military@cbnews.att.com (09/26/89)
Wednesday, 27 September, 1939 The Warsaw garrison, having exhausted their munitions and supplies, surrenders. 120,000 to 160,000 troops lay down their arms. Formal ceremonies are to be held on the 28th. Hitler informs his top Generals of his intention to invade France, and orders an operational plan prepared. Not included at this stage is General von Rundstedt, commander of Army Group South, whose chief of staff, Gen. Erich von Manstein, devises the plan ultimately used. Jump-off date is to be 12 November. The RAF announces that 18 million leaflets have been dropped over Germany since war was declared. In Boston Harbor, the captain of the British freighter Port Halifax orders a side of beef delivered to the German freighter Pauline Friederich, which had been trapped in neutral harbor by the onset of war. The ship's larder had run bare the previous Sunday. The man who brought the British crew the news of the Germans' plight pointed out, "But they're Germans !", to which Edward W.R. Young, the ship's exec responded, "Well, what the hell of it ? They're humans, aren't they. Send it over." (1) (1) New York Times, 9-27-39 References: C.Argyle, _Chronology of World War II_ J. Piekalkiewicz, _Tank War 1939-1940_ R.Dupuy and T.Dupuy, _The Encyclopedia of Military History_ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Never has such a tremendous threat to civilization been launched by barbarians." - Edouard Herriot