German Victory Parade In Warsaw

Poland surrenders to Germany, Victory Parade during WW2. (00:08:49m)


October 5, 1939

German forces have occupied the city of Warsaw. Hitler toured the capital city today and attended a victory parade, saluting the troops several times as the troops passed the reviewing stand

Meanwhile, German Army Group South were still battling the Poles in the town of Kock. (Pronunciation:  Kotsk ) The town is located 45km north of Lublin, and 120 km southeast of Warsaw between the Vistula and Bug Rivers. For the past three days German forces have been trying to encircle the Poles but fail. Polish units have consistently repelled all attacks. At 16:00 hours the last German advance began but after a hard fight they was forced to withdraw into the forest. Ground has been lost and regained repeatedly by both German and Polish forces. A Polish infantry regiment led attacks on a German unit using artillery support and the bayonet with which one of the Germans had attempted to fire against the Poles.  It was successful: the German units tried to escape being chased by Polish infantry and cavalry. The Poles captured the Poznan village including a German artillery battery. The artillery later had to be destroyed when Polish cavalry was forced to withdraw under heavy fire from another German artillery battery. Despite initial gains made by the Polish infantry and cavalry they eventually were forced to withdraw to the south of the town of Kryzywda. They have retreated to Krakow and the Vistula River. From there they took the route from Warsaw to Sandomierz and then to Lublin.

Polish Cavalry 1939

In the North Atlantic, the German pocket battleship the Admiral Deutschland attacked and sank the SS Stonegate. British and French Command have dispatched 8 of their warships to hunt down the German Graf Spee.

A Nazi anti-Semetic weekly magazine,"Der Sturmer" published a "Hymn of Hate" renouncing England as the "curse of the world".

The Soviet government continues its' efforts to strengthen it's position in the Baltic region.  Soviets have requested the government of Finland to reopen talks on changing its boundaries.  Meanwhile a pact has been signed between Russia and Latvia giving the Russians use of their sea and air bases. This is the second pact Russia has acquired so far.
 

Link:
Polish Greatness.com

POLES SURRENDER AT HELA

October 1, 1939

Polish troops surrendered today at Hela. The peninsula is a 35 kilometer-long sand bar in Northern Poland separating the Bay of Puck from the open Baltic Sea. After World War I it became part of the Second Polish Republic and has since been a fortified military region manned by 3,000 troops of the Grupa Obrony Wybrzeza (Coastal Defence Group). Since the 1st of September, the area has come under constant air attacks by the Luftwaffe. In the first week of fighting the Polish Armia Pomorze was forced back by advancing German troops. Following the defeat of the Poles at the Battle of Tuchola Forest other Polish strongholds began to topple one after the other: Battle of Westerplatte, Battle of Gdynia, Battle of Kepa Oksywska. Since September 20, Hela was the remaining pocket of Polish resistance in the area.

In his first broadcast of the war, British Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill stated that the Soviet Union has "pursued a policy of cold self-interest" in relation to Poland. He added that "we could have wished that the Russian armies should be standing on their present line as friends and allies of Poland instead of invaders. But that the Russian armies should stand on this line was clearly necessary for the safety of Russia against the Nazi menace."

Polish Navy in Active Service. The ORP Krakowiak and Kujawiak on Convoy Protection

Polish Destroyer  ORP Orkan

Polish Submarine ORP Orzel

The Polish Navy has about 30 warships in service:   8 Submarines, 7 Destroyers, 6 Minesweepers,  3 Escort Destroyers,  2 Gunboats,  2 Light Cruisers, 1 Minelayer, and 1 Torpedo Boat.   There are only 2 large vessels and 5 submarines in the Baltic guarding the Polish coast.  The rest are on active service under the command of the British Admiralty.

The British Admiralty has received news of Germany's cruisers the Admiral Graf Spee and Deutschland.  The Graf Spee has been referred to as a "pocket battleship".  In the years leading up the war, Germany had constructed several battleships of smaller scale in accordance with restrictions placed on it by the Treaty of Versailles,  Though said to be the most heavily armoured cruiser at sea,  their guns are significantly inferior. Despite apparent limitations the Graf Spee has sunk a total of 9 Allied merchant ships with a total tonnage of 50,089.  British, New Zealand and Australian cruisers have been assigned to track her down.

In Tokyo. Reports have been received that several senior officers of the Kwantung army stationed in the state of Manchuria have been dismissed. This comes after the signed agreement between Japan and Russia to settle the border war.

In China. The Chinese Nationalists led by Chiang Kai-Shek have won a major victory in the Battle of Changsa. The Japanese 11th Corps is withdrawing its troops from Northern Hunan province after a failed attempt to capture Changsa and the Tungting lake area.




Link:
Polish Greatness.com

POLES IN MODLIN SURRENDER

The voice is that of Jozefa Malgorzewskiego announcing the capitulation of Warsaw.

