Poland 1939

The birth of Blitzkrieg

Poland 1939 cover

Description

A detailed study of the first major conflict of the Second World War, comparing the German Blitzkrieg offensive to the small but formidable Polish defense.

The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 began World War II in Europe, pitting the newly modernized army of Europe's great industrial power against the much smaller Polish army and introducing the world to a new style of warfare – Blitzkrieg. Panzer divisions spearheaded the German assault with Stuka dive-bombers prowling ahead spreading terror and mayhem.

This book demonstrates how the Polish army was not as backward as it is often portrayed and fielded a tank force larger than that of the contemporary US Army. Its stubborn defence did give the Germans some surprises and German casualties were relatively heavy for such a short campaign.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chronology
Opposing Commanders
Opposing Armies
Opposing Plans
The German Assault
The Battle of Warsaw
The Soviet Invasion
The Aftermath
The Battlefield today

Further Reading
Index

Product details

Published 10 Dec 2022
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472859884
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 89 b/w; 11 col
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 107
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Steven J. Zaloga

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from U…

Illustrator

Howard Gerrard

Howard Gerrard studied at the Wallasey School of A…

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