World War 2 sites in Poland
 

Hi, we are planning a trip to Poland for 2007 and we would like any advice on where to find maps, directions, or general info. on any and all World War 2 sites. Also, what is the best time of year to visit Poland and is it easy to rent a car and drive around Poland on your own? would appreciate any help and advice. Thanks, Lisa

General information: How about a Fodor Guide book? Much or all of the WWII history now exists only in museums. Remember that Eastern Poland was ceded to the Soviets and Eastern Germany to the Poles. Driving? Statistics: Auto fatalities run 18 per day! City streets are crowded. Yes, you can drive about Poland and usually with ease. Hertz and others...In many respects Poland is like the USA before the I system. Gasolene is now at $6/gal.

I've been in Poland twice and really like it, but had no itinerary involving WWII sites. I think I found the Lonely Planet guidebook pretty good, as well as Insight. Eyewitness guides has one on Poland, also, with nice photos, although I don't find their city info that good in comparison to some others for real details.

There is great free online guide information for various cities on www.inyourpocket.com That's the one I use the most for city info, hotels, restaurants, etc.

Hi
I'm curious about what type of WW 2 sites your're looking for. I've been to Poland twice and have driven around. Warsaw has the museum of the Warsaw Uprising. Warsaw was almost totally destroyed by the nazis. There is a walk about the Ghetto Uprising, with various sites. Nothing much left of the Ghetto itself. We've been to Krakow and driven in that area coming up from Slovakia. We've visited Auschwitz by car. Both times we went in September. Last time in Warsaw in 2004 it was cool and rainy. We use the Rough Guide to Poland. We have not had any problems renting and with a good road map, no problems driving around. Enjoy your trip. We usually rent a car, except when we plan to stay in one city.

Zippy:

I think what aeiger is asking is simply...are you interested in Holocaust memorials, concentration camps, related museums and other sites...or are you interested in Russo-German battle sites. Are you leaning toward sites commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising on April 19th, 1942, or on the massive general Polish revolt vs. the occupying German forces toward the end of the war? Or the retreat and eventual disbanding/disarming of the Polish army during the first three months of the war.
All of the above sums up WW II in Poland...a bloody page in history invovling some 2 million military deaths, and more than 5 million civilian deaths...including more than 3 million Polish Jews.
There are many histories available..probably the most definitive are The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer, Simon Shuster and company, 1959, and The Final Solution by Gerald Reitlinger, Jason Aronson and Company, 1987.
Unfortunately there is inexcusably very little reference in most guide books.
Personally,I have engaged in some comprehensive on-site research for two of my past books (1994, 1983 and 2004)....if I can be of any further referential help, please do not hesitate to contact me..

Stu T.
[email protected]

Someone mentioned that much or all wwII history exists in museums :-))) - this is very not so!... Poland has tons of sites small and very large which are part of wwII history... One example of very many is Borne Sulinowo a large town which dates back way before wwII yet till 1993 did not show on any of official maps ...
http://www.bornesulinowo.pl/Historia/historia.htm
There are tons of sites ... Just driving from Kolobrzeg by Baltic sea in area or towards West you find a handfull of different sites - including small airports etc. Similar in area of Hel also much around Wroclaw has ton of sites even Castle in Ksiaz holds it's wwII secrets where few years back tunnals were found big enough for a underground train to go thru...

Very quick search gave me this:
http://republika.pl/bunkry/index.html
http://republika.pl/mru_bunkry/galeria%20zdjec.htm
http://bunkry.toplista.pl/
http://www.foto.bunkrowiec.com/
http://www.wolfsschanze.home.pl/

http://www.odkrywca-online.com/index...6fe803793eaec5