The POLISH Invasion of Germany 1939

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  • Опубліковано 30 лис 2024

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  • @GunDrummer
    @GunDrummer 2 роки тому +2746

    Mark Felton once again introducing me to an event I was unaware of.

    • @rscott2247
      @rscott2247 2 роки тому +38

      Watching stuff like this just goes to prove that the Powers that be are the ones who control the press, media to the main stream public. This convinces me further that Hitler, Eva Braun may have indeed escaped via U-boat to South America to live out the rest of their days.

    • @matpk
      @matpk 2 роки тому +9

      @@rscott2247 Compare 1930s Nazi Germany Vs 2020s Communist Chinazi IN YOUR NEXT VIDEO Project before it's too late

    • @mgdarenz
      @mgdarenz 2 роки тому +18

      It's a very well known event. They did the same thing more than once. They blamed an autistic young man for the old Reichstag building fire, when it was staged to incite anti semitism.

    • @lordnevetsz
      @lordnevetsz 2 роки тому +4

      He has a habit of doing that lol.

    • @niemamnicku1359
      @niemamnicku1359 2 роки тому +10

      This is actually the most boring part of polish fight in 1939.
      I would like to watch anything about "Westerplatte", "Poczta Gdańska ( Gdańsk post office) or "Wizna". All of these battles can be compared to bravery of allies in the west.

  • @krzysztofbaran9375
    @krzysztofbaran9375 2 роки тому +288

    My grandfather was a corporal in the 55th Poznań Infantry Regiment and fought the battle of Bzura. He might have invaded Wschowa / Fraustadt as well. Thank you, Mark - much appreciated!

    • @christopher9727
      @christopher9727 8 місяців тому

      .....
      No hope in going to the past come to the loving savior today
      Seek his Holy Spirit in prayer today he can give you peace confort and guidance today
      Romans 6:23
      For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
      Come to Jesus Christ today
      Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
      Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
      Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
      Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
      John 3:16-21
      16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
      Mark 1.15
      15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
      2 Peter 3:9
      The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
      Hebrews 11:6
      6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
      Jesus

  • @Kiltoonie
    @Kiltoonie 2 роки тому +71

    How interesting!
    I was lucky enough to meet one of the Polish Cavalry veterans in Australia in the late 1970's: he had obviously survived the war by various means, emigrated to Australia, and - now in his 70's or 80's, was working in a small greengrocers shop as a porter. A magnificent man, who relished sharing a joint.

    • @tomaszzbikowaty2854
      @tomaszzbikowaty2854 Рік тому +6

      We have 2023 year and people still believe Polish cavalry charged Panzers xD

    • @Kiltoonie
      @Kiltoonie Рік тому +1

      @@tomaszzbikowaty2854 Yes, they did. Actually a lot of the German army was still supplied by horses in those days.

    • @tomaszzbikowaty2854
      @tomaszzbikowaty2854 Рік тому +4

      @@Kiltoonie Well.. Polish cavalry never charged on the horesback German Panzers. It was a single incident near Krojany where the myth has been born. Cavalry fought like an ordinary infantry but they moved on the horses (similar like dragoons) and were more like mobile infantry plus actually they were prepared well to the confrontation with tanks being equiped in AT wz.35 rifles , 37 mm AT Borfors guns , 75mm field guns -just google the ''Battle Of Mokra'' Of course it's a fact that German supply lines were never fully motorized and relies on horses...

    • @jomama3465
      @jomama3465 Рік тому

      ​@@Kiltoonieno horses charged tanks during WWII lol. And the Germans using horses is not a proof of that. However, horses are indeed used as transportation and for logistics.

    • @christopher9727
      @christopher9727 8 місяців тому

      .. .
      Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today
      Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven
      There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today
      Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell
      Come to Jesus Christ today
      Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
      Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void
      Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
      Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
      Romans 6.23
      For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
      John 3:16-21
      16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
      Mark 1.15
      15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
      2 Peter 3:9
      The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
      Hebrews 11:6
      6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
      Jesus

  • @shauny2285
    @shauny2285 2 роки тому +580

    This shows that there are significant historical tidbits that have escaped notice of the general public. Mark has an excellent record of finding these. Cheers!

    • @Litauen-yg9ut
      @Litauen-yg9ut 2 роки тому +5

      Always learn something from his clips..

    • @a5cent
      @a5cent 2 роки тому +11

      @@markaxworthy2508 Secondary or primary sources is also irrelevant 🙄 Primary sources actually have more reasons to lie/obfuscate/misrepresent, as they were directly involved and weren't neutral.
      Corroborated sources. That's what you want. That is also what Felton typically uses.

    • @dannythomson5239
      @dannythomson5239 2 роки тому +6

      @@markaxworthy2508 glad someone else noted these things. 99.9% of people watching and commenting lap up everything Felton says as the word of god.

    • @dannythomson5239
      @dannythomson5239 2 роки тому +1

      @@a5cent you make it sound as though you know for a fact Mark Feltons chosen sources.

    • @a5cent
      @a5cent 2 роки тому +5

      @@markaxworthy2508 Ehm, yeah. With no primary source there can be no secondary. Duh.
      My point was that without some interpretation, someone providing context, and people comparing multiple accounts of the same occurance, it would be very unwise to trust a primary source. It's the secondary sources who double check and do the detective work, thereby providing the real value. That is what we need Historians for.
      Of course it's still true that we'd like to know what his sources are.

  • @CaptHiltz
    @CaptHiltz 2 роки тому +653

    I've been studying history for 45 years, really digging into it and had never heard of this. Thanks Mark!!

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +30

      The atrocities against German minority in Poland... You have been lied to by those who won.

    • @zbigniewzarnoch5269
      @zbigniewzarnoch5269 2 роки тому +24

      @@BridgesDontFly Atrocities or justice? Not like those German minorities were such innocents in the nazi era. Hope your history teachers also didn't lie to you about the German minority in the city of Bydgoszcz. And the Polish minority in the city of Gdansk.

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +13

      @@zbigniewzarnoch5269
      Either way those German minorities were Polish citizens.

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +13

      @@dangleeboars9781
      It's facts. England and France confirmed it in special reports. I'm of the assumption that you're in the category of persons who just believe whatever the crowd believes. Sheep in the flock. Good for you.

    • @joseywales3789
      @joseywales3789 2 роки тому +12

      @@BridgesDontFly, are you implying that Polish Citizens of German descent were persecuted by the Polish Citizens of Polish descent during the German invasion of Poland?

  • @g.k.1669
    @g.k.1669 2 роки тому +31

    Mark's channel is like opening up a history book that you read several times and just discovered a whole chapter that was somehow missed each time.

  • @ironchicken7240
    @ironchicken7240 2 роки тому +399

    Poland on 2 September "My goals are beyond your understanding"
    Being Polish, this was very surprising to say the least. Thanks for sharing this.

    • @lordbeerus7248
      @lordbeerus7248 2 роки тому +5

      When you do useless offensives and divert tanks to it and get encircled as a result

    • @pavel9652
      @pavel9652 2 роки тому +28

      There is nothing about being encircled here. Mark said they have successfully attacked the German positions, did not attempt to hold ground and retreated with some captured Germans. The video mentions only the mini tanks that look like mobile large-calibre machine guns, not proper tanks.

    • @yohannbiimu
      @yohannbiimu 2 роки тому +12

      @@lordbeerus7248 DId you even watch the video?

    • @pavel9652
      @pavel9652 2 роки тому +12

      ​@Fabian Kirchgessner True, but it is irrelevant to this operation. From your comment, it almost looks like they got surrounded and decimated because of it. In the grand scheme of things, it was irrelevant. They would not be attacking in the area where the proper invasion had taken place, so I believe they had time to prepare anyway.

    • @lordbeerus7248
      @lordbeerus7248 2 роки тому +5

      @@yohannbiimu they wasted valuable men and tankets to attack a garrison unit while the Wermacht was tearing them to shreds in the North could have used those men to reinforce other frontlines the tankets were some of the best tools the poles had as they didnt have the funds to get good tanks

  • @roterbengel5701
    @roterbengel5701 2 роки тому +639

    I had a great grandmother from a village near Fraustadt. But I never heard of this incident. Great job 👍

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +7

      Polgrom

    • @cookiesupervisor2211
      @cookiesupervisor2211 2 роки тому +29

      You would not hear about it , cause germany lost war and Poland annexed that territory , from my personal experience all germans that I meet claim that their grandparents /great grandparent was not nazis ... but I bet all those that not speak about ww2 , was voting for nazis in 1936 election...

