The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign (1 September – 6 October 1939), was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which marked the beginning of World War II. Since the first days of this uneven struggle, many Poles shown unbelievable feats of bravery and patriotism. Soldiers in Postmen’s Uniforms tells one of exactly such stories.

This is third installment of the Valiant Defense series by David Thompson, in which you take control of the valiant defenders of Polish Postal Office No. 1 in the Free City of Danzig on the first day of the Second World War. Under your command, the defenders must fend off relentless attacks from the Danzig Schutzpolizei and two German SS units.

The goal of Soldiers in Postmen’s Uniforms is to recreate the incredible historic accomplishment of the Polish postal workers by defending the post office during the day-long siege. In the game, this is represented by playing through three decks of enemy cards. Before we show it, let us have a bit more background on the events to be told.

Historical background

Polish post office in Danzig / Gdansk at the end of the battle

The Free City of Danzig (present-day Gdańsk) was crated in 1920, in accordance with the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Over the next two decades the city became a flash-point in Polish-German relations, which culminated in the Danzig Crisis of 1939.

On the first day of the Second World War, German forces moved in to seize Polish installations in Danzig. Two of the installations were on alert and under orders to hold out: the Military Transit Depot on the peninsula of Westerplatte and the Polish Postal Office No. 1. The personnel of the post office repulsed repeated assaults, and were forced to surrender only after a day-long siege, when the post office was doused with gasoline and set alight. Though German propaganda cast these acts of defiance as futile and a failure, they were viewed by the Polish people as symbolic of their stand against a materially superior aggressor.

Detailed session report on veteran level

Let me know invite you to the video-session report, divided into three, easily digestible parts – each movie has Table of Contest for easy navigation (just make sure to “Watch on YouTube”). The three parts pertain to three Attack waves:

  • Attack 1 – took place during the morning hours. This was the Danzig Schutzpolizei’s initial assault, which was directed against the southern (rear) facade and eastern (side) entrance of the post office.
  • Attack 2 – took place during midday. In this assault, the Schutzpolizei attacked the northern, street-facing (front) facade of the building. They were supported by armored cars, infantry guns, and a howitzer.
  • Attack 3 – took place in the evening. This final assault was conducted by elements of two SS units against the front of the post office. It ended when the attackers brought up a fire truck filled with gasoline, pumped it into the building, and ignited it with a hand grenade.

I hope you will enjoy this play-through. And also honor the defenders who exactly, to the day, 85 years stood up to their duty and fought against the brutal agression.