On the evening of August 31, 1939, members of the SS occupied a radio station in Gleiwitz, masquerading as Polish soldiers to orchestrate a false flag operation. This sinister act involved broadcasting a message inciting Polish resistance, while they left behind the body of a murdered Polish civilian to fabricate evidence of an attack. This staged event was part of a broader strategy by Hitler, aimed at justifying the invasion of Poland and promoting his expansionist agenda.
The following day, German military forces invaded Poland without a formal declaration of war. Adolf Hitler addressed the Reichstag, asserting that Polish forces had fired upon German territory, framing the invasion as a necessary response. His rhetoric was designed to unify support for the military aggression, as he proclaimed, 'Whoever departs from the rules of humane warfare can only expect that we shall do the same.' This narrative was reinforced through state-controlled media strategies.
In a calculated move to shape public perception, the Ministry of Propaganda instructed the media to avoid using the term 'war' in coverage, emphasizing that Germany was merely retaliating against unprovoked aggression. The portrayal aimed to create a sense of justification for the invasion, aligning with Hitler's public statements. This propaganda tactic ensured that the narrative of victimhood was maintained, as the German populace was led to believe they were under attack, thus supporting the military's actions.
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