Final answer:
Most Poles were overwhelmed by Blitzkrieg due to Germany's rapid and coordinated air and ground attacks, Poland's outdated military strategies and lack of modern equipment, and the flat terrain of western Poland which provided little defense against the fast advance of German armored divisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most Poles were overwhelmed by Blitzkrieg due to a combination of factors that favored the German military approach. The German strategy of Blitzkrieg, meaning “lightning war”, involved rapid coordinated attacks by air and ground forces. The initial assault would be a powerful airstrike aimed at destroying the enemy's air defenses, communication networks, and supply lines. This would then be followed by a fast-moving ground invasion using tanks and motorized infantry aimed at encircling and quickly overcoming enemy positions.
The Polish army, though sizable, was not equipped with modern weaponry and was still employing outdated military strategies. They planned to face the German forces head-on, which was ineffective against the swift, multi-directional German tactics. The relatively flat terrain of western Poland provided little natural protection against the fast advance of Germany’s armored divisions. As a result, the Polish army was rapidly encircled and outmaneuvered, leading to a swift defeat within weeks, despite some heroic resistance.
The irony of the situation was that Blitzkrieg had been originally conceived by a Frenchman, Charles de Gaulle, but was rejected by his own country and adopted by Germany to devastating effect. Within weeks, the German forces had taken control of Poland, setting the stage for further conquests in Europe.