Invasion of Poland

September 1–27, 1939 · Eastern Europe Theater

Phases

1. 1Sep 1 — Fall WeissSeptember 1–7, 1939
2. 2Sep 9–19 — The Bzura & the PincersSeptember 9–19, 1939
3. 3Sep 17 — The Stab from the EastSeptember 17, 1939
4. 4Sep 27 — Warsaw FallsSeptember 25 – October 6, 1939

September 1–7, 1939

At 4:45 AM the old battleship Schleswig-Holstein opens fire on the Polish depot at Westerplatte, and five German armies cross the frontier from three directions — Pomerania, East Prussia, Silesia, and Slovakia. The Luftwaffe strikes airfields, railways, and the open town of Wieluń in the war’s first terror bombing. The world learns a new word: Blitzkrieg.

• ➤8th & 10th Armies — The main thrust from Silesia toward Warsaw
• ➤3rd Army (East Prussia) — South across the Narew toward Warsaw
• ➤4th Army (Pomerania) — Cuts the Polish Corridor
• ➤14th Army (Slovakia) — North through the Carpathian passes
• ●Westerplatte — the first shots, 4:45 AM
• ●Wieluń — the first terror bombing of the war