Career: Speculation over WSC joining the cabinet, possibly as the First Lord of the Admiralty, supported by popular demand; public ‘backlash’ against [Arthur] Neville Chamberlain’s administration of appeasement; War Cabinet is formed with WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty, speculation over his possible future as Prime Minister; WSC comes under sustained attack from the Nazi press (German cuttings).

Foreign Policy: Germany threatens Polish territory; Invasion of Poland triggers the fulfillment of the Anglo-Polish treaty, therefore Great Britain declares war on Germany (3 September 1939); ‘Athenia’ torpedoed, ‘Courageous’ and ‘Royal Oak’ sunk; reports on the war commence with emphasis on the role of the Royal Navy.