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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I

Outbreak of War and Declarations — GERMANY

page 1

Outbreak of War and Declarations
GERMANY

1
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs1 to the Governor-General of New Zealand2

1 September 1939

Defence.

Precautionary stage3 adopted against Germany and Italy.

1 Secretaries of State for Dominion Affairs in the United Kingdom Government during the war were:

28 Jan 1939 – 3 Sep 1939Rt. Hon. Viscount Caldecote, PC, CBE, KC (then Sir Thomas Inskip).
3 Sep 1939 – 12 May 1940Rt. Hon. Robert Anthony Eden, PC, MC.
12 May 1940 – 5 Oct 1940Viscount Caldecote.
5 Oct 1940 – 21 Feb 1942Rt. Hon. Viscount Cranborne, PC.
21 Feb 1942 – 28 Sep 1943Rt. Hon. Clement Richard Attlee, PC, CH.
28 Sep 1943 – 3 Aug 1945Viscount Cranborne.
3 Aug 1945 – 7 Oct 1947Rt. Hon. Viscount Addison, KG, PC.

On 2 Jul 1947 the title of this office was changed to Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

3 Precautionary Stage. Paper ONS 135, issued by the Organisation for National Security, Prime Minister's Department, Wellington, on 11 Aug 1939, contains a list of messages to be received from the Government of the United Kingdom on the threat of war. These were the normal abbreviated messages which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would address to the Dominion Governments in the event of the initiation of precautionary and war measures. The meaning of the warning telegram, ‘Defence. Precautionary stage adopted against (Power(s))’ was as follows:

(a)

Relations with (Power(s)) have become so strained that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have found it necessary to adopt precautions against possible surprise attack and to initiate preparations for war, including precautionary stage of defence schemes at defended ports.

(b)

Your Government is asked to co-operate and to notify His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom by telegraph of the precautionary measures taken.

page 2

2
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand1

1 September 1939

This morning Cabinet met and considered the position. It was decided that, subject to consultation with the French Government, we should address a communication to the German Government to the effect that we had received reports of the German invasion of Poland, and that unless we received immediate assurances that the German forces were being withdrawn from Polish territory our obligations to Poland would be fulfilled.

1 Prime Ministers of New Zealand during the war were:

28 Nov 1935 – death, 26 Mar 1940Rt. Hon. Michael Joseph Savage, PC.
1 Apr 1940 – 13 Dec 1949Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser, PC, CH.

3
The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

2 September 1939

Your telegram of 1 September (No. 1). The acting Prime Minister2 desires me to inform you that the precautionary stage has been adopted in New Zealand and that the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa and the Island Dependencies3 have been duly advised. In addition, examination services are being established forthwith, all Regular reservists and a proportion of the Special Reserve (Class 2)4 are being called out, coastal defences are being manned with skeleton crews, and guards are being placed at all vital points.

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand entirely concur with, and warmly endorse, the action taken by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, including that specified in your latest telegram (No. 2).

2 Hon. P. Fraser. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser had been Minister of Education, Health, and Marine and acting Prime Minister during Mr. Savage's illness.

3 New Zealand's island dependencies are the Cook Islands (thirteen islands in two groups), Niue, and the Tokelau or Union Group. The Chatham, Auckland, Campbell, and Kermadec Islands are included in the Dominion group proper for both administrative and statistical purposes.

4 The Territorial Force Special Reserve was formed in 1937. Single men between the ages of 18 and 25 years (later changed to 30 years) were eligible for enlistment and were given three months' continuous training in camp, during which facilities were provided for free vocational training. (In 1939 the period of training was increased to five months, half of this time being spent in vocational training.) At the end of the training period the men were given the opportunity to enlist in the Regular Force to fill vacancies, and assistance was given to others to obtain permanent civilian employment. The reservists were posted to Territorial units and undertook to attend a course of ten days' training once a year for a period of three years and to report for service in New Zealand in an emergency if required.

page 3

4
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

2 September 1939

The following is the text of a statement in the House of Commons at 7.45 p.m. this evening by the Prime Minister:1

