Polish Campaign, 1939
The Polish Campaign of 1939 marked the beginning of World War II, as Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Tensions had escalated earlier that spring when Germany demanded the annexation of Danzig and a corridor through Polish territory, prompting Britain and France to pledge support for Poland. Anticipating an invasion, Poland implemented a defense strategy known as Plan Z, which relied heavily on swift French action against Germany. However, the delay in French mobilization left Polish forces, led by Edward Rydz-Smigly, vulnerable and poorly positioned along the border.
The German military employed Blitzkrieg tactics—utilizing combined armor, air, and artillery attacks—that quickly overwhelmed Polish defenses. Despite some determined resistance from Polish troops, including notable efforts at the Hel Peninsula and Warsaw, the campaign was decisively in favor of the Germans. On September 16, the situation worsened for Poland when the Soviet Union invaded from the east, leading to a swift conclusion of the conflict. By October 5, Polish forces had surrendered, with around 20,000 soldiers managing to escape. The Polish Campaign not only showcased the effectiveness of Blitzkrieg but also solidified Adolf Hitler's confidence in his military leadership.
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Polish Campaign, 1939
Type of action: Ground battles in World War II
Date: September 1-October, 1939
Location: Free City of Danzig, East Prussia, and Poland
Combatants: Germans vs. Poles
Principal commanders:German, Walther von Brauchitsch (1881–1948); Polish, Edward Rydz-Smigly (1886–1941?)
Result: Decisive German victory
In spring of 1939, Germany demanded that Poland allow it to annex Danzig and construct a corridor through Poland. In response, Britain and France pledged their support. Believing invasion was likely, Poland devised a strategic defense plan, Plan Z, which counted on France to quickly mobilize and assault western Germany, thereby drawing away German troops and allowing for Polish counterattacks. However, because of French ambivalence, mobilization was delayed, and Polish troops, led by Edward Rydz-Smigly, deployed close to the border, in unfavorable positions.
The first shots were fired during the early morning hours on September 1, in the Free City of Danzig, where the Germans, led by Walther von Brauchitsch, quickly overran several small Polish units. The Germans simultaneously hit all along the Polish border. Combined armor, air, and artillery tactics, the Blitzkrieg, punched holes in overextended Polish lines. Although the Polish air force was not, as some authorities state, destroyed on the ground, the German Luftwaffe (air force) maintained overall air superiority and inflicted tremendous damage on Polish communications. Despite heroic efforts on the part of the Poles such as the defense of the Hel Peninsula and Warsaw, they failed to create any major setbacks for Germany. On September 16, Russia invaded eastern Poland, and the campaign was effectively over. The last Polish forces surrendered at Kock on October 5. Although nearly 20,000 Polish soldiers escaped to fight again, capitulation was the only option for those left behind.
Significance
The complete Nazi victory demonstrated the new German strategy of Blitzkrieg and bolstered Adolf Hitler’s belief in his skills as a military commander.
Bibliography
Dunn, John, and Donald Stoker. “Blood on the Baltic.” Naval History 13, no. 2 (March/April, 1999): 45–49.
Sword, Kieth, ed. The Soviet Takeover of the Polish Eastern Provinces, 1939–1941. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991.
The War in Europe. The War Chronicles: World War II series. Documentary. A&E Home Video, 1983.
Zaloga, Steven, and Victor Madej. The Polish Campaign, 1939. Reprint. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1991.