1. The invasion of Poland to the end of the Sitzkrieg

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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