Adolf Hitler – proclamation to the German
Wehrmacht
Berlin, September 1, 1939
To the Wehrmacht!
The Polish State has rejected the peaceful
regulation of neighborly relations I have striven for and has appealed to arms.
The Germans in Poland are being
persecuted by bloody terror and are being driven from their homesteads. A
series of frontier violations, of a nature not tolerable for a great power,
proves that the Poles are no longer willing to respect the German Reich’s
frontiers. To put an end to this lunacy, there remains no other recourse for me
but to meet force with force.
The German Wehrmacht will
conduct this struggle in the defense of the honor and the vital rights of the
resurrected German Volk with adamant determination.
I expect that every soldier,
in acknowledgment of the great and eternal German military tradition, will do
his duty to the last.
Be aware, in each and every
circumstance, that you are in fact the representatives of the National
Socialist Greater Germany.
Long live our Volk and our Reich!
Berlin, September 1, 1939
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler – speech to the German Reichstag
Audio recording of the speech with English subtitles:
September 1, 1939
Deputies, Men of the German Reichstag!
For months a problem has tormented all of us.
Long ago the Diktat of Versailles bestowed this problem on us. In its depravity
and degeneracy it has now become insufferable. Danzig was a German city and is
a German city! The Corridor was German and is German! These regions owe their
cultural development exclusively to the German Volk. Without this Volk, these
eastern regions would still be plunged in the depths of barbarism.
Danzig was torn from us!
Poland annexed the Corridor! The German minorities living there are being
persecuted in the vilest manner imaginable. In the years 1919 and 1920 over one
million men of German blood were forced to leave their homeland.
As always, I sought to bring
about a change by peaceful means, by offering proposals to remedy this
situation which meanwhile had become unbearable.
It is a lie when others in the
world claim that we sought to carry out our revisions by the use of force
exclusively. Fifteen years before National Socialism’s rise to power, there was
ample opportunity to carry out these revisions by peaceful means. Nothing of
the sort was done. In any event, I made proposals for a revision not once, but many
times.
You know that all these
proposals were rejected. There is no need for me to enumerate them: my
proposals on the limitation of arms; if necessary, even for the complete
elimination of weaponry; my proposals for limited warfare, for the abolition of
methods employed in modern warfare which, in my eyes, are hardly reconcilable
with international law. You know of my proposals on the necessity of restoring
German sovereignty to the territory of the German Reich. You know of the
endless attempts I made for a peaceful resolution of the problem of Austria,
and later of the problem of the Sudetenland, of Bohemia and Moravia. It was all
for naught.
There is one thing that is
simply not possible: to demand that an impossible situation be resolved by means
of peaceful revision-and then to consistently deny resolution by peaceful
means.
It is likewise not possible to
claim that the one who, under the circumstances, resorts to resolving this
situation by himself, who undertakes the revisions on his own, is in breach of
the law. For the Diktat of Versailles does not constitute law for us Germans.
You simply cannot uphold and
proclaim a signature to represent sanctified law when it was extorted by
holding a pistol to the signatory’s head and threatening to starve millions of
human beings if he failed to comply! Thus I attempted, also in the case of
Danzig and the Corridor, to obtain a resolution by means of proposals and their
peaceful discussion. That these problems had to be resolved was entirely clear.
That the western states were unconcerned with the time table is understandable.
Yet it is of concern to us.
It was-and had to be-of
concern especially to those suffering.
In my talks with Polish
statesmen I once more expounded those thoughts which you already heard in my
last speech before the Reichstag. No man can
accuse me of employing inappropriate methods or of applying inappropriate
pressure in an uncalled-for manner. It was I who had the German proposals
formulated in the end, and I must repeat here that there is nothing more modest
or loyal than these proposals. I should like to say this to the world: I alone
was in the position to make such proposals! I know very well that in doing so I
brought myself into opposition to millions of Germans. These proposals have
been rejected. And not only this! They were answered by mobilization, augmented
terror, increasing pressure on ethnic Germans in these regions. The previously
slow and exclusively economic and political throttling of the Free City of Danzig
within the last few weeks has spilled over into an outright war against it, a
choking off of traffic there and military isolation.
Poland has unleashed this war
against the Free City of Danzig! It was not willing to settle the question of
the Corridor in one manner or another, in a manner both reasonable and
rendering justice to the interests of both states.
And ultimately this meant that
it was not willing to uphold its obligations toward minorities.
And here I must establish the
fact that Germany has fulfilled its obligations! The minorities living within
the Reich are not subject to persecution. There is not one Frenchman who can
stand up to claim that the French in the Saar territory are being oppressed,
tortured, or robbed of their rights. Not one can claim as much! I have been
silently standing by and observing the situation for four months now. Yet I
have issued warnings repeatedly. And I have intensified these warnings of late.
