1939 Battle of Westerplatte

This revisionist take on the Westerplatte defense portrays the Polish garrison's commander in a more critical light than the traditional heroic narrative, while still depicting the seven days of bombardment and resistance faced by the outnumbered defenders. It sparked debate in Poland for challenging the established legend of the battle.

The Battle of Westerplatte marked the opening engagement of the German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, when a small Polish garrison held off superior German forces for a week, becoming a symbol of Polish resistance.

The film's negative portrayal of the Polish commander Henryk Sucharski proved controversial and departs from the traditional heroic historiography of the battle.

Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, joined by the Soviet Union on 17 September. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days after the invasion began.

The Westerplatte depot near Danzig held out for seven days against overwhelming odds and became a national symbol. Warsaw was besieged and surrendered on 28 September; the last regular units capitulated in early October.

Directed by Paweł Chochlew

Cast: Sebastian Fabijański, Marian Dziędziel, Bartłomiej Topa, Michał Żurawski

Positioned at 1–7 September 1939 within the Invasion of Poland phase of the war, as part of the Invasion of Poland. This is entry 14 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Westerplatte
• invasion of Poland
• Henryk Sucharski
• opening battle of WWII

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  Westerplatte

  1–7 September 1939

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  Lotna

  September 1939

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  Katyn

  1939–1943

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  The Pianist

  1939–1945

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  Schindler's List

  1939–1945

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  Warsaw '44

  August-October 1944