GDANSK - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday laid a wreath at the Westerplatte Monument overlooking the Baltic Sea.

Westerplatte is considered the most important symbol of Polish resistance during the Second World War.

In the early hours of Sept 1, 1939, a German battleship attacked a fort on the Baltic coast, marking the start of the war.

One hundred and eighty Polish soldiers were manning the Westerplatte garrison. They were expected to be able to resist the Germans for 12 hours but held out for almost seven days despite the superior size of the enemy forces.

Today, the area houses an imposing granite statue dedicated to the soldiers.

Mr Lee laid a wreath at the monument in a short, sombre ceremony.

Earlier in the day, he met Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz in the beautiful Old Town where buildings, which were rebuilt after the war, feature colourful, intricate facades.

He later visited Gdansk's Deep Container Terminal for a briefing, and left for home with the delegation.