Adolf Hitler announces the invasion of Poland, 1939 (b/w photo)

Adolf Hitler during the Reichstag session on September 1, 1939. In his speech, Hitler justified the German invasion of Poland. The much-quoted saying "seid 5 Uhr 45 wird zurueckgeschossen" (We have been returning the fire since 5:45 a.m.) originates from that speech. In fact the fight against the Danzig Westerplatte began already at 4:45 a.m with ship artillery. The air raid on Wielun began one hour later. The reason for the German attack was a commando action feigned by SS men against the radio station Gleiwitz near Breslau. Hitler's statement reads in its entirety: "This night for the first time Polish regular soldiers fired on our own territory. We have now been returning the fire since 5:45 a.m.! And from now on bomb will be answered with bomb! Whoever fights with poison will be fought with poison gas!"