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The major tactical innovation of the war was the use of combined arms warfare, typified by the German doctrine of [[blitzkrieg]]. In this style of warfare armor, infantry, artillery and air power (see [[Luftwaffe]]) all coordinate to achieve overwhelming superiority at point on the enemy lines. Armor and fast-moving infantry units then exploit the gap and penetrate deep behind enemy lines. Slower moving foot infantry would follow behind the motorized (later mechanised) and armored forces, securing their flanks in order to prevent encirclement.  The objective is to cause a widespread collapse of the enemy's ability to fight. It was particularly effective during the early and middle stages of the war, before the Allies developed effective countermeasures.  

The major tactical innovation of the war was the use of combined arms warfare, typified by the German doctrine of [[blitzkrieg]]. In this style of warfare armor, infantry, artillery and air power (see [[Luftwaffe]]) all coordinate to achieve overwhelming superiority at point on the enemy lines. Armor and fast-moving infantry units then exploit the gap and penetrate deep behind enemy lines. Slower moving foot infantry would follow behind the motorized (later mechanised) and armored forces, securing their flanks in order to prevent encirclement.  The objective is to cause a widespread collapse of the enemy's ability to fight. It was particularly effective during the early and middle stages of the war, before the Allies developed effective countermeasures.  

On September 17th, the [[Soviet Union]] invaded Poland. [[Stalin]] had secured a ceasefire with Japan over the Khalkhin Gol incidents, after which he followed up on his promise to invade the larger share Poland from the east, as per the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]].  The combined weight of German and Soviet forces sealed the inevitable. Poland surrendered on September 27th, following the fall of [[Warsaw]]. Remaining pockets of resistance were crushed and surrendered on October 6th.

On September 17th, the [[Soviet Union]] invaded Poland. [[Stalin]] had secured a [[ceasefire]] with Japan over the Khalkhin Gol incidents, after which he followed up on his promise to invade the larger share Poland from the east, as per the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]].  The combined weight of German and Soviet forces sealed the inevitable. Poland surrendered on September 27th, following the fall of [[Warsaw]]. Remaining pockets of resistance were crushed and surrendered on October 6th.

[[Britain]] and [[France]] declared war on Germany two days after the invasion of Poland began.  The Dominions of the British Commonwealth followed shortly afterwards. Polish resistance would soon begin and would continue throughout the entire war. Poland was divided between Germany and the USSR. Germany acquired the western regions, approximately 48.4% of the country.<ref name="rcin.org.p">[http://rcin.org.pl/Content/15652/WA51_13607_r2011-nr12_Monografie.pdf http://rcin.org.pl/Content/15652/WA51_13607_r2011-nr12_Monografie.pdf]</ref> The Soviet Union acquired the rest. About 270 sq. miles of land was given to Germany's puppet state [[Slovakia]].

[[Britain]] and [[France]] declared war on Germany two days after the invasion of Poland began.  The Dominions of the British Commonwealth followed shortly afterwards. Polish resistance would soon begin and would continue throughout the entire war. Poland was divided between Germany and the USSR. Germany acquired the western regions, approximately 48.4% of the country.<ref name="rcin.org.p">[http://rcin.org.pl/Content/15652/WA51_13607_r2011-nr12_Monografie.pdf http://rcin.org.pl/Content/15652/WA51_13607_r2011-nr12_Monografie.pdf]</ref> The Soviet Union acquired the rest. About 270 sq. miles of land was given to Germany's puppet state [[Slovakia]].