Editing Saarland (section)

=== Nazi period ===
Following the referendum [[Josef Bürckel]] was appointed on 1 March 1935 as the [[German Reich]]'s commissioner for reintegration ({{lang|de|[[Reichskommissar]] für die Rückgliederung des Saarlandes}}). Once the reincorporation was accomplished, on 17 June 1936 his title was changed to {{lang|de|Reichskommissar für das Saarland}} (Reich Commissioner for the Saarland). In September 1939, in response to the German [[invasion of Poland]], French forces [[Saar Offensive|invaded]] the Saarland in a half-hearted offensive, occupying some villages and meeting little resistance, before withdrawing. After 8 April 1940 Bürckel's title was changed again to {{lang|de|Reichskommissar für die Saarpfalz}} (Reich Commissioner for the Saar Palatinate); finally, after 11 March 1941, Bürckel was made {{lang|de|[[Reichsstatthalter]] in der [[Gau Westmark|Westmark]]}} (Reich Governor of the Western Borderland). He died on 28 September 1944 and was succeeded by [[Willi Stöhr]], who remained in office until the region fell to advancing American forces in March 1945.