Invasion of Poland

Quick Facts: Who was Invasion of Poland?

Subject:

Invasion of Poland

Known for:

The joint 1939 attack by Nazi Germany, the USSR, and the Slovak Republic that began WWII.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign, Polish Campaign, and Polish Defensive War of 1939 (1 September – 6 October 1939), was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Slovak Republic, and the Soviet Union, which marked the beginning of World War II. The invasion began on 1 September 1939 when Germany marched into Poland, preceded by the Danzig crisis and by the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, which was signed one week before and approved by the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union one day before the invasion. On 17 September the Soviet Union invaded as well, acting on a secret protocol of the pact, which assigned parts of Poland to them. The campaign ended on 6 October with Germany and the Soviet Union dividing the whole of Poland under the terms of the German–Soviet Frontier Treaty. The aim of the invasion was to disestablish Poland as a sovereign country, with its citizens destined for extermination.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

German and Slovak forces invaded Poland from the north, south, and west the morning after the Gleiwitz incident. As the Wehrmacht advanced, Polish forces withdrew from their forward bases of operation close to the Germany–Poland border to more established defense lines to the east. After the mid-September Polish defeat in the Battle of the Bzura, the Germans gained an undisputed advantage. Polish forces then withdrew to the southeast where they prepared for a long defence of the Romanian Bridgehead and awaited expected support and relief from France and the United Kingdom. On 3 September, based on their alliance agreements with Poland, the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany; in the end their aid to Poland was very limited.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

France invaded a small part of Germany in the Saar Offensive, and the Polish army was effectively defeated even before the British Expeditionary Force could be transported to continental Europe. On 17 September, the Soviet Red Army invaded Eastern Poland, the territory beyond the Curzon Line that fell into the Soviet "sphere of influence" according to the secret protocol of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact; this rendered the Polish plan of defence obsolete. Facing a second front, the Polish government concluded the defence of the Romanian Bridgehead was no longer feasible and ordered an emergency evacuation of all troops to neutral Romania. On 6 October, following the Polish defeat at the Battle of Kock, German and Soviet forces gained full control over Poland. The success of the invasion marked the end of the Second Polish Republic, though Poland never formally surrendered.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1939: 1939 Milestone — The invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign, Polish Campaign, and Polish Defensive War of 1939 (1 September – 6 October 1939), was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Slovak Republic, and the Soviet Union, which marked the beginning of World War II.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Invasion of Poland

True or False: “The invasion of Poland was solely orchestrated by Nazi Germany to reclaim lost German territories.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The invasion was a joint effort involving Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union (acting under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact), and the Slovak Republic.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ada Yonath — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering crystallographer known for elucidating the structure and function of the ribosome.
• Alan Ayckbourn — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Prolific British playwright and director known for domestic farce and ensemble pieces.
• Invasion of the Waikato — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The major 19th-century campaign to suppress the Kingitanga Movement in the North Island.
• Investiture Controversy — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Medieval conflict over who held the authority to appoint bishops and popes.
• Invictus Gaming — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A prominent Chinese multi-game esports organization known for major international victories.
• Ioana Dumitriu — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Romanian-American mathematician specializing in random matrices and numerical analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions about Invasion of Poland