Praeger - Poland 1939 - The Birth of Blitzkrieg

Author: Steven J Zaloga
Illustrator: Howard Gerrard
Publisher: Praeger Publishers, February 2004
ISBN 0-275-98278-5
Hardcover, 96 pages, measures (in inches) 9.8 x 7.2 x 0.5

About this Book
The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 began World War II in Europe, pitting the newly modernized army of Europe’s great industrial power against the much smaller Polish army and introducing the world to a new style of warfare – Blitzkrieg. Panzer divisions spearheaded the German assault with Stuka dive-bombers prowling ahead spreading terror and mayhem. This book demonstrates how the Polish army was not as backward as it is often portrayed and fielded a tank force larger than that of the contemporary US Army. Its stubborn defence did give the Germans some surprises and German casualties were relatively heavy for such a short campaign.

Contents

• Introduction
  
• Chronology
  
• Opposing Commanders
  
• Opposing Armies
  
• Opposing Plans
  
• The German Assault
  
• The Battle of Warsaw
  
• The Soviet Invasion
  
• Aftermath
  
• The Battlefield Today
  
• Further Reading
  
• Index