    • @watching99134
      @watching99134 2 роки тому +10

      @@cookiesupervisor2211 Probably not, considering the National Socialists never got a majority of the vote.

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +28

      @N
      Look up what a Polgrom is.
      Look up Bloody Sunday 1939.
      Read: The atrocities against German ethnic minority in Poland -report. It's French, and England confirmed it was happening before Germany invaded.
      England and France just stood by and let it keep happening. Poland struck first against innocent civilians (it's own citizens).

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +16

      I don't care what people think of me. They have hundreds of eyewitness accounts and 58,000 dead or missing before Germany invaded. Court reports, pictures, France/England confirmed, a special type of farm implement used for the murders, judge sentences, bad all around for civilians.

  • @robg7656
    @robg7656 2 роки тому +24

    Love these little unknown battles that aren’t talk about or in history books, it’s very good to learn about actual events that took place during this era, thank you for sharing long time watcher

  • @SgtAndrewM
    @SgtAndrewM 2 роки тому +450

    love it that Mark introduces these unknown stories to us

    • @b212hp
      @b212hp 2 роки тому +24

      Jeez ME, I just spent two minutes trying to wipe your avatar off my screen! Looks like a hair.

    • @SgtAndrewM
      @SgtAndrewM 2 роки тому +9

      @@b212hp

    • @niemamnicku1359
      @niemamnicku1359 2 роки тому +1

      This is actually the most boring part of polish fight in 1939.
      I would like to watch anything about "Westerplatte", "Poczta Gdańska ( Gdańsk post office) or "Wizna". All of these battles can be compared to bravery of allies in the west.

    • @Graymenn
      @Graymenn 2 роки тому +4

      is your icon just to make someone thing there is an eyelash on their screen?

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому

      Mark is a goddamn Liar. Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state.

  • @gerhardris
    @gerhardris 2 роки тому +882

    Wow, again a small gem of forgotten history brought back in a brilliant spotlight by a great You Tube historian. I never heard of this. Thanks!

    • @rudolfkraffzick642
      @rudolfkraffzick642 2 роки тому +30

      There were several small polish raids into East Prussia as far as 15 Kilometers into German demilitarized territory after 1920. Farms were burned and people killed. This made the Nazi party popular because they had the SA, semimilitary groups as the only left defendors.
      Besides this thousands of German civilians of the German minority were murdered or totured in the last days of August and first days of September by Polish nationalists. Bromberg bloody Sunday.
      These events are generously overlooked. Because the only bad guy after 1945 had to be Germany.

    • @gerhardris
      @gerhardris 2 роки тому +11

      @@rudolfkraffzick642 source?

    • @rudolfkraffzick642
      @rudolfkraffzick642 2 роки тому +13

      Gerhard R. : Sorry, I cant remember the source for Polish raids into East Prussia. Regional German newspapers before 1933 should be a source.
      Concerning atrocities against German minority
      I remberer a documentary in the German TV in 1990 made by 2 female journalists, one from Germany, the other from Poland. But I cant remember the month or day.
      I myself have no prejudice against Poland because I have polish ancestors from my fathers side as indicates my family name. They migrated from Masovia into Masuria (East Prussia, close to polish border) around 1800.

    • @niemamnicku1359
      @niemamnicku1359 2 роки тому +17

      @@rudolfkraffzick642 of course you cant remember source, cause those stories are Goebbels propaganda which many people still believe in.
      You are and you always will be the one who started this war. No matter how you try to make some excuses as Germany. This is you and your deeply rooted racism towards slavs and you vere always treating Poland as colony. Even in XV century you treated Poland as country which need to be "taught" and "christianed" and you do it nowadays trough EU.
      So please don't excuse yourself with some provocations and your own propaganda.

    • @guaporeturns9472
      @guaporeturns9472 2 роки тому +1

      And think , the majority of the German forces weee probably fooled by the false attack on the radio station just like everyone else.

  • @user-hy2ry3if8h
    @user-hy2ry3if8h 2 роки тому +10

    I really appreciate you bringing these events to broader public, Mr Felton.

    • @melchiorvonsternberg844
      @melchiorvonsternberg844 9 місяців тому

      Well... I always like a good story. But it have also a taste, that such nice and gallant stories were done by allied troops. But seldom is showed, how brave and clever the axis side fought. I miss such stories like "How 10 German soldiers stopped a whole allied batallion for 2 days in Tunesia, or how a 19 year old AT- gunner stopped the attack of a whole British amored brigade..."

  • @WTP_DAVE
    @WTP_DAVE 2 роки тому +869

    Thank you for always furthering my understanding of our history

  • @marcingodzik7121
    @marcingodzik7121 2 роки тому +536

    Thank You very much for, again, bringing Polish history closer to the international audience, and, again, thank You for your historically accurate and excellently detailed and informative historical feast :)

    • @thunderbird1921
      @thunderbird1921 2 роки тому +9

      Absolutely incredible. Dr. Felton NEVER ceases to amaze or surprise with his content!

    • @skeetrix5577
      @skeetrix5577 2 роки тому +21

      Love to Poland from USA

    • @ericpear4205
      @ericpear4205 2 роки тому +28

      @@stomper2888 that statement reveals you don't know much about history of Europe.

    • @MrSniperdude01
      @MrSniperdude01 2 роки тому

      Hey, you ever hear how the polish firing squad died ?

    • @MrSniperdude01
      @MrSniperdude01 2 роки тому +11

      @@ericpear4205 No, you don't.
      Prior to WW1, Poland was chiseled up, portions of it belonged to the Czarist Russian Empire while the rest was divided between the Austro-Hungarian & Prussian Empires.
      The Prussian state was later absorbed when Bismarck founded the consolidated nation we now know as Germany.

  • @ScorpoYT
    @ScorpoYT 2 роки тому +44

    Poland literally saying "no u" to the wehrmacht

    • @christopher9727
      @christopher9727 8 місяців тому

      Only Jesus Christ blood can cleanse us of are sins come to Jesus Christ today
      Romans 6:23
      For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
      Come to Jesus Christ today
      Jesus Christ is only way to heaven
      Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void.
      The Holy Spirit can lead you guide and confort you through it all
      Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today
      Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today
      John 3:16-21
      16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
      Mark 1.15
      15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
      2 Peter 3:9
      The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
      Hebrews 11:6
      6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
      Jesus

  • @shanemcdowall
    @shanemcdowall 2 роки тому +344

    Polish Air Force was not destroyed on the ground, and Polish cavalry did not charge German tanks. Two myths that refuse to go away

    • @willmorrell488
      @willmorrell488 2 роки тому +23

      They remained hidden in forests on captured ground and launched surprise air attacks from within occupied territory which gave the Germans a shock.

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому +37

      Actually Germany lost about 400 planes over Poland. That was 25% of their fleet...

    • @SirAntoniousBlock
      @SirAntoniousBlock 2 роки тому +27

      A cavalry detachment did however capture some who had run out of fuel, Mark did a video on it.

    • @jensb3946
      @jensb3946 2 роки тому +8

      @@KrissowskiM This is not true though

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому +1

      @@jensb3946 Yes - according to nazi propaganda it is not true and as nazi propaganda shaped a lot of historical views of the west - you think you know reality...

  • @robpaprox
    @robpaprox 2 роки тому +381

    Thank you so much for covering these little known facts about the early days of the war. My parents are Polish immigrants to Canada, and my dad is often critical of the lack of information about the important Polish efforts in the war. I'm sure he'll appreciate seeing this

    • @fredgarv79
      @fredgarv79 2 роки тому +30

      The Poles were sort of sold out by the british and us americans. they were an important part of the war and in every circumstance they were brave beyond belief. then after the war we just handed your country over to the soviets. I guess because of the situation on the ground. I was 29 when Solidarnosc happened. I even had a T-shirt with the red symbol on it and once was on a hike near Seattle and a polish guy came up to me and thanked me. it was an amazing time and thanks to the Poles and the pope, they started the fall of the soviet union with their courage. I remember the people in charge even assassinated a polish priest. I was lucky enough to visit warsaw in 1999, a beautiful city all rebuilt from total destruction. I was sitting on a park bench there and looked up and saw bullet holes in the large building across the street. A rare building that suvived. it reminded me of what they went through from both sides

    • @rogerknights857
      @rogerknights857 2 роки тому +11

      “The Forgotten Few” is a book that documents the heroics of the Polish Spitfire squadrons in the Battle of Britain.

