RAF Podcast

I came across an interesting post on Polish Forums.com that the RAF museum in London honoured the members of the Polish Air Force. This commemoration coincided with the 70th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Polish 303 Squadron from the front line. The phenomenal record of the 303 having shot down 126 enemy aircraft in 42 days was unparalleled by any other squadron during the Battle of Britain.

I missed the anniversary date by several days. Though it was on October 11th, 2010  I want to share the information with all of you now and hope that you'll pass it along.

I am a great admirer of the Polish squadrons of World War II whose pilots have become Legends for their great skill in aerial combat.  I wrote all about it in an article for my website, entitled the Kosciuszko Squadron- Battle of Britain.

But I would like to draw your attention to the news report,and links to two podcasts as well as the website of the RAF museum. It is quite astonishing to hear the British finally acknowledging that the Poles were the best pilots in the RAF - and the world!! Three cheers for the Brits!

RAF podcast tells tale of Polish pilots (length 2 min 40 sec)      source: www.thenews.pl

Museum Honours Polish Airmen Who Fought In The Battle Of Britain     source: www.rafmuseum.org.uk/

RAF Museum Podcast (length: 20 minutes)      source: www.battleofbritainbeacon.org/podcasts/ 

 

King George VI  visiting Polish Squadron at Norfolk

Polish 303 Squadron

Polish Squadron of Spitfires

Link:
Polish Greatness.com

The Myth about Polish Cavalry in World War II

It was Lenin who said “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” History can certainly attest to that, as lies, or rather the artful application of propaganda is a practice that has gone hand-in-hand with every battle or war that has ever occurred in the history of mankind. What makes propaganda so insidious is that it sometimes, but not always, incorporates a small sliver of truth amid a torrent of lies, making it all the more credible to gullible masses. World War II was fueled by such propaganda which was designed by the Nazis to undermine and exploit the weaknesses of the Allies, in particular Poland.

It is disconcerting to discover that much of the Nazi propaganda from World War II has survived to this day. What I find surprising is that otherwise intelligent individuals readily accept its precepts though they do not recognize its nature, and are unaware of its origins.

One case in point is the on-going controversy that continues to baffle and fascinate people of each generation: the myth that the Polish Cavalry charged German tanks with sabers. ( I use the words “myth” and “propaganda” interchangeably as their objectives are the same.)

In my special series called about the September Campaign, ie Invasion of Poland 1939: A Re-Enactment, I mentioned the cavalry only briefly but it needs to be addressed more thoroughly. It is true that the Polish armed forces included cavalry regiments, and they did indeed engage the Nazis in several battles. If you have followed my daily posts, you will have read about the Polish cavalry and their successful attempts to defeat German advancements, especially during the Battle of Bzura.

When Germany invaded Poland on September 1st, 1939, they did not expect a tough fight from the Poles. They were in for a surprise. Poland had 39 divisions, 16 brigades, 4,300 guns, 880 tanks, 500 aircraft and over one million troops. Though Poland was outnumbered and outclassed by the German war machine, Polish troops were highly skilled in warfare and ferocious fighters.

The Polish armed forces also included eleven cavalry brigades, each composed of three or four regiments with armoured and infantry battalions. After 1937 the Polish cavalry was equipped with modern armaments including tankettes, 37mm AT guns, 40mm AA guns, anti-tank rifles, 75mm guns, and other pieces of modern warfare although cavalrymen continued to carry their sabres as part of a tradition.

The Polish brigades functioned as mobile reserve units, filling in strategic gaps in the front, and acting as cover in the event that Polish units had to withdraw. Polish infantrymen had to dismount before engaging the enemy in battle. In many situations, the Polish cavalry also served as a vital tactical instrument of warfare. Their objective was not to “charge” enemy tanks with sabers in an effort to overpower them! Their power was demonstrated by their skill, agility and swiftness on horseback to surprise, disorganize and confuse enemy ranks.

From September 1 to September 26, 1939 there were sixteen documented cases in which the Polish cavalry battled German infantry units: the Poles succeeded in either dispersing, defeating or breaking through German barriers. Many attempts met with success.

On September 1st, 1939, the Polish 18th Uhlan Regiment encountered a large unit of German infantry in the woods near the village of Krojanty. Polish Colonel Mastalerz ordered a surprise attack and his cavalry charged, successfully dispersing the enemy.