September 28, 1939

After an 18-day siege one of the last pockets of Polish resistance surrendered to the Germans today.  The 10 divisions of the Modlin Army had been encircled by German forces in the area of Kutno and Modlin. Under the command of Brig. General Emil Krukowicz Przedrzymirski, the army consisted of 2 infantry divisions and 2 cavalry brigades, as well as 28 infantry battalions, 37 cavalry squadrons, 180 artillery pieces, 12 anti-air artillery pieces, 1 armoured train and 28 planes.

Polish Infantry

Named after the fort located in the region, the Modlin Army was created in March 1939 with the objective of defending the capital city of Warsaw and the city of Plock, from the north.  Their primary line of defence was close to the border with East Prussia and Mlawa, setting Narew and Vistula Rivers as their secondary line.

During the Battle of Mlawa, the German 3rd Army pushed the Modlin Army back towards the Narew and Bug Rivers. Despite receiving reinforcements of Operational Group Wyszkow under General Wincenty Kowalski, it was insufficient to prevent from falling back. On September 10th, the Polish army abandoned it's position near Warsaw. Some of its' troops joined the Warszawa Army and took part in the final defense of Warsaw. Other units were pushed to the southeast near the Romanian bridgehead and took part in the Battle of Tomaszow Lubelski from September 21 to 26.

SS lead Polish Prisoners blindfolded to execution

Talks continued today between German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and Marshall Stalin. Meanwhile, a Soviet-Estonian Pact has just  been signed giving the USSR use of bases in Estonia, a move which ensures Soviet ambitions in the Baltic area.

German radio has been broadcasting numerous reports of having destroyed British warships. In London today the British Admiralty has strongly denied it,  assuring  that "no British ship has been damaged nor any casualties incurred from German aircraft."

In Washington, DC today, the Foreign Relations Committee submitted the Neutrality Bill to the US Senate.



Link:
Polish Greatness.com

WARSAW WITHSTANDS GERMAN ONSLAUGHT

Rough Translation:   Immortal City of Warsaw, where the West meets the East in Central Europe the city was founded,
so you know the fundamentals.

September 26, 1939

A general assault began early this morning on all fronts surrounding the besieged city of Warsaw. The western part of the city is under attack by 5 German divisions (10th, 18th 19th, 31st, and 46th) while 4 divisions (11th, 32nd, 61st and 217th) are attacking the eastern part of the city.  German forces are supported by 70 batteries of field artillery, 80 batteries of heavy artillery, and 2 entire air fleets (1st and 4th).  Bombing of the city is continuous. The city center is in flames. The German 8th Army under Commander-in-Chief von Brauchitsch has joined the other troops in a joint massive assault. The attack however was repelled by the Poles forcing the Germans to retreated to their original positions.  Reports indicate that the Poles have re-captured Mokotow Airport and have rebuilt 6 of their airplanes which have all taken to the air.

German infantry with 150mm Howitzer attacking Warsaw

German tanks surround Warsaw

Stuka Bombers Swarm Warsaw

 

On the Western Front, the French continue launching artillery fire on the forward defences of the German Siegfried Line. Meanwhile in France the Communist Party has been dissolved by a Presidential decree. It now becomes illegal to propagandize themes of the Third International. French communists are leading an anti-war movement. Some have been interned by the French government.

In the British House of Commons, the First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill announced that Britain is winning the U-boat war claiming that British fleets have destroyed a 10th of German submarines in the first 2 weeks of the war and that German losses are probably a quarter or a third by now.

The HMS Ark Royal narrowly escaped an attack today by German JU 88 Bombers. Yesterday the Royal helped rescue the submarine HMS Spearfish which had suffered damage by German warships off Horn Reefs, in the Kattegat (in the southwestern peninsula of Denmark). While returning to port today with Spearfish and HMS Nelson Rodney their location was discovered by 3 Luftwaffe Dornier airplanes.  The Ark Royal launched 3 Blackburn Skuas to disperse them shooting down one Dornier in what was the first British aerial kill of the war.  Realizing that the surviving Dorniers would report their location, the commander of the Royal ordered the aircraft be secured and the anti-aircraft artillery readied.  Four JU-88 bombers soon appeared but were driven away by the ships anti-aircraft fire. The fourth bomber launched a 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bomb at the carrier.The Ark Royal turned hard to starboard heeling over and avoided the bomb which landed in the ocean 30 meters (98 ft) off her starboard bow and sent a spout of water over the ship.

The Germans claimed that the Ark Royal was hit and sank but the pilots could not confirm it. Not long afterward a German reconnaissance flight was made but only two ships were spotted - not the Ark Royal. To prove German propaganda wrong before it had a negative impact on the Allies, Winston Churchill personally assured President Roosevelt that the carrier was undamaged and invited the US naval attache to view the Ark in dock.

