The Germans began their attack on Warsaw from the first day of the war. German bombers started their bombing campaign against the Polish capital on September 1, 1939. The Polish air force started the war with 54 old fighter planes in Warsaw. They were initially successful in shooting down a significant number of German planes, but the sheer magnitude of the German attacks was too great to stop.

German forces reached the outskirts of Warsaw on September 15th and expected to quickly capture the city. However, by now, over 150,000 Polish soldiers were in Warsaw, and defensive lines around the city had been created. The first German assault was against Praga on the other side of the Vistula but was successfully repulsed. The Germans began a massive bombing and artillery campaign against Warsaw. On September 22nd, Warsaw’s last line of communication out of the city was cut. The Germans mounted a large-scale attack on September 23rd, and it too was repulsed. On September 25th, another assault was launched, preceded with a 1200 bomber assault. It too was repulsed. On September 26th, the outer forts defending the city fell. By now, the state of the civilian population had become perilous, with no water and food rapidly dwindling. On September 26, Army Warsaw General Juliusz Rómmel began surrender talks with the Germans. On September 30th, Warsaw surrendered, and German troops occupied the city.