military@cbnews.att.com (09/05/89)
German troops break through the western Polish lines and cross the Vistula; Polish high command orders a general retreat behind that river. Cracow is threatened, and two Polish armies are separated. Bombers level the town of Sulejow, southwest of Warsaw. Nonetheless, the Polish PAT news agency announces numerous successes against the invaders. General Guderian urges Hitler to speed production of the new Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, and to improve their armor and guns. The United States officially announces neutrality. In South Africa, pro-German Prime Minister Herzog is replaced by General Smuts. 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 (upon seeing the wreckage of a Polish artillery regiment destroyed the previous day) "Hitler asked me, "Our dive bombers did that ?" When I replied, "No, our panzers," he was clearly astonished." - Gen. Heinz Guderian