    • @Litwinus
      @Litwinus 2 роки тому +13

      @Fabian Kirchgessner Of course they sold us, you did it in 1939, signing a pact you refused to fulfill. The British always fight bravely to the last drop of blood ... an allied soldier.

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому +2

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar My father saw the Polish War and this Mark Felton did not.

    • @TheAnimeist
      @TheAnimeist 2 роки тому +5

      Agreed, there are a lot of contributions from the Poles most don't know about. Going back even further, I'm also thankful for their success at the Battle of Vienna.

  • @zksstalstawidlo9015
    @zksstalstawidlo9015 2 роки тому +10

    Poland was attacked not only by Germans but also by Germany allies Slovakia from the south which is not mentioned a lot and Soviets from the east.

  • @mats7492
    @mats7492 2 роки тому +113

    „This was the worst counter invasion I’ve ever heard of“
    Poland: „But you HAVE heard of it“

    • @cookiesupervisor2211
      @cookiesupervisor2211 2 роки тому +16

      ... 2021 those lands are in Poland ... so that was best invasion you have never heard about ...

    • @josevieira5700
      @josevieira5700 2 роки тому +5

      @@cookiesupervisor2211 not through Poland's might lmao only because of their allies saving them as per usual in Polish history

    • @cookiesupervisor2211
      @cookiesupervisor2211 2 роки тому +17

      @@josevieira5700 ... you dont know Polish history I see , 1920 Poland have defeat russia...

    • @markkars8754
      @markkars8754 2 роки тому +19

      @@josevieira5700 I don't see at which point they were saved by Allies. More like sold to USSR by Allies...

    • @borzmir9326
      @borzmir9326 2 роки тому +1

      @@cookiesupervisor2211 1920

  • @spooderdoggy
    @spooderdoggy 2 роки тому +108

    Ahhh, coffee and Mark Felton. Thanks sir for starting my with a good history lesson.😄🇺🇸

    • @Alexq79-
      @Alexq79- 2 роки тому +4

      @@u2beuser714 idk man but my tummy is rumbling

    • @darthmaul3402
      @darthmaul3402 2 роки тому +2

      President Reagan is that you

    • @texasrockshillcountry6574
      @texasrockshillcountry6574 2 роки тому +3

      Seriously, Mark Felton is more effective than the History Instructors that I had in College!

    • @spooderdoggy
      @spooderdoggy 2 роки тому +1

      @@darthmaul3402 Yes it is I from the great beyond desiring to help you poor souls.😆🤣🤣

    • @matpk
      @matpk 2 роки тому

      @@spooderdoggy Compare 1930s Nazi Germany Vs 2020s Communist Chinazi IN YOUR NEXT VIDEO Project before it's too late

  • @paulacreman5342
    @paulacreman5342 2 роки тому +71

    In England it is often thought, and taught that the Polish put up little to no resistance to the invasion... This greatly upset my Polish friend who was proud of the resistance his grandfather was part of. I learned a lot from him about the war and more, he would have loved to have seen this video.

    • @placeholdernameisplacehold7671
      @placeholdernameisplacehold7671 2 роки тому +2

      It was always taught to me that the free polish army fought bravely and alongside Britain throughout the war. But that they capitulated quickly to the germans due to inferior technology, training and manpower.

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому +9

      @@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 not true! German general said once in captivity that it was only Poles who fought like lions...

    • @cetus4449
      @cetus4449 2 роки тому +8

      Few know that Poles fought the Third Reich from the very first to the last day of the war in Europe and finally on the ruins of Berlin, specifically on the Victory Column and Brandenburg Gate, Polish soldiers hung their white&red flags. Among them were the soldiers who started the fight in 1939 and ended it in the ranks of the Polish People's Army, whose units took part in the Battle of Berlin.
      Although they did not win the war, because their country was treacherously sold to the Soviets, these flags that waved over Berlin symbolized adamant polish resistance to the Third Reich.

    • @vvojteq2443
      @vvojteq2443 2 роки тому +13

      @@placeholdernameisplacehold7671 do not forget that Poland was invaided on 17 September by soviets. Iw was war on 2 fronts from this point ...

    • @captmack007
      @captmack007 2 роки тому +1

      60,000+ Germans died invading Poland!

  • @PolakInHolland
    @PolakInHolland 2 роки тому +109

    Worth also pointing out that the Poles launched a two army counteroffensive at the Bzura which was bigger than anything the combined western allies managed in 1940.

    • @SparrowNoblePoland
      @SparrowNoblePoland 2 роки тому +36

      @Fabian Kirchgessner The tactic you've mentioned was actually the plan. The counterstrike was aimed to temporarily weaken and slow the Germans down, so defence of Warsaw and Lwów region could be prepared. Although generals involved agreed to Kutrzeba's plan, instead of executing it, one failed to concentrate his army, and others suffered mental breakdowns and simply did not launch their attacks. Despite that, victory was at hand when commander of the 'Pomerania' army, general Bortnowski, panicked, stopped his attack and ordered retreat, which led to massacre of both his forces and Kutrzeba's. After this incident general Bołuć repeatedly ranted that Bortnowski ought to be shot, and that he should have shot him personally when he had a chance. Basically what crushed the Polish counteroffensive was not the Luftwaffe or Blitzkrieg, but Polish generals who f... execution of the plan royally.

    • @fistinyourface7053
      @fistinyourface7053 2 роки тому +1

      @Fabian Kirchgessner it was a hail mary from the beginning. If it works, we could save ourselves. If not, it would just speed things up. The frontline was already collapsing and German main forces were coming at Warsaw.

    • @bornesulinowo391
      @bornesulinowo391 2 роки тому +3

      ​@@fistinyourface7053 Polish army was terribly organized and not adequatly equiped. However this was 4. army in the world in those days if count only soldiers. There was a plan to retreat and strong entrench on the Southern Poland waiting for allies supplies. This was quite real, had a chance of success and bleed the Germans but soviets struck on the back.

    • @ankidanki4205
      @ankidanki4205 2 роки тому +2

      @@SparrowNoblePoland Polish solider were Like Chicken

    • @SparrowNoblePoland
      @SparrowNoblePoland 2 роки тому +3

      @@ankidanki4205Says who?

  • @szymonpioterek4565
    @szymonpioterek4565 2 роки тому +603

    I am live in Leszno, where were garrisoned parts of units which invaded Fraustadt/Wschowa and my family is mostly from that area, so that story isn't new for me. Unfortunatelly this battle is only symbolic because didn't stop German invasion. Today is 103rd anniversary of Greater Poland Uprising. When Germans captured Leszno and Greater Poland they started to execute most prominent insurgents.

    • @goqsane
      @goqsane 2 роки тому +13

      I live in Leszno, where parts of the units which invaded Fraustadtd/Wschowa were garrisoned. My family is mostly from that area, so this story isn't new to me. Unfortunately, this battle is only symbolic because it did not stop the German invasion. Today is the 103rd anniversary of Greater Poland Uprising. When the Germans captured Leszno and Greater Poland they started to execute the most prominent insurgents. *, Szymek.

    • @moisuomi
      @moisuomi 2 роки тому +8

      @@goqsane What if the Poles fully invaded the Germans? Would history be different and maybe the Poles would be the demonized ones.

    • @jjgf8412
      @jjgf8412 2 роки тому +32

      @@moisuomi ummmmm what?

    • @davidburgess741
      @davidburgess741 2 роки тому +8

      @Assismus In this country at least, overall, people have had enough of hate from the former resident of the white house!

    • @moisuomi
      @moisuomi 2 роки тому +18

      @Assismus There are 100s of Polish JEWS in Hollywood though

  • @gregwasserman2635
    @gregwasserman2635 2 роки тому +47

    I actually heard of this operation, but I can't remember where. However, this is a much more detailed account of what happened. Always nice to hear the full story of these largely unknown operations.

  • @brendansaltvick5824
    @brendansaltvick5824 2 роки тому +135

    Mark felton always seem to surprise me. Well done!

    • @Hilts931
      @Hilts931 2 роки тому +4

      I’m surprised you managed to watch a 5+ minute video less than a minute after upload

    • @slinkerdeer
      @slinkerdeer 2 роки тому +10

      @@Hilts931 Like me, he probably hadn't heard of a Polish invasion into Germany, and trusting in Mark's ability to make a factually accurate title he felt confident praising the video before watching it.