The myth (propaganda) about Polish Calvary may have begun here. German war correspondents, accompanied by two Italian journalists, were brought to the battlefield. What they saw were the corpses of Polish cavalrymen and their horses next to German tanks. (The German tanks arrived on the scene only after the battle.) Upon seeing this, one of the Italian correspondents dispatched an article in which he described the bravery and heroism of Polish soldiers who “charged German tanks with their sabres and lances.” [It’s difficult to corroborate this story without reference to the newspaper in which this article was published. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please email me.]

Another source of the myth, or propaganda, is a quote from Heinz Guderian's memoirs. He was a General in the German army and military theorist and claimed that the Pomeranian Brigade had charged on German tanks with swords and lances. It is utter nonsense.

Such a charge could not have happened, because tanks were not used in that combat. It is German propaganda at work. The Nazis often staged events to perpetrate their lies and never failed to film such events for posterity. For example, among many of the German propaganda films, is a 1941 reel entitled, “Geschwader Lutzow” which showed a staged Polish cavalry charge. And in that same film, the Germans filmed Luftwaffe Avia 534B trainer planes, and tried to pass them off as Polish PZL-11 fighters. That fraud succeeded, until the Soviets were caught trying to pull off the same ruse after the end of World War II. German and Soviet propaganda were aimed to discredit and humiliate Poland by claiming that Poland was unprepared for war and wasted the blood of its soldiers. They were lies. The fact is that the Polish Army had expected that Germany would attack. Poland was the first to fight. Though England and France gave Poland their assurance that they would intervene, no assistance was provided by either nation.

September 1, in the Battle of Janów the 11th Polish Legion Uhlan Regiment encountered a similar unit of German cavalry. Lieut. Kossakowski ordered a cavalry charge, but the enemy was resistant and after a brief skirmish, they withdrew towards their positions. (Unfortunately, I did not mention this battle and a few others in the special presentation of Invasion of Poland 1939 - due to my shortsightedness for which I am embarrassed, and do apologize)

In the Battle of Mokra, on September 1st, 1939. The Polish 19th Volhynian Uhlan Regiment took the Germans by surprise causing a number of units of the German 4th Panzer Division to retreat in panic.

September 2, the 1st squadron of the Polish 19th Volhynian Uhlan Regiment charged a squadron of German Cavalry at Borowa. The Germans withdrew.

September 11, the Polish 1st squadron of the 20th Uhlan Regiment succeeded in charging through German infantry lines at Osuchowo, in an effort to avoid being encircled.

September 12, the Polish 4th squadron of the 11th Polish Legion Uhlan Regiment charged at German positions at Kaluszyn during the night. Though the commander issued an order to move forward the regiment misinterpreted it as an order to charge. It was a success nonetheless. However the town was retaken by the Germans the next morning with heavy casualties on both sides.

September 13, the Polish 1st squadron of the 27th Uhlan Regiment battled the Germans near Maliszewo and succeeded in beating them back. The Germans retreated when the Polish cavalry charged. The Poles took the village and a large number of German prisoners.

September 13, the Polish 1st squadron of the 2nd Grochów Uhlan Regiment charged German infantry positions at Minsk Mazowiecki, but was repelled by German MG and artillery fire.

September 15, elements of the 17th Wielkopolska Uhlan Regiment attacked German positions near Brochow. The Polish cavalry charged towards the Germans to intimidate them but just before reaching the range of enemy weapons, they dismounted and continued their assault on foot. The attack was successful.

September 16, a Polish platoon from the 4th squadron of the 17th Wielkopolska Uhlan Regiment charged towards a small German post near Dembowskie. The small number of Germans there withdrew.

September 19, most of the 14th Jazłowiec Uhlan Regiment (without MGs and AT platoon) was ordered to probe the German positions near Wólka Węglowa. Upon arrival of the Polish 9th Małopolska Uhlan Regiment arrived, the group charged through German lines. This opened the way towards Warsaw and Modlin for the rest of Polish forces who were withdrawing from the Battle of Bzura. The Polish cavalry charged through a German artillery unit in a surprise attack. Polish losses were high (205 killed and wounded), the German losses remain unknown.

September 19, a Polish squad of the 6th Mounted Artillery Detachment charged through German lines near Lomianki to allow the rest of the unit to head toward Warsaw.

September 21, in the Battle of Kamionka Strumiłowa the Polish 3rd squadron of the 1st Mounted Detachment charged through German infantry lines which were preparing to attack Polish positions. Unable to carry out their plans, the Germans withdrew.

