Polish "seven" Polish armored forces of the Second World War Tanks of Poland in the Second World War

The very first clash of tanks on the battlefield occurred on April 24, 1918. near the village of Villers-Bretonneux in northern France. Then three British and three German tanks met. And, although the British and French released several thousand tanks onto the battlefields, they did not meet an enemy worthy or at least equal in number. After all, the Germans built only twenty tanks. Moreover, they used several dozen trophy ones.

In World War II, the main opponents had tens of thousands of combat vehicles. Everyone knows about the grandiose tank battles near El Alamein, Prokhorovka... But the very first was the battle of the Polish and German tanks September 4, 1939 during the battle of Piotrkow.

The invasion of Polish territory by German troops took place at dawn on September 1, 1939, from three sides: north, west and south. From the 1st to the 3rd, clashes took place in the so-called border zone. During this period, one can count about 30 episodes involving tanks, wedges (for reconnaissance purposes) and armored trains. The collision of Polish tanks with German tanks occurred a little later. In the meantime, during this period the Poles lost about 60 armored units, including armored cars.

The second phase of the fighting took place on September 4-6 on the main line of defense of the Polish army. Here the battle broke out in the Piotrków area. We have already talked about it in the previous issue of our magazine. Let us only note that it was then in the area of ​​the village of Ezhów that the first tank battle Second World War.

In this largest such battle (for the Poles), the Polish tank crews failed to significantly strengthen the defense of their troops, but their brave actions delayed the German advance, facilitating the evacuation of Piotrkow without too many losses. The battalion destroyed, according to Polish data, about 15 armored units, but ceased to exist as a single unit. Its losses can be estimated at 13 tanks, mainly from German anti-tank artillery fire. In battle with the Germans light tanks Pz.ll, the better armed light Polish 7TP, could count on success.

September 10-13 Polish troops tried to stabilize the front west of Warsaw with counterattacks. This led, in particular, to a counter-battle on the Bzura River, the left tributary of the Vistula River. The 62nd and 71st armored divisions (by state - 13 tankettes and seven armored vehicles in each) and the 31st and 71st separate companies took part in this battle reconnaissance tanks(by state – 13 wedges). They fought eleven battles with enemy troops.

On September 10, in the battle of Vartkovits, the 62nd Division lost several tankettes and armored vehicles. On the 11th, near the village of Orlya, the division supported the attack of the Pomeranian cavalry brigade, losing two tankettes. The 12th Division supported the attack of the 14th Infantry Regiment and inflicted significant damage on the reconnaissance detachment of the German 221st Infantry Division. The division's actions were assessed as successful.

Battle of the 2nd Tank Battalion during the Battle of Piotrkow

Polish light tank 7TR

On September 10, the 31st separate para of reconnaissance tanks south of Łęczyca had some success in minor skirmishes with the enemy. Prisoners were captured. On the 12th the company was mistakenly subjected to friendly fire. On the 13th she was the last to leave Łęčica. Her actions were also assessed as successful.

The 71st Armored Division, which was part of the Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade, participated in the reconnaissance search and attacked the German convoy. On the 11th, the division saved an artillery battery from destruction, repelling the onslaught of the Germans. On the 12th, the division supported the Polish infantry counterattack on the village of Glowno. Having stumbled upon a German anti-tank battery, I lost one tankette. He then retreated with his cavalry brigade. The Poles lost the battle on the Bzura River, but the actions of the weak Polish armored units deserved positive assessment.

It is surprising that the Germans often allocated small forward detachments without proper support. Were they reconnaissance groups on armored cars and armored personnel carriers, or head marching outposts. But the reconnaissance was carried out unsatisfactorily: often clashes with the Poles were unexpected for the Germans. Artillery batteries and convoys also often found themselves without proper security. Weak units of Polish tanks, wedges and even armored cars achieved noticeable success. Of course, these were minor battles that could not significantly affect the general situation at the front, but they undoubtedly had moral significance.

Vickers tank of the Polish army

The 62nd and 71st armored divisions, the 71st, 72nd, 81st, 82nd separate companies of reconnaissance tanks and two armored trains took part in these battles. These forces fought six battles in the areas of Braki, Sochaczw, Brochow, Gurki...

On September 14, the 72nd, 81st and 82nd separate companies of reconnaissance tanks, together with infantry in the Braki area, stopped the advance of the 74th German infantry regiment with a counterattack. The tankettes of these three companies bypassed the Germans from the flank and went to their rear. Lacking artillery support, they suffered heavy losses (at least eight vehicles), but caused disruption in the ranks of the 74th Regiment.

On October 16, tankettes of the 71st separate company of reconnaissance tanks near the village of Yasenets met with tanks of the 2nd tank regiment of the 1st tank division Germans, bypassed them, created a threat to the division headquarters, but, having suffered losses, retreated.

On September 17, near Brochow, the remaining combat vehicles of the 62nd armored division, the 71st, 72nd, 81st and 82nd separate companies of reconnaissance tanks were abandoned or destroyed due to damage, lack of fuel and ammunition. A little further, at Gurka, the 62nd armored division found its end. Only the last vehicles of the 71st armored division reached Warsaw with fighting.

On September 17, the pincers of the German battle closed in the Brest-nad-Bug area. The Polish units retreating to the east (or their remnants) gathered into the so-called operational group of General Tadeusz Piskor (1889-1951).

It included, in particular, the Warsaw Armored Motorized Brigade (W.B.P.-M.), which gathered under its command all the remnants of Polish armored units. These were the 1st tank battalion, 11th and 33rd armored divisions, 61st, 62nd separate companies of reconnaissance tanks and others. There are about 150 armored units in total.

Battle of Tomaszow-Lubelski

Armored car mod. 1934

Piskor's group tried to escape from the encirclement to the east in the direction of Lvov. It was necessary to break through through the town of Gomaszow-Lubelski, a junction of roads. A breakthrough detachment was formed under the command of Major Kazimierz Majewski from the remnants of the 1st tank battalion, the 11th and 33rd armored divisions and 15 tankettes of the 61st and 62nd th separate companies of reconnaissance tanks.Infantry support was provided by the first regiment of the Warsaw Brigade (regiment of “mounted riflemen”).

On the 18th, at dawn, Mayevsky’s detachment attacked German positions west of Tomashov. On the right flank of the detachment, the attack was carried out by 22 7TR tanks from the 1st tank battalion and a tankette. Having lost only one tank, the Poles crushed the Germans, took the village of Paseki and moved, breaking away from their infantry, towards Tomashov. Having met German light tanks, we drove them back and entered the outskirts of the city. The tankettes of the 33rd armored division, providing the right flank of Mayevsky's detachment, also reached the city. But then the situation changed. The Poles were flanked by German tanks from the area of ​​the village of Jezerna, threatening to cut them off from their infantry. I had to urgently go back. But in this battle, Polish tank crews destroyed six tanks, four armored cars, eight trucks, five anti-tank guns, freed a group of Polish prisoners, and in turn captured about 40 German prisoners.

German tanks were part of the 4th Tank Regiment (very weakened by previous losses) and the 2nd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Tank Regiment of the 2nd Panzer Division. Tanks of the 4th Tank Regiment hit the village of Paseki, and the 3rd Regiment hit Tomashov. During the retreat, two platoons of 7TR tanks knocked out four German tanks, losing one destroyed and seven of their own abandoned.