    • @PittManGaming
      @PittManGaming 2 роки тому +3

      @@slinkerdeer Agreed. I do that on all of Dr. Felton’s videos.

    • @Hilts931
      @Hilts931 2 роки тому +2

      @@slinkerdeer probably worth a watch first.

    • @StevenKeery
      @StevenKeery 2 роки тому +2

      @@Hilts931 : Patreons of channels are usually given the opportunity to view the video earlier than others.

  • @L.J.Kommer
    @L.J.Kommer 2 роки тому +59

    "Sir, we're being invaded!"
    "Pull yourself together, Captain, the French are on the other side of the country!"
    "No sir, the Polish. They're counter-invading!"
    "Mein Gott."

  • @optima-nova772
    @optima-nova772 Рік тому +3

    What I love about these videos is learning more about unsung heroes not just in the video! The people who comment their personal stories, thank you

  • @tomaszmankowski9103
    @tomaszmankowski9103 2 роки тому +271

    Thank you for reminding that event - very few historians even know about it and you have provided much data.
    There were more Polish attacks on German territory in 1939 - four more in East Prussia where cavalry forces took some prisoners and even a major attack with forces of two cavalry brigades was planned on the 4th of September, but was cancelled by higher command.
    In all cases the idea was to get some intel, rise morale and test soldiers in combat.

    • @shanemcdowall
      @shanemcdowall 2 роки тому +8

      @lati long Anglo-French forces? How many British infantry divisions were in France at the time. Incredibly, when France and Benelux were invaded in May 1940, the British had exactly 16 cannon armed tanks (Matilda II) out of a total of 600.

    • @SparrowNoblePoland
      @SparrowNoblePoland 2 роки тому +24

      @lati long There was another problem though. By 1939 Poland did not have any comprehensive battle plan for any war scenario against Germany. The Polish command ignored the German threat for years and only planned for battles with the Soviet Union. As a result the commanders didn't know what to do, logistics were unprepared. Also while their soldiers were fighting with greatest sacrifice, several generals proved to be unfit for their posts, and suffered mental breakdowns, effectively leaving their forces without command. Whole counterstrike of general Kutrzeba from a succesful action turned into a massacre, because generals Bortnowski and Rómmel suffered mental breakdowns, and Biernacki was a poor commander. Another example was general Młot-Fijałkowski wouldn't make any moves, always waiting for orders from from marshall Rydz-Śmigły, who had little to no reliable communication links and suffered a mental breakdown himself. This is largely because Polish command consisted mainly of generals promoted by marshall Piłsudski, who had no military education himself, and had a nasty tendency to appoint coworkers who were faithful to him, but didn't necessarily present any genuine talents or knowledge. Actually he was always afraid of losing his influence, thus he would destroy genuinely talented and successful generals such as Haller or Rozwadowski.
      Eventually even his faithful fanboy, Rydz-Śmigły, recognized this mistake and said himself that Piłsudski was the greatest tragedy for Poland, but this was already when Polish army was beaten.,

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому +1

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered

    • @krzysztofparski8294
      @krzysztofparski8294 2 роки тому +1

      It was also successful attack of Polish sea plane in Gdańsk 7th September during the celebration of Westerplatte capitulation

    • @GuilhermeGui-vv1om
      @GuilhermeGui-vv1om 2 роки тому +6

      @@shanemcdowall As Germany had not actually lost the first war, being occupier of foreign territory when Germany agreed to a deceitful armistice, the loss of approximately 7 million Germans to Poland and Czechoslovakia, where the Germans were abused, was not considered a fair way out. .Danzig, 95% German, had been separated from Germany at Versailles in violation of Woodrow Wilson's principle of self-determination. Even British leaders thought Danzig should be returned. Why didn't Warsaw negotiate with Berlin, which hinted at an offer of compensatory territory in Slovakia? Was Danzig worthy of war? Unlike the 7 million Hong Kongers the British surrendered to Beijing, which didn't want to go, Danzig's people were clamoring to return to Germany.

  • @thorshammer7883
    @thorshammer7883 2 роки тому +68

    The Poles were surely brave, resilient, and diligent to the utter end during World War 2.

    • @dragosstanciu9866
      @dragosstanciu9866 2 роки тому +6

      @Emil There was nothing the Allies could do, by 1944-1945 the Soviets had total control of Poland.

    • @ivanskirchak4935
      @ivanskirchak4935 2 роки тому +6

      They didn’t lay down like a certain European country in 1940.

    • @ivanskirchak4935
      @ivanskirchak4935 2 роки тому

      @@drpoundsign 😂 😂

    • @dragosstanciu9866
      @dragosstanciu9866 2 роки тому +1

      @Emil In 1945 the Allies had only two nukes used against Japan, thus there was no such thing as a nuclear leverage. As for the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939 Britain and France were already at war with Germany, thus it would have been madness to declare war on the USSR too, Britain would have lost the war.

    • @elviadarkgrape2859
      @elviadarkgrape2859 2 роки тому +4

      @@dragosstanciu9866 Which makes the allies hypocrite liars dont you think? Claiming to defend polands freedom by attacking Germany but by not attacking the Soviet union but rather handing them in the end.

  • @Asger21
    @Asger21 Рік тому +3

    Though I have been studying WW2 history for 55 years, I have never read about this.
    In the last 3 years, I have learned more from Mark Felton than from anyone else during 52 years!
    I salute you, sir!

    • @melchiorvonsternberg844
      @melchiorvonsternberg844 9 місяців тому

      Indeed...? That sounds for me more like a lazy student, than of a men of knowledge. But perhaps you are meanwhile that old, that you started to forget some specific details... Btw. I'm on the same topic (and in a much wider field) since 50 years...

  • @Garrattwayne
    @Garrattwayne 2 роки тому +33

    Me & My Son who was 22yrs old when my son passed away we both just to watch this together. this this the 1st one I have been able to watch without my son but I bet he is next to me watching it. he loved your ww2 docs.

    • @dr.floridaman4805
      @dr.floridaman4805 2 роки тому +4

      22 is quite young.
      Hard to imagine what could take someone away so young

    • @terryroots5023
      @terryroots5023 2 роки тому +4

      Sorry to hear about your loss.

    • @janbo8331
      @janbo8331 2 роки тому +1

      @@dr.floridaman4805 War does that. Probably was not the case here though.

    • @MarkFeltonProductions
      @MarkFeltonProductions  2 роки тому +8

      I've very sorry for your loss.

    • @pedjatrninic
      @pedjatrninic 2 роки тому +3

      My condolencies for your loss.

  • @Gszarco94
    @Gszarco94 2 роки тому +24

    Thank you, Mark for making this rare events of history known to us. Keep up the good work!

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar
      👎👎

  • @mireksoja9063
    @mireksoja9063 2 роки тому +7

    Thank you for this presentation. I did not know that such an episode took place during the German invasion of Poland in 1939. I am sure there are more such episodes like this.

  • @wayneantoniazzi2706
    @wayneantoniazzi2706 2 роки тому +15

    Another bulls-eye from Doctor Felton! What a geat way to start the week!
    Brave Poles! They weren't going down without a fight.

    • @roybrowning2685
      @roybrowning2685 2 роки тому +1

      But they did go down...not only with the Germans, but with the Soviets too.

    • @wayneantoniazzi2706
      @wayneantoniazzi2706 2 роки тому +1

      @@roybrowning2685 Being double-teamed it was inevitable. But they didn't go easy. Give them credit.

  • @JayZx777
    @JayZx777 2 роки тому +54

    September Campaign was destined to fail as the Polish government spread their forces along the border with Germany without having many concentrated forces. This is because Polish politicians and the military falsely believed in French and British intervention. As we know from history, no help ever arrived, instead it was the Polish forces who fought in almost every WWII front fighting for others. Polish forces abroad were sponsored with Polish Gold evacuated from the National Bank of Poland. During Victory Parade in London in 1945, the Polish army was not invited (4th largest Allied forces) to participate while tiny little banana republics were. Sorry, I got off topic a bit! Great Video!!!!

    • @gamerdrache6076
      @gamerdrache6076 2 роки тому +1

      @@dompdompdomp i mean they kinda were agresive too but yeah they get often invaded

    • @filipnalewaja5609
      @filipnalewaja5609 2 роки тому

      @@gamerdrache6076 getting back whats yours is justyfied.

