The bloodiest conflict in human history started 80 years ago on this day, September 1st, 1939. Three key allies, Germany, Russia and Japan started a conflict that took the lives of nearly 50 million people. The vast majority of deaths were civilians, who were killed largely in systematic acts of genocide. Occupying forces were instructed to 'strike any grain of mercy from their hearts’ .
That war started here, in Gdansk, when a visiting German battleship, the Schleswig-Holstein opened fire at 4.45 am, at point blank range, on a Polish military port installation in the district of Westerplatte. This was the first step of a coordinated attack against Poland, with German tanks, aircraft and soldiers pouring in from every direction.
Poland’s battle became all but impossible when, 17 days later, the Russian army crossed Poland’s eastern frontiers. The world’s two biggest armies commenced their six-year occupation of Poland, an occupation that resulted in the death of six million Poles, 20% of the population. The highest proportion of population of any country.
Official commemorations in Warsaw at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
(As we speak) The official event, led by Poland’s President Duda is starting. It is being attended by high level dignitaries from across the world, including the president of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as over 20 presidents, prime ministers and senior ministers.The United States is being represented by Vice President Mike Pence as the US President has remained in the United States to deal with the onslaught of a catastrophic, category 4 hurricane, due to make landfall in Florida later today.
Earlier today – Commemorations were held in Gdansk
This key historic date was remembered at 4.45 this morning, here in Gdansk at the site of the Polish Military Installation in the city district of Westerplatte, at the mouth of the port of Gdansk.
It was attended by dignitaries from around the world including presidents and mayors of cities affected by WW2, including the Mayor of London Saddiq Khan.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and European Commission Vice-President Franz Timmermans all made moving speeches which were followed by ecumenical prayers by the Christian, Jewish and Islamic communities of Gdansk.
President Duda, who was attending a simultaneous event in the small town of Wielun, the first civilian area to be bombed by Germany, spoke of the peace before the unprovoked storm of terrorism and genocide against the Polish nation.
Prime Minister Morawiecki said in his speech that ”The defenders of Westerplatte were expected to fight for seven hours. They fought for 7 days. It was a first taste of the hell that the occupying Germans implemented in Poland over the following six years. He spoke of Ignacy Skowron, the last surviving defender of Westerplatte who , said that nobody wanted to surrender, but no one believed that they would make it. This is testimony to the heroism of the Polish nation. Their blood, their sacrifice, gave us hope. During this Apocalypse, the Poles went on to create a global phenomenon – a Polish clandestine state, with institutions, an administration and an army. A state that punished collaborators with death.
Franz Timmermans, deputy President of the European Commission also spoke, saying ”I am Dutch, we owe our liberation to Polish soldiers, especially generals Maczek and Sosabowski. I come from Breda, liberated by Polish soldiers.
He went on to say that ” we have a certain commitment to make sure that the horrors of World War II never happen again, to avoid intolerance and to understand each other. Patriotism means you are proud of the culture of your own nation, but also of take an interest other cultures.
The mayor of Gdansk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz welcomed everyone and reminded us all of the need to pay our respects to all who perished. The mayor also noted that Gdansk is the home to another event that affected the whole world – the birth of Solidarity, which in effect brought down the Iron Curtain, bringing freedom to the nations of Europe.
New Museum
After the speeches and prayers, an official ceremony laying a cornerstone and time-capsule for a Westerplatte 1939 museum took place. The new museum will enable visitors to not just visit the site, but to see exhibits, learn the facts and to experience the events of this key, historical place. The construction of this museum was the source of disagreement between the local administration, opposed to its construction and the government and as a result, the mayor of Gdansk did not attend the ceremony.
Fouther digital resources on WW2 can be found on the links below
https://www.nck.pl/projekty-kulturalne/aktualnosci/1-09-1939-a-wiec-wojna-teledysk-projektu-39-89-zrozumiec-polske-
The weather
Today will see another hot and sunny day with clear skies and temperatures reaching highs of 27 degrees centigrade (81 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to a warm 19 degrees centigrade (66 degrees Fahrenheit) this evening. However, overnight storms are expected followed by a sharp drop in temperatures.
