Fall Weiss
The fighting began early in September 1st. Across the entire front, German attacks were initially favorable, despite preparedness from the Polish Army which were expecting the offensive, although not knowing the exact timetable. The British retaliation however, came quicker than anyone had predicted - just a few hours after the beginning of hostilities, the British War Council and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany, and several wings of bombers were dispatched to bomb military sites in its western border. German fighters scrambled to counter the threat.
But just as the British retaliation came quick, it came weak also. No significant damage has been done to the German industrial effort, and heavy losses were incurred by the patrolling fighters and AA defenses.
Also worth of notice was the movement of a considerable number of French divisions, stationed near the Alps, towards north, probably to the Maginot line.
September 1 - 15
South
The first breakthrougs are achieved. On Sep. 3rd, Höpner (XV) had overran the Polish defences at Lubliniec and began attacking the rear HQs, while Hoth (XXII) motorised divisions cruised over open terrain in his right flank. However Keitel (XI) encountered fierce resistance and progressed slower than anticipated. Meanwhile the 8. Armee paved its way to Kraków.
Meanwhile, following a direct order from Hitler himself, and much against his opinion, Höpner redirect his divisions north to link up with Guderian’s XIX Corps in the encirclement of the Polish troops to the west of Lódz.
On Sep. 10, The Poznan pocket is closed and its reduction begins. Höpner (XV) is freed to race east again towards Lódz, having lost precious time.
In the Slovakian front, however, the situation looked bad for von Kleist XXIV Corps. The stubborn Polish defenders had held the Panzer Divisions for 10 days. The infantry divisions from its neighbor XXVI Corps are called to assist.
But on the 12th, the Polish troops withdraw and von Kleist troops finally occupies Nowy Sacz, albeit at a large cost for both sides.
North
On 6th, The Polish defenders at the city of Danzig are routed by the IX Corps.
In the following days, the 4. Armee advances slowly but surely across the Vistula river, while Kempf’s Panzer Division leads the way in the assault against the bridges at Ostroleka, north of Warsaw.
September 16 - 20
South
After having advanced 100 kilometers into Poland, the 4. PzD and the Leibstandarte motorized regiment are halted to provide support to the 2. PzD and 5. PzD. Lódz defence had been reinforced with fresh infantry divisions and its capture is proving to be difficult.
The 8. Armee captures Kraków and, succeeded in its operational objectives, begins to consolidate the front - one infantry corps, the XVIII, is transferred south to bolster the 7. Armee.
On Sep. 17, the 3. PzD commanded by Schweppenburg breaks through the last Polish defence line in the south and rushes north.
North
The final battle for the Poznan pocket commences in Sep. 17.
Three days later, 50,000 Polish soldiers surrender.
September 20 - October 1
Von Kleist’s XXIV Corps blitz deep into Polish Army rear and seize the bridges at Ostrowiec, cutting off 7 Polish divisions north of Kraków. The 3. PzD and 10. PzD are now within striking distance of Warsaw.
45,000 Polish soldiers surrender in the Wloszczowa pocket.
Meanwhile the 4. PzD and the 3. ID (mot) and 13. ID (mot) renew their assault at Lódz.
Panzer Division Kempf drives south, cutting off Warsaw eastern escape routes. The pressure over the Polish capital begins to mount.
On Sep. 28, Lódz falls, and the assault at Warsaw begins. The Polish Army gives its last breath. As additional German divisions joins the attack, Warsaw defence is on the imminence of collapse. Attacks come from the north, by the 93. ID, from the northeast by the 87. ID and 88. ID, and from the south by the 3. PzD, 5. Pzd, 10. PzD, 2. ID (mot) and 29. ID (mot).
And finally, at 1600 of October 1st, the Polish Army lays down its arms. The government flees through Romania to form a government-in-exile in London, while the Soviet Army, which until now just waited to see the outcome, now rushes towards its newly-acquired territory.
