Westerplatte: The seven-day Polish defense in September 1939

The defense of Westerplatte, which took place from September 1 to September 7, 1939, remains a legendary event of the September Campaign. Approximately 200 Polish soldiers, led by Major Henryk Sucharski and Captain Franciszek Dąbrowski, defended the Military Transit Depot against intense German attacks from land, sea, and air.

The conflict began at 4:45 AM on September 1 when the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein commenced shelling the depot. Despite German plans to seize the position within hours, the Polish defenders held out for seven days. The defense utilized various outposts, including stations named ‘Prom’, ‘Fort’, ‘Przystań’, ‘Wał’, and ‘Tor kolejowy’.

Although the depot was located within the Free City of Danzig under League of Nations protection, Poland had secretly bolstered the garrison with additional troops and heavy weaponry, including Bofors anti-tank guns and mortars, to prepare for potential hostilities.