| The ring around Warsaw is closed. LIG in firing position near Praga. Near Praga, a northeastern suburb of Warsaw. Poland. The 75 millimeter (3-inch) leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18 (le.IG 18, “Light Infantry Gun 18”) was developed in 1927 and remained in production until 1945. This light artillery gun initially had wooden spoked wheels, as shown in this view, for horse-drawn use. Later versions had steel-rimmed pneumatic rubber tires. The le.IG 18 was the standard infantry regiment’s artillery weapon. Special models were produced for airborne forces, packed into 4 containers for air drop, and for mountain troops, which had skis instead of wheels. The attack on Praga, the district of Warsaw on the east bank of the Vistula River, began on September 15, 1939. The line held, in part due to the ongoing Battle of the Bzura, until September 23, 1939. The Nazi German Heer (“Army”) amassed a 1,000 artillery pieces of all types and 13 infantry divisions. The Luftwaffe made air strikes, coordinated with Heer artillery firing, on September 25, known as “Black Monday” in Warsaw. The Heer infantry broke the Polish line on September 26. That evening, Polish envoys sought to discuss surrender. Warsaw surrendered on September 27, 1939, partly to avoid civilian casualties, but 12,000 Varsovians were already dead. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2416.jpg |
| Image Size | 956.65 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 4417 x 3162 |
| Photographer | Kriegsberichter |
| Photographer Title | Propaganda Units of the German Armed Forces |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 21, 1939 |
| Location | Praga |
| City | Warsaw |
| State or Province | Mazovia |
| Country | Poland |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | 242-GAP-214O-18 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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