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Outbreak of Second World War

In late 1939, the Germans began occupying parts of surrounding countries because they demanded more living space (Lebensraum) for the German people. The War broke out in September 1939, after Germany attacked Poland.

German soldiers parade through Warsaw to celebrate the conquest of Poland in September 1939.

Photographer: Hugo Jaeger Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

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Hitler receives an ovation from the German parliament (Reichstag) in Berlin following the takeover of Austria, March 1938.

Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

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Item from the display

From the start of the invasion of Poland, the Nazis terrorised the Jewish population. Gitla and Herman Kolski (parents of MHM guide Abraham Kolski) standing on the rubble of the Wolborska Street synagogue. The Nazis burned it down on the night of 15-16 November, 1939. Neither Gitla nor Herman survived the war.

Source: MHM, courtesy of Abraham Kolski

In the late 1939 the Germans began occupying parts of surrounding countries because they demanded more living space (Lebensraum) for the German people. The War broke out in September 1939, after Germany attacked Poland.

In the late 1939 the Germans began occupying parts of surrounding countries because they demanded more living space (Lebensraum) for the German people. The War broke out in September 1939, after Germany attacked Poland.

3b02

German soldiers parade through Warsaw to celebrate the conquest of Poland in September 1939.

Photographer: Hugo Jaeger Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

3b02

Hitler receives an ovation from the German parliament (Reichstag) in Berlin following the takeover of Austria, March 1938.

Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration

 

3b01

Item from the display

From the start of the invasion of Poland, the Nazis terrorised the Jewish population. Gitla and Herman Kolski (parents of MHM guide Abraham Kolski) standing on the rubble of the Wolborska Street synagogue. The Nazis burned it down on the night of 15-16 November, 1939. Neither Gitla nor Herman survived the war.

Source: MHM, courtesy of Abraham Kolski