Sir Nevile Henderson2 was received by Herr von Ribbentrop3 at half past nine last night and he delivered the warning message which was read to the House yesterday. Herr von Ribbentrop replied that he must submit the communication to the German Chancellor.4 Our Ambassador declared his readiness to receive the Chancellor's reply. Up to the present no reply has been received. It may be that the delay is caused by consideration of a proposal, which meanwhile had been put forward by the Italian Government, that hostilities should cease and that there should then immediately be a conference between the Five Powers—Great Britain, France, Poland, Germany, and Italy. While appreciating the efforts of the Italian Government, His Majesty's Government for their part would find it impossible to take part in a conference whilst Poland is being subjected to invasion, her towns are under bombardment, and Danzig is being made the subject of a unilateral settlement by force. His Majesty's Government will, as stated yesterday, be bound to take action unless the German forces are withdrawn from Polish territory. They are in communication with the French Government as to the limit of time within which it would be necessary for the British and French Governments to know whether the German Government were prepared to effect such a withdrawal. If the German Government should agree to withdraw their forces, His Majesty's Government would be willing to regard the position as being the same as it was before the German forces crossed the frontier, that is to say, the way would be open to discussion between the German and Polish Governments on the matters at issue between them, on the understanding that the settlement arrived at was one that safeguarded the vital interests of Poland and was secured

1 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom during the war were:

28 May 1937 – 11 May 1940Rt. Hon. Arthur Neville Chamberlain, PC.
11 May 1940 – 26 Jul 1945Rt. Hon. Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, PC, OM, CH.
26 Jul 1945 – to dateRt. Hon. C. R. Attlee, PC, CH.

2 Rt. Hon. Sir Nevile Meyrick Henderson, PC, GCMG; United Kingdom Ambassador at Berlin, 1937–39.

3 Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop; German Ambassador to the Court of St. James, 1936–38; German Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1938–45; convicted of war crimes, and hanged, Nuremburg, Oct 1946.

4 Adolf Hitler, Chancellor of the German Reich, 1933–death, 1945; Head of the German State, 1934–45.

page 4 by an international guarantee. If the German and Polish Governments wished that other powers should be associated with them in the discussion, then His Majesty's Government for their part would be willing to agree.

There is one other matter to which allusion should be made in order that the present situation should be perfectly clear. Yesterday Herr Forster,1 who on 23 August had, in contravention of the Danzig constitution, become the Head of the State, decreed the incorporation of Danzig in the Reich and the dissolution of the constitution. Herr Hitler was asked to give effect to this decree by German law. At a meeting of the Reichstag yesterday morning a law was passed for the reunion of Danzig with the Reich. The international status of Danzig as a Free City is established by a Treaty2 of which His Majesty's Government are a signatory, and the Free City was placed under the protection of the League of Nations. The rights given to Poland in Danzig by Treaty are defined and confirmed by Agreement concluded between Danzig and Poland. The action taken by the Danzig authorities and the Reichstag yesterday is the final step in the unilateral repudiation of these international instruments, which could only be modified by negotiation. His Majesty's Government do not, therefore, recognise either the validity of the grounds on which the action of the Danzig authorities was based, the validity of this action itself, or of the effect given to it by the German Government.

1 Herr Albert Forster, Nazi District Leader of Danzig; appointed by Hitler on 23 Aug 1939 to be Head of the State of the Free City of Danzig.

2 The status of Free City was conferred upon Danzig by Articles 100–8 of the Treaty of Versailles. Its separation from the German Empire became effective on 10 Jan 1920, although the formal proclamation to that effect was not made until 15 Nov 1920, when the new status of the city was officially proclaimed by the representative of the League of Nations. A High Commissioner appointed by the League was resident in the Free City. The position of the city was strengthened by the Danzig-Polish Treaty, 9 Nov 1920, and by the Warsaw Convention, 24 Oct 1921. The Danzig Constituent Assembly handled the internal administration of the Free City, but the conduct of its foreign relations was in the hands of the Polish Government.

5
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

3 September 1939

With reference to my telegram (No. 4) containing the Prime Minister's statement, Cabinet, meeting after midnight, decided that the British Ambassador in Berlin should at once ask to see Ribbentrop at 9 a.m. today, Sunday, and at that interview inform him that unless the Chancellor's reply is received by 11 a.m. today His page 5 Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will from that hour regard themselves as at war with Germany.

The Prime Minister proposes to make a statement in the House of Commons at noon today.

6
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

3 September 1939

With reference to my earlier telegram (No. 5). The text of the communication to be handed to the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, or other representative of the German Government, by His Majesty's Ambassador at 9 a.m. today is as follows:

Sir,

In the communication which I had the honour to make to you on 1 September, I informed you, on instructions from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,1 that unless the German Government were prepared to give His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom satisfactory assurances that the German Government had suspended all aggressive action against Poland, and were prepared promptly to withdraw their forces from Polish territory, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would, without hesitation, fulfil their obligations towards Poland.

Although this communication was made more than twenty-four hours ago, no reply has been received, but German attacks have been continued and intensified. I have accordingly the honour to inform you that unless not later than 11 a.m., British summer time, today satisfactory assurances to the above effect have been given by the German Government and have reached His Majesty's Government in London, a state of war will exist between the two countries as from that hour.