September 23, the 1st squadron of the 25th Wielkopolska Uhlan Regiment charged towards the town of Krasnobród. They reached the hilltop upon which the town was located. Polish casualties were very heavy. A unit of German cavalry from the German 8th Infantry Division countercharged from the hill, but was repelled. The Poles captured the town, and German HQ of the division, as well as taking prisoner some 100 German soldiers, and freed 40 Polish combattants who had been taken prisoner by the Germans.

September 24, the Polish reserve squadron of the 14th Jazlowiec Uhlan Regiment (with about 500 sabres), was reinforced with cavalry units of police and a few of the divisional organic cavalry. They were ordered to break through the Soviet infantry surrounding the Polish positions in the village of Husynne. Soviet forces withdrew in panic. However, the attack was soon halted by a strong Soviet tank unit. Casualties were similar on both sides.

September 26, the Polish 27th Uhlan Regiment charged twice at a German infantry battalion positioned at Morańce. Both charges were repelled with heavy casualties (the Poles lost 20 KIA and about 50 wounded, German losses are unknown). After the Poles charged a second time a German soldier was sent out bearing a white flag. After a short discussion with the Polish commander of the Nowogródek Cavalry Brigade, the Germans withdrew.

It is a wonder to me how historical facts have so easily been usurped by myth and lies. Propaganda seemed to have taken a life of its own even after World War II had ended. A German novelist, Gunter Grass, wrote “The Tin Drum” in 1959 in which he made references to the Polish cavalry. He was widely accused of anti-Polonism for perpetuating this Nazi deception.


O insane cavalry... with what aplomb they will kiss the hand of death, as though death were a lady; but first they gather, with sunset behind them - for color and romance are their reserves - and ahead of them the German tanks, stallions from the studs of Krupps von Bohlen und Halbach, no nobler steeds in all the world. But Pan Kichot, the eccentric knight in love with death, lowers his lance with the red-and-white pennant and calls on his men to kiss the lady's hand. The storks clatter white and red on rooftops, and the sunset spits out pits like cherries, as he cries to his cavalry: "Ye noble Poles on horseback, these are no steel tanks, they are mere windmills or sheep, I summon you to kiss the lady's hand".


Most recently, on September 1, 2009, an article written by Sir Simon Jenkins, appeared in the Guardian, a London newspaper, in which Jenkins accused the Poles of “the most romantic and idiotic act of suicide of modern war”. The Guardian printed a retraction on September 21st, stating that Jenkins article "repeated a myth of the second world war, fostered by Nazi propagandists, when it said that Polish lancers turned their horses to face Hitler's panzers. There is no evidence that this occurred."

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who believe Nazi propaganda and lap it up like pap. Their point of view, though skewed, is virtually impossible to sway. Public forums on the web are overflowing with such propaganda, hotly defended by neo-nazi diehards, undereducated “intellectuals” and the common folk who follow blindly and ask no questions. For more than 70 years, Nazi lies continue to circle the globe almost undetected, permeating the soft minds of every new generation. Whether the Nazis knew it or not, they set into motion a Perpetual Propaganda Machine, because now there are so many more simpletons to keep the lie alive. And if the lie is repeated often enough, it is adopted as fact.


Link:
Polish Greatness.com

POLAND WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED

When the Germans invaded on September 1, 1939, they annexed 92,500 square kilometers of territory in Western Poland with a population of 10,000,000 Poles (23.7% area). The rest of Poland was split between the General Gouvernement (95,500 square kilometers, 24.5% area) and the Soviet Union taking 201,000 square kilometers of Eastern Poland. (51.6% area).

The Nazis confiscated all Polish-owned buildings and businesses, money, jewelry, art, furniture and clothing. All executive positions held by Poles and Jews were given to Germans. Jews and Poles were classed as "untermenschen" (subhuman).The Germans had 3 main goals: the reduction of Polish population, expulsion of Poles from annexed areas and forcing them into slave labor, and subjecting the remainder to low-skilled work, reducing them to the level of "serfs". The Nazis forced pregnant women to work up to eight and a half months of their term, in their effort to provoke accidents to cause miscarriages. The Polish language was prohibited, and all schools and cultural institutions were closed. It was forbidden to teach history, literature or geography nor read Polish books, play or listen to music. Polish libraries were closed and books burned. In some areas Germans set up schools teaching nothing to the children except how to count to 500, sign their name, and obey German orders. The children were not taught to read or write and often subjected to hard physical labor.

