula, under the command of Rear Admiral Unrug. German forces enter Warsaw and begin disarming Polish troops there. At Wright Field, in Ohio, Army Air Corps engineers test a new variable-pitch propeller, which promises great improvements in future aircraft designs. The Columbus (Ohio) Citizen publishes a summary of a recent opinion poll. Among the data; 16% feel that US troops should be sent to help France and Britain; 44% would agree if the Allies appear to be losing; 80% feel that the Allies will win. President Roosevelt's popularity reaches 61.5%, only one point shy of his election day popularity; talk of a third term increases. (1) Preston, ed., _Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II_ (2) Lenton and Colledge, _Warships of World War II_ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "The heroic defense of Warsaw shows that the soul of Poland is indestructible, and that she will rise again like a rock which may for a spell be submerged by a tidal wave, but which remains a rock." - Winston Churchill, in a worldwide radio broadcast.