The remaining Polish tanks and tankettes of the 33rd armored division knocked out two German tanks with fire from the village of Roguzhno.

Attacks by Polish tanks and wedges in the center and left flank of the group were unsuccessful. In the evening, all Polish vehicles retreated behind their infantry positions.

On this day, according to Polish data, up to 20 enemy armored units were destroyed. The Warsaw brigade lost more than half of its combat vehicles. The forces were too unequal, and no amount of courage of the Polish tank crews helped. But the dashing attack on Tomaszow was still reckless and poorly coordinated.

On the 19th in the ranks of the W.B.P.-M. There were seven 7TR tanks left, one Vickers and four wedges. During the day combat activity calmed down, the Poles were preparing for a night breakthrough.

The attack began in the dark. The Germans met her with an avalanche of fire. Five tanks immediately caught fire, the remaining three retreated, followed by the Polish infantry. Only 7TP survived. At dawn on September 20, the Polish attack finally fizzled out. Couldn't get through.

At 10:20 a.m. General Piskor informed the Germans that he had agreed to surrender.

The Poles destroyed all remaining armored units. Only isolated small groups of foot tankers emerged from the encirclement to the areas of Warsaw and Lvov.

The Polish army had two motorized formations that included armored vehicles. This is the 10th Motorized Cavalry and Warsaw Armored Motorized (W.B.P.-M.) Brigade.

The 10th Cavalry Brigade was part of the Krakow Army. In the first days of the war, the 10th Cavalry Brigade led defensive battles in the south of Polynya. On September 6, near Vishnich, it held back the advance of the 2nd Tank, 3rd Mountain Infantry and 4th Light Divisions of the Germans. By evening, the brigade commander, Colonel Stanislaw Maczek (future commander of the 1st Polish Tank Division in the west), reported that the brigade had suffered up to 80% losses in equipment. Apparently, this applied not so much and not only to armored vehicles, since the brigade units suffered the greatest losses in them on September 8th. Basically they were surrounded. Only the 101st company of reconnaissance tanks remained with the brigade. On September 16 and 17, the brigade made its way to Lvov. On the 18th she received an order from the command to go to the Romanian border. It was joined by several tanks from the 21st Tank Battalion. On the 19th, a brigade of 100 officers and 2,000 soldiers crossed the border. She had with her an R35 tank and four wedges.

The Warsaw brigade was in the reserve of the High Command. The brigade defended on September 1-11 on the Vistula River. On the 12th she fought near Annopol and, finally, on September 19 she fought near Tomaszow-Lubelski. By this moment, several combat units, or rather their remnants, had joined it. Under the command of Major Stefan Majewski, they formed perhaps the largest group of Polish armored vehicles. On the 20th, the brigade, together with other units of the Polish army, capitulated.

There is no need to cover in more detail the activities of both brigades, if only because these were far from armored formations. We will trace the fate of the companies and squadrons included in them. At the same time, we would like to draw attention to the fact that Polish sources, when mentioning clashes of their armored units, talk about German armored detachments or patrols, in Polish oddzial pancerny. It is not indicated here whether they included tanks or only armored vehicles. Tank in Polish is czolg, and it seems unlikely to us that tankettes, armed only with a machine gun, could successfully fight the Pz.II light tanks, which were then the most popular in the German army.

Wedge heel TK-3

Review of 7TR tanks in Warsaw

1st battalion of light tanks.

On September 4, the battalion organized a patrol in the vicinity of Przhedbot, and on the 6th its tanks met the enemy. On the 8th he took part in the battles on the Dzhevichka River. Here the 1st and 2nd companies destroyed several enemy seagulls, but they themselves suffered considerable losses, not only in battle, but also during a rather disorderly retreat. The battalion scattered. His small units fought in the Glowaczow region, as well as on the Vistula, where they lost most of their vehicles. After the battle, twenty tanks survived and managed to escape beyond the Vistula.

On September 15, the remnants of the battalion became part of the W.B.P.-M. and on the 17th they repulsed attacks by German tanks near Yuzefov. On the first day of the battle at Tomashov-Lyubelsky, the detachment was successful, inflicting losses on the enemy, capturing prisoners and driving the Germans out of the outskirts of the city. Counterattacks the next day and the final attack on the night of the 20th led to the loss of almost all tanks. On the 20th, together with General Piskor's group, the battalion capitulated.

2nd Light Tank Battalion

On September 1, the battalion became part of the operational group "Pstrkow" and on September 4, two of its companies successfully fought on the Prudka River. On the 5th, the entire battalion fought at Piotrkow and was essentially dismembered. Only part of the 3rd company left the battle. Due to the lack of fuel, the crews abandoned their tanks. The assembled 20 tanks, under the leadership of the commander of the 2nd company, retreated through Warsaw to Brest-nad-Bug. There, from the remnants of the battalion, a company was formed, which fought German tanks near Wlodawa on September 15 and 16. On the 17th the order was received to go to the Romanian border, but the tanks were unable to move. And only the personnel crossed the Hungarian border.

21st Light Tank Battalion

Mobilized on September 7 in Lutsk and entered the reserve of the Supreme High Command. It consisted of 45 Renault R35 tanks. The battalion was sent to reinforce the Malopolska army and on the 14th arrived in Dubno, where it was loaded onto railway platforms, the train only reached Radzivilov. On September 18, 34 tanks of the battalion crossed the Romanian border. From the remnants of the battalion, a half-company was organized on September 14, which became part of the Dubno group on the 19th. On the 22nd, Strumilova fought in the Kamenka area, knocking out several German combat vehicles, but she also suffered losses. Then it moved north and ceased to exist on the 25th.

12th light tank company

Mobilized on August 27, 1939 with 16 Vickers E tanks and intended for W.B.P.-M. At first it was in its reserve and took its first battle on September 13 near Annopol. Her attack was repulsed. In the battle near Tomaszow-Lubelski on September 18, only half of the company, at the cost of heavy losses, was able to help its infantry and repel the attack of German tanks. The night attack on the 19th ended with the loss of all tanks.

111th light tank company

Consisting of 15 Renault tanks, the FT was mobilized on September 6, 1939 and was in the reserve of the Supreme High Command (SHC). Suffered losses from attacks by German aircraft. On the 12th the company fought the Germans, losing several tanks. When retreating to the south, due to the lack of fuel, the tanks were abandoned.

112th company of light tanks.

Mobilized on September 6, 1939 as part of 15 Renault FT tanks and was in the reserve of the Supreme High Command. The company arrived in Brest-nad-Bug, where on September 14 it took part in the battle with German tanks of G. Guderian, literally blocking the gates to the Brest Fortress with its tanks. On the 15th, the company's tanks fired from camouflaged positions. On the 16th the garrison left the fortress. The tankers were unable to remove their vehicles and left them in the fortress.

113th light tank company.

Mobilized on September 6, 1939 as part of 15 Renault FT and was in the reserve of the Supreme High Command. Just like the 112th company ended up in Brest and on the 14th, in battles with German sneakers, it lost all its vehicles.

121st company of light tanks.

It was mobilized on August 15 in Zhurawice as part of 16 Vickers E tanks and was intended for the 10th Motorized Brigade, which became part of the Krakow Army.