As long as three weeks ago, I
already had the Polish Ambassador informed that if Poland should send further
notes to Danzig, in the nature of an ultimatum; if it should implement further
discriminatory measures against the Germans there; or if it should attempt to
destroy Danzig economically by imposing high customs on it; then Germany could
simply no longer be expected to stand by without taking action.
I left no doubt that it would
be a grave mistake in this context to compare the Germany of today to the
Germany of days past.
There were attempts to justify
recriminations against ethnic Germans by claiming that these constituted a
response to prior “provocations.” I know not what type of “provocations” those
women and children had allegedly perpetrated who were abused and abducted. Nor
can I imagine what provocations had been perpetrated by those who were
sadistically and bestlially tortured only to be murdered in the end.
Yet there is one thing I do
know: no honorable great power could calmly tolerate such a state of affairs in
the long run! Nevertheless, I made one last effort. And this even though, in my
heart, I was convinced that the Polish Government-especially given its
dependence on the rabble of soldiers now freed of inhibitions-was not serious
about attaining a true understanding. Nevertheless, I accepted the proposal at
mediation of the British Government. The British suggested that while they were
not willing to negotiate themselves, they would open a direct line of
communication between Poland and Germany to initiate talks once more.
And now I am forced to state
the following: I accepted this proposal! It was for this new round of
negotiations that I drafted the proposals known to you.
For two whole days I sat with
my Government and waited to see whether it
was convenient for the Polish Government to send a plenipotentiary or not.
Up to last night, it has not
commissioned any such plenipotentiary. Rather it has informed us, through the
offices of its Ambassador, that it is presently contemplating whether or not it
is in a position to consider the English proposals. It would impart as much to
England later.
My Deputies! Should someone
have the impertinence to expect the German Reich and its head of state to
accept this, and should the German Reich and its head of state tolerate this,
then truly the German nation would deserve no better than to take leave of the
political stage! For I am wrongly judged if my love for peace and my patience
are mistaken for weakness or even cowardice! Last night I informed the British
Government that, under the circumstances, I no longer see any willingness by
the Polish Government to enter into serious negotiations with us. And thus all
attempts at mediation must be considered to have failed. For we had indeed
received a response to our proposals which consisted of: 1. general
mobilization in Poland and 2. renewed, heinous atrocities.
Similar events repeated
themselves in the course of last night. And this after the recent perpetration
of twenty-one border transgressions in the span of one single night. Yesterday
fourteen additional violations of the border were recorded, among them three of
a most serious nature. I have therefore resolved to speak to Poland in the same
language that Poland has employed towards us in the months past.
Now that statesmen in the West
go about declaring that this infringes on their interests, I can only regret
this position. This cannot and will not, however, make me waver for a minute in
the fulfillment of my duty. I have solemnly assured the Western states, and I
repeat this here, that we desire nothing of them. We shall never demand
anything of them. I have assured them that the border separating France and
Germany is a final one. Time and time again I have offered friendship, and if
necessary close cooperation, to England. But love cannot remain a one-sided
affair. It must be met by the other side.
Germany is not pursuing any
interests in the West. The West Wall delineates the Reich’s border for all
time. Our ambitions for the future are no different. And nothing shall ever
change the Reich’s standpoint in this matter.
The other European states, in
part, comprehend our stance. Here I wish, above all, to thank Italy, which lent
us support during this entire time. You will understand that we do not wish to
appeal to a foreign power for assistance in this struggle. This is our task,
and we shall carry it out ourselves.
The neutral states have
already assured us of their neutrality. We earlier guaranteed this neutrality.
We are deadly serious (es ist uns heiliger Ernst) in making this assertion. As long as other powers do not violate this
neutrality, we shall likewise respect it scrupulously. For how could we wish
to, or desire to, conduct ourselves differently towards these states? I am
happy to be able to inform you of a special development at this point.
You know that two different
doctrines govern Russia and Germany. There remained but one question to be
resolved: as Germany has no intent of exporting its doctrine, and at the moment
that Soviet Russia no longer contemplates exporting its doctrine to Germany, I
no longer see any compelling reason why we should continue to take opposing
stances. Both of us are aware that any struggle between our two peoples would
merely benefit third parties. Hence we have determined to enter into a pact
which shall preclude the application of force between us for all time. It also obliges us to seek mutual consultation
in certain European questions. Moreover, it shall render possible economic
cooperation and, above all, ensure that the strength of the two great states is
not squandered in rivalry with each other.
Any attempt by the West to
change this is doomed to failure! And of one thing I would like to assure all
of you here today: this decision signals a fundamental change for the future
and is a final one! I believe the entire German Volk welcomes this political
resolve. Russia and Germany fought each other in the World War only to suffer
its consequences equally in the end. This shall not happen a second time!
Yesterday in Moscow and Berlin, the Non-Aggression and Mutual Assistance
Pact-which had originally entered into force upon signature-was accorded final
ratification. In Moscow this pact was as warmly welcomed as you welcomed it
here. I second every word of the Russian Foreign Commissar Molotov’s speech.
