The didn't so much as settle as they fought there to take it from the Germans and then installed a communist government.
Poland was between Germany and the Soviet Union at the outbreak of the war, Germany attacked from the West while the Russians attacked from the East - This lead to the quick downfall of Poland in 1939.
The British & French were too far removed to defend Poland from the Germans, however... the Russians (Soviet Union) actually helped Hitler attack Poland not defend it. The Russians then annexed the eastern portion of Poland. At no point in World War 2, even when the Russians became Allies, did they defend Poland.
Poland was taken over in one week by both the Nazis (who attack first) and then the Russians.
The Germans invaded from the west, from the south & from East Prussia in the North. The Russians entered from the east.
spartans
the germans The Germans and the Soviets. They had a non aggression pact and had agree to take half of Poland each. The Russians invaded a couple of weeks after the Germans when the Polish army was all but finished. They are still in occupation of most of this land today.
look on google 'detailed map of Poland during World War ll' or you can look on wikipedia 'Poland during world war 2' and they'll have images there.
one ethnic group was almost eliminated
Joseph Stalin.
The Russians .
the russians
Germany during ww2, Sweden in 1655In World War 2 Poland was invaded by Germany.