On this small peninsula at the entrance to the harbour channel of the Free City of Danzig, Poland had held the right since 1924 to keep an ammunition depot with a guard. On 1 September 1939 the battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the depot, and Major Henryk Sucharski's garrison beat off two assaults that day. Westerplatte, which according to the plans was to hold out for a dozen or so hours, held out until 7 September.
1920
1939
- 1 September 1939EventGermany invades PolandAt dawn on 1 September 1939 the Wehrmacht attacked Poland from the north, west and south without declaring war. The Slovak army struck alongside the Germans.
- 1 September 1939EventThe defence of Westerplatte beginsAt 4.45 a.m. on 1 September 1939 the battleship Schleswig-Holstein shelled the Polish depot on Westerplatte. Its garrison beat off two assaults that day.
- 1–7 September 1939BattleBattle of WesterplatteFrom 1 to 7 September 1939 some 200 Polish soldiers held the Westerplatte depot against a battleship, naval infantry, Danzig police and Stukas.