Swordfights in WW2

[Panzermahn]

Hi all

Are there any recorded swordfights recorded in WW2? My understanding is that only the Japanese (officers and senior NCOs) and the Cossacks are the ones who used swords and sabres respectively in battle and the only possibility that could have occured is at Manchuria where the Soviets fought the Japanese in 1939 as well as in 1945.

Panzermahn

[Trackhead M2]

Hi all

Are there any recorded swordfights recorded in WW2? My understanding is that only the Japanese (officers and senior NCOs) and the Cossacks are the ones who used swords and sabres respectively in battle and the only possibility that could have occured is at Manchuria where the Soviets fought the Japanese in 1939 as well as in 1945.

Panzermahn

Dear Pm,'
Do you want to count Khukris in the large edged weapons for use in combat? There are accounts and photos of Gurkhas charging into combat with their rifles in one hand and their blades in the other.
Strike Swiftly,
TH-M2

[Graeme Sydney]

I don't know about sword fights but I know that an Australian field gun position at Balakapan (2/4th fld regt, 7 div) was charged by 10 banshee yelling, sharpened bamboo lance wielding, starving, 'stay behind', Japanese lead by a samurai sword wielding officer.

They were cut down to a man by the surprised but .303 wielding Aussie artillerymen within a few paces :roll: .

(Others talked about it but the Japanese fought to the last man, last round.)

[Orwell1984]

He's definitely a one off but Jack Churchill used a claymore and a long bow in action during World War Two.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill

[Panzermahn]

Hi all

Are there any recorded swordfights recorded in WW2? My understanding is that only the Japanese (officers and senior NCOs) and the Cossacks are the ones who used swords and sabres respectively in battle and the only possibility that could have occured is at Manchuria where the Soviets fought the Japanese in 1939 as well as in 1945.

Panzermahn

Dear Pm,'
Do you want to count Khukris in the large edged weapons for use in combat? There are accounts and photos of Gurkhas charging into combat with their rifles in one hand and their blades in the other.
Strike Swiftly,
TH-M2

Hello TH-M2

Yes, I think the Khukris would be considered a large edge weapon but the question is whether their opponents used edged weapons? Are there any true "classical" swordfights (as in a duel) rather than charging and slashing around in WW2?

Panzermahn

[dgfred]

More like charges/slashing or sneaking up on someone IMO. Problem was people kept bringing guns to the swordfight.

[Ironmachine]

Peter K posted two examples of cavalry swordfights during the Polish campaign of 1939:

1. Królewskie Forests near town Krzynowłoga Mała - 01.09 - Polish - German cavalry horse fierce skirmish - German cavalry horse charge with sabres:

Small Polish patrol from 11th Leggionary Ulan Regiment (Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade) under command of lieutenant Wladislaw Kossakowski during the reconessaince mission, met small German cavalry patrol from 1st Cavalry Brigade. Kossakowski decided to start a battle - close combat with sabres and probably lances on Polish side (this was one of a few incidents during the campaign, when Polish cavalry used lances), and with sabres on German side.

Kossakowski wrote:

"At the end of our march, in the edge of small forest clearing, we saw small German cavalry unit. They didn't see us, but their positions were crossing the road and blocking our march direction. I asked other officers - are we charging? As the answer, I heard noice of sabres being pulled out from sheaths. We made a pre-charge formation and charged towards them from the forest, screaming - Hurray! The shock tactic was succesfull, but - what surprised us - this time German cavalry didn't panic or withdraw, but re-charged us using sabres - also screaming Hurray! and occasionally - Heil Hitler! - two brave charging cavalry units, screaming, brandishing with sabres and bending down in saddles, were going to head-on collision! After few seconds, we reached them and they reached us. Two cavalry formations crushed in one battle - but our impetus was greater. In fact, both formations just passed each other - but there were casualties on both sides. I remember, that corporal Juckiewicz stuffed a German cavalryman with his lance - German soldier just moaned and died. After this short but fierce and bloody combat, we galloped in our way and those of Germans who survived - galloped in their way. We were all unconcsious from emotions and excitement, but kept riding - after few minutes we reached our infantry with MGs and mortars positions - great relief. Finally, our patrol joined our regiment in the late evening"

Anybody knows exactly which German cavalry unit from 1st Cavalry Brigade was charging with sabres there, on 1st of September 1939?

2. Charge by Krasnobród - 23.09.1939:

2nd Polish cavalry squadron (from 25th Cavalry Regiment) is attacking (in foot formation) German infantry - hand granades, rifles and MGs, together with artillery support (9th Horse Artillery Command) force German infantry to withdraw in great mess. German chaotic and fast withdrawal makes an opportunity to make a cavalry charge:

Other Polish cavalry unit (1st squadron under command of lieutenant Tadeusz Gerlecki) is charging and chasing panicked German Infantry which is now running away, crushed and completely disorganized - one squadron of German heavy "Eastern Prussian" cavalry with strong, heavy horses, charge with sabres towards Polish cavalry, trying to rescue rests of defeated German Infantry:

"It was amazing view - against Polish ulans charged German cavalry units - Polish squadron - charging in a single line formation - with lances directed towards Germans, was closing to the charging enemy. Enemy cavalry was charging with sabres in chaotic, messy formation. Finally, units striked each other. Polish cavalry - well disciplined, better trained for horse fighting and supported by Polish 9th Horse Artillery Command - crushed Germans. Polish sabres together with Polish artillery fire, crushed Prussians - German cavalry suffered heavy losses."

Prussian cavalry was also charging against 2nd squadron positions, which was defending in foot formation with MGs and rifles - German charge was rejected (mainly because of Polish artillery support and MGs fire) with quite heavy losses for them. But there is no doubt, that German cavalry charge gave the minute of peace to the Infantry, and help in its withdrawal, giving an opportunity to rest for a few minutes without being attacked, decrease panic, and - partially - regroup.

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=132564

[Panzermahn]

Ironmachine

Many thanks again for pointing out this example. It would be interested to see two cavalries charging each other, fighting with swords or sabres.

Panzermahn