Our goals: I am determined to
resolve
1. the question of Danzig and
2. the question of the
Corridor, and to see to it that
3. a change of tone comes
about in German-Polish relations, so as to warrant peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile I am equally
determined to wage this war until the present Polish Government judges it
opportune to assent to these changes, or another Polish Government shall be
willing to do so.
I will cleanse Germany’s
borders of this element of insecurity, this civil war- like circumstance. I
will take care that our border in the East enjoys the same peace as along any
other of our borders.
I will take the measures
necessary in a fashion that does not contradict what I have pronounced to be my
proposals to the world before you, my Deputies.
This means I do not wish to
lead this war against women and children. I have instructed my Luftwaffe to
limit its attacks to military objectives. Should, however, the enemy regard
this as giving him license to employ reverse measures against us, then he shall
receive so powerful a response that stars dance before his eyes! This night for
the first time Polish regular soldiers fired on our own territory. We have now
been returning the fire since 5:45 a.m.! (Seit 5.45 Uhr wird jetzt zuruckgeschossen!) Henceforth, bomb will be met
with bomb.
He who fights with poison
shall be fought with poison gas. He who distances himself from the rules for a
humane conduct of warfare can only expect us to take like steps. I will lead
this struggle, whoever may be the adversary, until the security of the Reich
and its rights have been assured.
For over six years I worked on
the rearmament of the German Wehrmacht. I have spent over 90 billion on the rearmament of the Wehrmacht. Today it is
among the best-equipped in the entire world. It completely defies comparison to
that of 1914! My confidence in it is unshakeable! When I call on this
Wehrmacht, and when I now demand sacrifice from the German Volk, even the
ultimate sacrifice should there be need, then it is because I have a right to
do this, because today I am as willing as I was before to make any personal
sacrifice. I am asking of no German man more than I myself was ready to do
through four years! Germans should not be asked to make any sacrifices I myself
would not make without an instant’s hesitation! I now wish to be nothing other than the first soldier of the German Reich.
Therefore I have put on that
tunic which has always been the most holy and dear to me. I shall not take it off again until after
victory is ours, or-I shall not live to see the day! Should something happen to
me in this struggle, then my immediate successor shall be Party comrade Goring.
Should anything happen to
Party comrade Goring, then his successor shall be Party comrade Hess. You shall
owe this man-as your Fuhrer-the same loyalty and blind obedience you owe to my
person! Should anything happen to Party comrade Hess, then through the offices
of law I shall call upon the Senate, which is to determine the most worthy,
i.e. the most valiant from its midst. As a National Socialist and a German soldier I enter into this struggle
with a strong heart! My life was but one struggle for the German Volk, for its
resurrection, for Germany. This struggle was governed by only one creed: faith
in this Volk! There is one word which I have never known and this word is:
capitulation! If some now believe that we
are facing hard times, then I would like to ask them to bear in mind that once
a Prussian king with a ludicrously small state faced off a far more powerful
coalition. And three battles later he stood victorious in the end, for he
possessed that strong, believing heart, the kind which we need in these times
as well. I would like to assure the world around us of
one thing: there shall never ever be another November 1918 in German history!
Since I myself stand ever ready to lay down my life for my Volk and Germany, I demand the same of everyone else! Whoever
believes he can oppose this national commandment shall fall! We will have nothing
to do with traitors! And all of us pledge ourselves to the one ancient
principle: it is of no importance if we ourselves live-as long as our Volk
lives, as long as Germany lives! This is essential.
I expect of all of you as the
Reich’s emissaries henceforth that you shall do your duty wherever you may be
assigned! You must carry the banner of resistance forth regardless of the cost.
May no one approach me to
report one day that morale is low in his Gau, in his Kreis, or in his group or
cell. The one responsible for morale is you- the responsibility is yours! I am the one responsible for
the morale of the German Volk. You are responsible for morale in your Gaus, in
your Kreise! No one has the right to cast off this responsibility. The
sacrifices demanded of us today are no greater than those made by countless
earlier generations. All men who have set out on this most bitter and strenuous
of paths for Germany have accomplished nothing else than what we must also
accomplish. Their sacrifice was not made without cost or suffering. It was no
easier to make than the one demanded of us.
I expect every German woman to
integrate herself into the great community-in-struggle in an exemplary fashion
and with iron discipline! It goes without saying that the German youth will
fulfill, with a radiant heart, the tasks the nation, the National Socialist
state, expects and demands of it. Provided all
of us form part of this community, sworn together, determined never to
capitulate, then our will shall master all need.
I conclude with the avowal I
once pronounced as I began my struggle for power in the Reich. Back then I
said: When our will is strong enough that need can no longer vanquish it, then
our will and our German state will vanquish and conquer need.
Deutschland-Sieg Heil!
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