August 2

1914 WW1: A jubilant young Adolf Hitler among the crowd celebrating the German proclamation of war on the Odeonplatz in Munich, Germany on this day. From Mein Kampf: "...As a boy and young man I had so often felt the desire to prove at least once by deeds that for me national enthusiasm was no empty whim. It often seemed to me almost a sin to shout hurrah perhaps without having the inner right to do so; for who had the right to use this word without having proved it in the place where all playing is at an end and the inexorable hand of the Goddess of Destiny begins to weigh peoples and men according to the truth and steadfastness of their convictions? Thus my heart, like that of a million others, overflowed with proud joy that at last I would be able to redeem myself from this paralyzing feeling. I had so often sung 'Deutschland uber Alles' and shouted Heil at the top of my lungs, that it seemed to me almost a belated act of grace to be allowed to stand as a witness in the divine court of the eternal judge and proclaim the sincerity of this conviction. For from the first hour I was convinced that in case of a war - which seemed to me inevitable - in one way or another I would at once leave my books. Likewise I knew that my place would then be where my inner voice directed me. I had left Austria primarily for political reasons; what was more natural than that, now the struggle had begun, I should really begin to take account of this conviction. I did not want to fight for the Habsburg state, but was ready at any time to die for my people and for the Reich which embodied it..."

1914 WW1: General Helmuth von Moltke is appointed commander of all German armies in the field.

1914 WW1: Germany occupies Luxembourg and sends an ultimatum to Belgium to allow passage of its troops across its territory. "Reliable information has been received by the German Government to the effect that French forces intend to march on the line of the Meuse by Givet and Namur.  This information leaves no doubt as to the intention of France to march through Belgian territory against Germany. The German Government cannot but fear that Belgium, in spite of the utmost goodwill, will be unable, without assistance, to repel so considerable a French invasion with sufficient prospect of success to afford an adequate guarantee against danger to Germany. It is essential for the self-defence of Germany that she should anticipate any such hostile attack.  The German Government would, however, feel the deepest regret if Belgium regarded as an act of hostility against herself the fact that the measures of Germany's opponents force Germany, for her own protection, to enter Belgian territory. In order to exclude any possibility of misunderstanding, the German Government make the following declaration: 1. Germany has in view no act of hostility against Belgium. In the event of Belgium being prepared in the coming war to maintain an attitude of friendly neutrality towards Germany, the German Government bind them selves, at the conclusion of peace, to guarantee the possessions and independence of the Belgian Kingdom in full. 2. Germany undertakes, under the above-mentioned condition, to evacuate Belgian territory on the conclusion of peace. 3. If Belgium adopts a friendly attitude, Germany is prepared, in cooperation with the Belgian authorities, to purchase all necessaries for her troops against a cash payment, and to pay an indemnity for any damage that may have been caused by German troops. 4. Should Belgium oppose the German troops, and in particular should she throw difficulties in the way of their march by a resistance of the fortresses on the Meuse, or by destroying railways, roads, tunnels, or other similar works, Germany will, to her regret, be compelled to consider Belgium as an enemy. In this event, Germany can undertake no obligations towards Belgium, but the eventual adjustment of the relations between the two States must be left to the decision of arms. The German Government, however, entertain the distinct hope that this eventuality will not occur, and that the Belgian Government will know how to take the necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of incidents such as those mentioned. In this case the friendly ties which bind the two neighbouring States will grow stronger and more enduring."

