Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA076
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
70th ANNIVERSARY – OUTBREAK OF SECOND WORLD WAR: POLAND
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin will today join former allies and enemies in an historic
ceremony in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.
Paying tribute to some one million Australians who served in the Second World War, Mr Griffin said
it was important to recognise Australia’s contribution to the conflict and commemorate the men and
women who lost their lives.
“I am honoured to be in Poland to mark this important date in our wartime history. Around 200,000
Australians served in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa during the Second World War and
today we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of all Australians who fought,” Mr Griffin said.
“Today’s ceremony is historic as it brings together the heads of government of the two nations that
invaded and occupied Poland at the start of the largest clash of arms yet endured by humanity –
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, as well as
representatives of Poland and its Allies.”
On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and in response, France, Britain and the
Commonwealth of Nations declared war on Germany. On 17 September 1939, Russia invaded
eastern Poland and by October 1939, Poland was divided between German and Soviet occupation
forces. A small area of Poland fell under Lithuanian administration while Slovakia, which had joined
the German invasion, annexed some Polish territory. Poland never officially surrendered and
resistance continued until the war’s end. Her people experienced unspeakable suffering during the
war.
“Seventy years after the invasion of Poland, I join the national representatives in remembering the
events of the past and honouring the memory of those lost, both civilian and military,” Mr Griffin
said.
Representing the Australian Government, Minister Griffin participated in a ceremonial service at the
Westerplatte Defender’s Cemetery, laying a burning candle in memory of the dead.
During the Second World War, Australians fought in sea, land and air campaigns against Germany
and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa, and against Japan in south-east Asia and
the Pacific. Australia suffered some 39,000 fatalities including some 9,500 battle deaths in Europe
and 17,500 in the Pacific. More than 22,000 Australians were taken as prisoners of war of the
Japanese, many of whom lost their lives while in captivity, while around 8,100 Australians were
prisoners in Europe.
For more information on Australia’s involvement in the Second World War visit ww2australia.gov.au.
Media inquiries: Belinda Cole 0437 863 109
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
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