I would like to interest you very exciting but little known episode of early WW II.
I mean Polish Campaign. It has been started 1st september but ended 6th october 1939. Although as seen, that it lasted shortly (over 5 weeks) - Germans have incurred big losses. Concretely:
- 16343 killed soldiers
- about 5000 missed in action
- 27280 wounded
- 1000 tanks and armoured cars
- 370 artillery guns, mortars etc.
- 6000 cars and trucks
- 5500 motorcycles
- 697 planes
Against to German propaganda, these losses presented (taking into account losses in mechanical equipment) 30% whole Wehrmacht in that time!
Additionally, Poland was attacked by Soviet Union(17th september). They also have some losses, for example about 120 tanks and armoured cars.
I should like point out to modelers on this interesting subject, because it can give on many new ideas for dioramas and single models.
I will place some photos...and I wait for possible questions

Destroyed Panzer IV by Polish 7TP light tank

Destroyed soviet T-26 by Polish 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, Poland 21st september 1939

Burned column of SS 'Germania' motorized regiment

Captured Polish 7TP light tank

Killed German tank crewman after Polish bombers attack (3rd september)

This is good to know infomation. I did not realize that the Germans suffered so high in loses during the Poland Campaign. Thank You, milvehfan.

Thanks for the reminder.
(I've already grabbed the photos from you gallery)
One of my areas of interest is the really early war-Poland era. (I'm NO EXPERT!)
My little Polish MG carrier.

I be glad , that however, somebody has sighted this theme


That's Polski Fiat 508/518 from S Model?
The car used in companies of heavy machine guns with Browning wz.30.
Here is...

Here is very old model from AGA - Polish wz. 34 armoured car.


This's really old model and presently almost inaccessible...

Yes, it's the S Model kit.
I'm slowly working on the Fiat pick up truck now.
I also just ordered the Ursus A-30 tankette carrier.

I also forgot to say welcome to the site.
Please keep those Polish Campaign photos coming.

I'm agreeably suprised.
Recently I bought 7TP twinturret light tank from Mirage Hobby with photo-etched parts from Aber, but I not begun this yet.
And next photos...

Captured Polish motorized column of heavy artillery regiment (Polski Fiat 508)


Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade, september 1939



Destroyed Polski Fiat 508

Wow, Adam, very powerful photos!

I did not realize the Poles gave the Wehrmacht such a bloody nose. We usually hear how easy the campaign was, how Poland never had a chance. They certainly were very brave fighters.

I thank in name of Poles.
Unfortunately I know, that scholarship on the World to the point of Polish Campaign is fatally false...
There is work of many years propaganda, at first german and next communist.
But now it's possible to say truth.

Soviet T-28 in Lwów, Poland, 22th september 1939



Destroyed german Panzer II, Poland 1939



Burning german truck, Poland 1939

Thanks for the photos, it shows the determination of one country to fight and survive .

Hi Adam,
Thanks for sharing the photos! Some of them are new to me.
I also think that people do not know the real history of that campaign.
Polish troops fought with bravery and no fear against two enemies approaching from east and west.
Where does the photo of burned “Germania” column come form? Did you find it on some web site?
Cheers!!

Some very cool images Adam. Thanks for sharing and welcome to Armorama. Just the sort of stuff we like to see.

More photos...

Authentic photos from action:

Burning 7TP




German soldiers



Polish wz.34 armoured car with 37mm gun captured by Germans


Destroyed german column, Poland 1939

Adam,

Great photos of historic events. The wz 34 kit I just saw one here not too long ago, but for the life of me can't remember where I saw it. Will keep digging in the bookmarks to see if I can find it again. Thought it would be a neat little build to do.

Again thanks for posting the photos and keep em coming.

Hi, Maciek
Yes, I found them on web, but I know it since long time.
The SS 'Germania" motorized regiment was totally smashed by Polish 11th 'Carpathian' Infantry Division at 16th september under Lwów. German regiment have lost all tanks, cars, trucks, carriers and guns!
Bloody starts of SS formations.

'Invicible' SS 'Germania' one more time...

Hi Steve
May you seen my kit in my Member Gallery on kitmaker gallery?

Adam

Thank you for posting. This is long overdue recognition for the Polish Armed Forces.

It's worth noting that the Polish Army, Airforce and Navy put up a more of a fight in the six weeks of the September Campaign than the larger and stronger French and British Armies did during the four weeks of the Battle for France.

Cheers

Karol

Adam,

It might have been your kit I'm thinking of. The only one I could find is a 1936 made model from Encore and no one has it.

Anyway thanks for posting the great historical photos. Real eye openers.

Karol
Rightly, in September 1939 allies have wasted a chance on fast completion of war and they become defeat separately...

I wonder how long the Poles could have held off th Germans had the Soviets not attacked. If the Soviets hadn't attacked, would a German victory been a foregone conclusion? Looks like the Poles held there own agains the Germans & Soviets.

Jim

Steve
In fact, I found two kits. First from Encore and second from TOGA. My is manufactured by AGA. I have bought it 10 years ago.
Thank too interest!

Hi James
Perhaps, if Soviet Union not attacked, the Polish Campaign could outlast about month, maybe any longer...But then, everything would be possible...Soviet attack was 'a stab in the back' for Poles.

To consolation
Destroyed soviet BT-2 by Poles, 1939

Here those model kits of wz. 34. Photos from e-bay:

This's my Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. A in standard camouflage pattern (panzergrau), Polish Campaign 1939.