Germany, Poland, and the Danzig Question, 1937—1939 explores the events that led to the Nazi occupation of Danzig, which was the catalyst of World War II. In this book Rashid A. Halloway sheds light on German, Polish, and British diplomatic negotiations at the highest level during a time when diplomacy was at a premium due to the perceived threat to peace in Europe under Hitler. Halloway presents a study of intense diplomatic negotiations in the pre-World Ware II years between Germany and Poland relating to Germany’s desire to gain access, through Poland along the Baltic Sea, to East Prussia, more particularly to the Free City of Danzig, by establishing a secure transport route through that part of Poland, commonly referred to as the “Polish Corridor” and the negative result.

This is the first book in English on this obscure early-World War II SS unit. In July 1939, SS-Heimwehr Danzig was formed from members of the III./4. SS-Totenkopf-Standarte "Ostmark," as well as from Danzig citizen volunteers. As a unit of the Reichsführer-SS they reinforced other existing Danzig units for the impending invasion of Poland. This book not only describes the political background that led to their deployment in September 1939, but also contains the combat recollections of former members, as well as over 100 photographs, and documents.

STAHLHELM SERIES: THE HISTORY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE THIRD REICH. Fifty years after the end of World War II in Europe, it is felt imperative that the English-speaking world comprehend the perspectives of those who fought on the other (losing) side, which to a great extent can only be appreciated by a familiarity with their unique experiences, particularly on the decisive Eastern Front.

"Based largely on documents from Polish archives never before seen in the English-speaking world, Sean Lester, Poland and the Nazi Takeover of Danzig attempts to explain more fully how and why the League of Nations, Poland and Great Britain allowed a golden opportunity to stop Hitler in his tracks slip by."--BOOK JACKET.

Originally published in hardcover in 1998.

The German invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 began World War II in Europe, pitting the newly modernized army of Europe's great industrial power against the much smaller Polish army and introducing the world to a new style of warfare – Blitzkrieg. Panzer divisions spearheaded the German assault with Stuka dive-bombers prowling ahead spreading terror and mayhem. This book demonstrates how the Polish army was not as backward as it is often portrayed and fielded a tank force larger than that of the contemporary US Army. Its stubborn defence did give the Germans some surprises and German casualties were relatively heavy for such a short campaign.