Poland capitulates

© Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin Propagandistic pamphlet on the attack on Poland: Air victory over Poland, Berlin 1940

„Blitzkrieg tactics“– the rapid advance of large panzer units along with massive air support by the Luftwaffe, largely by means of newly developed „dive bombers“ (Stuka), to encircle enemy forces – assures the German Wehrmacht rapid success in its attack on Poland. On 6 October 1939 the Polish Army, which had hoped in vain for a French-British relief attack in the West, is forced to capitulate.

Poland is partitioned between the German Reich and the Soviet Union which had attacked the country from the East. For the Polish people  – especially for the Jews – this marks the beginning of a more than five-year period of suffering and terror. In its sphere of control, Berlin establishes the „General Government of Poland“. Large segments of the Polish population are forced into labour service.