1914 WW1: A military alliance is arrived at between Turkey and Germany. Note: Details of the alliance remain a secret with the consequence that Turkey's eventual entrance into the war at the end of October 1914 proves something of a disappointment (if not entirely a surprise) to the Entente Powers. "1. The two contracting parties agree to observe strict neutrality in regard to the present conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. 2. In case Russia should intervene with active military measures, and should thus bring about a casus foederis for Germany with relation to Austria-Hungary, this casus foederis would also come into existence for Turkey. 3. In case of war, Germany will leave her military mission at the disposal of Turkey.  The latter, for her part, assures the said military mission an effective influence on the general conduct of the army, in accordance with the understanding arrived at directly between His Excellency the Minister of War and His Excellency the Chief of the Military Mission. 4. Germany obligates herself, if necessary by force of arms Ottoman territory in case it should be threatened. 5. This agreement which has been concluded for the purpose of protecting both Empires from international complications which may result from the present conflict goes into force as soon as it is signed by the above-mentioned plenipotentiaries, and shall remain valid, together with any similar mutual agreements, until December 31, 1918. 6. In case it shall not be denounced by one of the high contracting parties six months before the expiration of the term named above, this treaty shall remain in force for a further period of five years. 7. This present document shall be ratified by His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, and by His Majesty the Emperor of the Ottomans, and the ratifications shall be exchanged within a period of one month from the date of its signing. 8. The present treaty shall remain secret and can only be made public as a result of an agreement arrived at between the two high contracting parties. In testimony whereof, etc. Baron von Wangenheim (for Germany). Said Halim (for Turkey)."

1914 WW1: Official French Review of the Campaign in France; The Battle of the Frontiers and the Retreat to the Marne: "The first month of the campaign began with successes and finished with defeats for the French troops.  Under what circumstances did these come about? Our plan of concentration had foreseen the possibility of two principal actions, one on the right between the Vosges and the Moselle, the other on the left to the north of Verdun-Toul line, this double possibility involving the eventual variation of our transport. On August 2nd, owing to the Germans passing through Belgium, our concentration was substantially modified by Marshal Joffre in order that our principal effort might be directed to the north. From the first week in August it was apparent that the length of time required for the British Army to begin to move would delay our action in connection with it.  This delay is one of the reasons which explain our failures..."

1915 WW1: HMS Ben My Chree, a former passenger steamer converted to a seaplane carrier and equipped with a steam catapult, takes up station in the Sea of Maramara. She launches two Short 184 seaplanes, built under contract by Mann Egerton of Norwich, powered by 260HP Sunbeam engines and armed with reinforced 14in naval torpedoes. The attack, led by Lieutenant Commander C. H. Edmonds, sinks a 5,000 ton Turkish freighter carrying supplies to Turkish troops opposing the Anzacs at Gallipoli; the first ship sunk by an aerial torpedo. On 17 August, Lieutenant Commander C. H. Edmonds and Flight Lieutenant G. B. Dacre were launched from the seaplane carrier off the island of Lemnos at the top of the Aegean. Edmonds sank another Turkish vessel, but Dacre suffered engine failure and had to put down on the sea, where a Trukish tug intent on his capture raced towards him. Dacre released his torpedo, which blew the tug out of the water, then remedied his engine fault, took off and returned to his ship.

1916 WW1: Austrian sabotage causes the sinking of the Italian battleship Leonardo da Vinci in Taranto.

1918 Japan announces that it is deploying troops to Siberia in the aftermath of World War I. "...Despite Russia's separate peace treaty with Germany ending the war on the Eastern Front early in 1918, Wilson hesitated to get involved in Russia's civil war even at the Allies insistence. By Summer 1918 things changed. The mounting Japanese occupation of Siberia threatened American business interests in the East. Piles of Allied military goods amassing to over 600,000 tons of war materials laid vulnerable around the crowded city. The plight of the stranded Czech Legion vulnerable to the merciless Red Army gave Wilson a much needed moral foundation for intervention. Intervention, Wilson realized, could be used later to pressure the Allies into adopting his ideas for a League of Nations..."

1918 Russian Revolution: The Soviet city of Archangel is occupied by the Allies. "...the Government of the United States wishes to say with the utmost cordiality and good will that none of the conclusions here stated is meant to wear the least color of criticism of what the other governments associated against Germany may think it wise to undertake. It wishes in no way to embarrass their choices of policy..."