British Carrier HMS Ark Royal

Link:

Polish Greatness.com

WARSAW IS SURROUNDED! DESPERATE LACK OF FOOD AND WATER

September 23, 1939

The siege of Warsaw continues. Polish forces have issued a communique demanding re-enforcements and shipments of ammunition and medical supplies. Warsaw is running out of food and potable water supplies are all but depleted. Though Warsaw is completely surrounded by the Germans, Polish insurgents are still showing signs of strong resistance having repelled numerous attacks. Meanwhile in Berlin the German government is claiming that Poles have ceased fighting and state that "In a connected series of destructive battles, of which the greatest and most decisive was in the bend of the Vistula, the Polish Army of a million men has been defeated, captured or routed. No single Polish active or reserve division escaped this fate. Only fractions of individual groups were able to avoid immediate destruction by fleeing into the swamps of eastern Poland. They succumbed there to Soviet troops. Of the entire Polish army only an insignificant remainder still is fighting at hopeless positions in Warsaw, Modlin and on the Hela Peninsula."  The Poles fight on courageously against all odds.

 

In Germany wireless sets have been confiscated from all Jews.

Two Finnish steamers in the North Atlantic have been attacked and sunk by German submarine forces. Reports are coming in from the Western Front that Germans are mounting numerous counter-attacks all without success.

Mussolini has confirmed the Italian intention to remain neutral unless attacked. He stated that Italy is following a policy to "strengthen our army in preparation for any eventualities and support every possible peace effort while working in silence."  He also suggested that the "liquidation" of Poland would facilitate a European peace settlement.

In Tokyo, Admiral Nomura becomes Foreign Minister in General Abe's recently appointed government. Reports indicate that Tokyo has made initial conciliatory moves towards the United States but without response.

At Panama, American states have agreed to a 300-mile (480km) neutral zone off the coast of the Americas.



Link:
Polish Greatness.com

German Bombs Target Polish Civilians

Bombing of Warsaw by Germans WW2 (00:19:29m)


September 13, 1939

US Ambassador to Poland, Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Jr. reported that German bombers are attacking Polish civilians. He stated that  " they (the Germans) are releasing bombs they carry even when they are  in no doubt as to the identity of their objectives."  The German High Command was arrogant in it's response saying that Germany fully intends to carry out bombing raids on civilian targets since the civilians are battling German troops.

German forces of Colonel Schorner arrived at 14:00 hours and broke through the city centre of Lwow. They were driven back by heavy fighting from small Polish infantry units made up of local volunteers and refugees. To reinforce Polish defenses, General Kazimierz Sosnkowski left Lwow and took command of Polish units in Przemysl which was trying to reach Lwow through German lines.  The German Commander had to draw his forces and encircled the city waiting for reinforcements to arrive.  German forces had only limited success. They took control of  Zboiska and surrounding areas. Polish forces have also received additional reinforcements with units withdrawn from central Poland and new volunteer units formed within the city.  The Polish 10th Motorized Brigade under the Command of General Stanislaw Maczek arrived and heavy fighting ensued in the region. The town of Zboiska was recaptured by the Poles though the surrounding hills remain in German hands. The hilltops are providing the German units with a clear vantage point over the city from which they are launching artillery attacks. The Luftwaffe is bombing the city's power plants, waterworks, schools, hospitals and churches.

French Prime Minister Edouard Daladier has assembled a War Cabinet appointing former Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet as Minister of Justice, Raul Dautry as Minister of Armaments, and George Pernod as Minister of Blockade. Daladier has kept the portfolios of War, and National Defense for himself further stating that he hoped that the War Cabinet would fight the war in a spirit of unity and put aside recent divisive.

The French cruiser La Tour d'Auvergne sank from an accidental explosion.  The crew was offloading mines at Casablanca when a mine being disarmed accidentally exploded setting off a chain reaction that blew up and destroyed the ship at anchor.


Link:
Polish Greatness.com

Poles Ordered To Enlist

September 6, 1939

The Polish Government has relocated to the region of Luck-Kremieniec, while the Supreme Council has moved to Brzesko on the Bug River. The Polish Supreme Command has issued the order for all Poles to enlist at checkpoints along the Narew, Vistula and San Rivers.

Forces of the German 10th Army have already penetrated to the east of Lodz and continue to make steady advancements. Armored spearheads of the German forces have captured Tomaszow and Kielce, located south of Warsaw. The German 14th Army has taken over Krakow.

German troops invade Tomaszow

German troops in Kielce

Nazi flag raised atop Castle in Krakow

Fighting continues over Warsaw: The Polish Pursuit Brigade shot down a total of 43 German bombers over the past few days, while anti-artillery units has shot down a similar number of enemy aircraft..  The Poles have 9 unconfirmed victories, and 20 damaged German planes.

