The capitulation of Warsaw on September 28, 1939, ended the heroic 20-day defense of Poland's capital against the German invader. After exhausting combat, facing overwhelming enemy forces, lack of supplies, and a dramatic situation of civilians, the city's defense command decided to surrender. The act of capitulation was signed at 13:15 in Ożarów Mazowiecki.

The Capitulation of Warsaw during World War II is one of the most tragic moments in Polish history. This event forever changed the fate of the capital and its inhabitants, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's consciousness.

Warsaw, a symbol of Polish resistance, fiercely resisted German invaders for over a month. The heroic defense of the city, despite enormous losses and civilian suffering, became a symbol of Polish resilience and patriotism. However, in the face of overwhelming enemy forces, lack of supplies, and external support, the capital's fate was sealed.

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, found itself in a tragic position in September 1939. The city put up fierce resistance against German invaders, but the situation became increasingly dramatic with each passing day.

German forces surrounded Warsaw on September 8, 1939. Enemy forces numbered approximately 175,000 soldiers, 1,150 artillery pieces, and 350 tanks. German aircraft conducted regular raids, destroying urban infrastructure and defensive forces. The siege lasted 20 days, during which the city was systematically bombed and shelled. Power, water, and food supplies were cut off, significantly worsening living conditions for the civilian population.

Warsaw's defenders, led by Gen. Walerian Czuma and President Stefan Starzyński, put up fierce resistance. About 120,000 soldiers and volunteers were involved in the defense. Barricades were built from furniture, sandbags, and rubble. Civilians helped extinguish fires, care for the wounded, and deliver food to defenders. Radio Warsaw broadcast programs maintaining residents' morale. Despite enemy superiority, the defenders repelled several German assaults, inflicting significant losses on the aggressor. The heroism of Warsaw's residents became a symbol of Polish resistance against Nazi aggression.

The last days of Warsaw's defense were characterized by a dramatic deterioration of both military and civilian situations. The city's defenders, despite their heroic resistance, faced an inevitable defeat.

The exhaustion of resources and strength of Warsaw's defenders reached a critical level by the end of September 1939. Ammunition supplies shrank to a minimum, limiting the effectiveness of defensive operations. Soldiers, fighting continuously since the beginning of September, suffered from physical and mental exhaustion. Shortages in medical supplies made it impossible to effectively treat the wounded. The defenders' artillery, crucial for halting German attacks, had only remnants of shell supplies. The situation was worsened by the inability to replenish losses in both personnel and equipment.

The situation of Warsaw's civilian population in the final days of defense was catastrophic. Continuous bombardments destroyed a significant portion of urban infrastructure, depriving residents of access to basic services. Hospitals, overcrowded with the wounded, struggled with shortages of medicines and personnel. Food supplies were depleted, leading to hunger among civilians. Lack of drinking water increased the risk of epidemics. Thousands of people lost their homes, seeking shelter in basements and makeshift bunkers. Bodies of the dead lay in the streets, creating a sanitary hazard. Fear and uncertainty about the future deepened the tragic situation of Warsaw's residents.

Faced with Warsaw's tragic situation, the city's defense command faced the most difficult decision - capitulation. This process, though painful, was inevitable given the exhaustion of defenders' forces and resources, and the dramatic situation of the civilian population.

Gen. Walerian Czuma, the commander of Warsaw's defense, played a crucial role in the decision-making process. Together with President Stefan Starzyński and Colonel Tadeusz Tomaszewski, they formed the core group responsible for making the final decision. Gen. Juliusz Rómmel, commander of the "Warsaw" Army, also participated in the consultations. The decision to surrender was made on September 27, 1939, after a detailed analysis of the city's military and humanitarian situation.

Negotiations with the German command began on September 27, 1939. Colonel Tadeusz Tomaszewski, as parliamentarian, went to the German lines with a proposal for talks. General Johannes Blaskowitz, commander of the German 8th Army, received the Polish delegation. The talks took place in Ożarów near Warsaw. The Polish side tried to negotiate the most favorable surrender terms possible, particularly regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians. Finally, the act of surrender was signed on September 28, 1939, at 13:15, ending the 20-day defense of the capital.

