German Invasion of Poland

1 September 1939

Poland

Germany invaded Poland, beginning the European phase of the Second World War; the Soviet Union attacked from the east on 17 September.

Overview

Germany invaded Poland, beginning the European phase of the Second World War; the Soviet Union attacked from the east on 17 September. Its causes, participants and consequences connect this record to the wider Second World War guide, where the event is placed in chronology rather than treated as an isolated date.