Together with the brigade, she moved to the Khabówka area and on September 3 twice repelled enemy attacks near Krzeczów. The 4th ensured local success for the infantry near Kasina Wielka.

On 5 and 6 September the company took part in counterattacks in the area of ​​Dobrzyc and Wisnjic. When the brigade retreated, the tanks found themselves without fuel, and having received it, on their own initiative they took the battle at Kolbuszova, suffering heavy losses.

After withdrawing from the San River, the company fell into the hands of the Boruta task force. The remnants of the company took their last battle near Oleshitsy together with the 21st infantry division. The division and the remnants of the company capitulated on September 16.

1st Light Tank Company of the Warsaw Defense Command (KOW).

Formed on September 4th as part of 11 double-turret 7TR tanks. The company had been in battle since September 8 near Warsaw.

On the 12th, the company took part in the attack on Okeiche, drove the Germans out of the airfield, and then ensured the withdrawal of its infantry. After suffering in this battle heavy losses, its remaining tanks were transferred to the 2nd KOV light tank company.

The 2nd company of KOV light tanks was formed on September 5th, consisting of 11 7TR tanks of the latest series. Went into battle on the 9th. On the 10th she supported a counterattack of her infantry on Wola (Warsaw area), and in the evening of the same day she destroyed and captured several German tanks. In the battle at Okecza on the 12th, the company suffered heavy losses. The combined detachment of both companies of the 18th lost many of their vehicles in a battle with German tanks. The last counterattack took place on September 26. During the surrender of Warsaw on September 27, only non-combat-ready vehicles fell into the hands of the Germans.

Broken light tank 7TR

Polish armored tires

11th armored division.

Mobilized on August 25 for the Masovian Cavalry Brigade consisting of 13 TK-3 tankettes and eight armored vehicles mod. 1929. On the very first day of the war, the division was able to destroy a German patrol in armored vehicles. The next day, the armored division suffered heavy losses in a counterattack.

On September 4, he destroyed several German armored vehicles. When withdrawing from the Minsk Mazowiecki area on September 13, the division near Seroczyn took part in a battle with the advance detachment tank brigade"Kempf". The 62nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks took part in this battle, which later became part of the division.

The 14th division, together with tankers of the 1st tank battalion, provided the rear of the Lublin army. The remnants of the 1st Battalion were also attached to the division.

On September 16, the last armored vehicles had to be destroyed because they could not continue moving.

On September 18, in the battle of Tomashov-Lubelsky, the division's tankettes attacked German positions with heavy losses. The next day, all the group's slippers and wedges were lost.

21st armored division.

Mobilized on August 15 as part of 13 TKS tankettes and eight armored vehicles mod. 34-P for the Volyn Cavalry Brigade, which became part of the Lodz Army. He received his baptism of fire on September 1 in the battle of the brigade near Mokra. The division's losses were considerable. The next day, near the Islands, the division tried to hold back the advance of German tanks. On the 4th near Widawka, on the 6th south of Lodz and near Cyrusowa Wola, he lost almost all his vehicles in battles. On the 14th he was withdrawn to the rear to Lutsk, where a motorized reconnaissance detachment was assembled from its remnants. On September 18, personnel without combat vehicles crossed the border of Hungary.

31st armored division.

Mobilized on August 21 in the same composition as the 21st Division, it became part of the Suwalki Cavalry Brigade. On September 10, as part of a brigade near Csrvony Bor, he pushed the Germans back several kilometers. On the 11th, near Zambrovo, he suffered heavy losses. During the withdrawal, due to the lack of fuel, on September 15, all the vehicles had to be destroyed. Personnel division on foot reached Volkovysk, where he surrendered Soviet troops.

32nd armored division.

Mobilized on August 15, 1939 for the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade (13 TKS tankettes and eight armored vehicles model 34-I) The division took part in the battle on September 4, supporting the brigade’s attack on the territory East Prussia in the Gelepburg area. The 8th-9th division supported the infantry in attempts to repel the Germans and occupy Mazowiecki Island. On the 11th a platoon of tankettes was lost at Zambrovs. On the 12th, near Chizhov, a German motorized patrol was repulsed at the cost of heavy losses. On the 13th, the division tried to break through to the bridge on the Men River, but was unsuccessful. The ford crossing led to large losses of equipment. The lack of fuel forced them to abandon their combat vehicles.

On September 20, the division's personnel took part in the defense of Grodno, and on September 24 moved to the territory of Lithuania.

33rd armored division.

Formed on August 25 for the Vilna Cavalry Brigade consisting of 13 TKS tankettes and eight armored vehicles mod. 34-P. At first he ensured the withdrawal of the cavalry brigade, and then went beyond the Vistula, having minor skirmishes with the enemy. On September 13 he arrived near Lublin and on the 15th he became part of the tank group of Major S. Mayevsky. On the 17th he ensured the withdrawal of W.B.P.-M. In the battles of Tomaszow-Lubelski on September 18, the division's tanks operated on the flank of the attacking Polish units, and armored vehicles guarded the rear. On September 19, supporting infantry attacks, tankettes reached the outskirts of the city. Deprived of fuel, they served as fixed firing points.

51st armored division.

Mobilized on August 25 of the Krakow Cavalry Brigade of the Krakow Army (13 TKS tankettes and eight armored vehicles model 34-11). From the very first day he carried out restraining actions and suffered significant losses from air attacks.

On September 3, he captured a German armored car and destroyed several more. Then he lost contact with the brigade and on the 5th entered into battle with the Germans, repelling captured Polish guns. On the 7th he became part of the operational group of General Skvarchinsky and on September 8, near Ilzha, caused significant losses to the enemy, but he himself suffered. The next day, while trying to break out of encirclement, I lost all my combat vehicles.

61st armored division.

Mobilized on August 28 for the Kresowa Cavalry Brigade of the Lodz Army. Composition: 13 TKS tankettes and eight armored vehicles mod. 34-II.

On September 4, his armored vehicles drove back enemy patrols, and on the 7th, near the village of Panashev, they unexpectedly attacked the headquarters of the German division. But then we had to abandon most of the armored vehicles due to lack of fuel. On the 11th, tankettes of the division carried out security near Radzyne and on the 21st, near Komorow, they had a battle with a German tank detachment. On the 22nd, during the counterattack of the 1st Infantry Division on Tarnavatka, the division suffered heavy losses. The division laid down its arms, but the division left and on September 25, at the crossing of the Wieprz River, it left its last vehicles.

62nd armored division.

Mobilized for the Podolsk Cavalry Brigade of the Poznan Army. The armament is the same as in the 61st division.

In the first phase of the battle on Bzura on September 9, the division supported the attack of the brigade, and the next day lost several combat vehicles in the battle of Wartkowice. On the 11th he took part in attacks in the Pazhsnchsva area. On September 16, in the battle of Kernozi, all the tankettes of the 2nd platoon were lost, and on the same day, when crossing the Bzura, both tankettes and armored vehicles had to be abandoned due to lack of fuel.

71st armored division.

Mobilized on August 25 for the Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade of the Army "Poznan" and had 13 TK-3 (of which four with a 20-mm cannon) and eight armored vehicles mod. 1934.

