World War 2 Pictures: Invasion of Poland by Germany, September 1939

German troops entering Bydgoszcz.

The German invasion of Poland began on September 1st, 1939. It was the campaign which marked the start of World War II in Europe.
Hitler saw Poland as land belonging to Germany, for it had been guaranteed access to the sea by the League of Nations after World War I, separating Prussia and Greater Germany, this angered Hitler.
The Soviet Union had signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler's Germany and within this it was agreed that Poland was to be divided into two halves, a Soviet zone, and a German zone. Hitler and Stalin had put aside their antipathy, for national gain and the restoration of their borders from before 1919.

The plan was for a mass encirclement and destruction of the enemy. German units were to advance to Poland from 3 directions:
- A main attack on the Western Polish border.
- A second route of attack from Prussia.
- A third attack from Slovakia, by Slovak units.

The infantry were to be supported by German armour, and truck-mounted infantry to further the rapid movement, isolation and encirclement of the Polish army. It was the beginning of the 'Blitzkrieg' strategy, with intense bombing from the start to destroy the enemy's air threats, transport, communication and supplies. Followed by swift and large land invasions of troops, tanks and artillery. With infantry moving in and eliminating any remaining resistance.

The invasion began at 08:00 on September 1st, 1939. German troops invaded the Western border as planned, near Mokra. There were 62 German divisions which were supported by 1,300 aircraft.

The Luftwaffe destroyed rail and road junctions, with further bombing of towns and villages. The terrorised civilians attempted to flee, which hindered the flow of the Polish reinforcements to the front line.

The Polish army was under-equipped, the cavalry and general anitquated state of its military forces were not an equal match for the more modern and mechanised German army.

Polish cavalry could not match up to the armoured tanks of the German army.

On September 5th, the town of Kielce was taken, and by September the 8th, a German armoured corps were at the outskirts of Warsaw. In only the first week, the German's had advanced 145 miles. On September 9th, the tanks of the 3rd Army encircled Warsaw. The Polish armies were scattered and unable to launch co-ordinated counter-attacks.

On September 10th, the Polish commander Marshal Edward Rydz-Smigly ordered a retreat to the South-east.

Between September 9th and September 19th, 1939, the fiercest and largest battle of the Poland campaign was fought, west of Warsaw. Polish armies that had retreated attacked the German 8th Army, but failed. The Luftwaffe had control of the air and played a key role, partaking in air-raids and destroying the Polish resistance. Stukas destroyed bridges across the Bzura River, leaving the Polish forces stranded. Relentless waves of German planes attacked.

Warsaw burning as the Luftwaffe attacks.

Soviet forces joined the attack on September 17th, this invasion further convinced the Polish government that Poland had been lost to the enemy. They did not negotiate a peace treaty with Germany though, instead ordering all troops and units to retreat to France. Warsaw held out until September 27th. Britain and France did not accept Hitler's peace offer and thus the invasion of Poland was the first campaign of World War 2.