1933 Colonel Graham Seton Hutchinson begins publication of The National Worker, a pro-Nazi periodical. "...There was not the smallest doubt that there was an international group of Jews who were behind world revolution in every single country at the present time. That fact a great many people in this country were inclined to pooh pooh..."

1933 Holocaust: The Breslau Jewish Community News is closed by the Nazis. (THP)

1934 Death: Paul von Hindenburg, German field marshal and President of Germany. "...In the later years of his presidency, Hindenburg was heavily influenced by those who surrounded him – especially his son. Hindenburg showed more and more signs of senility and was open to their suggestions. Though he disliked Hitler because he did not come from the right social class and had only been a corporal in the war, he was persuaded to appoint him chancellor..."

1934 German Chancellor Adolf Hitler declares himself Fuehrer (Gleichschaltung) on the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. "...the German revolution is better expressed in its own words. All students of contemporary world affairs must learn it. The word is Gleichschaltung. Gleichschaltung means ‘bringing into line.' It means ‘conformity.' It means, quite simply, ‘making everything alike.' Whoever has followed the German press since the revolution on the fifth of March has seen this word over and over again...The new Germany does not want people who think for themselves, because people who think for themselves build minorities and invariably spoil the pattern. The National Socialist conception of the state is of a perfectly functioning machine, where each person takes his place as efficiently as a cog, and the whole system moves when the leader pushes the button..."

1934 The German armed forces swear a personal oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler. "..."The Fuehrer unites in himself all the sovereign authority of the Reich; all public authority in the state as well as in the movement is derived from the authority of the Fuehrer. We must speak not of the state's authority but of the Fuehrer's authority if we wish to designate the character of the political authority within the Reich correctly. The state does not hold political authority as an impersonal unit but receives it from the Fuehrer as the executor of the national will. The authority of the Fuehrer is complete and all embracing; it unites in itself all the means of political direction; it extends into all fields of national life; it embraces the entire people, which is bound to the Fuehrer in loyalty and obedience. The authority of the Fuehrer is not limited by checks and controls, by special autonomous bodies or individual rights, but it is free and independent, all-inclusive and unlimited..."

1936 Hitler finds a strange rock he calls Wotan's Hand and mounts it in a special glass case, displaying it as though it were a holy relic. Note: This item is completely unsubstantiated. (THP)

1936 A gathering organized by the American Forward Movement in Asheville, NC, collapses when a rabbi attempts to attend the conference.

1936 Spanish Civil War: The State Department urges Americans in Spain to leave.

1938 A major clash breaks out between Socialists and Nazis in Switzerland.

1939 After a lengthy debate the British House of Commons votes itself a summer holiday. It is not scheduled to return until October 21.

1939 Albert Einstein helps write a letter to President Roosevelt, warning him of the possibility that Nazi Germany might be attempting to build an atom bomb. "This new phenomena (atomic energy) would also lead to the construction of bombs. A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port, together with some of the surrounding territory. However, such bombs might very well prove to be too heavy for transportation by air." Roosevelt soon issues orders for a US effort to investigate building an atomic bomb. (THP)

1943 Holocaust: During a Jewish uprising at Treblinka, many of the camp's 850 workers manage to break out and enjoy a brief taste of freedom before German reinforcements are brought in. (THP) "...the plan was to cut the phone lines and overthrow the German soldiers within the camp. Using a locksmith to create a key to get into the Nazis' arsenal, the prisoners smuggled a number of weapons. Other resistance members stole wire cutters and axes from a tool shed. Unfortunately, 30 minutes before the attack, a prisoner was being beaten by a Nazi guard for having money. One of the resistance prisoners shot the guard and killed him. Because of this, the uprising began too early, and the entire attack was less coordinated. Some prisoners did not even know the attack started, and the German soldiers were able to call for reinforcements. Of the 800 prisoners who took part in the uprising, 400 were killed in the fighting, and 300 more were killed trying to escape into a nearby forest. One hundred prisoners survived to destroy the crematoria, but were later killed. Only forty German soldiers were killed..."

