Military History Question Regarding the Invasion of Poland 1939

quote:

---

If the Germans and Soviets both invaded Poland at the same time according to an agreement between the two countries. Why did the rest of the world declare war on Germany?

---

Because no country in their right mind, at that time, would declare war on Russia.

Something, something about winter and endless area and population to sacrifice.

Hitler was not in his right mind.

They both invaded at the same time but lend lease and support went to Russia. Germany didn't invade Russia he invaded Poland with Russia.

The Soviets invaded Poland 16 days after Germany. The Anglo–Polish Pact of Mutual Assistance had specific clauses that mentioned an attack by Germany against Poland as being a unilateral trigger for the UK to declare war on Germany. The pact did not mention the Soviets and so the war was on between old foes, Germ and GB. Hitler thought the British would back down after Poland quickly fell and had a handy ally in the Soviets who were supplying Germany with a lot of needed raw materials. The British had their hands full with Germany and so when the Soviets did invade they claimed the pact was meant only for Germany.

quote:

---

Why did the rest of the world declare war on Germany?

---

the real answer: 1. no one gave a shite about poland and hoped both would be appeased.

No shite. Different subject. Try to keep up. We're talking about 1939.

quote:

---

They both invaded at the same time but lend lease and support went to Russia.

---

Not exactly. Russia went in a couple of weeks after Germany, and in 1939. Lend Lease was after Germany declared war on the US in 1941, in support of Japan which had just bombed Pearl Harbor. Probably Hitler's second biggest blunder.

Everyone come, including the Russians, knew that sooner or later the fascist and communist would fight it out. The UK did not want to alienate Russia from a strategic standpoint. Everyone knew the best way to defeat Germany was by creating a two front door.

quote:

---

No shite. Different subject.

---

Nope. Same subject. Hitler was the only one who was crazy enough to invade RUSSIA….sans…Napoleon.

We know how that worked out.

At the time that the Western Allies declared war on Hitler….they we’re in no position or shape to deal with the German Army….let alone, deal with the vastness of Russia’s land area…population or ability to suffer and still preserver.

quote:

---

Not exactly. Russia went in a couple of weeks after Germany, and in 1939. Lend Lease was after Germany declared war on the US in 1941, in support of Japan which had just bombed Pearl Harbor. Probably Hitler's second biggest blunder.

---

A version of Lend-Lease actually started via Britain considerably prior to US entry to the war. When the Soviets just barely turned back the Germans outside of Moscow in Nov-Dec 1941, around 10% of the Soviet armor consisted of British Matildas and Valentines.

That 10% might well have been the difference, as the Germans at the time did not have a tank or anti-tank gun that could knock them either one out. The 88's were still dedicated flak guns and were not very common for anti-tank use at the time.

The T-34's and KV series Russian tanks also could not be penetrated by the German tanks in '41, but their low quality armor tended to spall inside with non-penetrating hits, and their turrets tended to jam when hit, effectively taking them out of the fight.

Back to your regularly scheduled thread. BTW, I highly recommend the book "Devil's Alliance" on the topic of the German-Soviet tie up. Things got so bad on the Soviet side of the line that Polish Jews were fleeing to the German occupied side at one point.

The Soviet invasion of Poland shook the faith of a lot of Communist sympathizers around the world. A lot of them turned their backs on the Soviets and communism, and others doubled down on defending the USSR.