# German invasion of Poland (1939)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1939-german-invasion-of-poland
Location: Poland
Categories: battle, main-event

At dawn on 1 September 1939 Germany invaded Poland from the west, north and south, starting the Second World War in Europe. 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. German invasion of Poland 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
German invasion of Poland 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 — Invasion of Poland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — German invasion of Poland](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=German+invasion+of+Poland)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1939–1945) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1939%E2%80%931945))