Poland is defeated.
The fighting began early in September 1st. Across the entire front, German attacks were initially favorable, despite preparedness from the Polish Army which were expecting the offensive, although not knowing the exact timetable. The British retaliation however, came quicker than anyone had predicted - just a few hours after the beginning of hostilities, the British War Council and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany, and several wings of bombers were dispatched to bomb military sites in its western border. German fighters scrambled to counter the threat.
But just as the British retaliation came quick, it came weak also. No significant damage has been done to the German industrial effort, and heavy losses were incurred by the patrolling fighters and AA defenses.
Also worth of notice was the movement of a considerable number of French divisions, stationed near the Alps, towards north, probably to the Maginot line.
September 1 - 15
South
The first breakthrougs are achieved. On Sep. 3rd, Höpner (XV) had overran the Polish defences at Lubliniec and began attacking the rear HQs, while Hoth (XXII) motorised divisions cruised over open terrain in his right flank. However Keitel (XI) encountered fierce resistance and progressed slower than anticipated. Meanwhile the 8. Armee paved its way to Kraków.
Meanwhile, following a direct order from Hitler himself, and much against his opinion, Höpner redirect his divisions north to link up with Guderian’s XIX Corps in the encirclement of the Polish troops to the west of Lódz.
On Sep. 10, The Poznan pocket is closed and its reduction begins. Höpner (XV) is freed to race east again towards Lódz, having lost precious time.
In the Slovakian front, however, the situation looked bad for von Kleist XXIV Corps. The stubborn Polish defenders had held the Panzer Divisions for 10 days. The infantry divisions from its neighbor XXVI Corps are called to assist.
But on the 12th, the Polish troops withdraw and von Kleist troops finally occupies Nowy Sacz, albeit at a large cost for both sides.
North
On 6th, The Polish defenders at the city of Danzig are routed by the IX Corps.
In the following days, the 4. Armee advances slowly but surely across the Vistula river, while Kempf’s Panzer Division leads the way in the assault against the bridges at Ostroleka, north of Warsaw.
September 16 - 20
South
After having advanced 100 kilometers into Poland, the 4. PzD and the Leibstandarte motorized regiment are halted to provide support to the 2. PzD and 5. PzD. Lódz defence had been reinforced with fresh infantry divisions and its capture is proving to be difficult.
The 8. Armee captures Kraków and, succeeded in its operational objectives, begins to consolidate the front - one infantry corps, the XVIII, is transferred south to bolster the 7. Armee.
On Sep. 17, the 3. PzD commanded by Schweppenburg breaks through the last Polish defence line in the south and rushes north.
North
The final battle for the Poznan pocket commences in Sep. 17.
Three days later, 50,000 Polish soldiers surrender.
September 20 - October 1
Von Kleist’s XXIV Corps blitz deep into Polish Army rear and seize the bridges at Ostrowiec, cutting off 7 Polish divisions north of Kraków. The 3. PzD and 10. PzD are now within striking distance of Warsaw.
45,000 Polish soldiers surrender in the Wloszczowa pocket.
Meanwhile the 4. PzD and the 3. ID (mot) and 13. ID (mot) renew their assault at Lódz.
Panzer Division Kempf drives south, cutting off Warsaw eastern escape routes. The pressure over the Polish capital begins to mount.
On Sep. 28, Lódz falls, and the assault at Warsaw begins. The Polish Army gives its last breath. As additional German divisions joins the attack, Warsaw defence is on the imminence of collapse. Attacks come from the north, by the 93. ID, from the northeast by the 87. ID and 88. ID, and from the south by the 3. PzD, 5. Pzd, 10. PzD, 2. ID (mot) and 29. ID (mot).
And finally, at 1600 of October 1st, the Polish Army lays down its arms. The government flees through Romania to form a government-in-exile in London, while the Soviet Army, which until now just waited to see the outcome, now rushes towards its newly-acquired territory.
Poland is defeated.