In battle from September 1 - supported the cavalry brigade and infantry in the battles of Ravich and Kachkovo. The 2nd Division even invaded German territory in the Rawicz area. On the 7th the division held back the enemy's advance towards Łęczyca, and on the 9th its armored vehicles fought near Łowicz. 10th - an enemy column near Belyavi was defeated. On September 11th, a decisive and bold attack by tankettes made it possible to withdraw from the battle artillery battery. An attempted counterattack on the 13th failed, but the division was successful the next day.

The armored vehicles had to be abandoned when crossing the Bzura, but the tankettes reached the Kampinovskaya Pushcha, and on the 18th, near Pochekha, several German combat vehicles were destroyed. On the 19th the last battle took place at Sierakow. On September 20, the only tankette of the division reached Warsaw.

81st armored division.

Mobilized on August 25 for the Pomeranian Cavalry Division of the Army “We will help. The armament is the same as in the 71st division.

On September 1, during an enemy attack on the brigade, the division counterattacked. Then, at the cost of heavy losses, he helped the brigade escape from encirclement. On September 5, the division was on patrol in the area of ​​​​the city of Torun. Due to the great wear and tear of the old tankettes and armored vehicles, the division had to be sent to the rear on the 7th. On the 13th in Lutsk, a mixed detachment was formed from serviceable vehicles, which on September 15, near Grubeshov, defeated a German patrol, capturing prisoners. On September 18, the detachment crossed the Hungarian border.

91st armored division.

Mobilized on March 25, 1939 for the Novogrudok Cavalry Brigade, which became part of the Modlin Army. Composition: 13 TK-3 tankettes, eight armored vehicles mod. 1934.

On September 3, together with the brigade, he took part in the attack at Dzyaldow, inflicting losses on the enemy. After the brigade's withdrawal, the division on the 12th participated in the attempt to eliminate the German bridgehead on the Vistula against Góra Kalwaria. On the 13th, the division's tankettes knocked out a German detachment from Sennitsa. During the retreat to Lublin, many combat vehicles were lost for technical reasons. On September 22, the division supported the attack of “its” brigade at Tomashov-Lyubelsky, losing several tankettes. On the same day, the remnants of the division joined the so-called armored motorized group.

On September 27, the division fought its last battle in the Sambir area. At the same time, the personnel were mostly captured by Soviet troops.

R35 tank of the Polish army

11th reconnaissance tank company

mobilized 26 August 1939 for W.B.P.-M. consisting of 13 TKS tankettes (four of them with a 20-mm cannon). She joined the brigade on August 31 and both platoons, one at a time, were assigned to the brigade’s rifle regiments.

The company fought its first battle near Annopolsm on September 1 with heavy losses from German anti-tank gun fire. On September 18, it supported the infantry attack on Tomaszow-Lubelski. The remnants of the company capitulated with the brigade on September 20.

The 31st Separate Reconnaissance Tank Company (ORRT) was mobilized on August 25 and with its 13 TKS tankettes became part of the Poznań Army. On September 3, it was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division to ensure the division's withdrawal.

The first battle with the Germans took place near the city of Turek, where the company dispersed the German patrol, capturing prisoners. In the battle over Bzura on the 10th, near Soltsa, Malaya defeated a group of German sappers. On the 18th, in Pushcha Kampinosskaya, the company lost almost all of its vehicles in battle. The remaining tankettes arrived in Warsaw on September 20 and took part in its defense.

The 32nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25, 1939 (13 TKS tankettes) and was assigned to the Army of Lodz.

On September 5, she took part in an attempt to liquidate the German bridgehead on the Warta River, losing half of her vehicles. During the retreat on September 8, in a battle with the Germans, she lost several more tankettes. The remaining vehicles on September 11 became part of the 91st ORRT.

The 41st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25 (13 TK-3 tankettes) and was assigned to the Lodz Army.

In the ranks of the 30th Infantry Division, from the very first days she fought on the left bank of the Warta. On September 5, during a counterattack, she inflicted losses on the enemy. In the battles, Iodine Girardov lost almost all of her wedges on September 13. It was not possible to break out of the encirclement, and the company was captured.

The 42nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25, consisting of 13 TK-3 tankettes for the Lodz army. It was attached to the Kresova Cavalry Brigade and on September 4 supported its defense at the crossings of the Varga. After the battle of the 7th near Aleksandrowa Lodzki lost all of her vehicles except one, which was lost near Garwolin on September 11th.

The 51st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25th, consisting of 13 TK-3 tankettes and became part of the Krakow army.

Already on September 1st she fought together with the 21st Infantry Division. On the 5th she fought in the Bochnia area with a German patrol. During the retreat, for technical reasons, she lost almost all of her wedges. On September 8, the remnants of the company became part of the 101st company from the 10th cavalry brigade.

The 52nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25 for the Krakow Army and was armed with 13 TK-3 tankettes.

Already on September 1, 1939, at Mikolov, the company repelled the German reconnaissance patrol. 2nd - supported the infantry counterattack. 3rd – attacked a group of German cyclists. On the 8th - she helped drive the Germans out of Papanov, which they occupied. On the 13th, the company suffered heavy losses in a battle with a German armored train near Koprzywnica. When crossing the Vistula on September 14, she lost her last tankettes. Personnel joined W.B.P.-M.

The 61st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 30, 1939 (13 TK-3 tankettes) for the Krakow army.

On September 3, the company supported a successful counterattack by the 1st Mountain Brigade. On September 4-6, the company was in battles between Raba and Stradomka. On the 7th, while supporting the counterattack at Radlov, it was scattered, losing a lot of equipment. On the 14th, heavy losses again in the Cheshanov area. On September 17, the remnants of the company joined the W.B.P.-M.

The 62nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 29 for the Modlin army as part of 13 TKS. Was assigned to the 20th Infantry Division. On September 2-4 she supported her counterattacks near Mlawa. Then, during the retreat, on the 13th she united with the 11th armored division and took part in the battle near Serochin. She finished her combat journey on September 20 together with W.B.P.-M. near Tomaszow-Lubelski.

The 63rd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 29, 1939 and, with its 13 TKS tankettes, was placed at the disposal of the Modlin Army.

Together with the 8th Infantry Division, she attacked the village of Shchspanki near Grudsk, then covered the withdrawal of the 21st Infantry Division to Modlin. 12th – reconnaissance raid in the Kazun region. Then she found herself surrounded by the Modlin fortress, where she capitulated on September 29.

The 71st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25 (13 TK-3 tankettes) for the Poznan army. This was the most “western” part of the Polish armored vehicles.

Already on September 1 in battle with German patrols. In the battle on Bzura it was subordinated to the 17th ID and on the 8th it lost several vehicles in an unsuccessful attack. On the 9th, her actions against the Germans were more successful (they even captured prisoners). The most successful day was the 10th, when in the Pentek area the company destroyed a German artillery battery. On September 15, the company repelled an attack by German tanks. But the next day it suffered heavy losses in people and equipment. And already without their wedges, her soldiers took part in the defense of Warsaw.

The 72nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25th, consisting of 13 TK-3 tankettes for the Poznan Army.

On September 4, together with the 26th Infantry Division, the company defended the crossing of the Notech River in the Nakly area. On the 16th, together with a combined group of tanks, she fought in the area of ​​the Braki estate. During the further retreat, she lost a lot of equipment, but still reached Warsaw and took part in its defense.

