Defensive War of 1939 - German aggression and defense of Poland
The Defensive War of 1939, also called the September Campaign by historians, covers the period from September 1 to October 5, 1939. At that time, the German and Soviet armies attacked Poland, starting World War II. After more than a month of fighting, the Polish troops surrendered, and the country's territory was divided between the aggressors. During the campaign, the first underground independence organizations were created, which continued Poland's war efforts. The campaign was conducted with particular brutality, reflecting Nazi Germany's policy towards the eastern territories and the Slavic population. In the plans of the German dictator Adolf Hitler, Poland was to become a source of "living space", and its citizens were to become a reservoir of slave labor for the German nation.
The aggressive military policy of the Third Reich, to which the Western powers were passive, led to a tightening of relations with Poland. In 1939, Germany demanded a number of territorial and administrative concessions from its eastern neighbor, which clearly threatened Poland's sovereignty. Faced with the refusal of the Polish authorities, the Nazi Third Reich began preparations for war. On August 23, 1939, the Foreign ministers of Germany and the USSR signed the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, which authorized joint actions against Poland and the border between the two totalitarian countries. Although Poland was trying to create a network of political and military alliances with France and Great Britain at that time, the covenant proved to be unstable. The Allies decided not to support the Polish army, which was forced to fight on two fronts.
On September 1, at 4:45 a.m., German troops crossed the border with Poland and attacked the neighboring country without declaring war. The battleship Schleswig-Holstein, which was in Gdansk on a courtesy visit, began shelling Polish positions on the Westerplatte. At the same time, German bombers appeared over many Polish cities and began destroying ground targets. The ground forces launched a rapid offensive, taking advantage of the surprise of the Poles. The disparity of forces and means became apparent in the early days of the German offensive, codenamed "Fall Weiss". The Poles had about 1 million soldiers at their disposal, supported by 500 tanks (just one full armored brigade) and 400 aircraft. The forces of the Third Reich had at their disposal not only the best equipment, but also a large number - about 1.5 million soldiers, 2,500 tanks and 1,300 aircraft. An even greater disparity has become apparent in the Baltic Sea. On August 31, 1939, the Polish command sent three destroyers to the UK, which eliminated all chances of effective defense. Modern betting requires speed and convenience that only a dedicated application can provide. From live streaming to quick withdrawals, everything becomes simpler. 1xbet app download gives you full functionality including cash-out options, multi-live mode, and personalized bonuses right in your pocket. The interface is clean and user-friendly for both beginners and professionals. Regular updates ensure maximum security and the latest features.
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