  • @thelandofwhispers9184
    @thelandofwhispers9184 2 роки тому +7

    Thank you for a great episode, greetings from Gliwice🇵🇱

  • @sirruf9618
    @sirruf9618 2 роки тому +39

    I come from a town 45km from Wschowa and I have never heard of it, Mark Felton amazing me with obscure war stories even more than usual :)

    • @skii555
      @skii555 2 роки тому

      Kto cie tam historii uczył? Matematyk?

  • @josephstevens9888
    @josephstevens9888 2 роки тому +12

    I've heard of this raid years ago. Thanks Mark for airing this video!

  • @ksawerycepeniuk474
    @ksawerycepeniuk474 2 роки тому +13

    This wasn't the only occasion Polish forces fought their way into German territory.
    Smaller Polish cavalry units carried out 4 raids into Prussia between the 2nd and 4th of September. The commander of the Narew Army Corps, gen. Młot-Fijałkowski planned to launch a general offensive into Prussia with the Suwalska and Podlaska cavalry brigades numbering around 13000 elite soldiers with mounted artillery, anti-tank weapons and armoured vehicles.
    The plan was never executed as German forces were advancing deep into Polish territory along most of the frontline and high command decided that the Narew Corps had to make a retreat not to get encircled.

    • @gracz24PL
      @gracz24PL 2 роки тому

      That is very interesting. I wonder if there is more facts about early war time ? I wish Polish army would successfully push germans as far as berlin. Communism in Poland would never happen and reich would be defeated.

    • @ksawerycepeniuk474
      @ksawerycepeniuk474 2 роки тому +3

      @@gracz24PL Unfortunately, it's hard to find reliable historical sources about the September Campaign in English. There's lots of publications in Polish, but you still have to navigate through some patriotic bullshit to get to the facts.
      An interesting battle you can Google is the battle of Mokra, during which the Polish Volhynian Cavalry Brigade defeated the 4th Panzer Division. It's interesting and shows just how underrated the Polish cavalry was.
      It also proves that the Polish Army was capable of putting up a solid resistance had it not been for terrible command and lack of mobilization. And it was the Allies fault too, as they repeatedbly pressured Poland to postpone the mobilization. When it was finally announced just one day before the war it was too late. Only 500k of the planned 1 million soldiers were mobilised and just 250k were combat ready.

  • @waldemarkoziarczyk5018
    @waldemarkoziarczyk5018 2 роки тому +161

    The territory of the Third Reich was also bombed by the Polish air force. On 2 September 1939, the Polish air force bombed the vicinity of the train station in Neidenburg in East Prussia (now this city is located on Polish territory and is called Nidzica). The monument of Polish aviators in front of the railway station in Nidzica reminds about it. Polish airmen, who made reconnaissance flights to observe the deployment of German troops, bombed the station filled with German soldiers on September 1939.

    • @antoneckhart6004
      @antoneckhart6004 2 роки тому +11

      So much land had been taken from germany.

    • @waldemarkoziarczyk5018
      @waldemarkoziarczyk5018 2 роки тому +18

      ​@@antoneckhart6004 Right, but how much land has been taken from Poland in the east? Who decided about it? Poland was not present at the conferences in Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Poland may have won the war, but lost the peace. For example, the communist authorities, under the threat of Stalin, rejected aid in the form of the Marshall Plan in Poland.

    • @antoneckhart6004
      @antoneckhart6004 2 роки тому +1

      @@waldemarkoziarczyk5018 yes starlin fucked poland over too. Pity you didnt help germany deal with the soviets. Now the world is an hell hole.

    • @waldemarkoziarczyk5018
      @waldemarkoziarczyk5018 2 роки тому +11

      @@antoneckhart6004
      You're probably right. Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Józef Beck in his famous speech in the Polish parliament (5 May 1939) said: "We in Poland do not know the concept of peace at any cost. There is only one thing in the life of people, nations and states that is priceless is honor ". It was a romantic but not realistic approach to politics, very characteristic of Poles throughout history, now very much criticized.
      Today, many Polish historians (apart from the left-wing) believe that it was necessary to ally with Hitler (he was a criminal, but he defended his allies), and not count on help from France or England, which together with the US betrayed their most faithful ally.
      Fortunately, today Poland and Germany are allies, which is by no means some exceptional state in the history of both nations and is beneficial to both countries.

    • @nicolasb8474
      @nicolasb8474 2 роки тому +1

      @@waldemarkoziarczyk5018 Poland could have avoided occupation by agreeing to armistice and referendum.

  • @stevenburkhardt1963
    @stevenburkhardt1963 2 роки тому +34

    I have added to my knowledge, never heard or read about this before. Well done!

    • @fargeeks
      @fargeeks 2 роки тому

      When i watched the pianist movie
      I saw just how ruthless the german soldiers were to the polish civilians
      Not sure if it was real but if it was then i truly hate to have lived in those years

  • @jakubmatusewicz727
    @jakubmatusewicz727 2 роки тому +13

    As I live very close to Fraustadt (now Wschowa) and I'm interested in history of IIWW I was aware of those events, but never expected to hear that story told on UA-cam by my one of my favourite historian. Amazing feeling :)

  • @RReese08
    @RReese08 2 роки тому +18

    Many thanks for this small chapter in the history of WWII. Looking forward to more insightful reports to come in the New Year, Dr. Felton.

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому +1

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar My father saw the Polish War and this Mark Felton did not.

  • @kennethbolton951
    @kennethbolton951 2 роки тому +121

    The Poles fought on in a variety of ways, pilots in Spitfires, troops after Normandy, ships at sea, as did the French, Dutch and many more.

    • @terraflow__bryanburdo4547
      @terraflow__bryanburdo4547 2 роки тому +27

      Monte Cassino was a major victory for the Poles.

    • @rg20322
      @rg20322 2 роки тому +23

      @@terraflow__bryanburdo4547 The Poles always fought.

    • @terraflow__bryanburdo4547
      @terraflow__bryanburdo4547 2 роки тому +19

      @@rg20322 And fought well.

    • @shawnr771
      @shawnr771 2 роки тому +6

      Also as S.O.E. Agents.

    • @tear728
      @tear728 2 роки тому +6

      And sadly none of them got the recognition they deserved and were often forsaken by everyone else anyways

  • @dasboot5903
    @dasboot5903 2 роки тому +1

    Mr. Mark Felton is the BEST .... !!!!
    I knew about this Polish Army raid across the German border in September 2nd of 1939, but I was not aware of all of the details of it !!!!
    *Yes !! German Wehrmacht was NOT invincible at all* .... because it was proven in so many places after its quick victories in 1939-1942. Germans were later on so badly bitten in Africa, in Atlantic, and especially in the Soviet Russia, and during fights in Italy and Normandy D-day landing !!!!
    Thank you so much Mr. Felton !!!
    You're really GREAT !!

  • @MikatheRaccoon
    @MikatheRaccoon 2 роки тому +17

    At first I thought you meant 1918 and Greaterpoland uprising when Poland invaded Germany. Today is 103th anniversary. But still can't wait to watch it!

    • @mikeromney4712
      @mikeromney4712 2 роки тому +1

      I also tought the same...1918 and 1921.....but hey....everyday a new lesson...:)

    • @andriypohors2538
      @andriypohors2538 2 роки тому +2

      po land, the aggressor??! uh, don't say it too loudly.

    • @jennifercox225
      @jennifercox225 2 роки тому +2

      ​@@mikeromney4712 poland did not invade gemany? The poles revolted against the occupying prussians

  • @thedukeofpaducah9682
    @thedukeofpaducah9682 2 роки тому +25

    I knew someone who had a Polish Calvary horse shipped from Poland to Kentucky, what a beautiful powerful horse it was.

    • @nicholasslodki703
      @nicholasslodki703 2 роки тому +5

      Where did it end up and are any of its offspring still kept track of?

    • @thedukeofpaducah9682
      @thedukeofpaducah9682 2 роки тому +5

      @@nicholasslodki703 I`m not sure, it was back in 92, It was a young mare so I`m sure it was for breeding.

  • @WarMysteries
    @WarMysteries 2 роки тому +12

    Another fascinating video from Mark, great work! This is a very little-known subject that is often swept under the rug. Similar to the successful halting of an entire column of German armour by the Polish Air Force for a number of days, these stories don't get the time they deserve.

