Anniversary of Germany’s Invasion of Poland: “The perpetrators must be held accountable”

“On September 1, 1939, Germany launched the most terrible war in world history. They became the perpetrators of unimaginable crimes, suffering, and destruction that fell upon Poland and all of Europe. Poland was attacked without a declaration of war. Our cities were burning, Warsaw was razed to the ground, villages were burned, and millions of citizens were murdered in extermination camps and during pacifications. Entire families vanished from the map of life, and the heritage of our Homeland was brutally plundered and destroyed,” recalled the former prime minister.

“Poland’s losses were enormous. It is estimated that more than 6 million of our citizens perished, while the material destruction was unimaginable – from factories and schools to museums, archives, and works of art. What we had built over generations was crushed within a few years by the German occupation. To this day, Germany has not settled accounts for these crimes against Poland. The reparations we are entitled to were never paid. The damages were not repaired, the looted cultural treasures were not returned, and full responsibility toward our nation has not been acknowledged. The memory of the victims and heroes is our duty. But it is also our duty to demand justice. Because without truth and without redress, history will never truly be closed,” added Mateusz Morawiecki.

“Do not kill and do not steal. And if you killed and stole, then apologize, beg for forgiveness, and remember that you must make amends for your sins. Eternal shame to the German and Soviet murderers, long live Poland!” said today at Westerplatte the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. Morawiecki also noted these words, adding: “That is why Poland will never give up the fight for memory, truth, and reparations. The perpetrators of the crimes must be held accountable, and their heirs – are obliged to repair the damages.“