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.jpg "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.
Item View![German troops parade through Warsaw after the invasion of Poland. [LCID: 80487]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/effe57cb-94e6-4852-a506-e8a464a63fea.jpg "German troops parade through Warsaw after the invasion of Poland. [LCID: 80487]")
German troops parade through Warsaw after the German invasion of Poland. Warsaw, Poland, September 28-30, 1939.
Item View![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.jpg "Adolf Hitler (lower right) gives Nazi salute as he reviews victorious German troops. [LCID: 70041]")
Adolf Hitler (lower right) gives Nazi salute as he reviews victorious German troops. Warsaw, Poland, October 5, 1939.
Item View![German soldiers parade in Pilsudski Square. Warsaw, Poland, October 4, 1939. [LCID: 70016]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/f24be463-0a0d-4904-82fe-9dc10277ed0a.jpg "German soldiers parade in Pilsudski Square. Warsaw, Poland, October 4, 1939. [LCID: 70016]")
German soldiers parade in Pilsudski Square. Warsaw, Poland, October 4, 1939.
Item View![Invading German troops enter the town of Lodz. Poland, September 8, 1939. [LCID: 70043]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/97eec35d-b58a-4b17-92dc-97a66d93fbae.jpg "Invading German troops enter the town of Lodz. Poland, September 8, 1939. [LCID: 70043]")
Invading German troops enter the town of Lodz. Poland, September 8, 1939.
Item View![Invading German soldiers raise the Nazi flag in front of the city hall. [LCID: 70037]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/f16bd3d7-b5a5-4cec-9aa3-8015e797c657.jpg "Invading German soldiers raise the Nazi flag in front of the city hall. [LCID: 70037]")
Invading German soldiers raise the Nazi flag in front of the city hall. Gdynia, Poland, September 1939.
Item View![The Sigismund Monument stands amid rubble in the Polish capital after Germany's Blitzkrieg assault. [LCID: 20358]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/556c1f84-3f53-4de0-bda1-83d79a00cd15.jpg "The Sigismund Monument stands amid rubble in the Polish capital after Germany's Blitzkrieg assault. [LCID: 20358]")
The Sigismund Monument stands amid rubble in the Polish capital after Germany's Blitzkrieg assault. Warsaw, Poland, 1939.
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