In the midst of the ‘Phoney War’
IT was Saturday, October 7, 1939, and more than a month had elapsed since Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced to the nation that Britain was at war with Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
But following the German invasion of Poland in early September – prompting British and French intervention – all was relatively calm, at least in this country.
So much so, that the months following the declaration would become known as the ‘Phoney War’, such was the lack of British military action.
In time that would change and, during this calm before the storm, the nation was preparing.
Our photograph from the Chronicle archive was taken on this day 80 years ago. Sandbagging was in progress outside a children’s hospital in Gateshead.
Public and municipal buildings across the land were being prepared in this way ahead of expected German air attacks.
The Chronicle, on its front page, declared ‘Allies Ready For Big West Effort’. We reported how, on the Western Front, British soldiers were in position alongside the French.
Meanwhile, it was also reported “Germany has put out a feeler for an immediate armistice”. Sadly, this would prove to be a story with no foundation.
Finally, war or no war, there was football – of a kind – even if league fixtures would be suspended for the whole course of the war.
Our front page picture from 80 years ago showed action from a Newcastle United v Middlesbrough friendly at St James’ Park. The Magpies won 3-2 in front of a crowd of 7,316.