Iconic historical photograph from September 1, 1939, capturing Wehrmacht soldiers removing a Polish border sign during the invasion of Poland at the outbreak of World War II.
German Soldiers Tearing Down the Polish Border Post (September 1, 1939)
This iconic and widely recognized historical photograph taken on September 1, 1939 documents German soldiers removing and dismantling a Polish border post bearing the national coat of arms at the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
Marking the launch of Operation Weiss (Fall Weiss)—the German invasion of Poland—this staged propaganda image came to symbolize the violent dismantling of interwar European borders established by the Treaty of Versailles.
Equipment, Uniforms, and Visual Features
The image vividly depicts the early-war appearance of the German Wehrmacht during the September Campaign:
- Polish Border Sign: The round wooden marker features the official Polish coat of arms—a crowned white eagle (Orzeł Biały) on a red field—which soldiers are forcefully ripping down from its post.
- Early-War Wehrmacht Attire: The soldiers are equipped with standard issue early-war gear, including M1935 steel helmets (Stahlhelm M35) and M1936 field tunics (Feldbluse M36) characterized by dark coat-green collars and shoulder straps.
- Standard Infantry Armament: Slung over the soldiers' shoulders are standard bolt-action 7.92mm Karabiner 98k (Kar98k) rifles, the primary infantry weapon of the German armed forces throughout the conflict.
- Geographic Setting: The photograph was captured along the border between the Free City of Danzig (Gdańsk) and the Polish Corridor, near the coastal settlement of Koliebken (Kolibki/Sopot).
The Historical Significance of September 1, 1939
At 4:45 AM on September 1, 1939, German forces launched an unprovoked blitzkrieg invasion of Poland without a formal declaration of war, preceded by staged border incidents such as the Gleiwitz provocation. Propagandists from the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda actively distributed photographs like this one across international press outlets to herald the rapid advance of German forces and the collapse of Polish border defenses.
📍 Location: Poland (Danzig Corridor border)
📅 Date: September 1, 1939
📷 Photographer: Unknown (German Propaganda Company / PK)
📰 Primary Source: National Archives / Bundesarchiv
Recommended reading:
- Outbreak of WW2: Strategic planning and execution of Fall Weiss (Invasion of Poland)
- Insignia and heraldry: The history of the Polish White Eagle national emblem
- Uniformology: Characteristics and field equipment of the 1939 Wehrmacht infantryman
- Propaganda analysis: Staged photography and press censorship during the 1939 September Campaign