Invasion of Poland

View of an undamaged Polish city from the cockpit of a German medium bomber aircraft.

First Ember of WW2

On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, officially beginning World War II in Europe. Germany used a new military strategy called blitzkrieg, or “lightning war,” which combined fast-moving tanks, coordinated infantry, and overwhelming air attacks to defeat Poland quickly. Only two days later, Britain and France declared war on Germany, transforming a regional invasion into a global conflict.

This exhibit explains how the Nazi invasion of Poland became one of the most important turning points of World War II. It examines the political causes of the invasion, the military strategies used during the attack, and the global consequences that followed. The exhibit also explores how different perspectives and historical context shaped reactions to the invasion and influenced the course of the war.

Main Documentary

78784 Invasion Of Poland.mp4

German Invasion of Poland 1939 World War II Film 78784

https://archive.org/details/78784InvasionOfPoland

This documentary is recommended because it combines authentic wartime footage with narration explaining the Nazi invasion of Poland, the blitzkrieg strategy, and the destruction of Warsaw during the opening weeks of World War II.

Pirmary Sources

Adolf Hitler’s Address to the Reichstag (September 1, 1939)

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/gp2.asp

Citation: Hitler, Adolf. “Address Before the Reichstag.” September 1, 1939.

This is a primary source because it is the official transcript of Hitler’s speech to the Reichstag on the day Germany invaded Poland. It reveals how Nazi Germany publicly justified the invasion and attempted to blame Poland for the conflict.

Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact (August 23, 1939)

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1939pact.asp

Citation: “Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.” August 23, 1939.

This is a primary source because it is the official agreement signed between Germany and the Soviet Union before the invasion. It reveals how both nations secretly agreed to divide Poland between them.

Siege Documentary Footage by Julien Bryan (1939)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Julien_Bryan_-_Siege.ogv

Citation: Bryan, Julien. Siege. 1939.

This is a primary source because it contains real footage filmed during the German invasion and siege of Warsaw in 1939. It reveals the destruction caused by German attacks and documents the experiences of civilians during the beginning of World War II.

Julien_Bryan_-_Siege.ogv

Neville Chamberlain Radio Address Declaring War on Germany (September 3, 1939)

https://avalon.law.yale.edu/wwii/gb3.asp

Citation: Chamberlain, Neville. “Radio Address by Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, September 3, 1939.” Avalon Project, Yale Law School, 1939.

This is a primary source because it is the transcript of Chamberlain’s actual radio address announcing that Britain was at war with Germany after the invasion of Poland. It reveals how Poland’s invasion directly caused Britain to enter World War II

Roosevelt Fireside Chat on the European War (September 3, 1939)

https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/september-3-1939-fireside-chat-14-european-war

This is a primary source because it is President Roosevelt’s radio address responding to the outbreak of war in Europe and Germany’s invasion of Poland.

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