09/01/2025
Second World War .
September 1, 1939, marked the beginning of the largest conflict in human history: Second World War .
At dawn, without a declaration of war, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish military depot at Westerplatte.
Simultaneously, the German Air Force—the Luftwaffe, bombed the town of Wieluń, killing about 1,200 civilians and almost completely destroying the city.
This was the first instance of aerial terror directed at an defenseless population.
At the same time, German ground troops crossed Poland’s borders along their entire length, from East Prussia to Silesia and Subcarpathia.
Hitler's plan was clear: to swiftly break through Polish lines and quickly reach Warsaw.
Within the first hours of the war, Germany's technological advantage became apparent. The might of the Luftwaffe and modern armored units were a formidable foe for the Polish army, which had limited resources. Despite this, the Poles put up a fierce resistance.
The defense of Westerplatte and the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk became symbols of heroism, with its employees and volunteers fighting until evening despite a hopeless situation.
In Wołyń at Mokra, the Wołyńska Cavalry Brigade inflicted heavy losses on a German armored division, destroying around 100 combat vehicles.
Even on the first day of the war, it was clear that while the Germans had the advantage, the Poles were prepared to fight with the utmost sacrifice.
Parallel to the fighting, a diplomatic struggle was unfolding. President Ignacy Mościcki declared a state of war and appealed for national unity, while Foreign Minister Józef Beck informed world capitals of Germany's aggression.
Poland's allies, France and Great Britain, sent an ultimatum to Berlin demanding the immediate withdrawal of troops.
Although both countries formally declared war on the Third Reich two days later, their actual military aid never arrived. Poland was left to face a powerful adversary alone, a situation that caused anxiety and a sense of abandonment from the very first day of the conflict.
For the civilian population, this was the start of a tragedy.
Air raids, bombings, and fleeing from cities became a daily reality.
Many residents of Warsaw, Krakow, or Łódź tried to evacuate to the countryside, while others dug anti-aircraft trenches and organized makeshift shelters.
Appeals for calm and mobilization were broadcast in newspapers and on the radio, emphasizing the heroism of the soldiers. Despite the chaos and panic, society tried to find its footing in the new reality.
September 1, 1939, became a symbol of the beginning of the Poles' ordeal, but also of their extraordinary courage and determination in the face of German aggression.
