German soldiers examine captured Polish field defensive positions during the invasion of Poland in September 1939. The photograph shows a fallen Polish machine gunner and a German MG.08 machine gun mounted on a Schlitten 08 sled mount.
After the Battle:
This wartime photograph shows German soldiers inspecting captured Polish field defensive positions during the invasion of Poland in September 1939, the campaign that marked the beginning of the Second World War in Europe.
The scene was photographed shortly after a battle. German troops carefully examine the abandoned defensive position, collecting equipment and evaluating the battlefield.
In the foreground lies a fallen Polish machine gunner, who had been defending the position. Nearby stands a German MG.08 machine gun, mounted on its distinctive Schlitten 08 sled mount, fixed in a low firing position designed for shooting while prone.
The photograph captures the harsh reality of early Second World War combat, where small defensive positions like this often became the focal point of intense fighting.
The German Invasion of Poland:
On 1 September 1939, Germany launched its invasion of Poland, beginning the conflict that soon expanded into a global war.
German forces attacked along a broad front using a combination of:
- fast-moving armored units
- motorized infantry
- concentrated artillery support
- air strikes from the Luftwaffe
This approach, later widely described as “Blitzkrieg”, aimed to break enemy defenses quickly and create operational breakthroughs before the defending army could reorganize.
Polish forces fought fiercely in many areas, often relying on field fortifications, trenches, and machine gun positions to slow the German advance.
Small defensive points like the one seen in this photograph were frequently established along roads, fields, and village outskirts to delay German infantry and armored units.
Polish Field Defensive Positions:
During the September Campaign, Polish units often prepared temporary field defenses consisting of trenches, foxholes, and machine-gun nests.
These positions were typically placed to control:
- road junctions
- bridges
- railway lines
- open terrain suitable for armored movement
Machine guns were particularly important for defending such positions. A well-placed gun could cover wide areas with suppressive fire, forcing attacking infantry to take cover.
However, Polish defenders were frequently outnumbered or attacked simultaneously by artillery and air strikes, making it extremely difficult to hold isolated positions for long periods.
Many defensive positions were eventually overrun during the rapid German advance.
The MG.08 Machine Gun:
The MG.08 (Maschinengewehr 08) visible in the photograph was the German version of the famous Maxim machine gun, originally developed in the late 19th century.
Despite being designed before the First World War, the weapon was still widely used by German forces in the early stages of World War II.
Key characteristics of the MG.08 included:
- water-cooled barrel system
- belt-fed ammunition
- heavy tripod or sled mounting systems
- high sustained rate of fire
The weapon seen in the photograph is mounted on the Schlitten 08 sled mount, a heavy metal carriage that allowed the machine gun to be stabilized for long bursts of fire. This mount also made it easier to adjust elevation and maintain accurate sustained fire during defensive combat.
When positioned properly, such machine guns could dominate entire sectors of the battlefield.
Battlefield Aftermath:
Images like this reveal what the battlefield often looked like immediately after an engagement.
German soldiers frequently inspected captured positions in order to:
- gather intelligence about enemy defenses
- collect usable weapons and ammunition
- document the battlefield for military reports or propaganda
The presence of the fallen Polish soldier in the foreground underscores the intensity of the fighting that took place at these defensive points.
For many soldiers on both sides, the September Campaign was their first experience of the brutal realities of modern mechanized warfare.
The September Campaign in Historical Memory:
Although the campaign lasted only a few weeks, the defense of Poland in 1939 remains one of the most studied opening chapters of the Second World War.
Polish troops resisted German forces in numerous engagements across the country. Despite local successes and determined resistance, the situation became hopeless after the Soviet invasion of eastern Poland on 17 September 1939.
Caught between two invading powers, Polish forces were eventually forced to cease organized resistance by early October.
Photographs such as this one preserve visual evidence of the early battles that shaped the opening phase of the war.
Historical Photograph Information:
Location: Poland
Date: September 1939
Photographer: Unknown
Recommended Books on the 1939 Invasion of Poland:
Readers interested in the opening campaign of the Second World War may find the following historical works valuable:
1. Case White: The Invasion of Poland 1939 — Robert Forczyk
A detailed military analysis of the German invasion and the operational strategies used during the campaign.
2. Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg — Steven J. Zaloga
An accessible overview of the campaign, including the equipment and tactics used by both German and Polish forces.
3. The Campaign of 1939 in Poland — Steven Zaloga & Victor Madej
A comprehensive study covering the battles, units, and military decisions during the invasion.
4. First to Fight: The Polish War 1939 — Roger Moorhouse
A modern historical narrative describing the dramatic events of the September Campaign and the Polish resistance.