Scrap of Paper

The so-called "Scrap of Paper" was signed by Adolf Hitler and Neville Chamberlain in Munich on September 30th 1938. Its contents are below:

"We, the German Fuhrer and Chancellor and the British Prime Minister, have had a further meeting today and are agreed in recognising that the question of Anglo-German relations is of the first importance for the two countries and for Europe. We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again. We are resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions that may concern our two countries, and we are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference and thus to contribute to assure the peace of Europe."

This document was read out to the gathered crowd at Croydon Airport by Chamberlain after his return to the United Kingdom. After his return, Chamberlain was celebrated as the man who had brought peace to Europe. The celebration reached its peak when Chamberlain was ‘shown’ to the crowds who had gathered at Buckingham Palace by the king and queen.

One year later the celebration had turned to despair and the above document had been derided by Hitler as a "scrap of paper".

The Nazi invasion of Poland on September 1st 1939, was followed on September 3rd by the British and French declaring war on Nazi Germany.