On September 17, 1939, the Red Army began its invasion of Poland, implementing the secret provisions of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The attack was launched without a declaration of war while the Polish army was fighting the Germans in the west. The Soviet aggression led to the occupation of eastern Poland, mass deportations of the population, and crimes against Polish officers and intelligentsia.
The Red Army's entry into Poland was a pivotal event in World War II history that forever changed the country's fate. It was a moment that marked the beginning of a new era for Poland and its inhabitants, bringing both liberation from German occupation and new challenges.
September 17, 1939, is widely recognized as the beginning of the Soviet invasion of Poland. However, fully understanding this event requires a deeper look at the historical, political, and military context of that period. In this article, we will examine more closely the circumstances of the Red Army's entry into Poland and its long-term consequences.
The Beginning of World War II
#World War II began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's attack on Poland. This event was preceded by a series of diplomatic and military actions that led to the escalation of tensions in Europe.
The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact
#The Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, signed on August 23, 1939, was a crucial element leading to the outbreak of World War II. This agreement, made between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, contained a secret protocol regarding the division of spheres of influence in Central and Eastern Europe. The pact guaranteed USSR's neutrality in case of a conflict between Germany and Poland and the Western powers. This document enabled Hitler to begin military operations without fear of intervention from the Soviet Union.
The German Invasion of Poland
#The German invasion of Poland began on September 1, 1939, at 4:45 AM. The attack came from three directions: East Prussia, Pomerania, and Silesia. German forces, numbering about 1.8 million soldiers, were supported by modern tanks and aircraft. The Polish army, numbering about 1 million soldiers, was poorly armed and had no chance against the enemy's superior forces. Despite heroic defense, including the Battle of Bzura, Polish units were quickly defeated. On September 17, 1939, in accordance with the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, the Red Army entered Poland, accelerating the country's fall.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 08/23/1939 | Signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact |
| 09/01/1939 | Beginning of German invasion of Poland |
| 09/17/1939 | Red Army's entry into Poland |
The Red Army's Entry Into Poland
#The Red Army entered Poland on September 17, 1939, implementing the secret provisions of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. This event dramatically changed the strategic situation on the Eastern Front and sealed the fate of the Second Polish Republic.
The Date of September 17, 1939
#On September 17, 1939, at 3:00 AM, Soviet troops crossed the Polish border along its entire length. The operation began without an official declaration of war. The Soviet aggression occurred at a time when the Polish army was engaged in heavy fighting with Germany in the western part of the country. The Red Army's attack caught the Polish command by surprise, as they did not expect an attack from the east.
Course of the Soviet Invasion
#The Soviet invasion proceeded rapidly. The Red Army employed 6,290 tanks and 4,736 combat aircraft, giving it overwhelming superiority over the weakened Polish forces. Soviet troops quickly advanced deep into Polish territory, encountering sporadic resistance. Units of the Border Protection Corps and local military units put up heroic resistance but were unable to stop the Soviet offensive.
| Soviet Forces | Number |
|---|---|
| Tanks | 6290 |
| Aircraft | 4736 |
Key points of the invasion's progress:
- Rapid advances of Soviet armored columns
- Capture of strategic cities, including Vilnius, Lviv, and Białystok
- Defeat of Polish units defending the Eastern Borderlands
- Junction with German forces at the demarcation line
The Soviet invasion led to a complete collapse of Polish defense in the east. Within days, the Red Army occupied territories up to the Curzon Line, fulfilling the plans for Poland's partition agreed upon with Germany. Soviet actions were met with international condemnation but did not trigger any military response from Western allies.
International Reactions to Soviet Aggression
#The Soviet aggression against Poland triggered various reactions in the international arena. Allied and neutral states responded to this event in ways that influenced the further course of World War II.
Allied Position
#Great Britain and France, Poland's main allies, officially condemned the Soviet invasion. However, they did not declare war on the USSR, focusing instead on the conflict with Germany. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, in his speech on September 20, 1939, sharply criticized Soviet actions, calling them a "cynical act of aggression." France also expressed its outrage but limited itself to diplomatic protests. The United States, still neutral in the conflict, expressed concern about the situation but took no concrete action.