1943 WW2: August 2-3 Hundreds of Allied bombers once again bomb Hamburg. 'Bomber' Harris: "...In spite of all that happened at Hamburg, bombing proved a comparatively humane method. For one thing, it saved the flower of the youth of this country and of our allies from being mown down by the military in the field, as it was in Flanders in the war of 1914-1918. But the point is often made that bombing is specially wicked because it causes casualties among civilians. This is true, but then all wars have caused casualties among civilians..."

1943 General George S. Patton slaps a private at an army hospital in Sicily, accusing him of cowardice. Patton is later ordered by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to apologize for this and a second, similar episode. "...Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., came into the tent with the commanding officer and other medical officers. The general spoke to the various patients in the receiving tent and especially commended the wounded men. Then he came to Pvt. Kuhl and asked him what was the matter. The soldier replied, "I guess I can't take it." The general immediately flared up, cursed the soldier, called him all types of a coward, then slapped him across the face with his gloves and finally grabbed the soldier by the scruff of his neck and kicked him out of the tent. The soldier was immediately picked up by corpsmen and taken to a ward tent. There he was found to have a temperature of 102.2 degrees F and he gave a history of chronic diarrhea for about one month, having at times as high as ten or twelve stools a day..."

1943 The US Navy patrol torpedo boat, PT-109 is rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri, and sinks. The boat is under the command of Lt. John F. Kennedy. "...Suddenly a dark shape loomed up on PT 109's starboard bow 200-300 yards in the distance. At first this shape was believed to be other PTs. However, it was soon seen to be a (Japanese) destroyer identified as the Ribiki Group of the Fubuki Class bearing down on PT 109 at high speed. The 109 had started to turn to starboard preparatory to firing torpedoes. However, when PT 109 had scarcely turned 30, the destroyer rammed the PT, striking it forward of the forward starboard tube and shearing off the starboard side of the boat aft, including the starboard engine. The destroyer traveling at an estimated speed of 40 knots neither slowed nor fired as she split the PT, leaving part of the PT on one side and the other on the other. Scarcely 10 seconds elapsed between time of sighting and the crash..."

1944 WW2: Advance of the US First and Third Armies toward the lower Loire river.

1944 WW2: Turkey ends diplomatic relations with Germany. "...Like other neutral countries, Turkey was bound to the Nazis through trade, but that’s where any similarities stop. Turkey descended from the Ottoman Empire and was primarily a Moslem nation. During the World War I, Turkey had aligned itself with Germany. Immediately following WWI, Turkey conducted a program of exterminating the Armenians, a charge that Turkey still vigorously denies. Moreover, Turkey began WWII bound to Britain and France by the military alliance of October 1939; declared neutrality in June 1940 after the fall of France; and ended the war allied with the Allies..."

1944 The Warsaw Uprising: The uprising continues as Polish insurgents seize two-thirds of Warsaw. For three days they await a German counterattack confident they can hold it off and achieve liberation before the Red Army arrives. (THP) "...In the military field the demands of the Jews were directed towards obtaining arms and technical instruction for the preparation of the last, final battle for the Warsaw ghetto. The Jewish Fighting Organization took a decisive stand, saying that the fate of the Warsaw ghetto, like the fate of all the other concentrations of Jews, had been decided, and that total annihilation awaited it sooner or later. In view of this they asked to die with honor..."

1945 WW2: Potsdam Conference: In Berlin, President Harry S. Truman, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and British Prime Minister Clement Attlee of Britain establish a new de facto western frontier for Poland along the Oder and Neisse Rivers. "...On the agenda was the partitioning of the postwar world and resolving the problems of the war in the Far East. This included hammering out the details regarding the division of Germany; the movement of populations from Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Italy; the creation of a Council of Foreign Ministers to administer the agreed upon zones of occupation; and issuing a proclamation demanding unconditional surrender from the Japanese government. Truman, despite his relative inexperience in dealing with foreign diplomats, was holding a trump card that would give him confidence in making demands of the other leaders - the atomic bomb..."