The 81st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25 (13 TK-3 tankettes) for the Help Army.

On September 2, her tankettes, although at the cost of heavy losses, ensured the local success of the Poles near Lake Melio. Then - the retreat and battle on the 16th at the Braki estate together with the 72nd ORRT. On September 18, having lost all equipment in the area of ​​lower Bzura, the company was captured.

The 82nd separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 25 (13 TK-3 tankettes) for the Poznan army. And on September 16 she took part in the battle near the Braki estate. On the 17th, attacked by enemy tanks, it was defeated and ceased to exist as combat unit. The next day, due to lack of fuel, the remaining vehicles had to be destroyed.

The 91st separate company of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 26 for the Lodz Army, consisting of 13 TK-3 tankettes.

On the very first day of the war, in the sector of the 10th Infantry Division, the company scattered a German patrol, capturing prisoners and valuable documents. On September 5, the company took part in battles against the German bridgehead on the Warga River near Sieradz, on the 7th - at the crossing of the Hep River and on the 10th - against the German bridgehead on the Vistula. The company included the remnants of the 32nd ORRT and all together on September 13 became part of the reconnaissance tank company of the Warsaw Defense Command.

The 101st reconnaissance tank company was formed on September 13, 1939 for the 10th Cavalry Brigade, which became part of the Krakow Army. The company had 13 TK-3 tankettes, four of them armed with a 20-mm cannon.

The first battle was on September 2 at Yordanov. On the 6th, the company fought at Visnjic and covered the brigade's retreat. On the same day, the remnants of the 51st ORRT joined the company. Greatest success the company had on the 9th, when in the Rzeszow area it repulsed an enemy attack. Then the battles of the 11th and 12th near Yavorov. On the 13th, the company was joined by the remnants of the brigade squadron of reconnaissance tanks. The last battles of the 10th Cavalry Brigade and 101st Company were fought on the 15th and 16th while trying to break through to Lvov. When the brigade crossed the Hungarian border on September 19, there were still four tankettes left in the horn.

Squadron of reconnaissance tanks (ERT) of the 10th Cavalry Brigade. Mobilized on 10 August 1939 as part of 13 TKF tankettes, four of which were armed with a 20 mm cannon.

Broken TKS wedge from the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade

The first battle with German armored units took place on September 5 in the Dobchits area. During the retreat, the squadron lost contact with its brigade, which it connected with only on September 13 near Zholkiev and became part of the 101st company of reconnaissance tanks.

A squadron of reconnaissance tanks was mobilized on August 26 for W.B.P.-M., having 13 TKS tankettes, four of them with a 20-mm cannon.

Since the beginning of the war, the squadron has been in patrol service. On September 8, he took part in an attack in the Solts area. In the battle near Lipsk he suffered heavy losses. On the 17th he fought with a German armored train near Sukhovolya. On September 18, its remnants became part of the 101st company.

A company of reconnaissance tanks of the Warsaw Defense Command was formed on September 3, consisting of 11 TK-3 tankettes.

In combat since September 7. On the 8th, Rashin suffered heavy losses. On the 13th it was replenished with the remnants of the 32nd and 91st ORRT. Defended Warsaw in the Wola region. The last battle took place on September 26 at the Warsaw Tovarnaya station. On September 27, the company capitulated along with the Warsaw garrison.

Maps and photos taken from the book “POLSKA BRON PANCERNA. 1939", Warszawa 1982

Poland - state and tactics of armored forces

By the time the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, the Polish army had 169 7TR tanks, 38 Vickers 6-ton tanks, 67 Renault FT-17 light tanks left over from the First World War, 53 Renault R- light tanks 35 (which were transferred to Romania without taking part in the battles), approximately 650 TK/TKS tankettes and about 100 various armored vehicles. It is clear that this modest force had no chance of defeating the Germans, armed with more than 3,000 tanks; As a result, most of the Polish armored vehicles were very quickly destroyed, and what survived fell into the hands of the Germans.
A significant role in the rapid defeat of the Polish armored forces was also played by the fact that in battles the Poles used their tanks according to the French model. They distributed all available armored forces among infantry and cavalry units, reducing their importance to exclusively tactical - that is, supporting infantry and cavalry on the battlefield. There was no talk of any tank units larger than a battalion in the Polish army (as well as in the French). Thus, in the use of tanks on the battlefield, the Poles could not match the Germans, who used powerful “armored fists,” however, the equipment that was in service with the Polish army could only be used for a similar purpose. So the Polish Army tried to use the available armored forces with the highest possible efficiency for their then state.

Polish armored vehicles

Like most troops of other countries, the Polish army for a long time used foreign tanks. The first tanks appeared among the Poles back in 1919 - these were the French Renault FT-17, which proved themselves to be excellent during the First World War. They formed the basis of the Polish tank forces until 1931, until the need arose to replace these outdated vehicles.
In 1930, the Polish delegation signed a contract with Great Britain for the supply of 50 Vickers Mk.E tanks ("Vickers 6-ton"). The tank impressed the Poles positive impression, but it had a number of disadvantages - thin armor, weak armament, consisting only of machine guns, and an unreliable engine. In addition, the tanks were very expensive: the cost of one Mk.E was 180,000 zlotys. In this regard, in 1931, the Polish government decided to develop its own tank based on it. This is how the most successful one appeared fighting machine Polish army - light tank 7TR.

Light tank Renault FT-17

The French tank Renault FT-17 was the most popular tank of the 1st World War and, in addition, the most combative. He performed well in battles and was extremely popular. That is why this tank was widely used in the armies of the world - the military of both European and Asian countries willingly purchased it. Polish Renault FT-17 tanks appeared in service with Pilsudski's legionnaires in 1919 and were used in the Soviet-Polish war of 1920. But by 1939, the famous “French” were hopelessly outdated: suffice it to say that the maximum possible speed of movement did not even reach 10 km/h! There was no need to talk about the combat effectiveness of such tanks in the new conditions, and the Poles did not even try to produce them.
The tank had a simple hull, assembled on a frame made of metal corners. The chassis consisted of four bogies - one with three and two with two small-diameter rollers on board. Suspension - on leaf springs. The drive wheel was located at the rear, and the guide wheel at the front. The tank was equipped with a Renault carburetor engine (35 hp). Speed ​​- up to 7.7 km/h. The armament, housed in a rotating turret, consisted of a 37 mm cannon or machine gun. The crew consisted of only 2 people. The thickness of the vertically located armor parts is 18 millimeters, and the roof and bottom are 8 millimeters. Combat weight 6.5 t.

Vickers Mk.E

The Vickers Mk.E, also commonly known as the Vickers Six Ton, was a British light tank from the 1930s. Created by Vickers-Armstrong in 1930. It was offered to the British Army, but was rejected by the military, so almost all tanks produced were intended for export. In 1931-1939, 153 Vickers Mk.E tanks were produced. In many countries that purchased this tank, it served as the basis for their own developments, the production of which was sometimes many times greater than the production of the base vehicle. In particular, 38 Vickers Mk.E tanks were used in the Polish Army against German army(according to the contract, the Poles were supposed to receive 50 of these vehicles, but 12 of them never arrived in Poland).

