After the order was issued, the 800,000 troops that had been preparing for a long time in the north, south, and southwest finally began to move. More than 4,000 tanks attacked Poland with lightning speed. The Polish defense line, which had been devastated by firepower, could not organize an effective resistance at all. As far as the eye could see, there were ruins that had been bombed.
Although the situation is very pessimistic, the brave Polish soldiers are still resisting very tenaciously, but their resistance is doomed to be in vain. Although they are doing their best to protect their homeland, the outcome of this war has already been lost from the beginning. Destined.
The battle at the border was over in just a few hours. The result was that the German-Polish border was breached. Most of the Polish troops on the first line of defense were wiped out, and the remaining troops retreated into Poland.
The results of the border battle were immediately reported to Hitler. Hitler, who was anxiously waiting for the news in the Chancellery, laughed heartily and said to his secretary, "Get ready. I'm going to the Reichstag to meet with the members of Congress and want them to report this." good news".
At ten o'clock in the morning on September 1, 1939, Hitler came to the Reichstag building refreshed and refreshed. The congressmen arrived early and were waiting for the German head of state. After a brief discussion, Hitler was wearing an ordinary army corporal uniform. He walked in, looked at the congressmen who were waiting for him to speak, and said excitedly, "Danzig's shame will be avenged today. In the early morning, the imperial army has invaded Poland, and now Germany has entered a state of war."
"Hi, Hitler..." After a brief period of astonishment and silence, thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Many of these members of Congress were Junker landowners. They had their own estates in East Prussia, the birthplace of the German Empire. Of course they are very dissatisfied with the actions of the Poles, because since Poland acquired the coastline, it has continued to provoke Germany. Every country in Europe knows about its ambitions for East Prussia. In the past, Germany had many problems, but in recent years , after Germany's national power began to continue to rise, parliamentarians sometimes began to think about a question, that is, why should the territory ceded to Poland be taken back by Germany.
The cheers gradually subsided, and Hitler declared, "What I ask of the German people is nothing more than what I have prepared to do in the past four years. From now on, I am just a soldier of the German Empire. I put on this suit again. The most sacred and precious military uniform. Before the final victory, I will never take off this uniform, or I will die for my country." There is no doubt that Hitler's statement once again aroused waves of fanatical cheers from the congressmen. .
After Hitler finished speaking, he went straight back to the Chancellery and ignored the carnival of the MPs.
As soon as he returned to the Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Foreign Minister Ribbentrop came over in a hurry and said: "The head of state..."
Ribbentrop was about to speak, but was frightened back by Hitler's look. Hitler said in a deep voice, "Come with me..." After saying that, he entered his office, leaving his secretary who looked at a loss.
"What do you want..." Hitler asked in a deep voice after entering the office.
"Führer, look at this..." Ribbentrop took out a stack of documents from his document bag and said, "This should be the ultimatum."
"What did you say?" Hitler shouted, eyes wide.
"Fuhrer, this... this should be an ultimatum." Seeing Hitler's scary look, Ribbentrop replied tremblingly, but he immediately replied, "This is the manuscript being discussed in the British Foreign Office."
"That means the British haven't decided yet whether they want to declare war on us?" Hitler asked.
"Yes, Führer," Ribbentrop replied.
Hitler was walking back and forth, and suddenly stopped in front of Ribbentrop: "The imperial army has invaded Poland, and I will never let them retreat, not to mention that the British have not decided yet, even if the ultimatum really comes. , I will never compromise."
"Führer, I support your decision, then I will go back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first." Ribbentrop secretly wiped away the non-existent cold sweat. He just wanted to escape from Hitler.
"Go, I want to take a rest," Hitler waved his hands feebly, saying physically and mentally exhausted.
In the Younger Villa on the outskirts of Berlin, cars were parked in front of the villa. The leader of the SS and the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Lampard Krupp, was saying goodbye to his wife.
"Linda, I have to leave," Lin Wei said worriedly as he looked at the cars parked outside the villa.
Linda hugged Lin Wei and refused to let go. She said coquettishly, "Lampard, let me go with you. I can take care of you on the front line."
"Nonsense..." Lin Wei frowned and reprimanded, "I will go to the front line and you follow me. Then who will take care of our son? Dad is almost sixty years old and has to worry about the Krupp family business every day. Mom now Your health is not very good either. Do you want to trouble your grandfather who is almost ninety years old?"
"Actually, grandpa misses our child very much now!" Linda muttered softly.
"You..." Lin Wei pointed at Linda and looked at her charming look. He finally said nothing and said helplessly, "Linda, I really have to leave. Look at the people outside. They are all here." It’s waiting for me.”
Following Lin Wei's fingers, Linda could indeed see a lot of vehicles outside, but she still said reluctantly, "Either take me to the front line, or you don't go either."
Lin Wei suddenly stared at his wife in his arms and said, "Linda, the front line is very dangerous! I'm afraid you will be injured."