  • @dovidell
    @dovidell 2 роки тому +143

    So the French were the first allied nation to bomb Berlin ( as seen in one of your videos ) , and the Poles invaded Germany (or part thereof ) on Day 2 of WW2 , 2 things we definitely did NOT learn in history class at school

    • @mikeromney4712
      @mikeromney4712 2 роки тому +16

      Not only on day 2 of WW2....even 1918 and 1921.....;)

    • @thechlebek901
      @thechlebek901 2 роки тому +34

      @@gorillajoe9572 that sentence is living rent free in your brain lmao

    • @minimax9452
      @minimax9452 2 роки тому +31

      And the british bombed Germany first - before germany reacted - definitely not at school ;-)

    • @andriypohors2538
      @andriypohors2538 2 роки тому +15

      @@mikeromney4712 so the poles weren't as innocent as they claim, eh?

    • @andriypohors2538
      @andriypohors2538 2 роки тому +23

      @@mikeromney4712 the innocent victims also gladly annexed parts of lithuania and czechoslovakia.

  • @ITIsFunnyDamnIT
    @ITIsFunnyDamnIT 2 роки тому +25

    I love all these amazing little gems of history I never knew about. An how you always share interesting little known facts about WW2 .

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar

  • @Mrsaba1000
    @Mrsaba1000 2 роки тому +2

    Everybody gansta until dr. Felton tells them they are not.

  • @markymark3572
    @markymark3572 2 роки тому +8

    Fascinating, who would have known without this excellent channel?

  • @marks_sparks1
    @marks_sparks1 2 роки тому +57

    Unknown history revealed to me. Thanks Dr Felton.

  • @cykix9499
    @cykix9499 2 роки тому +3

    I am currently sitting in Krakow on holiday and this is an amazing piece of history

  • @rebralhunter6069
    @rebralhunter6069 2 роки тому +6

    I've never heard of this am I'm Polish. Thanks for bringing this little piece of my countries history to my knowledge. Great vid

  • @MrSstiel
    @MrSstiel 2 роки тому +4

    Excellent information as always. My grandfather was in the Polish army during the time of the 1939 September campaign.

  • @majewskiprzem
    @majewskiprzem 2 роки тому +32

    Extra info: This unit was under command of Armia Poznań (Poznań army). General Tadeusz Kutrzeba was commander of Armia Poznań. He was different than other Polish commanders. Others prefer to defend and retreat before Germans, Kutrzeba was the only one who attacked Germans, not only at this battle but also during Bzura battle which was the biggest one in German campaign in Poland in 1939. What is morę, Kutrzeba was asking Polish high command many times at first days of war to attack form north German army center which moved toward Warszawa, capitol of Poland. This was only chance for Polish army to win against Germany in 1939. But Smigly-Rydz, Polish supremę commander, didn't know what to do during first days, he was so surprised by Germans. He agreed to attack but it was too late. What is more: on footage it is not TKS but his earlier version of TK3. The place for machinegun in TKS is different. Another mistake: When author of movie is talking about Polish troops shelling German town on photo there is not Polish field artillery but Polish antitank guns, famous 37 mm bofors. What is morę, Polish ideas to attack Germans werw morę. Polish Bomber Brigade (Brygada Bombowa) pilots proposed to bomb German Konigsberg (nowaday Kaliningrad) to avenge German air raids on Polish unarmed cities during campaign when many civilians were killer. But commanders of Polish air forces decided not to behave like Germans who were killing unarmed civilians. The rest is OK and as a Pole I thank you for doing such movies

  • @bradmiech5743
    @bradmiech5743 2 роки тому +6

    I'm Polish decent, appreciate the history lesson. Thank you 😊 peace ✌ solidarity ❤

  • @RosoMC
    @RosoMC 2 роки тому +33

    Thumbnail picture brings back some good old memories. I used to do reenactment of the Polish Army of the 1939 September Campaign period, as it's officially known in the Polish historiography. I wonder which reenactment group is pictured at 02:35?
    Cheers to all viewers and to Mark for bringing the quality content as always!

  • @bmw328i8
    @bmw328i8 Рік тому +4

    Poland, “what a wonderful and successful surprise attack!” Germany, “hold my beer.”

  • @thejudgmentalcat
    @thejudgmentalcat 2 роки тому +8

    You're right, I had never heard of this. Hope to learn even more in the coming year. Thanks Professor!

  • @SuperDiablo101
    @SuperDiablo101 2 роки тому +5

    A late Christmas gift to all from the wonderful mark felton....I hope you had a wonderful holiday because history isn't the same without your videos

  • @boxicool
    @boxicool 2 роки тому +29

    I really appreciate how many videos you make about Poland. People on west often think war started in 1940. It is shame because Poland has been ripped off from west to east and again east to west by tanks, millions died. Stalin revenge, Hitlers bloodbaths. Stories of my and other grandparents, freezing blood in bones how terror looked and when i hear "Polish deathcamp" especialy in german press I am so angry.

  • @hughjass1044
    @hughjass1044 2 роки тому +20

    Mark Felton teaches history that no one knows is history. Something of a military history buff myself and have never heard a word of this action.
    Well done once again, Dr. Felton!

    • @thedukeofpaducah9682
      @thedukeofpaducah9682 2 роки тому +4

      I read of the fake attack by the Germans but not about Poland actually entering Germany. he digs deep.

  • @JBL277
    @JBL277 2 роки тому +9

    as a Pole THANK YOU for bringing these stories to light :)

  • @desertfox4277
    @desertfox4277 2 роки тому +3

    Everyone gangster until the TKS tankettes show up

  • @MiSt3300
    @MiSt3300 2 роки тому +27

    Thank you for covering this Mark, if the Soviets didn't attack Poland, and France and Britain invaded Germany as agreed, the war would have lasted shorter and with less casualties.

    • @vespelian
      @vespelian 2 роки тому +1

      France was in a much better position than Britain to intervene.

    • @gumdeo
      @gumdeo 2 роки тому +1

      Stalin ruined everything.

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +2

      England and France knew what the Poles were doing to the ethnic German and Ukrainian minority in Poland before the Germans invaded. Part of the reason they invaded the Danzig Corridor. ie... Polgrom.
      So Germany let loose the Einsatzgruppen to return the favor. The killings were the same; bad all around, but they only teach "Germany bad".
      Source: The atrocities against German minorities in Poland.

    • @JerryP7a
      @JerryP7a 2 роки тому

      @@BridgesDontFly "ethnic german territory" you mean lands that prussia germanized between 1795 and 1918?

    • @BridgesDontFly
      @BridgesDontFly 2 роки тому +2

      @@JerryP7a
      What's that have to do with anything? All lands have been colonized. Back and forth, back and forth.

  • @rongarrett1366
    @rongarrett1366 2 роки тому +7

    Polish were outstanding soldiers and airmen. They were just outnumbered and the enemies were better equipped.

  • @jchapman4842
    @jchapman4842 2 роки тому +2

    Fascinating information, Mark! I am never disappointed with the excellent quality of your content! Many thanks for a job well done, sir!

  • @gagarin777
    @gagarin777 2 роки тому +125

    I've heard about it on our history lessons when I was in High school some 20y ago. It was called Battle of Wschowa (I don't recall German/Prussian name being mentioned). It is totally different experience when you have pictures and video to show, comparing to just facts and figures in a textbook. Great job Mark!

    • @letoubib21
      @letoubib21 2 роки тому +3

      At least you've already heard about it *. . .*

    • @hanneswegener3295
      @hanneswegener3295 2 роки тому +2

      Fraustadt

    • @gagarin777
      @gagarin777 2 роки тому +6

      @@hanneswegener3295 yeah I know it now. I meant that I don't remember the German name from my history lessons.
      Fun fact: this city belonged to Poland ~900 years ago and in 1600's was considered unofficial second Polish capital. This may explain why I don't remember German name since it was originally Polish town with Polish name.

    • @swunt10
      @swunt10 2 роки тому +17

      @@gagarin777 "It was originally a polish town." No. The city was founded around 1250 under Magdeburg rights by German people and was part of the Duchy of Glogau, Silecia. In 1343 a polish king annexed the region around the city. But because the population of the city was German they got many special rights from the polish king such as being declared an independent city and in 1426 even polish law was abolished. When the german Kings of the house of Wettin ruled over Poland the city of Fraustadt hosted several Senate meetings which is probably what you mean with "unofficial second polish capital" because it was easier for the german king to travel there from Dresden and because the city was german so he felt at home. 1795 it became fully german again this time under prussian rule. While under prussian rule, for the first time poles where allowed to settle in the city. After 1945 the soviets annexed eastern poland and resettled these poles in east germany and the border was moved to the Oder river so the city ended up in Poland and the german population was forcefully deported.

