The POLISH Invasion of Germany 1939

Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, but what most people don't know is that a Polish Army column successfully invaded Germany the next day! This is the story of the Fraustadt Raid, when Polish forces drove 8km into the Third Reich.
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.o...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Maciej Szczepancyk; Sicherlich.
Thumbnail: Maciej Szczepancyk

[@GunDrummer]

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

[@rscott2247]

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]

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

[@mgdarenz]

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]

He has a habit of doing that lol.

[@niemamnicku1359]

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.

[@waldemarkoziarczyk5018]

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]

So much land had been taken from germany.

[@waldemarkoziarczyk5018]

​@@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]

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

[@waldemarkoziarczyk5018]

@@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]

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

[@michaelterry1000]

I first heard about this 25 years ago. I was at a friend's party (he was of Polish descent) in Los Angeles. I was introduced to an elderly polish man who I was told was in the Polish Cavalry in 1939 and took part in an invasion of Germany. He spent the rest of the war in a German prison.

[@landgsmith]

I never learned this in school.....then again, it was public school, so yeah...

[@optiolegio747]

Watch Europa the last Battle for the full truth of ww2.

[@gerhardris]

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]

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]

@@rudolfkraffzick642 source?

[@rudolfkraffzick642]

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]

@@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]

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

[@krzysztofbaran9375]

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]

..... 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

[@roterbengel5701]

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

[@BridgesDontFly]

Polgrom

[@cookiesupervisor2211]

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]

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

[@BridgesDontFly]

@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]

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.

[@WTP_DAVE]

Thank you for always furthering my understanding of our history

[@funfact8660]

lol

[@jasonstevens7284]

lol

[@adiosa1388]

lol

[@MassiveChoad-vr5gy]

@N might be cause of his name

[@area609joe2]

@N I don’t get it either🧐

[@Kiltoonie]

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]

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

[@Kiltoonie]

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

[@tomaszzbikowaty2854]

@@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]

​@@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]

.. . 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]

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]

Always learn something from his clips..

[@a5cent]

@@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]

@@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]

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

[@a5cent]

@@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.

[@ironchicken7240]

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]

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

[@pavel9652]

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]

@@lordbeerus7248 DId you even watch the video?

[@pavel9652]

​@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]

@@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

[@BigIronEnjoyer]

Nazi propaganda about how easy the invasion of Poland was somehow became the accepted history afterward. But they had 50,000 casualties and hundreds of tanks and aircraft lost. The Poles put up a much tougher fight than popular history gives them credit for. Even more so when you consider the also often-ignored fact that the Soviets piled on from the other side two weeks after Germany launched its invasion. If not for that, Germany likely would have had an even tougher time of it.

[@cetus4449]

The situation would be different if the overall quality of the Polish command staff was better. Then the Germans would pay a much higher price for the invasion.

[@CaptHiltz]

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

[@BridgesDontFly]

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

[@zbigniewzarnoch5269]

@@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]

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

[@BridgesDontFly]

@@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]

@@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?

[@SgtAndrewM]

love it that Mark introduces these unknown stories to us

[@b212hp]

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

[@SgtAndrewM]

@@b212hp

[@niemamnicku1359]

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]

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

[@berndstuckrad488]

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.

[@mrd7067]

California Digital newspaper collection Madera Tribune, Volume LXXIV, Number 98, 24 August 1939 POLE GUNS FIRE ON DANZIG PLANE German Planes Detour to Avoid Attack DANZIG, Aug. 24. -Early morning bathers reported today that Polish guns fired 10 shots at a Danzig sports airplane and that shell fragments fell in the streets of Zoppot, in free city territory. The German Lufthansa company abandoned direct airplane service, across the Pomorze area of Poland, separating Germany proper from East Prussia and Danzig. Planes were detourned over the Baltic as the result of today’s and yesterday’s alleged Polish firing on German planes. If i understand it right the claims made in the "german white book" were also genue.

