Third Reich Day by Day: April 1939

Despite the appeasement of Great Britain and France, Hitler’s territorial ambitions could only be satisfied by the conquest of Poland. Great Britain and France finally realized that Hitler was determined to absorb Poland just as he had the Austrians and Czechs. They therefore signed treaties with the Poles guaranteeing to declare war on Germany should Hitler invade. But the world was stunned by the Russo-German Non-Aggression Treaty, which sealed the fate of Poland. On September 1 German forces attacked Poland. World War II had begun.

April

Germany, Legal

Confiscation of all Jewish valuables. A law on Tenancies is passed, foreseeing all Jews living together in “Jewish houses”.

1 April

Armed Forces, Navy

Grand-Admiral Erich Raeder, commander of the Kriegsmarine, which grew dramatically under the Nazis.
Grand-Admiral Erich Raeder, commander of the Kriegsmarine, which grew dramatically under the Nazis.

The battleship Tirpitz is launched. Erich Raeder is promoted from General-Admiral to Grand-Admiral, a rank unused since World War I.

SS, Totenkopfverbände

The organization of the SS-Totenkopfverbände was fixed at: four Standarten of three Sturmbanne with three infantry companies, comprising 148 men each, one machine-gun company comprising 150 men, and medical, transport and communications units. By the end of 1938 Eicke’s men had all received some basic military training. The SS-Totenkopfverbände made no tactical contribution to the German campaign in Poland, but was extensively employed in the Führer’s social plan for that country where the SS-Totenkopfverbände received its initiation in blood, being employed in terrorizing the civilian population.

2 April

Spain, German aid

The end of the Spanish Civil War is officially announced in the last Nationalist military communiqué issued in Madrid at midnight on this day. It states: Today the Red Army is captive and disarmed and the Nationalist troops have achieved their final military objective. The war is over.

14 April

Nazi Party, Awards

Hitler, in response to the last Nationalist military communiqué from Spain announces the institution of an award for the bravery of the members of the Condor Legion, which is also to serve as a campaign medal. It is worthy of note that the title bestowed on the entire series of this new award at the time of request for design approval was that of the Spanish Cross of the Legion Condor.

27 April

Germany, Diplomacy

Another German conquest on the Baltic. These smiling troops are the new rulers of Memel.
Another German conquest on the Baltic. These smiling troops are the new rulers of Memel.

Hitler repudiates the Anglo-German Naval Treaty, which had been signed four years earlier.

29 April

Armed Forces, Navy

The heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper is commissioned.