Poland: State Under Siege

September 1, 1939: Barely two decades old, Poland found itself surrounded by the two expansionist great powers of Europe - Germany and the Soviet Union. At the outbreak of war, Poland’s expansionist neighbors invaded from all sides, pushing for Warsaw and overrunning the outnumbered and outmoded Polish army. With France and Great Britain reluctant to fight another costly war against Germany, over the long weeks of September

Poland collapsed militarily, politically, economically, and socially. Hitler and Stalin committed their empires to not only the defeat of the Polish military and the partition of Polish territory, but also the elimination of Poland’s national identity.

Join us as we travel through history to examine Poland’s desperate prewar diplomatic maneuvers, its defense against the onslaught of the Wehrmacht and the Red Army, and its struggle to survive occupation.

Explore the Experience

Explore moments that capture what it was like to live during the Invasion of Poland.

Meet The Team