EXTRAORDINARY BRAVERY*
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DATE: 1 September 1939*
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BATTLE LOCATION: Danzig, Poland*
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BATTLE TYPE:*
Axis [Germany/SS/SA] (Assault) vs. Poland (Defend)*
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HISTORICAL SITUATION:*
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The German blitzkrieg began its thrust into Poland early on 1 September as the Germans attacked key points in the city of Danzig, beginning with the shelling of the Westerplatte garrison. In another part of the city, 100 VGAD (Reinforced Border Surveillance Service, or Verstirker-Grenz-Aufsichts-Dienst, made up of mostly Sturmabteilung (SA) men, the "Brownshirts") and Police troops began to attack the Post Office. The Gdansk-1 Post Office was a sturdy building the Poles had further strengthened, and it was garrisoned by ex-Polish Army reserve officers that had been ordered by Marshal Ridz-Smigly to hold until relieved by Polish cavalry. After an initial surprise attempt by the VGAD to seize the Post Office had failed, an infantry gun platoon from the Danziger-SS Heimwehr Abteilung was brought up for support. Many of the crews in the SS detachment would be employed as infantry in the attack. The SS quickly positioned their guns in the cobblestoned street and trained their sights on the Post Office only 60 meters distant and began to open fire. *
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FORCES:*
Germany [SS]: Elements of Platoon 3, Kompanie 13, Danziger-SS Heimwehr Abteilung*
Germany [SA]: Elements of VGAD, 2nd Police Precinct*
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Poland: Elements of Ex-Polish Army Reserve Officers*
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AFTERMATH:*
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In spite of support from infantry guns and a Police armored car, further attacks by the SS and VGAD units withered under accurate machinegun and rifle fire. The guns were having difficulty because they recoiled out of position with every shot, and they were exposed to blistering return fire. After a brief pause the attack resumed at 1700 hours, reinforced by a heavy 170mm minemverfer, a WW I-era trench mortar, which began to blast holes in the side of the building. Eventually the defenders retreated to the cellar but still would not relinquish the building. The stubborn "postal workers" surrendered only after gasoline was pumped into the cellar and ignited. At 1830 hours the German battle flag was finally raised over the Gdansk-1 Post Office. The Germans captured 3 machineguns and many small arms, including 30 pistols and 150 grenades. The valiant Poles had defended the building with what one SS officer recalled as "extraordinary bravery," but were executed in October 1939, the excuse being that they had been dressed as civilians. *
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NOTES: This scenario was converted from an ASL scenario (see below) to SPWW2 format. Can be played PBEM as either side, or if playing against the AI, take the Germans (SS/SA). *
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SOURCE: ASL Scenario S52*
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SPWW2 Scenario Creation by Don Lazov*