"Then don't go either." Linda continued to feel tired of Lin Wei's arms.
"Okay, stop making trouble." Lin Wei looked directly at Linda, "I know you are worried about me, but I have to go to the front line, because I am the leader of the SS, and I can't watch my soldiers fighting bloody battles. Hide behind and wait for me, I will come back safely!" Lin Wei said as if he was promising.
"You said it, you must come back safely!" Seeing Lin Wei expose her little thoughts, Linda was not angry, but asked Lin Wei to ensure her safety.
"Yes, I promise!" Lin Wei said as if he was swearing, "Linda, I'm leaving!" Lin Wei said in Linda's ear.
Watching her significant other slowly walk outside the villa, get into the car, and finally leave in Juechen, the tears Linda had been suppressing finally couldn't help falling. Linda returned to the bedroom closet and took out the It's a gray coat, which has absolutely nothing to do with beauty, but there is a small label on the left chest, - German Women's League.
Lin Wei, who was sitting in the car, was a little irritable. Linda's attempt to retain her just now was not unsuccessful at all. At least Lin Wei's determination, which he had spent several days making, was not so strong now.
"Where is General Paul and Hauser now?" Feeling really depressed, Lin Wei could only divert his thoughts and ask about the front line.
"Leader, after the border battle, various armies have now broken into Poland. According to the progress, they have penetrated dozens of kilometers into Poland, so it will take me a while to find them." Lin Wei's adjutant Robert C. Crow Ford said slowly.
On September 1, 1939, a small convoy of more than a dozen black cars drove quietly along Berlin's ring road to Tempelhof Airport on the outskirts of Berlin. A large car in the middle had two wheels on the front. It carries two flags, one with a black lightning bolt and the other with two bears, three lions and a flag similar to the Qatari flag. This flag represents Bavaria, and sitting in the car is the SS national leader and Bavarian Prime Minister Lampard Krupp.
After the German army broke through the Polish defense line, it rushed into the hinterland of Poland at a speed of 50-60 kilometers per day. Rundstedt's South Army Group had Reichenau's 10th Army as the main force in the center, List's 14th Army as the right wing, and under the cover of Blaskowitz's 8th Army on the left, it attacked from the west. and advance toward the middle reaches of the Vistula River from the southwest; Ludwig & Beck's North Army Group, with Kruger's 4th Army as the main force, penetrates eastward into the "Polish Corridor", and Küchler's 3rd Army Group The army group headed south from East Prussia towards Warsaw and the Bug River behind Warsaw.
The Vistula River is the largest river in Poland as well as Central Europe and the Baltic Sea system. Also known as the Vistula River. The total length is 1068 kilometers. The basin area is approximately 194,300 square kilometers. 87% of the basin is in Poland. It originates from the northern foothills of the Beskid Mountains in Silesia, southern Poland (1,106 meters above sea level). It runs in an S-shape from south to north through the mountains and foothills of southern Poland, turns north near Bydgoszcz, and flows through the Nordic plains.
As soon as the war began, the border battle shattered the resistance of the Polish army. When the German army discovered the true combat effectiveness of the Polish army, it was not thinking about how to attack the Polish army, but how to annihilate them. Almost at the same time, it was attached to the North Road. The 19th Panzer Corps of the 4th Army Group and the SS Reich Panzer Division affiliated with the South Route Army began to carry out intersecting encirclement at the same time.
On the northern front, the 19th Armored Corps has 1 armored division, 2 motorized divisions and 1 infantry division. It is not only the center of the 4th Army, but also the offensive forward of the Army. After the war, Guderian led his troops to quickly break through the Polish border defense line and arrived at the Brasi River in the evening. After receiving some news, Guderian immediately began to command the 19th Armored Corps to attack the Brasi River. Under the attack of the air force , Poland's transportation hubs, headquarters at all levels, and military facilities have been completely destroyed. They had no idea, nor did they expect that Guderian would arrive at the Brasi River so quickly. The small number of Polish troops deployed next to the Brasi River did not cause any trouble to Guderian at all. The strike only consumed some of the ammunition of the 19th Panzer Corps.
"General, we have broken through the Brasi River, what is the next stage of action?" Guderian's chief of staff asked.
Guderian looked at the map of Poland, drew it with his hand and said, "How long does it take to cross the Brasi River?"
"It will take about one night, General!" the staff officer said after thinking for a moment.
Guderian pondered for a moment and said: "After crossing the Brasi River, don't rest and march directly towards the Vistula River. As long as we get there, we can encircle the Polish Pomeranian Army, and we can win the battle on the northern front." Stand firmly in an invincible position."
"General, I understand. Now I'm going to convey your order." The chief of staff saluted and immediately went out to make arrangements.
Guderian advanced quickly, targeting the Pomeranian Army, the northernmost of the seven Polish armies. As long as he reached the Vistula River and defeated the defenders there, the Pomeranian Army would be doomed. By that time, Germany would The first goal will be achieved - to recover the Danzig area.
