# Battle of Westerplatte (1939)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1939-battle-of-westerplatte
Location: Gdańsk
Categories: battle

The small Polish garrison at the Westerplatte depot in Gdańsk held out for seven days against German attacks, becoming a symbol of resistance. Within the broader World War II period: Invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland suffered brutal occupation and the Holocaust, while its underground state and armed forces fought on every front of the war. At this point in the timeline (1 September 1939), the governing authority was Ignacy Mościcki (President of Poland). Chemist and inventor elected with Piłsudski's backing; interned in Romania in 1939 he transferred office to Raczkiewicz. Battle of Westerplatte mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Battle of Westerplatte mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Władysław Raczkiewicz](https://poland-history.com/rulers/wladyslaw-raczkiewicz)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Westerplatte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Westerplatte)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Westerplatte](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Westerplatte)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1939–1945) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1939%E2%80%931945))