Combat weight, t 7
Layout: double-tower
Crew, people 3
Case length, mm 4560
Case width, mm 2284
Height, mm 2057
Ground clearance, mm 380
Booking
Body forehead, mm/deg. 5-13
Hull side, mm/deg. 5-13
Hull feed, mm/deg. 8
Armament
Machine guns 2 × 7.92 mm Browning
Engine power, l. With. 91.5
Highway speed, km/h 37
Cruising range on the highway, km 120

Light tank 7TR

7TR was built from 1935 to 1939. The first model had two turrets, each with a machine gun. The thickness of the hull was increased to 17 mm, and the turret to 15 mm. On March 18, 1935, the Ursus plant received an order for 22 double-turret tanks armed with 7.62 mm Browning machine guns. Instead of the English Armstrong-Siddley carburetor engine, a Saurer diesel engine with a power of 111 hp was used as a power plant. With. In this regard, it was necessary to change the design of the hull above the power compartment. The next model had one Swedish-made turret with a 37 mm Bofors cannon and a 7.92 mm machine gun. It was these single-turret 7TPs that became the most successful tanks of the Polish armed forces.
The crew of the 7TR tank consisted of 3 people. The driver was located in the front of the hull on the right, the commander was in the turret on the right, and the gunner was in the turret on the left. Observation devices were simple and few in number. The sides of the towers had two viewing slits protected by armored glass, and telescopic sights were installed next to the machine guns. The driver only had a front double-leaf hatch, in which an inspection slot was also cut out. Periscope devices were not installed on double-turret tanks.
The Swedish 37-mm Bofors cannon, mounted on the single-turret 7TR, had high combat qualities for its time and was capable of hitting almost any tank. At a distance of up to 300 meters, an armor-piercing projectile penetrated armor up to 60 mm thick, up to 500 meters - 48 mm, up to 1000 meters - 30 mm, up to 2000 meters - 20 mm. Armor-piercing projectile weighed 700 grams and developed an initial speed of 810 m/s. The practical range was 7100 meters, the rate of fire was 10 rounds per minute.

Combat weight, t 11
Crew, people 3
Length 4990
Width 2410
Height 2160
Armor, mm: up to 40
Speed ​​(on highway), km/h 32
Cruising range (on highway), km/h 160
Wall height, m ​​0.61
Ditch width, m 1.82

Wedge heel TKS

TK (TK-3) and TKS - Polish wedge (small reconnaissance turretless tank) from the Second World War. Developed on the basis of the British Carden Loyd wedge chassis. The TK was produced starting in 1931. In 1939, the tankette began to be re-equipped with a 20 mm cannon, but before the start of the war, only 24 units managed to be modernized. TKS have also been used as armored tires.

Weight, kg: 2.4/2.6 t
Armor: 4 – 10 mm
Speed, km/h: 46/40 km/h
Engine power, hp: 40/46 l/s
Cruising range, km: 180 km
Main armament: 7.92 mm wz.25 machine gun
Length, mm: 2.6 m
Width, mm: 1.8 m
Height, mm: 1.3 m
Crew: 2 (commander, driver)

Modifications
TK (TK-3) - about 280 produced since 1931.
TKF - TK wedge with 46 hp engine. (34 watt); About 18 were produced.
TKS - improved model of 1933; About 260 units were produced.
TKS with 20 mm gun - about 24 TKS were equipped with the 20 mm gun in 1939.
C2P - unarmed light artillery tractor, approximately 200 produced.

Combat use
By the beginning of the invasion of Poland in 1939, the Polish army managed to mobilize 650 tankettes. A German tank officer captured in the early days of the war appreciated the speed and agility of the Polish wedge, saying: “... it is very difficult to hit such a small cockroach with a cannon.”
In September 1939, Polish tanker Roman Edmund Orlik, using a TKS wedge with a 20-mm gun, together with his crew, knocked out 13 German tanks (including presumably one PzKpfw IV Ausf B).

Armored car Wz.29

Samochód pancerny wz. 29 - “armored car model 1929” - Polish armored car of the 1930s. The first armored car of a completely Polish design, wz.29, was created by designer R. Gundlach on the chassis of the Ursus A truck in 1929. In 1931, the Ursus plant, which supplied the chassis, and the Warsaw Central Automobile Workshops, which supplied the armored hulls, assembled 13 armored vehicles of this type. The Wz.29 remained in Polish service until the outbreak of World War II. On September 1, 1939, the troops still had 8 units, which were actively used in the September battles, during which all were lost or destroyed by the crews in order to prevent capture by the enemy.

Combat weight, t 4.8
Crew, people 4
Number of issued, pcs 13
Dimensions
Case length, mm 5490
Case width, mm 1850
Height, mm 2475
Base, mm 3500
Track, mm 1510
Ground clearance, mm 350
Booking
Armor type: rolled steel
Body forehead, mm/deg. 6-9
Hull side, mm/deg. 6-9
Hull feed, mm/deg. 6-9
Armament
Caliber and brand of 37 mm SA 18 gun
Ammunition for gun 96
Machine guns 3 × 7.92 mm "Hotchkiss"
Ammunition for machine guns 4032
Engine type: in-line 4-cylinder carburetor liquid-cooled Ursus 2A
Engine power, hp 35
Wheel formula 4 × 2
Highway speed, km/h 35
Cruising range on the highway, km 380
Climbability, degrees. 10
Fordability, m 0.35

Not long ago, information surfaced about the second tank of the Polish tree. Let us recall that the first tank of Poland was the Tier 2 tank "TKS 20.A", which the developers showed more than a year ago. Now the Tier 4 premium tank CzołgśredniB.B.T.Br.Panc has appeared in all its glory. Having two Polish tanks in our arsenal and the developers’ response that a Polish branch might appear in our game, we decided to create our own tree, relying on our own instincts and information from the forums.

Level I - TKW

In its entire historical concept, it is a wedge, but in many sources it is still positioned as a light tank. An inconspicuous car will fit into the game just right. The armament consists of a 7.92 mm machine gun, about armor on such low levels there is no point in talking, but still numbers are numbers, from 4 to 10 mm. The maximum speed is impressive, 46 km/h with a specific power of 17-18 hp/t. The crew of this unit consisted of 2 people, because it is clear that with a width of 1.8 and a height of 1.3 m, it would be a bit cramped for three people in the car.

Level II - 4TP

An experienced light tank of the Polish army, developed before the Second World War. Should have been armed with a 20 mm automatic gun wz.38 FKA . The hull armor reaches 17 mm in the forehead and 13 mm on the sides. The tower had 13 mm all-round armor. The car reached 55 km/h on a flat road and almost the same speed on rough terrain.

Level III - 7TP

7TR is a continuation of work on the creation of tanks of the TR series, and is a kind of twin of the Soviet T-26. According to the Internet, they tried to arm it with six different guns of 40, 47 and 55 mm caliber, but ultimately installed a 37 mm gun Bofors . The turrets were also handled like gloves, since a new turret had to be made for each gun.

It is possible that if, of course, it appears in the game, this unit will have many variations of weapons and installation of towers. The armor is quite small and reaches a maximum of 17 mm. 110 hp engine Saurer will accelerate our Pole to a measly 32 km/h.

