The invasion of Poland to the end of the Sitzkrieg

When September 1939-April 1940 Began September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland Britain and France declared war on Germany Sept. 3 Canada declared war on Germany on Sept. 10 Ended when Germany invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940

Who was involved Germany air force (Luftwaffe) German army (Wehrmacht) German navy (Kriegsmarine) German tanks (Panzerkampfwagons) Polish army Polish Calvary (Men on horseback) On Sept. 17, the Soviet Army attacked Poland from the East as part of the Nazi-Soviet Non-aggression Pact

Where it happened Along the border between Poland and Germany Along the border between Poland and the Soviet Union

Objective The objective was for Germany to re-take land that was lost when Poland was created as part of the Treaty of Versailles Germany was also going to split Poland with the Soviet Union so that Stalin would also be happy getting land back that was taken from Russia

Details Polish Army was crushed by the German tactic of Blitzkrieg (Lightning War). Blitzkrieg includes: 1. Surprise 2. Psychological Warfare 3. Concentration of Firepower 4. Speed 5. Leadership from the Front 6. Co-ordination of your armed forces together as one fighting force.

Details continued Luftwaffe began bombing raids on Poland’s railways and military convoys to disrupt mobilization German ground forces moved in from the North and South Poland’s army had nowhere to retreat The final blow came in mid-September when the USSR invaded Poland from the East

Outcome Poland was taken over by Germany and the Soviet Union The Allies did not attack Hitler as they needed time to raise armies. This time was known as Sitzkrieg or the “Phoney War” The Allies hoped that Hitler would stop with Poland. There was no fighting in Europe until Hitler turned his attention to the rest of Europe in April 1940

Significance to the war Germany and the Soviet Union attacked and conquered Poland. Britain and France declared war on German but did nothing since they needed time to build-up their forces. Germany used this time to conquer Poland and begin to make it part of Germany. Germany was able to make plans to defend against and also attack the Allies

Main ideas to take away German tactic of Blitzkrieg is very effective Poland was conquered and divided in two by Germany and the Soviet Union Britain and France declared war but did nothing to attack Germany during the Sitzkrieg Germany used the Sitzkrieg to prepare for future attacks using Blitzkrieg