On September 28, 1939, Warsaw surrendered after a heroic 20-day defense. On this day at 13:15, the act of surrender was signed, ending the capital's resistance against the German invader.

The act of Warsaw's surrender was signed at the headquarters of German commander Gen. Johannes Blaskowitz in Ożarów Mazowiecki. On the Polish side, the document was signed by Gen. Tadeusz Kutrzeba and Col. Aleksander Pragłowski. The ceremony lasted about 20 minutes and took place in an atmosphere of gravity. The signing of the surrender act officially ended Warsaw's defense and transferred control of the city to German occupiers.

The terms of Warsaw's surrender included:

1. Surrender of arms by all city defenders
2. Transfer of control over city infrastructure to German forces
3. Release of prisoners of war taken by Warsaw's defenders
4. Safety guarantee for civilian population
5. Permission for officers and soldiers to leave the city with personal weapons

The German command committed to:

• Providing medical care for wounded Polish soldiers
• Enabling civilian evacuation
• Guaranteeing safety of religious buildings and hospitals

The surrender terms, though harsh, considered the basic needs of civilians and wounded soldiers. Germans committed to observing the Geneva Convention in treating prisoners of war.

The surrender of Warsaw on September 28, 1939, had far-reaching consequences for the city's residents, Poland, and the course of World War II. Its effects were felt both locally and globally, impacting the fate of millions of people.

Warsaw's surrender led to dramatic changes in the lives of defenders and civilians. Polish soldiers were taken into German captivity, where years of internment in POW camps awaited them. Many officers were later murdered in Katyn and other execution sites. Civilians faced occupational terror, mass deportations, and executions. Warsaw became the center of Polish resistance, resulting in brutal Nazi repression. Systematic destruction of the city, looting of cultural goods, and extermination of intelligentsia were part of the German plan to destroy the Polish nation.

The fall of Warsaw had a significant impact on the further course of World War II. The heroic defense of Poland's capital delayed the German offensive, giving the Allies valuable time to prepare for the conflict. The symbolic dimension of Warsaw's defense strengthened the determination of the Polish resistance movement and inspired other nations to fight against the Nazi occupier. The city's capitulation sealed Poland's defeat in the September Campaign, which led to the division of the country between Germany and the Soviet Union. These events became a catalyst for the formation of the Polish government-in-exile and the organization of the Polish Underground State, which played key roles in Allied war efforts.

The defense of Warsaw in 1939 remains one of the most heroic episodes in Polish history. The memory of this event is preserved by successive generations of Poles, serving as a symbol of resilience and patriotism.

The heroes of Warsaw's defense are commemorated in many ways:

• Monuments: Numerous monuments, such as the Defenders of Warsaw 1939 Monument in Savior Square, commemorate the fighters.

• Street names: Many streets in Warsaw bear the names of defense heroes, e.g., General Walerian Czuma Avenue.

• Memorial plaques: Hundreds of plaques throughout the capital remind of battle sites and defenders' sacrifices.

• Museums: The Warsaw Rising Museum has an exhibition dedicated to the city's defense in 1939.

• Anniversary ceremonies: Official commemorations of Warsaw's capitulation are held annually on September 28.

• Symbol of resistance: The heroic fight of the capital became a symbol of Polish resistance against the invaders.

• Inspiration for resistance movement: The stance of Warsaw's defenders inspired the creation of the Polish Underground State structures.

• Patriotic lesson: The history of Warsaw's defense is used in patriotic education of young generations.

• Source of national pride: The attitude of civilians and soldiers during the siege is a source of pride for Poles.

• Reference point: The events of September 1939 are often cited in discussions about Polish national identity.

The capitulation of Warsaw on September 28, 1939, ended the heroic defense of the capital that lasted 20 days. Despite the heroic resistance of defenders and civilians, the enemy's advantage proved too great.

The fall of Warsaw symbolized Poland's defeat in the September Campaign but simultaneously became an inspiration for further resistance. This event had far-reaching consequences for the city's residents, the course of the war, and the country's post-war fate.

The memory of Warsaw's defense remains alive, commemorated by successive generations of Poles. It stands as a symbol of the Polish nation's indomitability and patriotism in the face of aggression.