WAR!

3rd September 1939

The Second World War was started by Adolf Hitler, the leader of Germany since 1933. He wanted to take revenge for Germany's bad treatment after the First World War, so he built up the German army and in 1938 invaded Austria. Austria did not fight back and became German land overnight. Hitler then invaded and crushed Czechslovakia. Britain and France told Poland that, if they were attacked, Britain and France would declare war on Germany.

Germany did attack Poland, and Britain and France told the Germans that, if they did not withdraw from Poland by the 3rd September, war would be declared. Hitler ignored the threat, and on the 3rd September, 1939, Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, told the people of Britain,

"We are at war with Germany."

Now read about
The Phoney War