Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at Westerplatte: Poles fought for a better world, a free homeland and Europe
01.09.2021
The Head of Government took part in the solemn celebrations in Gdańsk on the 82nd anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. The morning commemorations began with the sound of alarm sirens at 4.45 a.m. At this hour, on 1 September 1939, a German attack on Polish soldiers stationed at Westerplatte took place. As the Prime Minister recalled, the Poles made the greatest sacrifice during World War II.
The greatest hecatomb of the 20th century
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki pointed out that the number of witnesses of the war, which began earlier with the pact between Hitler and Stalin of 23 August 1939, is decreasing each year. – World War II was the greatest hecatomb of the 20th century, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the history of humanity – remarked Prime Minister.
After 82 years, however, there is a process of erasing the actual perpetrator of war crimes and destruction from memory and consciousness. – Today, some people confuse tormentors with victims, assigning different roles to those who defended humanity against those who bestially destroyed entire countries. The German invaders started this war – reminded Mateusz Morawiecki.
Poles fought for everything
As the Head of Government stressed, Poles fought for humanity, independence, a free homeland and Europe during World War II. – And the Poles made the greatest sacrifice, looking at the population figures from before the war – said Prime Minister.
The German people bear full and absolute responsibility for what happened then. It was an operation aimed at the total extermination – as precisely calculated – of 85 per cent of Polish citizens. – The remaining 15 per cent were to be turned into Germanised slaves – explained Prime Minister. – It was also an economic operation: gigantic robbery, theft of factories, seizure of property and deposit in bank accounts of Poles – he recalled.
– Polish soldiers and civilians fought on all fronts of World War II. They had a deep faith, the will to win and fight to the last drop of blood – said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. – Honour and glory to the heroes. Eternal memory to all Polish citizens of World War II – he added.
The outbreak of World War II
Eighty-two years ago, on 1 September 1939, German troops crossed the borders of the Republic of Poland at dawn without a declaration of war, thus starting World War II. One of its first events was the attack of the battleship "Schleswig-Holstein" on the Polish military depot at Westerplatte. Polish units under the command of Major Henryk Sucharski heroically defended the outpost against enemy attacks from the sea, land and air until 7 September 1939.
