Ceremonies marking the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two started at Westerplatte on Wednesday morning with a half-hour historic reconstruction of the developments from September 1, 1939.

An attack of German battleship “Schleswig-Holstein” on Poland’s military outpost on September 1, 1939 at 4:45 a.m. was one of the events that broke out World War Two.

Polish military units under the command of Major Henryk Sucharski heroically defended the military outpost at Westerplatte against attacks from the air, sea and land until September, 1939.

The ceremonies were attended by Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, Gdansk Metropolitan Archbishop Leszek Slawoj Glodz and British historian Norman Davis.

President Komorowski said Westerplatte was one of the experiences that pave the way for determination to build a new and better Europe.

Westerplatte, an important part of the Polish land from the point of view of Polish pride and honor, is also an important part of Europe. It is an especially important source of particular experience not only for Poles but also for Germans and the entire Europe, Komorowski said, quoted by the PAP news agency.

The president stressed that the attack on Westerplatte started the demise of the political order, made states’ collapse and opened the most terrible period in Europe’s history that ended in the death of millions of people.

Gdansk Metropolitan Archbishop Leszek Slawoj Glodz said: “Let this site become a site of peace because after WWII it has become a place of reconciliation between Polish and German Soldiers.”

The speeches were followed by the roll call of the dead and a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the coast defenders.