watch One-Minute World News

News Front Page
Africa
Americas
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Middle East
South Asia
UK
Business
Health
Science & Environment
Technology
Entertainment
Also in the news
-----------------
Video and Audio
-----------------
Programmes
Have Your Say
In Pictures
Country Profiles
Special Reports

Related BBC sites

Languages
Page last updated at 16:29 GMT, Tuesday, 1 September 2009 17:29 UK
E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Poland falls to Nazi and Soviet invasions

The invasion of Poland was the start of Hitler's military campaign in Europe that brought Britain into the war and saw Germany overwhelm its weaker neighbours in a succession of lightning strikes.

The slideshow below shows the progression of the German army as it moved into Poland. Soviet forces were to follow days later leading to the division of the country.

Within two years, Germany went on to attack the Soviet Union itself.

Graphic of invasion of Poland
1: 0440 German planes attack Wielun killing nearly 1,300 people and destroying some 75% of the town. 2: 0445 German battleship opens fire at point blank range on Polish military post at Westerplatte in the port of Danzig
Graphic of invasion of Poland
Within hours German troops cross Poland's western border and from East Prussia in the north. German aircraft bomb Polish cities and strategic targets. The Germans quickly overwhelm the Polish defenders on their way to Warsaw.
Graphic of invasion of Poland
1: Soviet troops invade from the east. 2: Soviet and German soldiers together. After Poland was overrun Germany and the Soviet Union divide the country between them.
BACK {current} of {total} NEXT
 


E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Print Sponsor

WORLD WAR II: 70 YEARS ON

KEY STORIES
UK recalls declaration of war
Poland angry at Soviet war role
In quotes: WWII anniversary
Poland remembers World War start
British WWII evacuations recalled
BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS
Rochus Misch In Hitler's bunker
The last of Hitler's companions in the bunker recalls the day the fuehrer committed suicide
My father was Hitler's bodyguard
Has Chamberlain been misjudged?
I witnessed German attack
Maps: Invasion of Poland
Poland remembers its catastrophe
Retracing a life-saving journey
Pact that set the scene for war
Africa's forgotten wartime heroes
ON THIS DAY
News reports 1939-45

VIDEO AND AUDIO

Wreath-laying ceremony Remembering the start of WWII

Marian Simo Retracing a life-saving train journey

Audrey Brien UK evacuee who thought she was going on holiday

Len Townsend Escape to the country: An evacuee' s story



TOP EUROPE STORIES
Credit Suisse offices are raided
French row over Bastille parade
EU gives backing to BA alliance

FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Horses sculpture in memory of Genghis Khan, Ordos, Inner Mongolia Ghost town
Has China's housing bubble burst?
Afo - the world's oldest clove tree The guerilla plant
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Sergei Polunin Walking away
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

Skip to top

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific