Wieluń - September 1939, Poland, 2009, 10 Złotych, Proof, Mintage: 100.000, Silver .925, 14.14 g, 32 mm. Swastika is flipped by me.
The bombing of Wieluń is considered by many to be the first major act of World War II, and the September Campaign. After Luftwaffe air units moved into Polish airspace in the early morning of 1 September, they reached the town of Wieluń by 04:40–45 hours. Around this time, the first strikes on the town were conducted, with a total of 46,000 kg bombs being dropped on civilian targets for 9 consecutive hours. Elsewhere, the Battle of Westerplatte and Danzig skirmishes began around the same time (04:45 h), starting the well-coordinated Invasion of Poland.
Located near the German border, the town of Wieluń was completely undefended, lacking anti-air capabilities and a military garrison. Despite Wieluń having no military targets, airstrikes continued. German intelligence reports had stated there was a Polish cavalry brigade stationed in the town. The Luftwaffe bombed such nearby towns as Działoszyn, Radomsko, and Sulejów, which also had no military targets.
The attack on the town has been described as the first war crime committed by Germany in World War II. The Luftwaffe had reportedly bombed a "clearly marked" hospital, and strafed fleeing civilians. In the aftermath, 127 civilian casualties were reported – possibly "several hundred" – but the exact number remains unknown. 70% of the town (90 percent, in the city center) was utterly destroyed.