Early on September 1, 1939, a small formation of German Stuka dive bombers flew over Poland and released their bombs–just minutes before the Wehrmacht infantry and panzer divisions rolled into Poland. The dive bombers, like these shown about to attack Polish troops and supply depots as a German armored car looks on, became instrumental in the blitzkrieg warfare of World War II. Adolf Hitler had ordered the attack on Poland mere days after the Nazi-Soviet Nonagression pact was signed. He ignored an ultimatum from Britain the day after the attack on Poland, putting Germany officially at war with Britain and France.
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