Figure 1.--It was not only Warsaw that was destroyed in the War. This is want countless small Polish towns and villages looked like after the War.

Poland situated in the dangerous space between two sworn enemies, NAZI Germany and the Soviet Union was devestated by the War. Poland was the only country that these two totalitarin powers set out to destroy. And as a result, no country suffered more than Poland, although destruction in the Soviet bUnion and Yugoslsvia as also massive. Warsaw was of course the greatest example of this. The city was badly damaged during the initial German invasion, both by aerial and artillery bombardment (1939). And then much of wgat was still standing was destroyed in the Warsaw Uprising (1944) and subsequent German demolition. The devestation extended to other cities and towns throughout the country. Enormous damage was done by the German Army and air force during the initial campsign (September 1939). This was aklmost entirely in western Poland. The Soviets invaded eastern Poland (September 17). Little damage resulted as the despirited Polish Army offered little resistance. The destruction of Poland was not just the buildings, homes and fsctories. The Polish people were also targeted. Both the NAZIs and Soviets after seizing control engaged in mass arrests and deportations. Poland as a result lost more than 40 percent of its physicians and dentists, more than 40 percent of its lawyers, and more than 25 percent of its teachers. Estimates vary, but about 6 million Poles were killed, 3 million Jews (all but about 0.1 million) and 3 million gentiles. There was aso organized German plunnder, The Germabns invaded the Soviet Union (June 1941), this meant the area of eastern Poland annexed by the Soviets. Again the physical damage was relatively limited because the Whermacht pushed east so rapidly. There was, however, extensive damage as the Wehrmacht pursued anti-partisan campaigns. Additional damage occurred in fighting between Poles and Ukranians. And as the Red Army pushed into Poland, the Wehrmacht conducted a burned earth program of destroying everything of any value. This included even towns and villages. Warsaw was of course the greatest example of the mindless destruction, but only one example. Krakow escaped the damage inflicted on many other Polish cities because of the rapid adance of the Red Army.

Physical Destruction

Poland was the first country to resist NAZI aggression and no country suffered more from World War II than Poland, although destruction in the Soviet bUnion and Yugoslsvia as also massive. Warsaw was of course the greatest example of this. The city was badly damaged during the initial German invasion, both by aerial and artillery bombardment (1939). Warsaw held out for 3 weeks, nuch of it under heavy German bombbadment. And then much of wgat was still standing was destroyed in the Warsaw Uprising (1944) and subsequent German demolition. The devestation extended to other cities and towns throughout the country. Enormous damage was done by the German Army and air force during the initial campaign (September 1939). This was allmost entirely in western Poland. The Soviets invaded eastern Poland (September 17). Little damage resulted as the despirited Polish Army offered little resistance. In addition to the fighting, there was also organized German plunnder, The Germabns invaded the Soviet Union (June 1941), this meant the area of eastern Poland annexed by the Soviets. Again the physical damage was relatively limited because the Whermacht pushed east so rapidly. There was, however, extensive damage as the Wehrmacht pursued anti-partisan campaigns. Additional damage occurred in fighting between Poles and Ukranians. And as the Red Army pushed into Poland, the Wehrmacht conducted a burned earth program of destroying everything of any value. This included even towns and villages. Warsaw was of course the greatest example of the mindless destruction, but only one example. Most ither Polish cities wee heavikly danaged. Krakow escaped the damage inflicted on many other Polish cities, but only because of the rapid adance of the Red Army.

Population Losses

The destruction of Poland was not just the buildings, homes and fsctories. The Polish people were also targeted. Both the NAZIs and Soviets after seizing control engaged in mass arrests and deportations. Both countries specifically targeted the Poliish inteligencia. The Germans arrested iand shot notable Poles in Aktions orgamized by the SS. The NKVD deported lasrge numbers of leading Poles and their families. Poland as a result, lost more than 40 percent of its physicians and dentists, more than 40 percent of its lawyers, and more than 25 percent of its teachers. Estimates vary, but about 6 million Poles were killed, 3 million Jews (all but about 0.1 million) and 3 million gentiles. Almost all the Polish POWs in German hands persished in POW and labor camps. Many also perished in Soviet POW camps, although the Germam invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941) led to the release of most of the surviving POWs as well as civilian deportees.

National Survival

Poland situated in the dangerous space between two sworn enemies, NAZI Germany and the Soviet Union was devestated by the World War II. Poland was the only country that these two totalitarin powers set out to destroy. Poland had disappeared in three partitions carried out by Austria, Prussia, asnd Russia (18th century). Ober time the Germans (Prussians) nd Russdians inituated policies to Germanizew/Russify the Poles. Russian and Germasn defeat in World War I enabled Poles to restanlish a nation, but both the Germans and Soviets resented the new creation and set about to festroy Poland (September 1939). Given the enormous power of both countries, it is a kind opf political miracle that Poland managed to survive the war. Battered and with enormous lossessat it was, still Polsnd survived..

Created: 7:48 AM 8/1/2010
Last updated: 4:19 AM 5/5/2011