One of the planes of Polish Pursuit Brigade

In a horrible incident of friendly fire 2 RAF Spitfires shot down 2 RAF Hurricanes in error over West Mersea, along the Essex coast.  It happened during the first air raid warning which turned out to be a false alarm. The accident has since been referred to as the Battle of Barking Creek.

Meanwhile 7 cruisers of the Royal Navy sailed today forming the eastern convoy of the Northern Patrol.

In France the government imposed a 72 hour work week in the munitions factories.

The government of South Africa led by the new Prime Minister Jan Christian Smuts declared war on Germany. The Iraqi government in Baghdad broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.  And General Franco of Spain has declared his country's neutrality but insiders report that he has secretly pledged to support the Axis.


Link:
Polish Greatness.com

POLES FIGHT THE GERMAN DRAGON

September 2, 1939

In the second day of fighting German troops suffered heavy casualties as they clashed with Polish infantry. The German armies are relentless  unleashing a continuous barrage of artillery fire and gunfire on Polish units. In response eighteen Polish bombers attacked and destroyed German positions in the Radom-Piotrkow area southwest of Warsaw.

The town of Tczew was taken by the German 3rd Army.  In an attempt to stop German advancements across the Vistula, Polish units destroyed the city's vital bridge. When the German task force, Group Medem was unable to seize a crossing they called in Army Group North to effect crossings at Gniew and near Marianwerder. The German 3rd Army Corps kept the bridge under constant artillery fire while trying to fight off fierce Polish counter-attacks during it's advance toward Grudziaz.

Poles destroyed bridge at Tczew

Reports indicate that the Germany Army Group South has already crossed over the Warta River into western-central Poland.  The 8th, 10th, and 14th German armies have made rapid advancements in the frontier battles but with heavy casualties. Krakow is now near the front line. In the north the German 4th Army has just rendezvoused with the Third Army unit from East Prussia. Two Polish divisions were destroyed while attempting to retreat back through the Polish Corridor. They were stationed too forward and found themselves trapped in the rear of the German advance preventing any movement by the Polish Reserves. Communication lines were broken. The Luftwaffe is spreading chaos in the Polish rear, already having made 6 air raids on Warsaw.

Fighting continues at Westerplatte where German units are making renewed efforts to defeat the Polish fighters.  A massive  2-wave air raid of 60 Junkers JU 87 Stuka dive bombers took out the Polish mortars. A Polish guardhouse was completely destroyed after it was hit by a 500 kg bomb. A total of 26.5 tons of bombs were dropped on Westerplatte today, smoke being seen for miles around. At least 8 Polish soldiers were killed.

The town of Wielun in central Poland surrendered. German bombers destroyed most of the town center including a clearly marked hospital and the historic Gothic church. Three quarters of the town was destroyed.  Nearly 1,300 civilians were killed. No Polish military units were present at the time.

Wielun in the first hours after bombing

British anti-war protesters

British Parliament debated frantically today on how to oppose Germany. The majority of the House has openly voiced it's disapproval of the passive line taken so far by Prime Minister Chamberlain in dealing with Germany.  By evening a consensus was reached that Britain should send Germany an ultimatum.  At the same time, a National Service Act was passed allowing for the conscription of men between the ages of 19 and 41.


A fleet numbering 10 bomber squadrons of the British RAF Advanced Striking Force touched down on French soil today. The French Parliament has also convened an emergency session to deliberate on how to oppose Germany and fulfill it's obligation to Poland.  They will join Britain in sending Germany an ultimatum. 

Britains Bomber, the Armstrong Whitworth Whitely

A 5-power peace conference proposed by Mussolini several days ago was rejected by Hitler. Meanwhile the German government announced that Norwegian neutrality would be respected provided that Britain and France do the same. The governments of Italy and Ireland both declared neutrality while Switzerland has ordered a general mobilization.

Mussolini and HItler

L-R: Chamberlain, Daladier, Hitler, Mussolini and Ciano (Munich Agreement 1938)

Welcome to Polish Greatness (Blog)

 To Read the Daily Blogs Please Click here   http://polishgreatness.blogspot.com


Dear Visitors!

Polish Greatness is a website dedicated to the Polish Armed Forces of World War II, and to the Polish men, women, and children who fought so courageously to defend their freedom and independence

The website was launched on September 1, 2007.  Since that time I have received such positive and encouraging emails from people all over the world. It gives me the greatest satisfaction to know that this website has inspired and touched so many people.

I am pleased that I finally decided to start a blog!  It allows me to post comments and information here - without tampering with the content of the website! (I admit that I have been very hesitant to make changes to the website but I do plan on writing a few more articles for it in the near future.)

Polish Greatness Website can be reached at http://www.polishgreatness.com

I invite you to leave your comments and suggestions!

Best Regards!