In Poland (September 1, 1939):
1. German Invasion: Nazi Germany launched a surprise attack on Poland without a formal declaration of war, marking the beginning of World War II.
2. Luftwaffe Bombardment: The German air force (Luftwaffe) initiated intense aerial bombardments of Polish cities, including Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź.
3. Ground Forces Offensive: German ground forces rapidly advanced into Polish territory, employing the tactic of "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war), combining armored attacks, air support, and motorized infantry.
4. Resistance and Defense: The Polish army put up strong resistance, engaging in battles like the Battle of Mokra and defending fortified positions such as the Westerplatte peninsula in Gdańsk.
In Western Europe (September 3-September 10, 1939):
1. Declarations of War: Following Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain and France (and their respective allies) declared war on Germany, officially entering the conflict.
2. Phony War (Sitzkrieg): During the initial phase of the war in western Europe, there was a period of relative inactivity on the Western Front. This phase is often referred to as the "Phony War" or "Sitzkrieg."
3. Invasion of Luxembourg: On September 10, German forces invaded Luxembourg as a strategic move to bypass the heavily fortified Maginot Line and access southern Belgium.
4. Invasion of Belgium: Also on September 10, German troops simultaneously invaded Belgium, which had agreed to ally with Britain and France if needed. Belgium's defense became pivotal in shaping the Western Front.
5. Invasion of the Netherlands: German forces invaded the Netherlands simultaneously with their move into Belgium. The objective was to capture key bridges and airfields, paving the way for further advances.
6. Dunkirk Evacuation: As German forces rapidly advanced west towards the English Channel, a large number of British and French troops were cut off at Dunkirk, France. In May 1940, a massive sea evacuation, known as the "Miracle of Dunkirk," rescued over 330,000 Allied troops.
These early events set the stage for the broader conflict that spread across Europe and beyond, impacting millions of lives as the war escalated in coming years.