The Invasion of Poland
- Germans attack using Blitzkrieg warfare (Panzers)
- British and French declare war on Sept. 3, 1939
- Russia joins and occupies eastern half on 17 September, 1939
- War ends on 29 September 1939
- Term to describe lack of action after Invasion of Poland
- Ends in April in 1940
- During this time the 'Winter War' between Finland and Russia
- French make small attack into Saarland
Interesting Fact
The Germans blew up their own radio tower and blaming it on the Poles. The Germans then invaded Poland in "retaliation" for the Polish strike in turn starting WWI.
Quote
"Poland, of course, was the key country. I remember Stalin telling me that the plains of Poland were the invasion route of Europe to Russia and always had been, and therefore he had to control Poland."
-W. Averell Harriman
-W. Averell Harriman
Subjunctive Question
If the Germans did not invade Poland would the French and British have declared war?
Summary
Germnay now gets their chance to use the Blitzrieg warfare as they invade Poland. This causes Britian and France to declare war on Sept 3rd. Soon after on Sept 17th Russia joins and occupies the eastern half. War does not last long and ends of Sept 29th. After the invasion, there was a lack of action that was known as The Phony War. Finland and Russia fight in the Winter War during this time. This lack of action was ended in April 1940 by French attacking Saarland.