British
Declaration of War on Germany- September 3,
1939
British
Declaration of War on Germany, September 3,
1939(September 3, 1939)--In response to the German
invasion of Poland three days earlier, the British
government declared war on Germany. British colonies, as
well as the Raj of India (ruled by the British), also
automatically found themselves at war alongside Britain.
France, Austrialia, and New Zealand joined Britain in
declaring war on Sept. 3.
Below is the audio of the Prime Minister's radio
address in which he publicly announces the declaration of
war. Below that is the text of his address to the House
of Commons.
Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain announces declaration of war with Germany
over the radio, Sept. 3, 1939
Speech by the Prime Minister in the House of
Commons on September 3, 1939.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to the House of
Commons:
When I spoke last night to the House I could not but
be aware that in some parts of the House there were
doubts and some bewilderment as to whether there had been
any weakening, hesitation or vacillation on the part of
His Majesty's Government. In the circumstances, I make no
reproach, for if I had been in the same position as hon.
members not sitting on this Bench and not in possession
of all the information which we have, I should very
likely have felt the same. The statement which I have to
make this morning will show that there were no grounds
for doubt. We were in consultation all day yesterday with
the French Government and we felt that the intensified
action which the Germans were taking against Poland
allowed no delay in making our own position clear.
Accordingly, we decided to send to our Ambassador in
Berlin instructions which he was to hand at 9 o'clock
this morning to the German Foreign Secretary and which
read as follows:-
"Sir,
"In the communication which I had the honour to make
to you on the 1st September, I informed you, on the
instructions of His Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, that unless the German
Government were prepared to give His Majesty's Government
in the United Kingdom satisfactory assurances that the
German Government had suspended all aggressive action
against Poland and were prepared promptly to withdraw
their forces from Polish territory, His Majesty's
Government in the United Kingdom would, without
hesitation, fulfil their obligations to Poland.
"Although this communication was made more than
twenty-four hours ago, no reply has been received but
German attacks upon Poland have been continued and
intensified. I have accordingly the honour to inform you
that, unless not later than 11 a. m., British Summer
Time, to-day 3rd September, satisfactory assurances to
the above effect have been given by the German Government
and have reached His Majesty's Government in London, a
state of war will exist between the two countries as from
that hour."
That was the final Note. No such undertaking was
received by the time stipulated, and, consequently, this
country is at war with Germany. I am in a position to
inform the House that, according to arrangements made
between the British and French Governments, the French
Ambassador in Berlin is at this moment making a similar
demarche, accompanied also by a definite time limit. The
House has already been made aware of our plans. As I said
the other day, we are ready.
This is a sad day for all of us, and to none is it
sadder than to me. Everything that I have worked for,
everything that I have hoped for, everything that I have
believed in during my public life, has crashed into
ruins. There is only one thing left for me to do; that
is, to devote what strength and powers I have to
forwarding the victory of the cause for which we have to
sacrifice so much. I cannot tell what part I may be
allowed to play myself; I trust I may live to see the day
when Hitlerism has been destroyed and a liberated Europe
has been re-established.
Links and Resources:
British Declaration Of War – Radio Broadcast
– 3 Sept 1939
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