The Battle of Westerplatte

1. Battle of Westerplatte

2. Battle of Westerplatte
Started: September 1st 1939 Ended: September 7th 1939
Combatants
Nazi Germany 2nd Polish Republic
Victory
Nazi Germany

3. The Battle of Westerplatte was the first battle in the invasion of Poland and
marked the Second World War in Europe. The German Naval Forces and soldiers
on the Danzig police assaulted the Polish Military Transit Depot.

4. Battle
On September 1st, 1939 at 0448 local time, Germany begins the invasion.The
Schleswig Holstein opened fire on the Polish garrison which was held by 182
soldiers and 27 civilians reservists. The German soldiers were caught in a kill
zone of polish crossfire from concealed firing points. The Poles knocked out a
machine gun nest at the German Schupo and lieutenant Leon Pajak opened
intense howitzer fire on the advancing Germans.

5. Battle continues
At 0622, the Casualties were 50 Germans and 8 Poles. After a Artillery barrage of
90 280mm shells the Polish eventually retreated from the Wall and prom outpost,
Tightening the ring of defence around of the new barracks in the centre of the
peninsula. On the first day of combat, the polish side lost on man killed and seven
wounded, which three later died in the Polish hospital. On the German side the
German Naval infantry lost 16 killed in action and 120 wounded.

6. Battle continues
On the following days, the Germans Bombarded the peninsula with naval and
heavy field artillery including a 210mm howitzer. A 2-wave air raid by 60 junkers
Ju 87 Stuka-dive bombers took out the Polish mortals, directly hitting the Polish
guard house and killed 8 Polish soldiers. It destroyed their only radio and food
surplus.

7. Last days
At 0430 September 7, the Germans opened intense fire on Westerplatte which
ended at 7000. Flamethrowers destroyed Polish Guardhouses. The besieged
garrison lacked water, medical supplies and they were unable to take care of the
wounded.
At 0945 the white flag appeared in the Polish base. The Polish surrender to the
Germans.

8. German Commanders at Westerplatte
-Friedrich-Georg Eberhardt Born:1892 Died:1964
-Gustav Kleikamp Born:1896 Died:1952
-Wilhelm Henningsen Born:1904 Died:1939

9. Poland Commanders at Westerplatte
-Henryk Sucharski Born:1898 Died:1946
-Franciszek Dabrowski Born:1904 Died:1962

10. Credits
Battle of Westerplatte - Wikipedia
Alex Wolf