Following the joint German-Soviet invasion of Poland, which started World War II in September 1939, the town was occupied by Germany until 1945 and local Poles were subjected to various crimes. On October 20, 1939, the German "Einsatzgruppe VI" carried out a public execution of 17 Poles at the main square as part of the "Intelligenzaktion". Among the victims were a bank director, teacher, merchant, forester, military officer, landowners and mayor of the nearby town of Dolsk. It was one of many massacres of Poles committed by Germany on October 20-23 across the region in attempt to pacify and terrorize the Polish population. The first expulsions of Poles were carried out by Germany in winter of 1939–1940. Under German occupation the town's name was changed to "Tiefenbach" and then "Schonz" in attempt to erase traces of Polish origin.