First Germany, then the USSR, invaded Poland in September 1939.
Even the Germans were surprised how quickly the Polish defense collapsed. The occupation of Poland allowed the Nazi Germans and the Soviet Communists the freedom to do with the nation and its people as they pleased.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening War Theme
“Komm, süsser Tod” (“Come, Sweet Death”)
Composed in 1736 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Public domain.
Performed Laurindo Almeida. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing War Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
As a fan of the podcast, I am sorry to say, this episode is not well made. Is this episode about Polish Campaign or German “General Plan Ost” and German occupation in Poland and other Eastern European Countries? That should be another episode. Author mention closing all Czech University but do not mention German AB aktion against Polish scientists in Jagiellonian University (which was a big deal, because this case made a big response across Europe). No mentioned of Wehrmacht war crimes against civilians, no mentioned about prescription lists made by local German minority, in effect 50-70k shot in Pomerania alone. Again, German terror in the east should be a seperate episode. The first “blitzkrieg” campaign in Europe, and we can’t even have a blurr picture of what happened on the frontlines, NOT a single battle mentioned! Not to mention that there was a slight chance for Poland to keeo fighting, after Bzura counter offensive, and how important was that the Soviets heleped Nazis to finish Polish resistance. Listener who had no previous knowledge about the events will not understand the Polish Campaign and its reprecusssions. Ex. that Germans lost little manpower, but about 1/3 of their tanks and planes, which delayed attack in the West. No summary of the campaign. Not single polish politician named….and many many others. Very poor episode in content, and structure. What the author wanted to tell for the listener…No leitmotiv…
I agree that Generalplan Ost deserves its own episode, which is why it is not mentioned here. In fact, it had not yet been created. It will be discussed in a future episode.