Despite being part of historic Greater Poland, the cradle of the Polish state, due to being almost exclusively inhabited by German-speakers only the part of Trzciel east of the rail-line, including the train station, was assigned to Poland. The town remained thus divided between Germany and Poland until the German invasion of Poland in 1939. During World War II the Germans established a forced labour camp for Jews in the town.
Although situated within historic Greater Poland, the cradle of Polish identity, Trzciel was largely populated by German-speakers, resulting in only the eastern part of the town being allocated to Poland. The town remained split between Germany and Poland until 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. During World War II, the Germans established a forced labour camp for Jews within the town.