September 6th 1939

Wednesday September 6th

It is difficult to gather how things are going, although Poland seems to be having a terrible time.

There was a report that enemy aircraft had attempted to reach the East Coast, but this was afterwards denied.

The papers are full of harrowing details about the “Athenia”, but the full list of casualties is still unknown.

I feel even now that it is a nightmare from which I shall awake – it seems so utterly impossible.

Berlin has issued a decree which I should say surpasses all for devilry. The relations of soldiers killed are to be informed, but on pain of severe penalties, they are not to tell others or wear mourning. Does Hitler dream that grief is a thing that can be state-controlled?