Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The Polish Army fought tenaciously, but was defeated within weeks.
![Invading German troops approach Bydgoszcz. Poland, September 18, 1939. [LCID: 70010]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/13b8832d-062a-43cf-ac5c-261937ff54c9.jpeg "Invading German troops approach Bydgoszcz. Poland, September 18, 1939. [LCID: 70010]")
A German motorcycle unit advances through the Bydgoszcz region during the invasion of Poland. September 18, 1939.
Item View![German forces in the outskirts of Warsaw. In the background of the photograph, the city burns as a result of the German military ... [LCID: 20361]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/821c4820-5b55-47ad-a1fc-c8d8b9a21074.jpg "German forces in the outskirts of Warsaw. In the background of the photograph, the city burns as a result of the German military ... [LCID: 20361]")
German forces and Polish civilians on the outskirts of Warsaw. In the background of the photograph, the city burns as a result of the German military assault. Warsaw, Poland, September 1939.
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German troops parade through Warsaw after the German invasion of Poland. This photo was most likely taken on October 1, 1939. On that day, Adolf Hitler came to Warsaw to review German troops during a military parade. Warsaw, Poland.
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![Adolf Hitler (lower right) gives Nazi salute as he reviews victorious German troops. [LCID: 70041]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/c4931673-c4bc-46bc-9f1b-ab80f6b9820f.jpeg "Adolf Hitler (lower right) gives Nazi salute as he reviews victorious German troops. [LCID: 70041]")
![German soldiers parade in Pilsudski Square. Warsaw, Poland, October 4, 1939. [LCID: 70016]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/f24be463-0a0d-4904-82fe-9dc10277ed0a.jpeg "German soldiers parade in Pilsudski Square. Warsaw, Poland, October 4, 1939. [LCID: 70016]")