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Remembering the German Invasion of Poland

German soldiers parade through Warsaw to celebrate the conquest of Poland.

German soldiers parade through Warsaw to celebrate the conquest of Poland. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Richard A. Ruppert

Videos

  • Describes the first night of the German invasion of Poland

  • Describes bombings in Praga and Warsaw after the outbreak of World War II

  • This footage from German newsreels shows German forces in action during the invasion of Poland.

  • This footage shows German forces entering Warsaw amidst the destruction caused by their bombardment of the city.

  • This footage shows victorious German army units parading before Adolf Hitler in the streets of devastated Warsaw.

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William LuksenburgClose

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Describes the first night of the German invasion of Poland

Leah Hammerstein SilversteinClose

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Describes bombings in Praga and Warsaw after the outbreak of World War II

Germany invades PolandClose

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This footage from German newsreels shows German forces in action during the invasion of Poland. —Imperial War Museum - Film Archive

German forces enter WarsawClose

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This footage shows German forces entering Warsaw amidst the destruction caused by their bombardment of the city. —Imperial War Museum - Film Archive

German victory parade in WarsawClose

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This footage shows victorious German army units parading before Adolf Hitler in the streets of devastated Warsaw. —National Archives - Film

Photographs

  • The entrance to a marketplace reduced to rubble as a result of a German aerial attack. Warsaw, Poland, September 1939.

    The entrance to a marketplace reduced to rubble as a result of a German aerial attack. Warsaw, Poland, September 1939. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Julien Bryan

  • A German motorcycle unit advances through the Bydgoszcz region during the invasion of Poland. September 18, 1939.

    A German motorcycle unit advances through the Bydgoszcz region during the invasion of Poland. September 18, 1939. —Wide World Photo

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The entrance to a marketplace reduced to rubble as a result of a German aerial attack. Warsaw, Poland, September 1939.

The entrance to a marketplace reduced to rubble as a result of a German aerial attack. Warsaw, Poland, September 1939. —US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Julien Bryan

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A German motorcycle unit advances through the Bydgoszcz region during the invasion of Poland. September 18, 1939.

A German motorcycle unit advances through the Bydgoszcz region during the invasion of Poland. September 18, 1939. —Wide World Photo

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, initiating World War II. Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany on September 3. Within a month, Poland was defeated by a combination of German and Soviet forces.

In the first phase of World War II in Europe, Germany sought to avoid a long war. Germany’s strategy was to defeat its opponents in a series of short campaigns. Germany quickly overran much of Europe and was victorious for more than two years by relying on a new military tactic called the “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war).

Explore the links on this page to learn more about the Holocaust and World War II.

Related Articles and Information

From the Holocaust Encyclopedia

  • See more photographs
  • Map of the German invasion of Poland, September 1939
  • World War II in Europe
  • World War II: Timeline
  • World War II in Depth
  • The Holocaust and World War II: Timeline
  • Invasion of Poland
  • German Invasion of Poland: Jewish Refugees, 1939
  • German Administration of Poland
  • Introduction to the Holocaust
  • Julien Bryan

Explore Further

  • Collections Highlight—The German Invasion of Poland and the Beginning of World War II
  • Film Gallery: Siege of Warsaw, Poland 1939 (Julien Bryan film footage)
  • Timeline of Events: 1939–1941
  • Timeline of Events: 1942–1945

New video overview of the Holocaust

The Path to Nazi Genocide

The Path to Nazi Genocide

By providing a concise overview of the Holocaust and those involved, this resource is intended to provoke reflection and discussion about the role of ordinary people, institutions, and nations between 1918 and 1945.

View film

Personal Histories

Explore ID cards online

Explore ID cards online

Visitors to the Museum’s Permanent Exhibition receive identification cards describing the experiences of people who lived in Europe during the Holocaust.

Learn more about the Holocaust and World War II

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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2126
Main telephone: 202.488.0400
TTY: 202.488.0406

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