24^th August, 1939

The Emergency Powers (Defense) Act goes into effect today. The Act gives the government almost unlimited power to make new war regulations as deemed necessary by decree of the Privy Council, a small group of senior advisors to the throne. They may order searches and seizure of property or order the detention, prosecution and execution of citizens deemed to have threatened the defense of the realm.

The Royal Auxiliary Air Force comprises ex RAF personnel who remain obligated to serve in time of war, while The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve are made up of civilian flyers volunteering to offer support in time of crisis. Both services are now embodied, merged with The Royal Air Force and all personnel in are placed on active service.

In Italy Pope Pius XII makes a radio address calling for peace while on the same day President Roosevelt appeals to Italian King, Victor Emmanuel III, to make efforts to avert war.

The 16th President of the Reichstag, Hermann Wilhelm Göring, asks his friend Swedish Businessman, Johan Birger Essen Dahlerus, to go to London on an unofficial backchannel mission to convince the British to negotiate with Germany over the fate of Poland.

Territorial Army Anti-Aircraft units, including Kenneth and the rest of 60th (City of London) AA Brigade, RA (TA), have been partially mobilized since June. Under a system known as couverture they are activated for a month at a time—which must be torturous given that Beckenham is just fifteen minutes from Terry, Gill and home in Keston.

Kenneth includes a postcard (PC) with his letter he asks Terry to send on his behalf. Despite the lack of an enemy to fight he appears to have a lot to learn and do.