War - 1939 | Movietone Moment | 3 September 2021

On this day in 1939, Britain declared war on Germany, two days after Germany invaded Poland. Here is a British Movietone report covering the members arriving to listen to the Premier’s speech. The fateful hour has struck, Britain and Germany are at war. Members gather at the House to hear the Premier’s speech. The crowd sees Count Raczynski arrive at Downing Street for talks. Mr. Greenwood, Sir John Simon, Hore-Belisha arrive. Dr. Kordt goes into the embassy at 21, Bryanston Square. Big Ben stands at 11am when Sir John Anderson and his wife [sic - see comments] arrived followed by Sir John Simon, Kingsley Wood, and Sir Samuel Hoare. Eden arrives by car. Crowds cheer the Prime Minister. Houses of Parliament. Posters announce War as the ministers leave the house carrying gas masks, they are Sir John Anderson and Sir Kingsley Wood. Mr. Chamberlain arrives back at Downing Street. Winston Churchill and Clementine Churchill are also seen Disclaimer: British Movietone is an historical collection. Any views and exp