German Invasion of Poland

The beginning of the Second World War in Europe; Germany attacks from the west.

After months of diplomatic crisis, Germany launched a large-scale invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939. The German command sought the rapid defeat of the Polish armed forces.

German forces advanced from several directions with support from aircraft and armoured formations. The Polish army resisted, but its position deteriorated because of the attacker's advantages in mobility and fire support.

On 3 September, Britain and France declared war on Germany. On 17 September, the Red Army invaded from the east in accordance with Soviet-German arrangements.

The invasion marked the beginning of the Second World War in Europe. The occupation of Poland brought mass repression, forced labour, terror against civilians and persecution of Jews.

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