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Short brief about September 1939 in Torun


War began 1st September 1939 but 7th of this month is a special day for Torun. After six days when Germans invaded Poland after few skirmishes they took over city. Luckly there weren't many victims of attacks and all monuments survived. Polish soldiers before they left town destroyed two bridges. Since first days of occupation Nazi started to realize their program of creating new society on conquered lands. Civilians like  offcicals, leaders or representatives these groups which could be basis of undeground strucutres in future were imprisoned in Fort VII and Fort VIII. till end of October 1939 many of them were shot in Barbarka forrests


Fort VII - Memorial for civilian victims
First: Kees Palsma Nederlands writer,
Behind: monument in Barbarka forrest
When it comes to soldiers after Poland defeated Germans started to organize POW camps. Railway connections, old forts casued that Torun was perfect city to set up here Stalag (XX A (20a)) which was "home" for around 60 000 soldiers from different parts of the world till end of the war. 

Part of wooden huts foundations -  Stalag XXA (20 a)
Below screenshots from German propaganda chronic from September 1939 which shows how Germans were behave for Polish soldiers and respected Geneva convention. Most of them are false.
Scenes with Polish POWs in German propaganda movie
Scenes with Polish POWs in German propaganda movie
Scenes with Polish POWs in German propaganda movie
Scenes with Polish POWs in German propaganda movie
Scenes with Polish POWs in German propaganda movie

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