During the Battle of Wizna in September 1939, a Polish army of just 720 soldiers was able to stand strong against 42,000 Nazis for three days.
Polish Museum of AmericaThe Battle of Wizna last an impressive three days as the Poles held off a much larger Nazi force .
On a tranquil reaching of easterly Polish countryside in early September 1939 , a fight unfolded that would be immortalized for its improbableness : the Battle of Wizna .
After Nazi Germany launched its brutal intrusion of Poland on Sept. 1 , 1939 , a small group of Polish soldiers remain firm their ground against impossible odds . number just 720 men , they dug into a minute justificatory communication channel near the village of Wizna — and faced down 42,000 incoming German troops .
Polish Museum of AmericaThe Battle of Wizna lasted an impressive three days as the Poles held off a much larger Nazi force.
lead by a determined young skipper who swore never to surrender , the Poles hold the line for three solar day , temporarily hold the German progression .
Today , the Battle of Wizna is remembered as Poland ’s own “ Thermopylae ” — a modern - day object lesson of ancient heroism in the grimace of certain decease .
World War II Begins With The Invasion Of Poland
Public DomainPolish infantry marching to meet German troops in 1939 .
On September 1 , 1939 , German forces with the support of the Soviet Union began their invasion of Poland . A week prior , Germany and the Soviet Union signed a nonaggression treaty , the Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact , that delineated spheres of influence across Europe — one that would belong to Germany , and another that would belong to the Soviet Union .
Two days after the invasion , both France and Great Britain declared war on Germany — plain off the beginning ofWorld War Two .
Public DomainPolish infantry marching to meet German troops in 1939.
For the next month , Polish forces defend fiercely against both German and Soviet soldiers pouring into the country from the south , east , and north . The Polish army , number tight to a million soldier , was supported by horse cavalry , 800 aircraft , and around 200 tanks .
Meanwhile , the German Army send 1.5 million soldier , 2,315 aircraft , and around 2,750 storage tank into Poland . gravely outmanned , the Polish force machinate for a brutal fight .
And on Sept. 7 , 720 Polish soldier man a bastioned defensive line in the town of Wizna found themselves staring down a German force of over 40,000 . To the surprise of everyone involved , the Poles were able to take off the Germans for three days during the Battle of Wizna .
Public DomainGerman troops arriving by tank in Kurpiki, less than 10 minutes away from Wizna, during the invasion of Poland.
How The Battle Of Wizna Began
Public DomainGerman troops go far by tank in Kurpiki , less than 10 second forth from Wizna , during the invasion of Poland .
The defensive line protected an important route , the Łomża – Białystok , that led straight to Warsaw , Poland ’s Washington . A few months prior , the Polish government had set up the construction of munition along this railway line . By the sentence the war recrudesce out , it have six concrete bunker ( and four more under construction ) , two lightweight concrete bunkers , eight political machine heavy weapon pillboxes , and anti - tank trenches .
The Polish soldier had six pieces of 75 mm artillery unit , 24 intemperate machine guns , 18 light machine gun , and two anti - tank rifles . They were led by 31 - yr - onetime Captain Władysław Raginis , who depose that he would do everything in his power to shillyshally the invasion while he was still alert .
UtCon Collection / Alamy Stock PhotoPolish Captain Władysław Raginis swore that he would rather die than surrender to the Germans.
UtCon Collection / Alamy Stock PhotoPolish Captain Władysław Raginis swore that he would rather cash in one’s chips than surrender to the Germans .
On Sept. 7 , the German 3rd Army , stationed in East Prussia , come along toward Warsaw and arrived at Wizna . General Nikolaus von Falkenhorst of the 10th Panzer Division lead the initial assault on the hamlet . The next day , German General Heinz Guderian , one of Germany ’s top generals , arrived with order of magnitude to get ahead through Wizna towards Brześć .
In all , some 42,000 German troop had arrived in Wizna to combat the mere 720 Polish soldier guarding the village . Alongside their men , Germans possessed greater firepower : 350 tanks , 188 grenade launcher , 195 anti - tank car guns , and nearly 1,000 machine guns .
Polish Museum of AmericaSoldiers running during the Battle of Wizna.
To an outside observer , the Poles ’ engagement at the Battle of Wizna appear futile . However , the soldiers would defy the betting odds for three twenty-four hours .
The Polish ‘Thermopylae’ — And Its Legacy Today
Polish Museum of AmericaSoldiers running during the Battle of Wizna .
After kicking off on Sept. 7 , 1940 , the Battle of Wizna roar on . German forces set in motion a hard assault against the Polish fortifications , and after several failed attempts to get them to surrender , German force set about both aerial and artillery onslaught .
The Polish forces that had not retreated back were forced to move to the bunkers . finally , German tanks begin crossing the line and advancing towards Warsaw . However , German infantry proceed to face up a strong Polish ravishment .
Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0Remnants of a bunker from the Battle of Wizna, now a memorial site.
Outnumbered and outmaneuver , the fatigued Polish forces struggled with their next grade of natural process after their dugout were reduced to just two and they became besiege . When inquire a last meter to give up on Sept. 10 , Captain Raginis relented . Only , he had no intention of surrender himself .
After telling his troop to give up , Captain Raginis died by self-destruction by throwing himself down onto his grenade . In the end , he continue his promise to never permit the Germans progress while he was animated .
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0Remnants of a trap from the Battle of Wizna , now a memorial site .
While death toll estimates are difficult to make , German General Heinz Guderian write that roughly 900 German lives were lost . As for the Polish troop , fewer than 100 survived the battle , and most of those who survived were captured .
Later , when explaining why his troops struggled with fighting off such a small effect , General Guderian made several excuse in hismemoir , include that the Germans were “ having trouble building bridges across the rivers ” and that Wizna was “ well - defended by a local policeman schoolhouse . ”
While not one of the most well - have intercourse difference of opinion of World War Two , the Battle of Wizna has become Poland ’s ownThermopylae , an ancient conflict where 300 Greeks harbour off the Persian army for a workweek . Today , it is remember and celebrate as a proud minute in Polish history , record in birdsong and in stories passed down through generations .
At the site of the battle , on a twisted bunker that has been preserved as a memorial , and where Raginis was repose to rest , is a repository that reads : “ Passerby , recite the Fatherland that we fought to the remainder , accomplish our obligation ! ”
After read about the Battle of Wizna , view55 color photosthat contribute the devastation of World War II to life . Then , view 36 photos from theBattle of Stalingrad , the with child battle of World War II and the turn point for Germany on the easterly front .
