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Siege of Warsaw (1939)

The siege of Warsaw in 1939 was fought between the Polish Warsaw Army (Polish: Armia Warszawska) garrisoned and entrenched in Warsaw and the invading German Army.[1]: 70–78 

For other uses, see Battle of Warsaw (disambiguation).

It began with huge aerial bombardments initiated by the Luftwaffe starting on September 1, 1939 following the German invasion of Poland. Land fighting started on September 8, when the first German armored units reached the Wola district and south-western suburbs of the city. Despite German radio broadcasts claiming to have captured Warsaw, the initial enemy attack was repelled and soon afterwards Warsaw was placed under siege. The siege lasted until September 28, when the Polish garrison, commanded under General Walerian Czuma, officially capitulated. The following day approximately 140,000 Polish troops left the city and were taken as prisoners of war. On October 1 the Wehrmacht entered Warsaw, which started a period of German occupation that lasted until the devastating Warsaw Uprising[a] and later until January 17, 1945, when the Wehrmacht troops abandoned the city due to the advance of Soviet forces.


Around 18,000 civilians of Warsaw perished during the siege. As a result of the air bombardments, 10% of the city's buildings were entirely destroyed and further 40% were heavily damaged.[1]: 78 

American embassy in Warsaw and visible shattered window during the German air raid.

American embassy in Warsaw and visible shattered window during the German air raid.

Adolf Hitler, Walter von Reichenau, Erwin Rommel and Martin Bormann observing the siege of Warsaw.

Adolf Hitler, Walter von Reichenau, Erwin Rommel and Martin Bormann observing the siege of Warsaw.

The results of German bombardment in Warsaw

The results of German bombardment in Warsaw

Starving citizens taking meat from the remains of dead horses on Nowy Świat Street near the intersection with Staszic Palace

Starving citizens taking meat from the remains of dead horses on Nowy Świat Street near the intersection with Staszic Palace

German tanks and motorized shooters on Grójecka str. between Siewierska str. and Przemyska str. PzKpfw I tank and a 7.5 cm le.IG 18 gun are visible.

German tanks and motorized shooters on Grójecka str. between Siewierska str. and Przemyska str. PzKpfw I tank and a 7.5 cm le.IG 18 gun are visible.

Graves of soldiers on Three Crosses Square that perished during the siege and had to be immediately buried to prevent the spreading of diseases

Graves of soldiers on Three Crosses Square that perished during the siege and had to be immediately buried to prevent the spreading of diseases

Tombstones of Polish Jews who fell during the siege of Warsaw in 1939 among their gentile colleagues

Tombstones of Polish Jews who fell during the siege of Warsaw in 1939 among their gentile colleagues

Graves of Polish soldiers who fell in the Polish Defensive War of 1939

Graves of Polish soldiers who fell in the Polish Defensive War of 1939

General Walerian Czuma's appeal to the inhabitants of Warsaw. The text reads – "Citizens! Warsaw must be defended!"

General Walerian Czuma's appeal to the inhabitants of Warsaw. The text reads – "Citizens! Warsaw must be defended!"

Kampf in Warschau-Vorstadt, German 1940 painting

Kampf in Warschau-Vorstadt, German 1940 painting

Bombing of Warsaw in World War II

Festung Warschau

History of Warsaw

Warsaw Uprising

List of World War II military equipment of Poland

List of German military equipment of World War II

Bryan, Julien – Siege. New York: Doubleday, Doran, 1940

Norbert Konwinski (1978) – The Mayor: Saga of Stefan Starzynski. Claremont: Diversified Enterprises.  0-9601790-0-3.

ISBN

(in Polish) Bartoszewski, Władysław – 1859 Dnii Warszawy (1859 Days of Warsaw) – Wydawnictwo Znak, Cracow 1974

Abstracts of official documents for World War II – Chap 6–8, pp 78–121

Archived 2014-02-01 at the Wayback Machine a contemporary documentary by Julien Bryan

Siege

Media related to Siege of Warsaw (1939) at Wikimedia Commons