Events with tag - Schleswig-holstein

September 1, 1939

German Attack on Poland

On September 1, 1939, at 4:45 AM, German forces attacked Poland, initiating World War II. The attack began with the bombardment of Westerplatte by the battleship Schleswig-Holstein and air raids on Polish cities. The September Campaign lasted 35 days and ended in Poland's defeat, despite Polish soldiers' heroic defense against overwhelming German forces.

September 1, 1939

Defense of Westerplatte

The Defense of Westerplatte was a heroic seven-day battle of 182 Polish soldiers against overwhelming German forces, which began on September 1, 1939, at 4:45 AM with an attack from the battleship Schleswig-Holstein. Despite the planned 12-hour defense, Polish soldiers under the command of Major Henryk Sucharski defended the peninsula for seven days, becoming a symbol of Polish resistance and marking the beginning of World War II.