Timeline Friday 1 September 1939

Events on Friday 1 September 1939 5

• 1939 Battle of Westerplatte Polish garrison holds out against German assault The battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish Military Transit Depot at Westerplatte in Danzig, firing some of the first shots of the war. Fewer than 200 defenders held out for a week. The battle became a symbol of Polish resistance.
• 1939 German invasion of Poland Germany attacks Poland without a declaration of war German forces crossed into Poland on 1 September, and the invasion is usually taken as the start of the Second World War in Europe. Polish forces were overwhelmed by attacks from the west, north and south. The last Polish field units surrendered on 6 October.
• 1939 Germany invades Poland World War II begins — September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland at dawn on September 1, 1939, using Blitzkrieg tactics. Britain and France issued ultimatums and declared war on Germany two days later, beginning World War II.
• 1939 Invasion of Poland Start of WWII Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded Poland, marking the beginning of the Second World War.
• 1939 Operation Pied Piper Mass evacuation of British children begins The British government began moving schoolchildren, mothers and others out of cities it expected to be bombed. About 1.5 million people were evacuated in the first days. Many returned home during the Phoney War.