August 1939

August

• 02

  • Einstein's letter to RooseveltThe letter of 2 August 1939, written by Leó Szilárd and signed by Einstein, warned Roosevelt that Germany might build an atomic bomb.
• 15

  • The Neuhammer disasterOn 15 August 1939 at the Neuhammer training ground (now Świętoszów), 13 Ju 87 dive bombers flew into the ground during a display for generals. 26 airmen died.
• 23

  • Key eventThe Molotov–Ribbentrop PactOn the night of 23/24 August 1939 Ribbentrop and Molotov signed a non-aggression pact in Moscow. A secret protocol carved up Poland and Eastern Europe.
• 25

  • Key eventThe Anglo-Polish allianceOn 25 August 1939 Raczyński and Halifax signed a mutual assistance agreement in London. A secret protocol stated that the “European Power” meant Germany.
  • Hitler halts the attack on PolandOn 25 August 1939 Hitler ordered an attack on Poland for the next dawn, but that evening revoked it after news of the London alliance and Mussolini's refusal.
• 26

  • The Jablunkov incidentOn the night of 25–26 August 1939 Abwehr saboteurs, unaware the attack was off, seized Mosty station but failed to take the tunnel under the Jablunkov Pass.
• 28

  • The Tarnów station bombingAt 11.18 p.m. on 28 August 1939 a bomb planted by Abwehr agent Antoni Guzy exploded at Tarnów station. Between 20 and 24 people died and dozens were injured.
• 30

  • The German ultimatum to PolandHitler demanded that a Polish plenipotentiary come to Berlin by 30 August. At midnight Ribbentrop read Henderson 16 points that were never passed to Poland.
• 31

  • Key eventThe Gleiwitz incidentOn the evening of 31 August 1939 SS men posing as Polish insurgents raided the Gleiwitz radio station and left behind the body of a murdered Silesian.