Position of Neutral States
#Position of Neutral States
#The reactions of neutral states varied. Sweden and Norway expressed deep concern about Soviet aggression, fearing for their own security. Italy, despite its alliance with Germany, maintained neutrality towards the Soviet invasion. The Vatican, under Pope Pius XII, condemned Soviet aggression, expressing solidarity with Poland. Japan, despite previous conflicts with the USSR, maintained neutrality, focusing on its interests in Asia. Turkey, bound by alliance with Great Britain and France, maintained a cautious position, avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
Consequences of the Red Army's Entry
#The Red Army's entry into Poland in September 1939 had profound and long-lasting consequences for the country and its inhabitants. This event dramatically changed the geopolitical situation in the region and affected the fate of millions of Poles.
Fate of Civilian Population
#The Red Army's entry drastically worsened the situation of civilians in the occupied territories. Soviet authorities began mass deportations, arrests, and executions. Approximately 1.7 million Poles were deported deep into the USSR, mainly to Siberia and Kazakhstan. The deportees suffered from hunger, diseases, and hard labor in camps. The Soviet NKVD carried out mass executions of Polish officers, intelligentsia, and state officials, including the Katyn massacre, in which over 22,000 Polish prisoners of war were murdered. The civilian population also experienced forced Sovietization, agricultural collectivization, and religious persecution.
Division of Polish Territory
#The Red Army's entry led to the actual division of Polish territory between the USSR and Germany, in accordance with the secret protocol of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. The USSR annexed the eastern territories of Poland, covering approximately 201,000 km². These territories were incorporated into the Belarusian and Ukrainian SSR. Germany occupied the western and central parts of the country, creating the General Government. This division changed Poland's pre-war ethnic and demographic structure. The Soviets carried out forced Sovietization of the annexed territories, implementing their political, economic, and social system. Border changes led to mass population displacements and permanent changes in the region's ethnic structure.
Memory of September 17 in Polish History
#The date of September 17, 1939, remains deeply rooted in Polish national consciousness as a symbol of Soviet aggression and loss of independence. The memory of this event has been shaped differently over the years, depending on the country's political situation.
During the Polish People's Republic period, the topic of Soviet invasion was officially silenced or presented in a distorted way. Communist authorities imposed a narrative of "liberation" and "fraternal assistance" from the USSR, ignoring the actual consequences of the aggression. Censorship effectively blocked all attempts to publicly commemorate the victims of the Soviet attack.
After 1989, there was a breakthrough in approaching the history of September 17. Archives were opened, scientific research began, and materials about Soviet aggression were published. In 2009, the Polish Parliament established September 17 as the Day of the Siberian Deportee, paying tribute to the victims of Soviet deportations and repressions.
Today, the anniversary of September 17 is an occasion for state ceremonies, historical exhibitions, and academic conferences. Memory marches and roll calls of the fallen are held in many Polish cities. Schools incorporate the topic of Soviet aggression into history curricula, shaping the consciousness of the young generation.
The memory of September 17 is an important element of Polish national identity and historical policy. This anniversary serves as a reminder of the tragic fate of Poles in the Eastern Borderlands and stands as a warning about threats to state sovereignty.
Summary
#- The Red Army invaded Poland on September 17, 1939, implementing the secret provisions of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact.
- The Soviet invasion caught Polish command by surprise and led to the rapid collapse of defense in the east of the country.
- The Red Army's invasion was met with international condemnation but did not trigger a military response from the Allies.
- Soviet aggression resulted in mass deportations, executions, and forced Sovietization of occupied Polish territories.
- September 17 remains a symbol of the loss of independence and is an important element of Polish historical memory.
Conclusion
#The Red Army's invasion of Poland on September 17, 1939, marked a turning point in the history of World War II and Poland. This event not only changed the course of the conflict but also profoundly affected the fate of millions of Poles.
The consequences of this invasion were felt for decades, shaping politics, geopolitics, and national identity. Despite the passage of time, the memory of September 17 remains alive, reminding us of the importance of sovereignty and the necessity of protecting independence.
Understanding this crucial moment in history helps us better comprehend the complexity of contemporary international relations and the significance of historical memory in shaping the future.