The German army gained control of the air over the battlefield. With the strong cooperation of the air force, the German armored mechanized troops quickly broke through the Polish army's defense. The German troops that followed behind them, under the dispatching command of the radio, penetrated deep into the Polish army, dividing and surrounding the Polish army. The defense zones of the seven Polish armies were isolated and fragmented.
The SS Imperial Armored Division, under the command of division commander Paul Hausser, followed the Rundstedt South Road Army Group to attack southern Poland. The Polish army deployed here was the Krakow Army Group with the largest number among the seven Polish armies. .
They were deployed in Krakow, whose full name is Royal Capital Krakow, the capital of Lesser Poland, the old capital of Poland. Located on the banks of the Vistula River. Krakow is the largest industrial city in southern Poland. The capital of Krakow Province and a municipality. Located on both sides of the upper reaches of the Vistula River. The population is approximately 740,000. Founded around 700, it is one of the oldest cities in Central Europe and the hometown of the Vistula people. They ruled Lesser Poland until the 10th century. It was the capital of Poland from 1320 to 1609.
Krakow is a land and water transportation hub and an industrial center. The steel industry is particularly important. Xinhuta in the east of the city has the largest steel complex in the country. Coking chemicals, building materials, machinery (rolling vehicles, agricultural machinery), food processing and other industries are also very developed. It is also Poland's cultural and educational center second only to Warsaw and an important railway hub in southern Poland.
It can be seen from the above that no matter from any aspect, Krakow is a key defense area for the Polish army. As long as it is captured here, the road to the south of Poland will be smooth.
Like Guderian, Paul Hauser has had smooth sailing since breaking through the border. Now the Imperial Armored Division is on the banks of the Vistula River. Paul Hauser is in the headquarters, thinking about how to capture the city of Krakow.
Just when Guderian and Paul Hauser were in their respective headquarters, thinking about how to give the enemy a fatal blow. In Berlin, Hitler was also troubled.
On the night of September 1, when the German army continued to penetrate deep into the Polish border and the Luftwaffe continued to carry out bombings, Hitler realized from the notes from Britain and France that if he did not immediately stop the attack and withdraw his troops, he would A world war broke out. At this time, his ally Mussolini was frightened by the coming war. He was afraid that Britain and France's overwhelmingly superior navy, land and air force would attack Italy, so he desperately tried to arrange a Munich Conference.
Early on the morning of September 1, the sad Italian leader personally called Ambassador Attolico in Berlin and "urged him to plead with Hitler to send him a telegram to relieve him of his obligations in the alliance treaty." Hitler was very worried. It can even be said that he happily agreed to his request. At 12:45 noon, after Hitler gave a speech in the Reichstag, he had an idea and sent another telegram to Mussolini. He said that he was originally prepared to resolve the Polish issue "through negotiation".
"I've been waiting for two whole days, but the Polish negotiators still haven't arrived. There were 14 more border violations yesterday." Therefore, Mussolini was unwilling to take risks and act as a mediator. He now decided to answer force with force. . Finally, he once again expressed his gratitude to his friend who had escaped from the battlefield.
But at Ciano's instigation, Mussolini finally gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk and act as a mediator. Just after noon the day before, Ciano had already proposed to the British and French ambassadors in Rome that, if their governments agreed, Mussolini was willing to invite Germany to hold a meeting on September 5 in order to "review the Some of the Articles of the Treaty of Versailles which are the source of the present strife".
One might have thought that news of Germany's frenzied attack on Poland would have made Mussolini's advice redundant. But what surprised the Italians was that the French Foreign Minister and appeasement expert Georges Ponna actually made a phone call to the French Ambassador to Rome Francois Poncet at 11:45 a.m. on September 1, asking him to notify Ciano, the French government welcomes such a conference, but the issues of non-participating countries cannot be discussed at the conference, and the conference cannot be limited to exploring "partial and temporary solutions to current limited problems."
Ponner's terms for talks did not mention a German retreat, or even a halt to the advance. However, the British insisted on this condition and finally dragged the fragmented French cabinet with them. On the evening of September 1st, they were able to submit two identical warning notes to Berlin, announcing that if Germany did not withdraw from Poland, To withdraw their troops, Britain and France would send troops. Since these two notes were published that night, what is interesting is that Mussolini was already in a panic and would grasp at any straw. The next morning he still appealed to Hitler again, as if he had no choice but to The warnings from Britain and France were not taken seriously.
In a note written to Hitler on September 2, Italian Mussolini proposed the following conditions for peace talks: first, the armies of both sides should remain where they are and cease fire; second, negotiations should be held within two or three days; third, the Germans should be resolved wave dispute. The note said, "Danzig is in German possession, and Germany has obtained reliable guarantees for the realization of most of its demands. In addition, Germany has received moral satisfaction. If it accepts the proposal to hold talks, it will be possible to achieve all of it purpose, while averting a war that even now seemed likely to develop into a full-scale and protracted war."