WWII Ceremonies Begin in Poland

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) steps from his plane after his arrival at the airport in Gdansk, Poland, 31 August 2009. Putin will take part in the ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of WWII in Westerplatte, on 01 September

A day of commemorations has begun in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.

The first ceremony took place at dawn on Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk, where a German battleship fired the first shots on a Polish fort in 1939, BBC reported.

Poland's president and prime minister led a sombre ceremony at the fort.

Foreign leaders from 20 countries including Germany, Russia and Bulgaria are expected in Gdansk later in the day as ceremonies continue.

At 0445 (0245 GMT) Polish President Lech Kaczynski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined war veterans beside a monument to the heroes of Westerplatte.

The ceremony marked the exact time on 1 September 1939 when the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire at point-blank range on the fort.

At the same time, the German Wehrmacht invaded Poland from east, west and south. The attacks triggered Britain and France's declaration of war against Germany two days later.

In an address, Tusk said the lessons of history should not be forgotten.

"We remember because we know well that he who forgets, or he who falsifies history, and has power or will assume power will bring unhappiness again like 70 years ago," he said.

 

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