Level IV - 10TP

At first glance, it may seem that the tank is similar to the Soviet BT-7, but we assure you, this is not so. The vehicle is a practically new and customized development of a light, high-speed tank with Christie suspension. The maximum speed, as stated in many sources, is 50 km/h. Armed with the same 37mm gun Bofors , which is also on its predecessor, 7TP. For level 4, such a gun will be quite weak. Our armor plates are extremely thin; 20 mm in all projections will catch enemy land mines very well.

Level V - 14TP

Based on archival data about this tank, we can say that it will make a good firefly. 50 km/h on the highway is an excellent indicator for this device. 14TP in its concept is the same 10TP, but from historical sources it is said that the Germans found data claiming that the 10TR tank was planned to be modernized, increasing the wheelbase to 5 load-bearing wheels and strengthening the armor of the vehicle. There was no information about the gun, but information from the Poles indicates the same 37 mm gun as on the 10TR and 7TR. The thickness of the armor in the front of the tank reached 50 mm, on the sides 35, and in the rear 20 mm.

Level VI - 20TP v.2

22 tons of steel and big sizes, it is unlikely that they will give him the title of medium tank, but Internet data says so. The project for the Polish breakthrough tank consisted of several options and sketches, but we liked this one. It was planned to install either a 47 or 75 mm gun on the tank. Many will think that the car will be slow and clumsy, but archival data tells us that the tank was supposed to reach 45 km/h. The front of the hull had armor plates 50-80 mm thick, and 35-40 mm thick on the sides. For level 6, the indicators are not the best, but these are just assumptions.

To this whole tree let's add some information about the newly made Tier 4 Polish tank CzołgśredniB.B.T.Br.Panc, which is already being tested in the supertest.

The machine does not have superparameters for its level and is the simplest ST-4. The gun penetrates 63 mm of armor, causing 50 damage. Reloading will take 4.12 seconds, aiming time will be 1.73 seconds and the shooting accuracy will be 0.36 m/100m.

In terms of dynamics, our premium Pole is also at an average level. The specific power of 26 horses per ton of weight will accelerate the tank to 45 km/h. The turn in place will be carried out at a speed of 36 degrees/sec. We, like all medium tanks of the 4th level, have no armor. 50 mm in the front of the hull and turret is unlikely to save us.

In conclusion, we will say that this branch is absolutely speculative and there is no reliable information about the development of a particular tank from this branch to a certain level. We can only learn more about the tree itself from the developers. Be patient and good luck in your battles!

For everyone interested in history Polish tank building, it is known that several types of wedges and one type light tank- 7TR. However, in the 1930s, Polish designers developed armored vehicles for various purposes. Infantry support tank (9TR), wheeled-tracked tank (10TR), cruising tank (14TR), amphibious tank (4TR). But, in addition to this, in the second half of the 1930s, the Polish Armament Directorate decided to create first medium and then heavy tanks for the army. These unrealized programs will be discussed. When writing about Polish medium/heavy tanks, they often use the indices 20TR, 25TR, 40TR and others. Let us immediately make a reservation that these indices were constructed by researchers according to the 7TP (7-Tonowy Polski) type, but in reality the projects did not have such an alphanumeric designation.

A rough drawing of one of the BBT medium tank variants. Br. Panc.

Program " C zołg średni" (1937-1942).
In the mid-1930s, the command of the Polish army came to the conclusion that it was necessary to develop a medium tank for the Polish Army, which could solve not only infantry escort tasks (for which tanks 7 were intendedTPand wedgesTKS), but also as a breakthrough tank, as well as for the destruction of fortified points.

The program was adopted in 1937 under the simple name “Czołg średni" ("medium tank"). Arms Committee (KSUST) determined the initial parameters of the technical specifications, inviting the designers to focus on the project of the English medium tank A6 (Vickers 16 t.), also mentioning that a similar tank is in service with the “probable enemy” - the USSR (T-28). An additional incentive for the Polish military leadership to develop their own medium tank was intelligence information about the start of production of Nb tanks in Germany. Fz. Accordingly, Polish "Czołg średni" had to, at a minimum, correspond to the A6 and T-28 (these tanks were considered equivalent by the Poles) in terms of technical parameters, and not be inferior in strengthNb. Fz.,and ideally surpass them. Specialists from the Artillery Directorate of the Polish Army proposed using a 75mm gun of the 1897 model as the main weapon. The weight of the designed tank was initially limited to 16-20 tons, but later the limit was increased to 25 tons.

Comparison of the size of the medium tank of the KSUST project with the “probable opponents” T-28 and Nb. Fz.

The program itself was designed for 5 years - until 1942, when, according to the plan of the Polish command, the army was supposed to receive a sufficient number of serial medium tanks.

The development of the tank was entrusted to leading Polish engineering firms under the general leadership of the Armament Committee.

The first projects were ready by 1938 - these were the developments of designers who worked in the committee itself (KSUST 1 option) and the option proposed by the companyBiura Badan Technicznych Broni Panzernych ( BBT. Br. Panc.).

I version of the KSUST medium tank.

I version of the medium tankBBT. Br. Panc.

According to tactical and technical data (see table below) they were very close, except that the specialistsBBT. Br. Panc. They proposed, in addition to the option with a 75mm gun, to create a tank with a long-barreled 40mm semi-automatic gun based on anti-aircraft gun Bofors. This configuration was well suited for combating armored objects - since starting speed anti-aircraft gun shells was very high. Both projects featured 2 small machine gun turrets capable of firing at the tank's direction.

By the end of 1938, the company presented its projectDzial Silnikowy PZlzn. ( D.S. PZlzn.). This project differs significantly from others in that engineersD.S. PZlzn. (lead engineer Eduard Habich) decided not to follow exactly the instructions of the armament committee regarding tactical and technical data, but created an original concept of a medium tank based on their own developments. The fact is that this company developed “high-speed tanks” for the Polish Army on a Christie-type suspension. In 1937, an experimental tank 10 was createdTP, close in its characteristics to Soviet tanks BT-5, and in 1938 the development of a cruising tank with reinforced armor and 14TR armament began. Based on the developments under the 14TP project, the “сzołg” version was createduśredniego", presented to the weapons committee.

Compared to the 14TR project, the “medium tank” had a slightly longer hull, significantly increased armor (frontal armor 50mm for the first version and 60mm for the latter), and a powerful engine of 550 hp was supposed to be installed. or a pair of 300 hp engines, which was supposed to provide the tank with a speed of up to 45 km/h. As for weapons, instead of the initially planned installation of a 47mm anti-tank gun (as on the 14TR), it was decided to use a 75mm gun, created on the basis of an anti-aircraftWz. 1922/1924with a barrel length of 40 calibers, which also had a small recoil, which made it possible to place it in a compact turret. Such a weapon had very high armor penetration and was suitable both for fighting tanks and for destroying long-term fortifications. An expanded turret was designed for this gun, and the designers abandoned small turrets, replacing them with machine guns mounted on the front and coaxial with the gun.

The company's medium tank project D.S. PZlzn.

In fact, if this project had been implemented with the stated characteristics before 1940, then Poland would have received perhaps the most powerful medium tank in the world, with armor close to its contemporary heavy tanks. You may recall that in the USSR in 1939, tests of the A-32 tank began, which had slightly less armor and a significantly weaker 76mm gun, and german army in 1939/40 it had a medium tank Pz. IV with 15 - 30 mm armor and a short-barreled 75 mm gun.

