Danzig, September 1939 — the policeman of the Free City

The Free City of Danzig, overwhelmingly German-speaking, had been placed under the protection of the League of Nations since 1920, but was coveted by the Reich. Since 1933, its police force had been brought into line by the local Nazi party: an officer who did not embrace National Socialism no longer had any future in the service. Throughout August 1939, its officials secretly prepared to seize the Polish installations in the city.

On 1 September 1939, the battleship Schleswig-Holstein opens fire on the Polish garrison at the Westerplatte: the German annexation begins in the city. Everywhere, the Polish installations — including the Post Office, whose employees barricade themselves in — become targets, and the Reich's forces expect the cooperation of the local services.

An inspector of this police force must choose his stance on this first day: take an active part in the operations alongside the German forces, simply hold his post by carrying out the "law-and-order" orders, or refuse and resign in protest.