August 22nd, 1939 (TUESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM:
Chamberlain recalls Parliament for the 24th.
The Times announces the massing of German troops in the Polish border.
There are heavy losses of British Gold reserves.
The telegram from Ambassador Lindsay in Washington is finally deciphered.
Chamberlain gives a fighting speech, to be broadcast by the BBC, saying it is unthinkable that Great Britain should not carry out its obligations to Poland.
Destroyers HMS Quorn and Southdown laid down.
FRANCE: The passenger liner SS Normandie sails from LeHavre with a full passenger load as U.S. citizens rush home fearing war.
Minesweeper FS La Batailleuse launched.
GERMANY:
Obersalzburg: Hitler tells generals that the destruction of Poland "starts on
Saturday morning" (26 August), the aim of this war is the wholesale destruction of
Poland.
POLAND:
Ambassador Kennard and Leon Noel (French Ambassador) try to make Colonel Beck change his
mind for one last time.
U.S.S.R.:
Sir William Seeds, (British Ambassador in Moscow) accuses Molotov of negotiating in bad
faith.