Germany Invades Poland

What happened

Germany launched an unprovoked invasion of Poland at dawn, spearheaded by tanks and aircraft. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3. Warsaw fell at the end of September, and the Soviet Union invaded from the east on September 17.

Why it matters

The invasion of Poland began World War II in Europe and triggered the British and French declarations of war.

Sources

• Holocaust Encyclopedia, USHMM. Invasion of Poland, Fall 1939 · General source