# Bombing of Wieluń (1939)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1939-bombing-of-wielun
Location: Wieluń
Categories: battle

German aircraft bombed the town of Wieluń in the first hours of the war, destroying its centre and killing many civilians. 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. Bombing of Wieluń 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
Bombing of Wieluń 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 — Bombing of Wieluń](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Wielu%C5%84)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Bombing of Wieluń](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Bombing+of+Wielu%C5%84)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1939–1945) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1939%E2%80%931945))