[@marcingodzik7121]

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]

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

[@skeetrix5577]

Love to Poland from USA

[@ericpear4205]

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

[@MrSniperdude01]

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

[@MrSniperdude01]

@@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.

[@spooderdoggy]

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

[@Alexq79-]

@@u2beuser714 idk man but my tummy is rumbling

[@darthmaul3402]

President Reagan is that you

[@texasrockshillcountry6574]

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

[@spooderdoggy]

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

[@matpk]

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

[@ScorpoYT]

Poland literally saying "no u" to the wehrmacht

[@christopher9727]

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]

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]

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

[@KrissowskiM]

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

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

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

[@jensb3946]

@@KrissowskiM This is not true though

[@KrissowskiM]

@@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...

[@lubczyk]

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

[@mats7492]

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

[@cookiesupervisor2211]

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

[@josevieira5700]

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

[@cookiesupervisor2211]

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

[@markkars8754]

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

[@borzmir9326]

@@cookiesupervisor2211 1920

[@tomaszmankowski9103]

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]

@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]

@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]

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]

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

[@GuilhermeGui-vv1om]

@@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.

[@polishcosmonaut6324]

Poor reich, they were just defending when Poland atacked them

[@L.J.Kommer]

"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."

[@LilBigBriggi]

*"Mein Gott."

[@L.J.Kommer]

@@LilBigBriggi Oop. My bad.

[@PolakInHolland]

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]

@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]

@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]

​@@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]

@@SparrowNoblePoland Polish solider were Like Chicken

[@SparrowNoblePoland]

@@ankidanki4205Says who?

[@zksstalstawidlo9015]

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.

[@dovidell]

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]

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

[@thechlebek901]

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

[@minimax9452]

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

[@andriypohors2538]

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

[@andriypohors2538]

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

[@szymonpioterek4565]

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]

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]

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

[@jjgf8412]

@@moisuomi ummmmm what?

[@davidburgess741]

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

[@moisuomi]

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

[@paulacreman5342]

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]

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]

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

[@cetus4449]

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]

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

[@captmack007]

60,000+ Germans died invading Poland!

[@thorshammer7883]

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

[@dragosstanciu9866]

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

[@ivanskirchak4935]

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

[@ivanskirchak4935]

@@drpoundsign 😂 😂

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@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]

@@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.

[@JayZx777]

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]

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

[@filipnalewaja5609]

@@gamerdrache6076 getting back whats yours is justyfied.

[@g.k.1669]

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.

[@brendansaltvick5824]

Mark felton always seem to surprise me. Well done!

[@Hilts931]

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

[@slinkerdeer]

@@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]

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

[@Hilts931]

@@slinkerdeer probably worth a watch first.

[@StevenKeery]

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

[@robpaprox]

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]

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]

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

[@Litwinus]

@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]

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]

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.

[@Garrattwayne]

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]

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

[@terryroots5023]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[@janbo8331]

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

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

I've very sorry for your loss.

[@pedjatrninic]

My condolencies for your loss.

[@MikatheRaccoon]

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]

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

[@andriypohors2538]

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

[@jennifercox225]

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

[@ksawerycepeniuk474]

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]

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]

@@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.

[@sirruf9618]

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]

Kto cie tam historii uczył? Matematyk?

[@RosoMC]

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!

[@marekm6621]

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]

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]

Не было там пяти миллионов, не выдумывай.

[@jankowalski8150]

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

[@eddiemajorski1047]

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]

@@eddiemajorski1047 come home and visit Poland anytime soon!

[@thedukeofpaducah9682]

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

[@nicholasslodki703]

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

[@thedukeofpaducah9682]

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

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

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]

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

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

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

[@rightmunted7538]

I love how wehraboos beleive that Slavic/eastern European people have 0 fighting ability and the polish were walked over because they didn't have "infinite" numbers like they say the soviets had. But the known cases of polish fighters routing wehrmacht aren't super hard to come across.

