military@cbnews.att.com (09/01/89)
From: military@cbnews.att.com Fighting continues along the Polish frontier, and the Polish Army of Krakow is forced to fall back because of threats to its northern and southern flanks. German forces have broken through at several points, and most of the Polish army is in retreat. Especially dangerous is the gap developing in the Czestochowa-Piotrkow sector before the German 10th Army. (1) In addition, 2 German army corps attack unsuspected from Slovakia, adding further complications to the situation. The Luftwaffe continues to enjoy air superiority, bombing Warsaw six times. Britain deploys her Advanced Air Striking Force, consisting of 2 squadrons of Hawker Hurricane fighters and 9 squadrons of Fairey Battle bombers (2), to France, and announces the National Service Act, conscripting men ages 19-41. Switzerland mobilizes, while the Scandinavian countries announce their neutrality. Hitler rejects an August 31st offer by Mussolini to mediate the German-Polish dispute. References: (1) E.von Manstein, _Lost Victories_ (2) E.Weal, _Combat Aircraft of World War Two_ 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 "That's what I need ! That's what I want to have !" - Adolf Hitler, upon seeing a tank exercise in 1931