    • @niemamnicku1359
      @niemamnicku1359 2 роки тому +1

      This is actually the most boring part of polish fight in 1939.
      I would like to watch anything about "Westerplatte", "Poczta Gdańska ( Gdańsk post office) or "Wizna". All of these battles can be compared to bravery of allies in the west.

  • @simonvirus6417
    @simonvirus6417 2 роки тому +16

    Mark i have been watching your channel for a few years now, i must say this is just about the most UNHEARD of, AMAZING and actually powerful in that ALL dictatorships in governments, militarys can be beaten. As an Australian, i have a huge respect for POLAND as they have stood up for freedom by protesting against AUSTRALIA's current tyranny at our embassy there . Thanks Mark, you really push me further against these cowards.

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому +1

      Thank you Simon! Be strong and keep resisting - we must overcome this time as well!

    • @clovergrass9439
      @clovergrass9439 2 роки тому

      Why did the Poles massacre 58,000 ethnic Germans in the weeks surrounding the invasion?

  • @レジスト
    @レジスト 2 роки тому

    I thought there is not much left to discover about WW2 but then Mark Felton shows up with another Video. Best History Channel on the Planet!

  • @palomino73
    @palomino73 2 роки тому +24

    Being a German I have never before heard of this story ! And I assume this is not because nobody knew about it, but rather that it was deemed to serve reactionary causes and was a possibly "right-wing" talking point.
    Thank you once more for shedding a light in history that is not blinding !

    • @janbo8331
      @janbo8331 2 роки тому +5

      That makes me sad. Censorship never brings enlightenment.

    • @wolfberlin
      @wolfberlin 2 роки тому +2

      It has been told in one of the history sequels on German National Television (ZDF), so it is nothing new to history minded people here. Interesting though to go through it again, there are always new angles to a story.

    • @sergioattonito1867
      @sergioattonito1867 2 роки тому +8

      Frankly I don't unerstand your point, I believe it's nomal nobody knows because is such a small and inconsequential affair

    • @Joesolo13
      @Joesolo13 2 роки тому

      @@sergioattonito1867 Yea it's true of a lot of these types of comments on Mr. Felton's videos. While they're often very interesting subjects, many are rather insignificant or had little real impact.
      Still good to learn about and know, but a minor polish advance into germany after the invasion doesn't really change anything about ww2.

    • @notsosilentmajority1
      @notsosilentmajority1 2 роки тому +1

      It sounds like you are right in your assessment but history needs to be told in it's entire truth...... good or bad. Thankfully, videos like this are broadening the worlds horizons.

  • @ageingviking5587
    @ageingviking5587 2 роки тому +5

    Good stuff Mark. Thank you... There was some great footage of the Polish military advance in this one. They didn't get to advance often .. Thank you again. I hope you had a great Christmas !

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому +1

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar

    • @ageingviking5587
      @ageingviking5587 2 роки тому +2

      @@berndstuckrad488 Mark is simply a historion, History doesn't lie so get over yourself shultzy!

  • @yuliaklausvonwurtemberg7304
    @yuliaklausvonwurtemberg7304 2 роки тому +3

    Hitler sent 8 peace proposals to UK, UK said : war is better than peace.

    • @Patrix299
      @Patrix299 2 роки тому

      @@optiolegio747 Hitler was going to take the ethnic German regions either way.

    • @Patrix299
      @Patrix299 2 роки тому

      @@optiolegio747 If they wanted war so much they (Poland) could have easily taken Danzig(originally a Polish city)and East Prussia up until 1935, why didn't they? The corridor was unfair to the Germans living in Danzig but Poland needed access to the sea to be economically feasible.

    • @optiolegio747
      @optiolegio747 2 роки тому

      @@Patrix299 because they didn’t want war that’s why they didn’t take it.

    • @optiolegio747
      @optiolegio747 2 роки тому

      @@Patrix299 they wanted a peaceful relationship with Poland and the rest of the world. Read mr Hs speech on April 28, 1939

  • @Artur_M.
    @Artur_M. 2 роки тому +20

    Great to see you covering this little known episode of the war!
    BTW Fraustadt/Wschowa was also the place of a major Swedish victory during the Great Northern War.

    • @Magnus-727
      @Magnus-727 2 роки тому +3

      I also thought of the battle in 1706 when I heard the location and was about to make a comment when I saw yours 😉

    • @berndstuckrad488
      @berndstuckrad488 2 роки тому

      Churchill gave the German Reich an ultimatum: "If the German army has not withdrawn from Poland by September 1, 1939, England and Germany will find themselves in a war-like state. at that time Poland had already been defeated and surrendered Mark is a goddamn Liar

  • @neflesward2727
    @neflesward2727 2 роки тому +4

    I have watched countless documentaries on ww2 and not one have ever mentioned this. Thanks Dr Felton!

    • @vanpallandt5799
      @vanpallandt5799 2 роки тому

      @@optiolegio747 I must look up the Polish for 'revenge is a dish best served cold'. 3 squadrons of Poles in the Battle of Britain (out of the circa 70 of RAF, Coastal Command, Fleet Air Arm) accounted for more than 10% of the LW entire a/c losses - mainly it must be said in the German bomber force due to the LW's inept and changing tactics (no disrespect to the pilots and crew, massive disrespect to the political leadership and philosophy)

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому

      Don’t watch that Goebbels propaganda - Europa the last battle... it’s filled with lies and manipulations and based on nazi narrative (which was false)!...

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому

      @@optiolegio747 yes - we know you’re a lier! But still nice of you to introduce yourself!

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому

      @@optiolegio747 the film is long and enslaving weak minded and ignorant people in a network of made up ‘facts’ - no wonder you got so caught up on it! It was made with drones like you in mind!

  • @bashirmuhammad8181
    @bashirmuhammad8181 2 роки тому

    Double wow! Doc Felton is determined to give us a delightful exit to 2021! Doc,you're too much.I'm grinning from ear to ear!

  • @Comrade2261
    @Comrade2261 2 роки тому +15

    My great grandfather was from Poland and tried to fight them, before having to flee. He died when I was 5. I had a jacket that said Polish Legion, Post 56.

    • @filipmerksa1426
      @filipmerksa1426 2 роки тому

      Fleeing ofc. And then pretending to do that uprising when they thaught that Russians would finnish the job, but Stalin said - no, fck you 😂😂😂

  • @briannicholas2757
    @briannicholas2757 2 роки тому +4

    Dr. Felton, thank you again for showing us little known facets of WWII.
    Whilst I am an American by birth, my ancestry is Polish, and it is with great sadness that I look back on how terribly treated the Poles were by the Soviets then the nazis then the Soviets again. And while Britain and France, morally backed Polish sovereignty, the sad fact is they did very little to physically help Poland in it's heroic struggle to defend against the Nazis and Soviets. The British provided sanctuary for those Poles able to escape the horrors of nazi and stalinist tyranny and the Allies could find no better comrades in arms than the polish refugees.
    The saddest part of all, was the allied abandonment of Poland at war's end. Freed from the oppression of the nazis, it was literally a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire of 40 plus years of soviet tyranny.
    It is an amazing testament to the courage and moral fortitude of the Polish people, that no matter how long it took, they never gave up the dream of a free and independent Poland.

    • @jennifercox225
      @jennifercox225 2 роки тому

      Very little? Britain did nothing to help poland
      Poland lost 5 million people to geman occupation and britain's greatest achievement was watching and doing nothing.
      Britain declared war and watched while their ally poland had people slauhterd in the millions by the gemans

    • @silverletter4551
      @silverletter4551 2 роки тому

      that's because the British only cared about maintaining its hegemonic strength in Europe. They hated seeing another power rising and wanted to defeat it. I'm glad the British empire is dead and buried

  • @direct2397
    @direct2397 2 роки тому

    That's why i love this channel. I always learn about things i didn't know yet.

  • @MrBigstick25
    @MrBigstick25 2 роки тому +3

    Being defeated in a matter of weeks isn’t putting up a whole lot of resistance in my opinion.

