The Battle of Westerplatte: An Overview

Introduction to Westerplatte

• Symbol of Polish defensive war.
• Polish crew held out for a week against German forces.

Historical Context

Early Polish Statehood

• Polish struggles for access to the sea date back to Piast era.
• The Baltic Sea was a major conflict arena for Polish and German interests.

Peace of Torun (1466)

• Poland gained Gdańsk, Elbląg, and Toruń from the Teutonic Order.
• Access to the sea remained stable for 300 years, with the exception of 17th-century wars.

18th Century Changes

• Partition of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth led to loss of statehood and access to the Baltic Sea for over 120 years.

Regaining Independence (1918)

• New conditions created by President Wilson's 14 Points.
• "Wedding of Poland to the sea" symbolized the rebirth of ties with the Baltic.

The Polish Corridor and Tensions with Germany

• The Polish corridor separated East Prussia from Germany, leading to tensions.
• Hitler's initial non-confrontational policy shifted as he aimed for the Polish corridor.
• Poland accepted British guarantees on March 31, 1939, angering Hitler.

Prelude to War

Germany’s War Preparations

• On April 11, 1939, plans for war (Fall Weiss) against Poland were initiated.
• Polish navy placed on alert, German navy movements increased.
• Lithuania annexed Klaipeda to avoid conflict with Germany.

Polish Defense Preparations

• Polish navy acquired new equipment and fortified positions at Hel Peninsula.
• Mobilization and defensive plans initiated as tensions escalated.

Events Leading to the Attack on Westerplatte

• German battleship Schleswig-Holstein entered Gdansk Bay on August 25, 1939, under the guise of a courtesy visit.
• The true intent was to attack the Polish depot at Westerplatte.
• Attack planned for August 26 was postponed due to British-Polish alliance.

The Attack on Westerplatte

• At 4:43 a.m. on September 1, 1939, Schleswig-Holstein attacked Westerplatte.
• 182 Polish defenders were equipped with limited artillery and faced overwhelming German forces.

Defensive Actions

• Polish crew repelled multiple German assaults initially, resulting in heavy German losses.
• Communication and morale were challenged due to ongoing assaults and bombings.

The Fall of Westerplatte

• Final German attack occurred on September 7, 1939, but was repelled.
• Major Sucharski ordered a ceasefire due to exhaustion among defenders.
• Surrender acceptance by General Eberhardt recognized the Polish valor.

Casualties and Legacy

• Polish losses estimated between 15 to 30 soldiers; German losses debated significantly.
• Westerplatte remembered as a site of extraordinary heroism, akin to a Polish Thermopylae.

Conclusion

• The defense of Westerplatte highlighted Poland’s struggle for its coastline and its role in the Allied forces during WWII.
• Recommended reading: Jerzy Pertek's "The Great Days of the Small Fleet" for deeper insights.