The 1939 Nuremberg Rally

The Rally of Peace (2nd-11th September)

This rally was intended to project Germany's peaceful intentions to the world.

Everything about the 1939 rally was to have been grander than before.
Thousands of labourers worked on the rally grounds all summer building ten new tent cities for visitors.....including 150km of aquaducts for new lavatories.
Others worked around the clock to try and complete other projects such as the Great Avenue and Congress Hall.

In the city a new route for the parade was found that would help control traffic and a thousand streetcar conductors were drafted in from all around Germany and Austria.
There were arrangements for streetcars to go underground near the Party area.....a very advanced solution.

On the 26th August 1939, amid the hectic preparations and with thousands already on their way to Nuremberg, the German News Agency in Berlin released the following announcement.

"According to the Press Office of the NSDAP, the planned party rally from 2nd-11th September will not take place. Whether the meeting will be held later depends on political circumstances."

On the 1st September 1939, Germany invaded Poland.

Hitler salutes his troops entering Poland (with mostly horses)