[@gamerdrache6076]

din´t polish pilots actally determidet the battle of britain

[@andrewchesler2029]

They were trained by the germans themselves decades before. So the military knowledge was there.

[@marks_sparks1]

Unknown history revealed to me. Thanks Dr Felton.

[@lippyfrybender4622]

What about the polish invasion of Czechoslovakia In 1938 never talked about

[@dragosstanciu9866]

Never talked about? Seriously? The whole Europe knows about it.

[@lippyfrybender4622]

@@dragosstanciu9866 not really cause they invaded in 3 different places also the Slovakian invasion of Poland Is also always semi airbrushed out . Thanks for your reply it's good to talk history or you fail to learn from your mistakes. 👍

[@KrissowskiM]

@@dragosstanciu9866 knows what?

[@jackieann9527]

The german's greatest crimes were committed on polish soil, you can't turn this against the poles. even though some say it is. make a youtube film out of this also.

[@kennethbolton951]

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]

Monte Cassino was a major victory for the Poles.

[@rg20322]

@@terraflow__bryanburdo4547 The Poles always fought.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@rg20322 And fought well.

[@shawnr771]

Also as S.O.E. Agents.

[@tear728]

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

[@harrywayney1119]

Clicked faster than the German Blitzkrieg

[@rebekahbullivant4616]

Same lol

[@chadwickst.clair-smythe4217]

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]

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

[@chadwickst.clair-smythe4217]

@@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!

[@mockz2327]

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

[@schadiel-ghorayeb479]

damn.... you crazy xD

[@makebritaingreatagain8199]

Lol get some cavalry they are great against tanks 😂😂😂😂

[@cookiesupervisor2211]

As a Pole I cant play that game without cheats ... but I have never lost a game ...

[@makebritaingreatagain8199]

@@cookiesupervisor2211 lol new update is awesome.

[@stevenburkhardt1963]

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

[@fargeeks]

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]

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 KZbin by my one of my favourite historian. Amazing feeling :)

[@Invictus357]

Another great video of very little known war stories. The Polish were some of the bravest people in WW2. They didn’t deserve to be thrown under the bus at the end of the war. They should’ve been free of the communist yoke. Is it just me, or do others press the like button even before Dr Felton’s video starts?

[@Asghaad]

well considering that while Germans were trying to take control of the border regions of Czechoslovakia, Poles instead of helping started launching unprovoked border incursions trying to take theyr cut out of the first victim of the Reich ... i say to this day Poles got exactly what they deserved ... same for traitorous French and Brits who literally sold the ally they had military cooperation pacts with to the Germans ... which made it oh so ironic when they took the excellent weapons from the Czechoslovak military and used them to great effect conquering both French and Polish and nearly crippled Brits. karma is a Bit*h huh ... had any of these nations instead stood with the Czechoslovakia, WW2 would have NEVER happened, because then weak and underequipped Germans would have bled out just trying to push past the border fortifications and one of if not the BEST equipped army in the Europe at the time ... instead they served the Reich exactly what it needed on the silver platter...

[@gagarin777]

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]

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

[@hanneswegener3295]

Fraustadt

[@gagarin777]

@@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]

@@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]

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.

[@alexandersiwek2402]

The cardinal mistake is that assumption that the September campaign was a walko ver for the Nazi . Remember that attacks were made by the Soviets and the Slovaks. And the west demanded that Poland did not mobilize for fear sic of annoying Hitler. Fast forward to 1940 and the might of the west was itself overrun in weeks You do the maths and the strategic algebra. Suffice it to say that the Polish defence will stand in time as a true exhibit of Polish military heritage. Dr Alexander Siwek RAMC V retired son of 2nd Lt. Stanislaw Siwek , 2nd Corps Tobruk and Monte Cassino.

