1935 (WEDNESDAY)
ETHIOPIA: The Ethiopian government again asks the League of Nations for neutral observers. . . . “to establish the facts in regard to any aggression or other incident that might occur in order to fix the responsibility therefor."
1937 (SATURDAY)
GERMANY: Italian Premier Benito Mussolini conducted a state visit to Berlin where the German and Italian governments reaffirm the goals of the Rome-Berlin Axis.
1938 (SUNDAY)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: In order to avoid war, the Czechoslovak government agrees to negotiate with Poland on Teschen, the region between Poland and Czechoslovakia that was divided about equally after World War I.
FRANCE: The French Cabinet decides to oppose German Chancellor Adolf Hitler's demands and commit itself to defend Czechoslovakia if the Germans attack. The French order partial mobilization.
September 25th, 1939 (MONDAY)
NORTH SEA: HMS Ark Royal rescues the submarine HMS Spearfish, which has been damaged by German warships off Horn Reefs in the Kattegat.
GERMANY: Bread and flour rationing is introduced.
Three aircraft from RAF Bomber Command Whitley Mk. IIIs of 102 Sqn.and two aircraft from 77 Sqn. (All Whitley's) make a leaflet raid on Hamburg and the Ruhr.
Hitler issues his fourth war directive, ordering increased attacks on Allied shipping
and a swift conclusion to the Polish war.
OKW issues Führer Directive #4 for the Conduct of the War.
(i) The final form of the government of the former Polish territory is yet to be decided. After Warsaw and Modlin are controlled, the Demarcation Line is to be secured by light forces. Air and Army forces necessary for the rapid destruction of remaining Polish resistance in the German zone are to be retained in the East. Preparations for general attacks to reduce Warsaw and Modlin before 3rd October should be undertaken although the attacks should await a personal order before proceeding.
(ii) The westward flow of refugees across the Demarcation Line will be halted at once (with the exception of racial Germans and Ukrainian activists).
(iii) The further strategy of the war is under consideration. No m easures shall be undertaken to restrict freedom of decision. The possibility of conducting an offensive in the west at any moment must be kept open. Sufficient forces to ensure a rapid occupation of Lithuania should be maintained in East Prussia.
(iv) Directives for the conduct of land warfare in the West remain in force. At sea, trade warfare according to International Prize Law is to be waged against both France and England, free from previous restrictions. Attacks on French naval and air forces, and mining of embarkation points on the French coast are now permitted. Attacks on ‘passenger steamers’ or large vessels which obviously carry numerous passengers as well as cargo, are still forbidden. Existing limitations for air warfare remain in force. Aircraft may cross the frontier for the purposes of local reconnaissance and to attack hostile aircraft and observation balloons.
(v) Only the following terms will be used when describing submarine warfare; ‘trade warfare’ [Handelskrieg] to describe activity in accordance with Prize Law, and ‘the siege of England’ [Belagerung Englands zur See] to describe unrestricted submarine warfare. English merchantmen which are clearly armed may be attacked by submarines without warning. (Marc Roberts)
U-137,
U-138,
U-139,
U-140,
U-141,
U-142,
U-143,
U-144,
U-145,
U-146,
U-147,
U-148,
U-149,
U-150,
U-151,
U-152,
U-153,
U-154,
U-155,
U-156,
U-157,
U-158,
U-161,
U-162,
U-163,
U-164,
U-165,
U-166,
U-501,
U-502,
U-503,
U-504,
U-505,
U-506,
U-551,
U-552,
U-553,
U-554,
U-555,
U-556,
U-557,
U-558 ordered.
POLAND: The Germans
increase the bombardment of Warsaw in attempts to force the surrender of the
Polish garrison there.
Poland is dismembered and large parts of it are incorporated into Germany or the Soviet Union. The remainder on the German side with the core of the old Polish lands become the "Generalgouvernement.” From the start, the German government systematically tries to eliminate the polish intelligentsia and educated classes.
U.S.A.: A west coast hurricane moved onshore south of Los Angeles, California, bringing unprecedented rains along the southern coast of California. Nearly 5.5 inches (14 centimeters) of rain drenched Los Angeles during a 24-hour period. The hurricane caused US$2 million damage, mostly to structures along the coast and to crops, and claimed 45 lives at sea. "El Cordonazo" produced 5.66 inches (14,4 centimeters) of rain at Los Angeles and 11.6 inches (29,4 centimeters) of rain at Mount Wilson, both records for the month of September.
Aircraft carrier USS Hornet laid down.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-36 sank SS Silesia.