On 1 September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, beginning a war that engulfed the world-a war known as World War II. The German Army that marched into Poland was the joint creation of the German General Staff and the Nazi government, and bore little resemblance to the Imperial German Army that fought and lost World War I.

The Versailles Treaty at the end of World War I imposed strict controls on the armed forces of Germany. The Army was restricted to 100,000 men and was forbidden conscription, tanks, and heavy artillery. The Navy was restricted to a small coast defense force and was prohibited submarines.

Furthermore, Germany was not allowed military aircraft and had to dismantle all fortifications within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of the French border. German national pride was doubly humiliated by the treaty-first because the conditions were imposed without negotiation and second because the restrictions did not apply in any way to the victors. France's military dwarfed that allowed to Germany, and even the armed forces of the newly formed states of Czechoslovakia and Poland greatly outnumbered Germany's.

Inside Europa First to Fight Designer's Notes Part II, Section A Germany

Introduction
Army Re-armament and Manpower
Strategic Situation
Germany-Allies Strength Comparison
German High Command and the Government
Volksdeutsch Resettlement 1939-1942
The Wehrkreis System
Frontier Defenses and Border Regt Commands