[@fitcher-armchair-sleuth]

The Katyn Forest massacre is just one of the slaughtering operations carried out by the Commies. Since they didn't mobilize they wasn't ready for the Commie onslaught rolling in the back door. One person who survived stated - "I seen first hand what it was like to look into the eyes of those - who had ceased to be human" He was talking about them murdering poles and ethnic germans by the thousands. There is/was the real reason Germany moved into Poland. After they put a stop to the slaughtering - The controlled leftist lying media tried blame it on the German army. WW2 history (like most of history) is leftist controlled horseshit.

[@alexandersiwek2402]

@@fitcher-armchair-sleuth For the avoidance of doubt all fascist Nazi were evil swine and the swine Stalin and his stooges were also evil bastards That is why they formed a pact before Sept.1939 to carve up and destroy Poland.

[@forzared101]

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]

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

[@deinemutter2476]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

​@@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".

[@rongarrett1366]

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

[@majewskiprzem]

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

[@gregwasserman2635]

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.

[@paulbrady1225]

You should really do a video on Patton's priest. The weather prayer for good weather when third army was try to help the 101st airborne. The prayer worked and the priest was decorated with a bronze star from Patton. Just an idea. The priest name is James Hugh O'Neill

[@robg7656]

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

[@jacobs8341]

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

[@wesleysmith1141]

The polish army did amazing considering they were fighting on two fronts. ( Germany and Russia)

[@joebutler7982]

@Fabian Kirchgessner did quite amazing considering the polish army started mobilising only 2 days before the war broke out, meaning that Germany could exploit gaps in the frontline and sweep through the unprepared army while being totally prepared themselves.

[@MK-lm6hb]

@Fabian Kirchgessner The German army was a bunch of cowards who allowed themselves to be used by a mad dictator. Especially the generals who trembled before Hitler and executed his orders even when these orders were criminal and contrary to military logic. The German army betrayed the German nation, exposing it to the greatest existential threat in history. There is nothing amazing in invading foreign countries and murdering and subjugating local population.

[@kosa9662]

@@MK-lm6hb There is something in German nation, and this is 100% loyalty for rulling people, almost as ein folk, ein Reich ...

[@KrissowskiM]

@Fabian Kirchgessner you’re clearly ignorant about Polish war. Germans have almost run out of ammunition and nobody knows what would be the end result of the attack against Poland had Russians not attacked from the east. Also Germany had huge human and material losses during the campaign and later when much more powerful France was attacked they had lost much faster than Poland (check when Churchill was informed about France loss by its prime minister)...

[@gregemslie2223]

The Russians invaded Poland on the 17th September 1939, 16 days after Germany. Why didn't Britain and France declare war on the Russians at that point?

[@ITIsFunnyDamnIT]

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]

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

[@Nick_B_Bad]

Poland stuck in the middle of two aggressive empires. Most my family came from Poland but have some German and Russian in me too 😆🤣

[@LilBigBriggi]

Are you American?

[@konstantinkelekhsaev302]

As if Poland wasn't aggressive themselves 🙄

[@morrisbuschmeier2047]

Stop doing "crocodile", ok?

[@konstantinkelekhsaev302]

@Fabian Kirchgessner They werent controlled by a "democratic" system either

[@thesummergamer7245]

@@konstantinkelekhsaev302 what "aggressive" thing did they do??

[@hussienabdelmomen7579]

Also from the end of 1930 there was a lot of threads claimed by polish top leaders for Germany invasion

[@Mrownica]

If you want to get to know some Polish history, I recommend Forbidden Stories Zakazane Historie Okupowany Krakow Occupied Krakow You will have to press CC and you will have English subtitles hello Robert from Poland 😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@lukalisinac3534]

When I saw that title my brain got really confused

[@TracyA123]

Boy those Germans sure could hold a grudge! Seeking out the raid's commander just to murder him. I was unaware of this raid. Good for the poles! If only they would've had some help

[@Gszarco94]

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

[@berndstuckrad488]

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 👎👎

[@VvV-fm5ty]

fun fact: all the people who comment "fiRsT" have the time to be checking their notifications because they are 6 year olds on their winter break

[@boxicool]

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.

