World War 2
The German Invasion of Poland
Around 6am on the 1st of September the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe, began a bombardment of strategic points inside Poland. It was the prelude of the first full-scale demonstration of the speed and striking power of ‘Blitzkrieg’ (which translates to Lightning War) tactics, developed in the 1930’s and based on deep armoured thrusts supported by dive-and-level-bombers.
The Polish Army was dispersed in seven concentrations along its boarders, with very little in reserve, inviting swift capture and concealment by the German Army Group South, attacking on Poland’s western frontier, and Army Group North, striking south from Pomerania and East Prussia.
Within two days the Luftwaffe had gained complete control of the air and Polish cordon defences were splintered into unco-ordinated groups. The German plan involved a double pincer movement. The inner pincer (Fourth, Eighth and Tenth Armies) was to close on the Vistula near Warsaw, while the outer pincer (Third And Fourteenth Armies) was to meet on the River Bug at Brest Litovsk, 100 miles east of the Polish capital.
The outer encirclement was completed on the 14th of September. Three days later Poland’s fate was sealed when the Red Army invaded from the east. Warsaw surrended on the 27th and the fortress city of Modlin fell on the following day. The last Polish resistance was overcome at Kock, south-east of Warsaw, on the 5th of October. Polish casualties totalled 66’000 dead, over 200’000 wounded and nearly 700’000 prisoners. German casualties were light - some 10’500 dead, and 30’000 wounded.
THE STEPS TO WAR
20th of August - Polish crisis breaks.
23rd of August- Britain warns Germany that if Poland is invaded, they will fulfil their guarantees to Poland. German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in Moscow. Secret Protocol agrees to partition of Poland and Soviet occupation of Baltic states.
24th of August - British Parliament approves Emergency Powers Bill.
25th of August - Britain and Poland sign mutual assistance treaty.
31st of August- Hitler orders attack on Poland.
2nd of September - Poland allies Britain and France issue ultimatum to Germany.
3rd of September - Britain and France declare war on Germany after ultimatum is ignored.
20th of August - Polish crisis breaks.
23rd of August- Britain warns Germany that if Poland is invaded, they will fulfil their guarantees to Poland. German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in Moscow. Secret Protocol agrees to partition of Poland and Soviet occupation of Baltic states.
24th of August - British Parliament approves Emergency Powers Bill.
25th of August - Britain and Poland sign mutual assistance treaty.
31st of August- Hitler orders attack on Poland.
2nd of September - Poland allies Britain and France issue ultimatum to Germany.
3rd of September - Britain and France declare war on Germany after ultimatum is ignored.