Invasion of Poland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Invasion of Poland |
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| Part of the European theatre of World War II | |||||||||
 A map showing the movement of armies during the invasion. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Nazi Germany Slovakia Soviet Union |
Poland | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Fedor von Bock Gerd von Rundstedt Mikhail Kovalev |
Edward Rydz-Śmigły | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 2,000,000+ soldiers | 1,000,000 soldiers | ||||||||
The invasion of Poland was a major military event that started World War II in Europe. It began on September 1, 1939, when Nazi Germany attacked Poland from the west. Later, on September 17, the Soviet Union also invaded from the east. This conflict is often called the September Campaign or the Polish Defensive War. It lasted for about five weeks and changed the history of the world forever.
Contents
The Invasion of Poland and the Start of World War II
Why did the war start in 1939?
In the 1930s, a leader named Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party took control of Germany. Hitler wanted to make Germany a massive empire. He believed Germany needed more land, which he called Lebensraum (living space). He specifically wanted land in Eastern Europe, including Poland.
Before the invasion, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a secret deal. This was called the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. While it looked like a peace treaty, it had a hidden plan. The two countries agreed to attack Poland and divide its land between them. This meant Poland would have to fight two powerful neighbors at the same time.
The German and Polish military plans
The German plan for the invasion was called Fall Weiss (Case White). It used a new way of fighting called Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." This strategy used fast tanks and airplanes to strike quickly and surprise the enemy. The goal was to surround the Polish army before they could set up a strong defense.
Poland had a plan called Plan West. They wanted to defend their borders and wait for help from their allies. Poland had a military alliance with the United Kingdom and France. These countries promised to help if Germany attacked. However, the Polish army was spread very thin along a long border, making it hard to stop the fast German tanks.
How the Invasion Happened on the Ground
The first shots of the conflict
The war officially began at 4:45 a.m. on September 1, 1939. A German battleship called the Schleswig-Holstein fired at a Polish base at Westerplatte. At the same time, German planes began bombing Polish cities and military targets. This was a surprise attack that happened without any warning.
The German army moved very quickly across the flat plains of Poland. They used their superior numbers of tanks and planes to break through Polish lines. Even though the Polish soldiers fought very bravely, they were often overwhelmed by the modern German equipment.
The Soviet Union enters the conflict
On September 17, 1939, the Soviet Union's Red Army invaded eastern Poland. This was a huge shock to the Polish defenders. Now, they had to fight on two different sides. The Polish government realized they could no longer win the battle at home. They ordered their remaining soldiers to escape to nearby neutral countries like Romania.
What Happened to Poland After the Fighting?
The fall of Warsaw and the end of the campaign
The capital city of Warsaw was surrounded by German troops. The city suffered from heavy bombing, but the people and soldiers defended it for weeks. Warsaw finally surrendered on September 28. The last organized Polish troops stopped fighting on October 6, 1939, after the Battle of Kock.
Even though the fighting in Poland ended, the country never officially surrendered. Many Polish leaders and soldiers escaped to Great Britain. They formed a government-in-exile in London. These soldiers continued to fight alongside the Allies for the rest of World War II.
Life in occupied Poland
After the invasion, Germany and the Soviet Union divided Poland into two parts. Life became very difficult for the people living there. The new rulers created very strict and unfair laws. Many people were forced to leave their homes or work in difficult conditions.
In response, many Polish people joined a secret resistance movement. This was called the Polish Underground State. They worked in secret to fight against the occupiers and help their country become free again. This resistance lasted until the end of the war in 1945.
Images for kids
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A map showing the movement of armies during the invasion.
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Polish soldiers marching to defend their country.
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Polish bomber planes used during the conflict.
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A Polish 7TP tank, which was one of their best vehicles.
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German leaders watching their troops enter Poland.
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Polish soldiers during a battle.
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Soviet troops entering a city in eastern Poland.
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Damage in Warsaw after the heavy bombing.
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German and Soviet troops meeting during the invasion.
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Polish troops moving toward safety.
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Polish troops training in Scotland to continue the fight.
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German soldiers removing Polish signs.
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A Polish soldier with a special anti-tank rifle.
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Soldiers defending the capital city of Warsaw.
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See also
In Spanish: Invasión alemana de Polonia de 1939 para niños