[@bradmiech5743]

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

[@RReese08]

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]

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.

[@tomaszk3014]

2:08 Fraustadt (Wschowa) is not Silesia, but Greater Poland. Under the Treaty of Versailles, Wschowa was granted to Germany.

[@MiSt3300]

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]

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

[@gumdeo]

Stalin ruined everything.

[@BridgesDontFly]

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]

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

[@BridgesDontFly]

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

[@bmw328i8]

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

[@ethank.6602]

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

[@vanpallandt5799]

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

[@KrissowskiM]

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...

[@desertfox4277]

Everyone gangster until the TKS tankettes show up

[@drpoundsign]

The Germans used a lot of cavalry and horse-drawn artillery in Poland, too. The History Channel was misleading, showing all those Panzers. But, everyone fights the last war. The Poles should have barricaded their big cities, like what later happened at Stalingrad, instead of trying to defend a front, like in the First World War. Since Britain and France had a defensive agreement with the Poles, it would have been nice if they had sold/given them modern aircraft and tanks. Hurricanes and Spitfires could have really made a Difference. But, at the time, they were still hoping for Peace.

[@morrisbuschmeier2047]

Yeah... Whatever

[@wapa171]

.. this was a logistic problem. How could tanks and spitfires get to Poland ? Simply impossible because Poland was between two frontlines.

[@davidellis2021]

Wouldn't have made any difference. France fell in weeks fighting just the Germans. The Poles had both Germany and Russia to fight.

[@BrumKid]

@@wapa171 Just have one thing to say to your comment and that is Spitfires were not in service at that time.

[@cringlator]

Hindsight and a historical narrative that simplifies complex reality is a hell of a drug

[@SlovakiaGuy]

Those polish troops should have not stopped.

[@brianbrady4496]

WOW. Dr Felton has really uncovered some of the most obscure parts of WW2. Incredible. Thank you sir. Imagine driving a tks tankett and running into some German tank's. Yikes!!

[@Fighter-ff5xl]

Germans also had tanketts

[@anderstopansson]

@@Fighter-ff5xl Yes, just in case, for the fair-play.

[@WarMysteries]

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.

[@Brian-----]

this is outstanding 😊 mandatory pun: "they did Nazi that coming" 😁

[@Brian-----]

Map note @ 2:10: (Mark's commentary is entirely correct, and) those dark blue areas depict the interwar German province of "Frontier March of Posen-West Prussia," which from 1922 to 1938 comprised the shattered bits and remnants of the former Imperial German provinces of Posen and West Prussia not forfeited to Poland in the Great Polish Uprising as ratified at Versailles. Its capital was Schneidemühl ("sawmill"), also seen on the map, now Piła ("saw"). After losing World War 1, German high command aimed to shift HQ from Spa in Belgium next to Kolberg in Pomerania to fight the Poles. Obviously, France forbade that move by fiat. With Germany in no position to defy France, German resistance to Poland's restoration remained critically disorganized, helping Poland stabilize. Thus was German anger at Poland and its restoration, which predated Hitler and arguably was a uniquely resented (and foreseen) consequence of losing, institutionalized in administration and maps. Note that the interwar name of this odd province openly bears an official German implication that the Polish city Poznań should belong to Germany. Other German maps of the interwar period also often insult Poland by carefully using local names for cities in nearby countries (like "Liepaja" and "Tallinn" rather than "Libau" and "Reval") but singling out Poland for use of German names (like "Warschau") or drawing random dividing lines only within Poland implying that its existence is not real and that large parts of it must belong to Germany. Kudos to Mark also for using maps @ 5:26 to show what that attitude deservedly did to Germany.