If the desired German assurance is received, the Ambassador must inform His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom before 11 a.m. Failing receipt by that hour, the German representative in London2 will be informed that, as from that hour, a page 6 state of war exists, and His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin is to act accordingly.

This information should be treated as very secret until the expiry of our time limit.

1 Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs in the United Kingdom Government during the war were:

1 Mar 1938 – 23 Dec 1940Rt. Hon. the Earl of Halifax, KG, PC, OM, GCSI, GCIE (then Viscount Halifax).
23 Dec 1940 – 26 Jul 1945Rt. Hon. R. A. Eden.
26 Jul 1945 – to dateRt. Hon. Ernest Bevin, PC.

2 Dr. Herbert von Dircksen, German Ambassador to the Court of St. James, 1938–39; German Ambassador at Moscow, 1928–33, at Tokyo, 1933–38.

7
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand

3 September 1939

My earlier telegram (No. 6). No reply received by eleven.

8
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

3 September 1939

Defence.

War has broken out with Germany.

9
The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

4 September 1939

(Despatched 1.55 a.m.)

His Majesty's Government in New Zealand desire immediately to associate themselves with His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in honouring their pledged word. They entirely concur with the action taken, which they regard as inevitably forced upon the British Commonwealth if the cause of justice, freedom, and democracy is to endure in this world. The existence of a state of war with Germany has accordingly been proclaimed in New Zealand,1 and His Majesty's Government in New Zealand

1 The text of the Proclamation, published in a New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary on 4 Sep 1939, was as follows:

Wellington, Monday, 4 September, 1939

His Excellency the Governor-General has it in command from His Majesty the King to declare that a state of war exists between His Majesty and the Government of the German Reich, and that such a state of war has existed from 9.30 p.m., New Zealand Standard Time, on the third day of September, 1939.* Given at Wellington this third day of September, 1939.

Galway, Governor-General

* *So making New Zealand's declaration of war simultaneous with the United Kingdom's declaration, 11 a.m. British summer time, 3 Sep 1939.

page 7 would be grateful if His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would take any steps that may be necessary to indicate to the German Government that His Majesty's Government in New Zealand associate themselves in this matter with the action taken by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.1

The New Zealand Government wish to offer to the British Government the fullest assurance of all possible support. They are convinced that the step that has been taken will meet with the approval of the people of this Dominion, and they will in due course give the fullest consideration to any suggestion of the British Government as to the method, or methods, by which this Dominion can best assist in the common cause.

1 At the request of the United Kingdom Government, the notification of the existence of a state of war between New Zealand and the German Reich was transmitted to the German Government by the United States Ambassador in Berlin. On 7 Dec 1945, in reply to an inquiry, the United States Political Adviser for Germany informed the United States Department of State that the archives of the United States Embassy in Berlin were largely destroyed by fire during the war, and that copies of the note transmitted to the German Government on behalf of the New Zealand Government, and of the German Government's acknowledgment, were therefore not available.

10
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

3 September 1939

Your telegram of 4 September (No. 9). The generous pledges of support given by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have been received with the deepest appreciation by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. It is of the greatest encouragement in this difficult hour to know that the people of New Zealand share our view that no other course was open than to take up arms for the re-establishment in the world of good faith and the renunciation of force. We will take appropriate steps to communicate New Zealand's attitude to the German Government, and will let your Government have as soon as possible any suggestions which we can make regarding New Zealand's co-operation.

page 8

11
The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs
[Extract]

4 September 1939

Your telegram of 3 September (No. 8). My Ministers desire me to state that a Proclamation has been issued notifying a state of war with Germany as from 9.30 p.m., New Zealand standard time, on 3 September. The following action has been taken by the Armed Services:

NAVY: Three vessels for mine-sweeping are being taken up. Two defensively equipped merchant ships are being armed and the necessary Naval Reserves are being called up to initiate the various war services.

ARMY: Coast and anti-aircraft defences are being manned in full, the necessary Territorial Force coast and anti-aircraft units being mobilised for the purpose.

AIR: The Royal New Zealand Air Force is being mobilised and Regulations1 have been issued authorising the requisitioning of civil aircraft and aerodromes, and imposing certain restrictions on civil flying….2

1 Aviation Emergency Regulations 1939.

2 Details of emergency regulations issued, covering alien control, change of name, impressment of motor-vehicles, passport control, supply control, enemy trading, detention and seizure of ships, oil fuel, &c., have been omitted.