Final answer:
Germany won the 1939 invasion of Poland, which marked the start of World War II. Despite fierce resistance, the combined force of the German blitzkrieg and the Soviet invasion from the east led to Poland's defeat and division between the two invading powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany marked the beginning of World War II. During this assault, Poland was unable to withstand the overwhelming power of the German military machine known as Blitzkrieg. Despite the valor and courage of the Polish army and the people, they ultimately fell to the combined forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. As a result, Germany achieved a complete victory over Poland after a brutal campaign that lasted just over a month. The Polish government fled into exile, and Poland was divided between Germany and the Soviet Union, effectively erasing its sovereignty.
The invasion began on September 1, 1939, following a false flag operation by the Nazis, designed to justify the attack on Poland. The German strategy of Blitzkrieg involved swift and decisive attacks using tanks, aircraft, and infantry, leaving the Polish defenses overwhelmed. The Soviet invasion from the east, as per the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, sealed Poland's fate.
Despite declarations of war by France and Britain in response to the invasion, their efforts did not aid Poland in the conflict. With the world's attention soon turning to the border with France, the impact of the Polish defeat on the larger context of World War II became clear. Poland's staunch resistance was unable to change the outcome, and the country fell on September 27, 1939.