PROCLAMATION OF THE FUEHRER TO THE GERMAN ARMED. FORCES, 1st SEPTEMBER, 1939
To the Armed Forces—
The Polish Government unwilling to establish good neighbourly relations as aimed at by me wants to force the issue by way of arms.
The Germans in Poland are being persecuted with bloody terror and driven from their homes. Several acts of frontier violation which cannot be tolerated by a great power show that Poland is no longer prepared to respect the Reich's frontiers. To put an end to these mad acts I can see no other way but from now onwards to meet force with force.
The German Armed Forces will with firm determination take
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up the struggle for the honour and the vital rights of the German people.
I expect every soldier to be conscious of the high tradition of the eternal German soldierly qualities and to do his duty to the last.
Remember always and in any circumstances that you are the representatives of National Socialist Greater Germany.
Long live our people and Reich!
Berlin, 1st September 1939. ' .
(signed) ADOLF HITLER.
Extract from an article on the conquest of Danzig in early September 1939
Date: Date Unknown
Literal Title: Translation of extract from "Danzig's return to the Reich."
Total Pages: 1
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: TC-54
HLSL Item No.: 450652
Notes:Danzig was mentioned in the trial on 5 December 1945 (see document TC 9), but this document was not offered as eveidence at that time. The source is identified as "D.d.d.P. VII 2, page 575." The author and date are not identified.