75mm guns intended for installation in a medium tank
(both the difference in barrel length and in the magnitude of recoil are clearly visible).

At the beginning of 1939, BBT. Br. Panc. presented a new project for its tank in two versions. While maintaining the general layout, the engineers changed the purpose of the tank - it became a high-speed, specialized tank for combating armored targets. There was a refusal to use the 75mm infantry gun; instead it was proposed to use a 40mm semi-automatic or 47mm anti-tank gun. Having offered an option with a 500-horsepower gasoline engine (or a twin 300-horsepower engine), the developers expected that their tank would reach a speed of 40 km/h on the highway. At the same time, the armor (frontal part of the hull) was also increased to 50 mm. A new smaller turret for the 40mm gun and a different version of the chassis were also developed. The weight of the designed tank increased to the maximum allowed by the second edition of the Armaments Committee requirements of 25 tons.

II version of the medium tankBBT. Br. Panc. with a 47mm anti-tank gun.

II version of the medium tankBBT. Br. Panc. with a 40mm gun,
a different chassis design and a smaller turret.

However, although the projects of the companies DS PZlzn. and BBT. Br. Panc. were not rejected by the armament committee (DS PZlzn. at the beginning of 1939, funds were even allocated to create a wooden full-size mock-up), more attention was paid to the revised project by the committee's specialists (KSUST 2 option).

Based on an analysis of company proposalsBBT. Br. Panc. AndD.S. PZlzn., engineers working in the armaments committee presented a new project at the end of 1938. Having retained the basic layout (including the three-turret design), as well as the 75mm gun mod. 1897, as the main armament, they rebuilt the engine compartment and the rear part of the hull according to the example of the projectBBT. Br. Panc., and instead of a 320-horsepower diesel engine, they decided to use a pair of 300-horsepower gasoline engines, as the company’s specialists suggestedD.S. PZlzn., which made it possible to achieve the same speed parameters as those of the competitor. It was also decided to bring the project in terms of armor to 50mm (front of the hull). All this was supposed to weigh 23 tons (the projectD.S. PZlzn- 25 tons), but later the design weight was increased to 25 tons.

II version of the KSUST medium tank.

The Polish military expected to begin the test prototype tank in 1940, but the war did not allow these plans to be realized. By the beginning of the war, the company's work had progressed the mostD.S. PZlzn., which produced wooden mockup tank. According to some reports, this model was destroyed, as well as the unfinished experimental tank 14TR, when the Germans approached.

Program "Czolgciezki"(1940-1945).

In 1939, when the design of a medium tank reached the stage of producing full-size mock-ups, representatives of the Armament Committee proposed starting a program to create a heavy tank "Czolgciezki" The main parameters were: purpose - breaking through fortified lines and supporting infantry; armor providing invulnerability to anti-tank guns; maximum weight - 40 tons. The program was designed for 5 years (1940-1945).

Several heavy tank concepts are known to have been created in Poland in 1939.

One of them belongs to the Armament Committee specialists Buzhnovits, Ulrich, Grabsky and Ivanitsky, abbreviated from the first letters of their surnames, the project was called “ B. U. G. I." The authors were based on the concept of a medium tank (KSUS II option), however, the tank had to have a single turret design, frontal armor and turret armor up to 100mm and, as the main armament, a 75mm caliber infantry gun or a 100mm howitzer.

Exterior drawing of the heavy tank B.U.G.I.

The second concept of a heavy tank in 1939 belongs to E. Habich. Little is known about this tank. Khabich intended to use the same 75mm long-barreled gun in his project anti-aircraft gun, which was supposed to be installed in the project’s medium tankD.S. PZlzn. Chassis he intended to make it according to the type of blocked trolleys (3 trolleys per side), as in experienced tank his development 4TP. The reservation was supposed to be larger than that of the medium tank of the projectD.S. PZlzn., that is, the frontal armor had to exceed 60mm (sometimes there is a mention of the thickness of the frontal armor of the Khabich tank project - 80mm).

Modern reconstruction (as described) of a heavy tank designed by E. Habich.

The third project of a heavy tank was created by Professor of the Lviv Polytechnic Institute Anthony Markovsky. His work was submitted to the Armament Committee on July 22, 1939. Professor Markovsky proposed the concept of a tank, armed with a 120mm howitzer of the 1878 model and one machine gun, with very strong armor (130mm - hull front, 100mm - sides, 90mm - rear and 110mm - turret ), but low mobility (25-30 km/h when installing a 500-horsepower engine).

Between 1919 and 1920, the Polish army was in fourth place after France, England and the United States in terms of the number of tanks, with 120 Renault FT and Mk V tanks in its ranks.

The Poles quickly realized that the tanks were playing important role on the battlefield. Important, but not the main one. Captured by stereotypes, they gave primacy to the cavalry, and tanks were supposed to support it. Based on such considerations, up to, military leadership gave preference light tanks, the so-called “pursuit tanks”. To support infantry and suppress fortified firing points, they tried to create “breakthrough tanks” (cruising tanks).

After the war, Polish industry was quite high level, thanks to which at the end of the 20s its engineers managed to launch the production of tanks in a fairly short time. In 1929 An English “Carden-Loyd” Mark VI wedge was purchased. A production license from the Vickers company made it possible to create on its basis a whole series of slightly improved wedges “TK-1”, “TK-2”, “TK-3” and “TKS”.

Wedge heels “TK-3” and “TKS”, starting from 1931, were produced in series. Looking ahead, we can say that these generally quite good vehicles were not of much use - almost all of them were destroyed during the battles with the Germans, and the Wehrmacht used those that remained as ammunition transporters.

In the early 30s, Poland purchased 16 Vickers-Armstrong 6-ton Tank Mark E (Vickers-6 tons) and a license for their production. Having produced another 34 units, the designers began to improve them, and this is how “7TR” appeared, the designation read: 7-ton Polish tank. It was mass-produced in 1934-1939.

In 1935, work was actively underway to create the “10TP” with the Christie suspension system. During its tests in 1939, many shortcomings were revealed. Because of this and due to the military’s understanding of the need for heavier tanks for the army, the 10TR project was stopped in favor of the more promising 14TR tank. But the coming war mixed up all the cards.

Tanks of Poland during the Second World War

On September 1, 1939, the tank fleet of the Polish Army consisted of 867 wedges and tanks, including: 135 - "7TR", 67 - "Renault FT", 50 - "R35", 38 - "Vickers-6 tons", the rest - TK-3 and TKS.

During the Second World War, Polish factories did not produce more than one unit of armored vehicles for the needs of the Wehrmacht.

After the war, as in other Warsaw Pact countries, the basis of the Polish army was exclusively soviet armored vehicles, which, within the framework of secrecy, was mass-produced here. After the dissolution of all relations between Poland and the USSR, in order to maintain the high technical level of tanks, as well as preventing the collapse of domestic tank production, Polish engineers were forced to create their own tank. Moreover, some private research organizations have been working in this direction for a long time. The Soviet T-72 was chosen as the prototype. Since the early 90s, work began on creating the main battle tank third generation TR-91 “Tvyardy”. Currently, the tank has entered service with the Polish Army.