    • @bobgood2936
      @bobgood2936 2 роки тому +1

      Not really when you are fighting two enormous countries

  • @marekm6621
    @marekm6621 2 роки тому +16

    Unlike the French, the Poles did not capitulate , but kept fighting as the third largest allied force in the West ( Americans, Brits, Poles ). About a quarter of all Luftwaffe downed at the Battle of Britain were scored by the Polish Airforce within the RAF.
    Breaking the Enigma code by the Poles was perhaps the most important singular WWII contribution of the few for the many.
    Rarely mentioned, no wonder, is the Polish anihilation of the Red Army in the Polish-Soviet war of 1920. It was perhaps the most assymetric of all assymetric Wars - less than a million Poles anihilated five and a half million strong Red Army.
    God Bless Poland.

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому +3

      All good points! Also - don’t forget to mention the invention of a mine sweeping device! Saved lives of dozens of thousands of allied troops!

    • @Lyanguzov1
      @Lyanguzov1 2 роки тому +1

      Не было там пяти миллионов, не выдумывай.

    • @jankowalski8150
      @jankowalski8150 2 роки тому

      Also Poles were fighting against Germans together with Russian army from1943 and they went into Berlin in 1945 as allies to Russian forces.

    • @eddiemajorski1047
      @eddiemajorski1047 2 роки тому +1

      Thank you very interesting!! My father was from Łódź Poland and fought in the polish underground! His mother was from Silesia of germ an parents . Probably from that area! He was lucky to end up in the American sector in 1945 with some polish American soldiers from Chicago andnew York where he immigrated to. He shared so many stories Polish battles and polish history! He was very proud of his country!

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому

      @@eddiemajorski1047 come home and visit Poland anytime soon!

  • @chris5634C3PO
    @chris5634C3PO Рік тому +1

    Thanks, yet another story I had never heard before.

  • @lukalisinac3534
    @lukalisinac3534 2 роки тому +6

    When I saw that title my brain got really confused

  • @mockz2327
    @mockz2327 2 роки тому +33

    DAMN, I was just started playing Hearts of Iron 4 and planning to invade Germany with only 8 divisions.

  • @corregidor9999
    @corregidor9999 Рік тому +1

    You do a fantastic work !

  • @eduardouribealbarran6415
    @eduardouribealbarran6415 2 роки тому +7

    Mark thank you for this outstanding fact I seriously didnt even know this invasion even back in high school! Honestly, you're truly an avid student of history👍

  • @williammiller8317
    @williammiller8317 2 роки тому +27

    First time I ever heard the term “tankettes”, thanks Mark for another great moment in history. 👍

    • @letoubib21
      @letoubib21 2 роки тому +11

      A tankette is every small tank without a turret like the Italian L3/35 or the British Carden Lloyd. In contrast to that the about similar light, and lightly armed German Panzer I did have its turret, and thatfore was called a tank *. . .*

    • @oLii96x
      @oLii96x 2 роки тому +6

      they became quickly outdated though

    • @bsuper63
      @bsuper63 2 роки тому +3

      Mark did a Polish tankette episode prior to this. A successful ambush of Mark 3 and 4 Panzers.

    • @letoubib21
      @letoubib21 2 роки тому +1

      @@bsuper63 Yeah, the TK-3s and TKSs armed with the new 20 mm autocannon *. ..*

    • @letoubib21
      @letoubib21 2 роки тому +1

      @@oLii96x But small, armoured, tracked vehicles like the Renault UE, the Lorraine 37L or the Universal Carrier became pretty successful *. . .*

  • @benjaminlanden8607
    @benjaminlanden8607 2 роки тому +1

    This videos are just GOLD.

  • @lubczyk
    @lubczyk 2 роки тому +6

    You made a mistake in your video. Poland never formally surrendered.

  • @ethank.6602
    @ethank.6602 2 роки тому +4

    The nazis were incredibly petty with their murdering of polish commanders solely because they held out or did a good job

    • @vanpallandt5799
      @vanpallandt5799 2 роки тому +1

      Look at the reaction of the Germans in WW1 re the Belgians - how dare they fight back

    • @KrissowskiM
      @KrissowskiM 2 роки тому

      They were much worse than petty - they would bomb a while city without any military in it nor any military installations- only because it had a shape of a square and they could use it to assess damage. Read about Polish city of Wieluń...

  • @albieshamess9515
    @albieshamess9515 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for pssoting a brief map at the start of your videos, that really helps me orient on Google maps, as I've struggeld in the past in various geographic areas concerning your story.

  • @patrickbateman4335
    @patrickbateman4335 2 роки тому +7

    First. I've been watching your contents since 2019. Really interesting. I've got to learned more historical moment than what I've been taught at school.

  • @chadwickst.clair-smythe4217
    @chadwickst.clair-smythe4217 2 роки тому +22

    Now there's a good lad, Poland! Sticking to Jerry! Many in the West don't know that the Poles fought like rabid dogs. They most certainly do not deserve the jokes that have entered the English lexicon thanks to Hunnish propaganda. Well done, Dr. Felton! Highest marks!

    • @maxmustermann4246
      @maxmustermann4246 2 роки тому

      Wtf we Germans only make fun of the French surrender in 1940. There is no Hunnish Propaganda( whatever that means)

    • @chadwickst.clair-smythe4217
      @chadwickst.clair-smythe4217 2 роки тому +2

      @@maxmustermann4246 Not so. In the United States in particular German propaganda about the Polish Campaign took deep root and became common sayings or mistaken for historical fact. Including mounted Polish Cavalry attacking German tanks with lances.
      From Jerry Goebbel's mouth to Billy Yank's ear. Another dastardly Hun trick!

  • @elkabong6429
    @elkabong6429 2 роки тому

    Never heard of this! Only Mark Felton would bring this to our attention! Thank you!

  • @tomharold2875
    @tomharold2875 2 роки тому +5

    Good stuff!

  • @jacobs8341
    @jacobs8341 2 роки тому +3

    If England and France would have upheld their end of the deal in the beginning there may have never been a WW2

  • @liammacaodha4783
    @liammacaodha4783 Рік тому +1

    Mark should be the head of his own history channel. Untold stories channel. So great 😃👍🏼😊

  • @forzared101
    @forzared101 2 роки тому +14

    Dr. Felton, I would love to see a video on Władysław Studnicki, a Polish politician most known for his pro-German views in pre-war Poland. In 1938 and 1939, he correctly predicted the Anschluss, and that if Poland were to ally with the UK and France, that it would be Germany's primary target. He also correctly guessed that in the upcoming WW2 conflict, the USSR would most likely wind up with Polish territory in the East. At his core, he believed that the USSR, not Germany, was Poland's greatest enemy, and that the UK and France were not reliable as allies.

    • @MrKakibuy
      @MrKakibuy 2 роки тому +6

      It didnt matter because hitler was uninterested in a Polish alliance. He wanted Polish lands.

    • @deinemutter2476
      @deinemutter2476 2 роки тому +1

      He wanted back land that then was considered german you mean. Poland getting closer to Britain and refusing to negotiate the question of Danzig and other german settled areas sealed their fate and turned their land into the perfect opportunity for eastward expansion.

    • @MrKakibuy
      @MrKakibuy 2 роки тому +7

      @@deinemutter2476 Nope, hitler never said his goal was just Danzig and he was never going to be satisfied with it. Hitler believed in settler colonialism, he wanted swaths of lands in eastern Europe that were going to be germanized and Poland was just the first target.
      edit: sorry, Poland was the 2nd* target, as Germany already occupied the Czech lands.

    • @deinemutter2476
      @deinemutter2476 2 роки тому

      @@MrKakibuy You're right, the question is how long it would take til Germany would try to take over and colonialize the other parts of Poland. But the cause of war and the issues leading up to it wasn't that Germany wanted complete control of Poland.
      Can you really compare it to Czechoslovakia where slavs were allowed to form Slovakia as a country? If you do the mental gymnastics that Poland gave up land with german claims how unlikely would it be that they'd get the same chance to create a vassal nation. (which most likely would still be germanized over time)

    • @MrKakibuy
      @MrKakibuy 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@deinemutter2476 Not sure what are you saying. They are one and the same. Hitler always wanted to expand east, and he figured that september 1939 was the best moment - probably because Germany was facing bankruptcy again and urgently needed territories and jews to plunder. His eastern ambitions were the cause for the war.
      Croatians and Slovakians are a bad example because according to the German nazi "theorists", they were actually not Slavs but descendants of Goths who got slavicized. This opinion was officialy embraced by the Ustache, and to this day, it is still believed in some Croatian fascist and right-wing circles that Croatians are actually not slavs but something "unique".