On September 3, 1939, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain delivered a somber broadcast to the nation, announcing that Britain was at war with Germany. This historic moment marked a turning point in the 20th century, as the world plunged into the devastating conflict that would become known as World War II.
The Road to War
The declaration of war came just two days after Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, launched a brutal invasion of Poland. Despite months of diplomatic efforts by Britain and France to prevent war, Hitler‘s aggressive expansionism and disregard for international agreements made conflict inevitable.
Chamberlain, who had famously returned from a meeting with Hitler in Munich the previous year declaring "peace for our time," now faced the grim reality that his efforts to appease the Nazi dictator had failed. The Munich Agreement, signed in September 1938, had allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in exchange for Hitler‘s promise that he had no further territorial ambitions in Europe (Ellinger, 2020).
However, just six months later, in March 1939, Germany violated the agreement by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia. This act of aggression, along with the revelation of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in August 1939, which secretly divided Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence, made it clear that war was imminent (Overy, 2010).
In his broadcast on September 3, Chamberlain expressed his deep regret that "all my long struggle to win peace has failed." He had been a champion of the policy of appeasement, believing that it was possible to negotiate with Hitler and prevent war. However, by the summer of 1939, it had become clear that this approach had only emboldened the Nazi regime (McDonough, 2019).
A Nation Divided
Chamberlain‘s policy of appeasement had been deeply controversial in Britain, with many politicians and members of the public criticizing it as a sign of weakness and moral cowardice. The Labour Party, led by Clement Attlee, had consistently opposed appeasement and called for a more robust response to Nazi aggression (Thompson, 2019).
Even within Chamberlain‘s own Conservative Party, there were divisions over the policy. Some, like Winston Churchill, had long warned that appeasement would only lead to war and that Britain needed to rearm and prepare for conflict. Others, like Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, supported Chamberlain‘s efforts to avoid war through diplomacy (Roberts, 2018).
Despite these divisions, Chamberlain‘s speech on September 3 struck a defiant tone, emphasizing that Britain and France were fulfilling their obligations to Poland, "who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack on her people." He also sought to rally the nation behind the war effort, declaring that "now that we have resolved to finish it, I know that you will all play your part with calmness and courage" (Chamberlain, 1939).
The State of Britain‘s Armed Forces
One of the key factors that influenced Britain‘s decision to go to war was the state of its armed forces. In the years leading up to 1939, Britain had begun to rearm and modernize its military, but it still lagged behind Germany in terms of overall strength and preparedness.
In September 1939, the British Army had a total of 897,000 men, of whom 438,000 were in the regular army and 459,000 were in the Territorial Army (reserves). The Royal Navy, which was crucial for protecting Britain‘s maritime trade routes and maintaining its empire, had a strength of 118,000 men and 1,400 ships. The Royal Air Force, meanwhile, had a strength of 118,000 men and 2,600 aircraft (Overy, 2010).
While these numbers may seem impressive, they paled in comparison to the military might of Nazi Germany. In 1939, the German Army had a strength of 4.7 million men, while the Luftwaffe (air force) had 4,000 aircraft. The German Navy, while smaller than the Royal Navy, had a fleet of modern submarines that posed a significant threat to British shipping (Kershaw, 2015).
Despite these disparities, Britain‘s leaders believed that the country had no choice but to fight. As Chamberlain said in his broadcast, "We and France are today, in fulfilment of our obligations, going to the aid of Poland, who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack on her people. We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace" (Chamberlain, 1939).
The Phony War and the Fall of Europe
In the immediate aftermath of the declaration of war, the Western Front remained relatively quiet, with neither the Allies nor Germany launching major offensives. This period, which lasted until the spring of 1940, became known as the "Phony War" or the "Sitzkrieg" (sitting war) (Overy, 2010).
During this time, the British government focused on mobilizing the country for war and strengthening its defenses. The government introduced rationing, conscription, and other measures to ensure that the nation‘s resources were directed towards the war effort. The Royal Air Force also began to conduct bombing raids against German targets, although these were limited in scope and effectiveness (Holland, 2016).
However, the calm of the Phony War was shattered in May 1940, when Germany unleashed its blitzkrieg tactics on Western Europe. In a series of stunning victories, the Wehrmacht (German army) overran the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, forcing the British Expeditionary Force to evacuate from Dunkirk in June 1940 (Sebag-Montefiore, 2011).
