WWII Events Today, September 28
Audio: 26 Sept 1943 – CBS World News
Sep 28, 1938 - Chamberlain repudiated the foreign ministry statement of the previous day, saying, “We cannot in all circumstances undertake to involve the whole British Empire in war simlpy on [Czechoslovakia's] account.”
Sep 28, 1938 - Chamberlain proposed to Hitler a conference involving Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Germany, and Britain, saying “I cannot believe that you will take responsibility of starting a world war which may end civilization for the sake of a few days’ delay in settling thsi long-standing problem.”
Sep 28, 1938 - On the advice of Mussolini, Hitler postponed his invasion of Czechoslovakia for 24 hours and called a Munich meeting with Chamberlain, Daladier, and Mussolini. The Italian leader had told Hitler, “… I feel certain that you can get all the essentials without war and without delay.”
Sep 28, 1939 - Poland is partitioned between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.
Sep 28, 1939 - Estonia and Russia signed a 10-year mutual assistance pact, with the Soviets acquiring military rights and access to raw materials. (Moscow was to sign similar pacts with Latvia on Oct 5 and Lithuania on the 10th, completing Soviet hegemony over the Baltic states.)
Sep 28, 1940 - Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles outlined US policy in Asia toward Japan. He said Tokyo’s intention to create a new order in Asia had resulted in Japan’s reliance “upon the instrumentality of armed force, and it has made it very clear that it intents that it alone shall decide to what extent the historic interests of the United States and the treaty rights of American citizens in the Far East are to be observed.” Welles called for “complete respect” for US rights, “equality of opportunity for the trade of all nations,” and “respect” for all treaties and international agreements to which the US had agreed. “Modifications” through “peaceful negotiations” would be considered.
Sep 28, 1940 - The first of the 50 destoryers which the US turned over to Britain reached England.
Sep 28, 1941 - The first British convoy for Russia left Iceland.
Sep 28, 1941 - Syria was declared independent by Vichy France.
Sep 28, 1941 - Citing “irresponsible elements” with acts antagonistic to the Reich, Germany declared a state of emergency in Bohemia and Moravia.
Sep 28, 1941 – Sep 29, 1941 – SS troops massacred nearly 34,000 Jews from the Kiev area in the nearby Babi Yar ravine. In its official report, Einsatzgruppe C related: “The Jewish population was invited by poster to present themselves for resettlement. Although initially we had only counted on 5,000-6,000 Jews reporting, more than 30,000 Jews appeared; by a remarkably efficient piece of organization they were led to believe in the resettlement story until shortly before their execution.” It had been suggested the Jews were killed in reprisal for the bombing of a Kiev hotel used as a German headquarters, but the SS had been systematically killing Jews in Russia in the wake of the advancing Wehrmacht. Babi Yar stands as perhaps the most horrible single example of vengeful genocide.
Sep 28, 1942 - The main force of the US 32nd Infantry Division reached Port Moresby and was ordered to join the drive on Wairopi.
Sep 28, 1943 - The evacuation of Kolombangara in the Solomons was begun by the Japanese. (It continued through Oct 3 with Allied forces attempting to block their removal. In the end 9,400 Japanese were removed.)
Sep 28, 1944 - Canadian 3rd ivision troops fought their way into Calais.
Sep 28, 1944 - German troops launched a strong counterattack at Arnhem to retake the Nijmegen bridge.