[@Artur_M.]

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]

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]

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

[@Pragnantweggyboard]

I'm not saying you should but anyone watching this you should watch Europa the last battle.

[@RealSnuuy]

Based

[@alexfromboston8303]

Poland was a militant nation after democracy ended via a coup in 1926 and not the saintly victim it's portrayed as. An aggressive junta ran it and they were more than happy to devour a piece of Czechoslovakia when the Germans took over all of it Mar '39.

[@royboy9361]

Those “Tanketts” are so cute! Properly armed, the Poles could kick some butt. Unfortunately, they weren’t properly armed. Always something new here!

[@hoosierhiver]

those little artillery pieces were cool too

[@BotanixB]

Only around 20 were rearmed with Nkm wz.38 FK 20 mm cannon. Actually first Polish tank ace was driving one of those.

[@royboy9361]

@@BotanixB Thanks for the tidbit, I love tidbits.

[@royboy9361]

@@hoosierhiver I’m in Michigan, I’m guessing you’re from Indiana, 20 miles from me.

[@Fritz-022]

@@royboy9361 even when properly armed the poles would struggle. You say they were able to kick butt. Yeah well only bc that border post likely had less than 10 men lol. The poles were lacking adequate weapons, vehicles, and most of all training.

[@Masada1911]

Germany: *invades Poland* Poland: *holds up uno reverse card*

[@Ghost0fPakistan]

USSR: Laughs in russian

[@serwombles8816]

They sought out the commander of the raid because he "invaded their land"? I think the irony is lost to the Germans ;)

[@igor_pavlovich]

would be cool to see Soviet Invasion in Baltic states

[@palomino73]

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]

That makes me sad. Censorship never brings enlightenment.

[@wolfberlin]

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]

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

[@Joesolo13]

@@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]

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.

[@petergilbert72]

In an earlier world the leader of the daring Polish raid would have been honoured by his captors. Instead, the Gestapo’s fury at a Pole getting the better of them resulted in his murder. So much for the cradle of civilisation and Geneva Conventions.

[@MrBigstick25]

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

[@bobgood2936]

Not really when you are fighting two enormous countries

[@bogdanjodkowski8537]

Dear Mark, please could you do a video about heroic defense of Wizna river where just seven hundred Polish troops under the command of Captain Raginis successfully defended that stretch of defense lines against nearly forty thousand German army for three days. This is one of the most heroic episodes of the September 1939 campaign. The Swedish hard rock band Sabaton sings a song about that episode tittled "Forty to one". SABATON - 40:1 (Official Music Video) - KZbin

[@milanaleksic8979]

Hard rock band lol

[@Madmuli]

Hard rock band?? Either you have very little knowledge about Sabaton, or about the difference between heavy metal and hard rock hahaha

[@bogdanjodkowski8537]

@@Madmuli Yeah, HEAVY METAL. 1 to 0 for you. what matter it does, anyway?

[@berndstuckrad488]

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

[@ThorSuzuki1]

They also made a song about the Battle of Fraustadt, but that was different war. :D

[@simonvirus6417]

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]

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

[@clovergrass9439]

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

[@dougc190]

I had never known that the Polish actually invaded Germany, man I hope to hell that that polish Captain laughed at those SS agents before they knifed them or whatever they did to him

[@gaymermoment]

@@optiolegio747 no

[@KrissowskiM]

Buahahaha - your socialist idol invaded and destroyed Czechoslovakia... Poland only claimed its land when Czechoslovakia ceased to exist

[@peterw3544]

Polands misfortune was two fold. Trusting too much in international guarantees and not being able to switch to war time production. But it’s hard to produce tanks when your farmers need plows after being robbed by Germans and Russians for 123 years.

[@prsee5969]

Me, a simpleton, thinking I know my history… proud of myself. Mark Felton: have you ever heard of… I KNOW NOTHING