The fall of France was a severe blow to Britain, which now stood alone against the Nazi onslaught. Hitler expected Britain to negotiate a peace settlement, but instead, the country resolved to fight on under the leadership of Winston Churchill, who had replaced Chamberlain as prime minister in May 1940 (Jenkins, 2002).
Britain‘s Finest Hour
The summer of 1940 was a critical moment in the war, as Britain faced the threat of a German invasion. The Luftwaffe launched a massive aerial campaign against the island nation, hoping to destroy the Royal Air Force and pave the way for an amphibious assault (Holland, 2016).
However, in the Battle of Britain, which raged from July to October 1940, the RAF fought back against the German onslaught, inflicting heavy losses on the Luftwaffe and ultimately defeating Hitler‘s plans for invasion. This crucial victory marked a turning point in the war, demonstrating that the Nazi war machine was not invincible (Bungay, 2010).
Churchill‘s leadership during this period was crucial in rallying the nation and inspiring resistance to the Nazi threat. In a series of famous speeches, he declared that "we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender" (Churchill, 1940).
Britain‘s "finest hour" also saw the country forge closer ties with the United States, which provided crucial material and financial support through the Lend-Lease program. Although the United States did not formally enter the war until December 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, its assistance was vital in sustaining Britain‘s war effort (Kimball, 2004).
The Tide Turns
Over the next five years, Britain played a vital role in the Allied war effort, from the deserts of North Africa to the beaches of Normandy. The country‘s armed forces, industry, and civilian population all contributed to the struggle against Nazi Germany and its allies.
The Royal Navy, in particular, played a critical role in maintaining Britain‘s lifeline to the rest of the world. Despite suffering heavy losses from German U-boats and surface raiders, the navy succeeded in keeping the sea lanes open and ensuring that vital supplies of food, fuel, and raw materials continued to reach the island nation (Roskill, 1960).
The RAF, meanwhile, continued to play a vital role in the air war over Europe, conducting strategic bombing campaigns against German cities and industrial targets. The Combined Bomber Offensive, which began in 1943, saw the RAF and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) work together to devastate German industry and infrastructure, paving the way for the Allied invasion of Europe (Overy, 2014).
On June 6, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Overlord, the long-awaited invasion of Normandy. British, American, and Canadian troops stormed ashore on the beaches of northern France, establishing a foothold that would eventually lead to the liberation of Western Europe (Beevor, 2009).
The declaration of war on September 3, 1939, had set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the downfall of Nazi Germany and the triumph of the Allied cause. Britain‘s resilience, determination, and sacrifice during the war years were a testament to the strength and character of the nation and its people.
Lessons from the Past
As we reflect on this pivotal moment in history, it is clear that Chamberlain‘s broadcast and the declaration of war it announced were a turning point in the 20th century. The decision to go to war against Nazi Germany was not taken lightly, but it was a necessary response to the threat posed by Hitler‘s regime to the peace and security of Europe and the world.
The lessons of this era remain relevant today, as we confront new challenges and threats to our way of life. The experience of World War II teaches us that appeasement and compromise with aggressors only embolden them further, and that standing firm in defense of our values and principles is essential for preserving peace and freedom.
At the same time, the war also demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and collective security in the face of global threats. The Allied victory was only possible because of the close collaboration and shared sacrifice of nations around the world, united in their determination to defeat the forces of tyranny and oppression.
As we mark the anniversary of Chamberlain‘s historic broadcast, we should remember the courage and resilience of the British people during those dark days of 1939. Their example continues to inspire us today, reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the human spirit can triumph over adversity and build a better future for all.
References
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Ellinger, B. (2020). Neville Chamberlain: A Study in Failure? Bloomsbury Academic.
Holland, J. (2016). The War in the West: Germany Ascendant 1939-1941. Bantam Press.
Jenkins, R. (2002). Churchill: A Biography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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Kimball, W. F. (2004). Franklin D. Roosevelt and World War II. Diplomatic History, 28(3), 439-468.
McDonough, F. (2019). Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War. Tim Duggan Books.
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Overy, R. (2014). The Bombing War: Europe 1939-1945. Penguin Books.
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Sebag-Montefiore, H. (2011). Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man. Penguin Books.
Thompson, J. (2019). The Labour Party and the Politics of War and Peace, 1900-1924. Royal Historical Society.
