On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany attacked Poland. The first bombs dropped at 4.40 p.m. on the population of 16,000 Wielen. During the raid, the Germans dropped 380 bombs. According to estimates, 1,200-2000 people were killed. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed. A fewer minutes later, at 4.48 a.m. battleship ;Schleswig – Holstein fired the first shots towards the Polish Transit Component on Westerplatte. On that day, in his command, Chief Marshal Edward Rydza-Smigły appealed: "Soldiers, Germany – an eternal enemy of ours – invaded the Republic of Poland on 1 September 1939, violating our full border. The time has come to fulfill our soldier's duty. Soldiers! You are fighting for the existence and future of Poland. For all step made in Poland the enemy must pay with his blood. Each 1 of you, trusting in the rightfulness of our origin and justice, must make the most of your efforts to fulfill the order of work and honor as hard as possible. Regardless of the long-termity of the war and the sacrifices suffered, the final triumph will be ours and our allies'.
There were 210 soldiers and civilian workers under the command of Major Henryk Sucharski in the attacked depot on Westerplatte. After dense artillery shelling, a naval assault company was launched to attack the Component, later supported by SS-Heimwehr “Danzig”. The Germans hoped that on the first day they would force the defenders to surrender. Just a fewer minutes after the German attack on work in the Polish Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Okulicki (in the future Gen. “The Bear”, the last commander of the Home Army) began receiving reports that Germany had attacked. The war became a fact.
The president of the Republic of Ignacy Mościcki in a message announced on 1 September said: "Citizens of the Republic! The night of today's eternal enemy of ours has begun to engage with the Polish State, which I declare towards God and history. At this minute in history, I address all citizens of the state in a deep conviction that the full Nation will focus on the Chief and Armed Forces in defence of its freedom, independency and Honor and will give a worthy consequence to the attacker, as has happened in the past of Polish-German relations. The full Nation of Poland, blessed by God, in the fight for its sacred and right cause, united with the Army will go shoulder by shoulder to fight and complete victory."
The Aphis with Muscicki's message appeared in the war-torn country. Almost simultaneously with the fire of Westerplatte, Germany attacked the Polish Post Office building at Hewelius Square in Gdańsk. The telegraph-telephone connection of the facility was discontinued at 4.30 p.m. The postmen grabbed the gun. After fourteen hours of dense fighting, due to the arson of the building, the defenders surrendered. The Germans shot with the white flag of the MP, Jan Michonia, who served as manager of the Polish Post and Telegraph territory in Gdańsk. 8 message defenders died, six people died in the hospital, and on October 5 Germans shot 38 message defenders.
On the night of September 1, the German armored train departed Malbork through the Free City of Gdańsk. His goal was to take the bridge through the Vistula River in Tczew. In Szymanków, Polish railwaymen derailed it on a side track. In retaliation, a group of SS men murdered more than 20 Polish railwaymen, a retired customs inspector and 2 women this morning. On the first day of the war, Volynska Cavalry Brigade commanded by Colonel Julian Filipowicz at Mokra fought the German 4th Armoured Division. The Germans lost about 40 tanks. They had nearly 1,000 dead and wounded. On the Polish side, losses amounted to about 500 dead and wounded.
In turn, 2 squadrons of the 18th Regiment of the Pomeranian Ulans stopped the attack at Krojants from the composition of the 2nd Division of Motorised Infantry. The regiment commander, Colonel Kazimierz Mastalerz, was killed in the fight.
"Germany present bombarded civilian population gatherings", "Wojska Polish remind the provoker of the fact about Gdańsk", "Roosevelt urges not to bomb the civilian population" "Polish soldiers go to German full of enthusiasm and strength", "Help for families of soldiers called to defend their homeland carries the household of Reserves" – these are any of the titles of articles published on 1 September in peculiar journals.
That day, in the Evening Edition – 19 o'clock, the Morning Curier reported: "At about 6 a.m., Warsaw was awakened by a siren signal. This signal was followed by radio speakers, announcing the population of the capital's air alarm. Warsaw remained calm from the first moment. In the courtyards there was a sound of fast slamming windows. The outside windows are covered with paper crosses that perfectly defend against the falling of windows. In the tenement houses, the OPL's home service took over. Everyone with armbands, with masks on their shoulder. The street looked different. In a flash, all motion stopped. There are trams, buses, horse cars and cars. People get off in peace, heading for the nearest home or shelter. The Chiefs service information. () At 7 a.m., the sirens announced the end of the alarm. The city has become normal.”
Several air strikes were announced in the capital on 1 September.
And the announcer of Polish Radio said that day:“Westerplatte inactive defends himself!”
Further thematic material soon........
Source :
https://sciencewpolsce.pl/updates...(link is external)
https://polskiemiesiace.ipn.go...(link is external)
https://education.ipn.gov.pl/ed...(link is external)
http://pressmania.pl/1-September...(link is external)
http://pressmania.pl/beautiful-ka...(link is external)
http://pressmania.pl/why-...(link is external)