According to Heinemann between 1939 and 1944 more than 780,000 Poles lost their homes in pre-war Poland. Of these 250,000 were deported to the General Gouvernment, and 310,000 of which were displaced or forced into camps.The others were subjected to forced labor in the occupied territories. But according to Madajczyk there were 987,217 displaced. The details are as follows: according to statistics from Heinemann and Luczak, 81,000 Poles were deported from East Upper Silesia, 22,000 of which were deported to the General Gouvernement. They were replaced with 38,000 ethnic Germans coming mainly from Bukovina. In South East Prussia, 25,000 to 28,000 Poles were "evacuated" as well as another 25,000 to 28,000 from Bialystock. In Reichsgau-Danzig West Prussia,by 1942, 123,000 to 124,000 were displaced - 53,000 of them deported to the General Gouvernement. In Warthegau, 630,000 were displaced (1939 and 1944) and 30,000 to 40,000 expelled from Pomerlia.  By 1942 up to 2 million Germans settled in Poland.

In 1942 there were 827,000 Poles in slave labor camps.  By 1944 that total rose to 1,053,000. Conditions were horrible.  It is estimated that up to 110,000 died of typhus or starvation. Tens of thousands of non-Jewish Poles were sent to concentration camps, mainly at Stutthoff, Thorn, and Elbing.

Before the invasion there were 3,500,000 Jews in Poland, consisting of 10% of the total population of pre-war Poland. By the end of the war over 90% of the Jews perished. (The death rate of Jews from deported to Poland from other European countries was a cumulative total of 3,000,000) At the end of WWII, Poland had lost about 22% of its total population, more than any other European nation.

But another 3,000,000 also perished. These were the Non-Jewish Poles. Many died in the concentration camps, or in slave labor camps, from starvation or illness. Many more were executed by the Nazis as reprisals for their resistance activity against the German occupation.

Polish priests were arrested and put into concentration camps or executed. Churches were destroyed as well as religious icons. Poles were forbidden to attend funerals except for immediate family members.Polish religious hymns were banned, and so were the books they were written it. Attending Mass was forbidden. From the 2,500 priests in the Warthegau region, 752 perished and the remainder survived the war in concentration camps and prisons. In Poznan of 800 Polish priests in 1939, only 34 remained in 1943. In Upper Silesia, the Bishop of Katawice Adamski ordered the Poles to pray in German and identify as Germans (to save them from genocide). Despite his efforts, 43 priests of the town were murdered.

Poles and Jews among other eastern Europeans, were sent to concentration camps. Poles were the first to be interned at Auschwitz. Before the mass extermination of Jews began, the first inmates to be gassed were 300 Poles and 700 Russians prisoners of war.

The September Campaign and subsequent surrender of Warsaw did not spell defeat for the Polish nation and people. Despite the horrific brutality, Poles continued to resist the occupation. The Polish Underground, the largest resistance movement in Europe, succeeded in causing havoc and destruction of German supplies and routes. as well having assassinated several officers of the Gestapo. Jan Karski, was one of the many countless heroes of the Underground. He risked his life to relay information to the outside world of the execution and gassing of Jews in the camps,

The Poles were the First to Fight after the Invasion, and never stopped fighting to the very end. The Warsaw Uprising, and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising are testament to the raw courage and desperate determination of the Polish people to take back their freedom and independence. 

As the world celebrated the Allied victory, the Aftermath was not a victory for Poland and along with many other nations ended up behind the Iron Curtain subjected for decades to brutal Soviet totalitarianism.  The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Poland`s closest allies, Britain, France and the United States were in league with each other to sacrifice Poland for their own national security. (this last sentence was added June 26, 2011)

Poland, the 4th largest ally was not invited to the Victory Parade.  The world has since forgotten the immense contribution that Poland made to the war effort.  But history is witness to the truth.  We have only to uncover it.


This brings to an end the special documentary of Invasion of Poland 1939: A Re-Enactment.  The past 38 blogs have been an ambitious endeavour.  I have tried to the best of my ability to "bring to life" a segment of the past, which history books barely even mention, if at all.  It was hoped that the daily news reports (written in the present tense) would impress upon you, the "real World War II" and not some sterilized version written in a textbook.  I urge you to keep searching and keep reading, for there are so many stories yet to uncover.


World War II was the worst catastrophe ever to have occurred in human history. May this terrible episode of human history never be repeated in the world. May we always remember the bravery of the Polish Armed Forces, and the courage of the Polish men, women and children who struggled for their freedom and independence.

They will Never Never Never be forgotten.

POLSKA NA ZAWSZE! 

 

Link:

Polish Greatness.com