Розділ 3. NIEMIECKIE I FRANCUSKIE PRZYGOTOWANIA WOJENNE NA FRONCIE ZACHODNIM WE WRZEŚNIU 1939 ROKU

 One of the biggest misrepresentations functioning in Polish historiography is the alleged weakness of the Wehrmacht in the west in September 1939. This view is often combined with the narrative of the alleged vast superiority of French forces, which stood idly by on the border, conducting only sluggish actions of a local scale. This is alleged to testify to the cynicism and betrayal of Paris, passively watching the tragedy unfolding in Poland. Many even speak of the betrayal of the «West» and the deliberate targeting of German aggression to the East.

The above theses were heavily embedded in the popular image of September 1939. However, an analysis of the German grouping in the west allows us to conclude that Germany had enough forces to secure the border with France. That is why the French war plan included only limited operations in the first days of the war. They were to occupy the German forces in combat until mobilization was complete, and the main forces had been concentrated. However, the planned offensive never materialized. By the time the French forces completed their preparations, the campaign in the east had been concluded, and the entry of the Red Army sealed Poland's fate. So could the French have done more to help Poland? Undoubtedly yes, but it is unlikely that it would have affected the final outcome of the 1939 campaign. Poland's defeat was not the result of «betrayal» by the Allies, but a consequence of the overwhelming superiority of our opponents.