The invasion of Poland Flashcards
Basis
The USSR was now neutral. Hitler wanted to liberate the ethnic Germans of Danzig and the Polish corridor and so staged a series of fake attacks by Polish army units. He used this as an excuse to send troops into Poland on 1st September 1939
How were Britain and France involved?
After Hitlers takeover of Czechoslovakia, they had promised to defend Poland in the eventuality of a war with Germany.
What did they do to stop Hitler?
They sent Hitler a message to remove his troops from Poland immediately. After no response within 24 hours, Britain declared war on Germany on 3rd September 1939.
How did Hitler react?
After years of appeasement, Hitler was genuinely shocked that Britain and France would stand by their word to defend Poland.