Battle of Poland

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Battle of Poland

World War II

Also known as: Polish Campaign

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July 2, 2026

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The Invasion of Poland, which began on September 1, 1939, marked the start of World War II. Germany launched a surprise attack using a coordinated assault across the Polish border, supported by over 1,300 aircraft and numerous tank divisions. This strategy, known as blitzkrieg or "lightning war," overwhelmed Polish forces, who were strategically outflanked and outnumbered.1

Despite declarations of war from Britain and France on September 3, 1939, they could not effectively aid Poland. The situation worsened when the Red Army invaded from the east on September 17, as per the secret terms of the Nazi-Soviet pact. Poland was subsequently divided between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, with Warsaw surrendering on September 28, 1939.1

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World War II
The campaign in Poland, 1939
Against northern Poland, General Fedor von Bock commanded an army group comprising General Georg von Küchler’s 3rd Army, which struck southward from East Prussia, and General Günther von Kluge’s 4th Army, which struck eastward across the base of the Corridor. Much stronger in troops and in tanks,…
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Against northern Poland, General Fedor von Bock commanded an army group comprising General Georg von Küchler’s 3rd Army, which struck southward from East Prussia, and General Günther von Kluge’s 4th Army, which struck eastward across the base of the Corridor. Much stronger in troops and in tanks,…
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Germany
Foreign policy
…1, 1939, Hitler launched his invasion of Poland. Two days later Britain and France declared war on Germany.
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…1, 1939, Hitler launched his invasion of Poland. Two days later Britain and France declared war on Germany.
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Poland
The Second Republic
…launched an all-out attack against Poland.
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…launched an all-out attack against Poland.
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Warsaw
World War II and contemporary Warsaw
During the Nazi siege of Warsaw in 1939, more than 10,000 citizens perished and more than 50,000 were wounded before the lack of supplies forced a surrender. The subsequent Nazi occupation was aimed at reducing Warsaw to a provincial city; its cultural treasures were systematically plundered and its…
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During the Nazi siege of Warsaw in 1939, more than 10,000 citizens perished and more than 50,000 were wounded before the lack of supplies forced a surrender. The subsequent Nazi occupation was aimed at reducing Warsaw to a provincial city; its cultural treasures were systematically plundered and its…
Read More