– BBC Home Service – Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain – declaration of War – September 1, 1939 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
This day 85 years ago, we were about to plunge into the most devastating and costly wars in our history. After many attempts at negotiating and diplomatic wrangling, Nazi Germany abandoned talks and proceeded to send troops across the border into Poland. The action was a provocation of War, and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcast to the world that all negotiation had failed and that a state of war existed between the two countries.
Following his address, precautions were taken and mobilization was underway across Britain and France, to prepare for anything – now that War was official and there was no turning back.
A short address – one which didn’t need to convey more than it already did. The waiting was over – the war was now on.
Here is that address by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, as given on September 1, 1939.
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