During the joint German-Soviet invasion of Poland, which started World War II in September 1939, the town was invaded by Germany, and then occupied until 1945. The Polish population was subjected to various crimes, including arrests, massacres and expulsions. Already in September, some inhabitants of Rogoźno were among Poles massacred by the Germans in nearby villages of Podlesie Kościelne and Międzylesie. In late 1939, around 900 Poles were expelled from the town and its surroundings. The Germans also established and operated a Nazi prison in the town.