5) THE SECOND WORLD WAR

5.2 THE WIND THAT SHAKE EUROPE IN 1939, THE FIRST CAMPAIGNS (1939-1943)

On January Hitler threatens Jews during Reichstag , in March he take Czechoslovakia and the Spanish Civil war ends. Then in May Nazis sign the Pact of Steel with Italy, later they also make an alliance/pact with Soviets. Britain and Poland sign a mutual treaty, in the same month of august British fleet mobilizes making civil evacuations from London.

On September occurred the majority of acts such as the invasion of Poland (by Germany) and the declaration of war from Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand on Germany, the British Royal Air attack the German Navy, the proclamation of neutrality of United States, Canada declares war on Germany and the starting of the Atlantic battle. Soviet army invades Poland again and divide it between Nazis and Soviets.

The start of euthanasia on sick and disabled in Germany by Nazis, assassination on Hitler failed and finally on December 14 the expulsion of Soviet Union from the League of Nations.

Polish Campaign 1939:

Our eyes move wearily from scene to scene and the further we march, words become less frequent [...] It is a tragic contrast. The birdsong doesn't capture the face of this world. The reality is bloody traces of the battle which has passed

Werner Flack, Poland, September 1939

Poland was attacked by Germany on September 1st 1939. The German attack was code-named Operation White (Fall Weiss). The attack on Poland started and by the end of the month Poland had surrendered to the Germans and the country was occupied.

The difference in power was overwhelming,

While Germany had 11 tank divisions, 40 infantry divisions, 4 motorised divisions and one cavalry brigade. Poland only had 1 tank division 30 infantry divisions, no motorised divisions and 11 cavalry brigade.

In terms of air power, the Germans had 850 bombers and dive-bombers (the JU-87) and 400 fighters. The Polish Air Force numbered 210 bombers and 150 fighters – though many of these were obsolete and clearly no match for the modern Luftwaffe that destroyed the Polish Air Force within two days of the first attack.

Information from:

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/ww2time.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/attack_on_poland.htm