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 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.