Actions of Polish River Flotillas 1919-20

Discussions on all aspects of Poland during the Second Polish Republic and the Second World War. Hosted by Piotr Kapuscinski.
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PT Dockyard
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Actions of Polish River Flotillas 1919-20

#1

Post by PT Dockyard » 17 Jun 2008, 04:23

I found this site recently and it looks like facinating reading if I could read Polish!

http://www.rzeczna2004.republika.pl/



I would be very interested in any information on the early Polish craft used 1919-20 and any actions they were involved in against Bolshevik ships. Are there any books in English that describe these flotillas?

Dave G.
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wojtop79
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Re: Actions of Polish River Flotillas 1919-20

#2

Post by wojtop79 » 18 Jun 2008, 18:40

Let me provide you with brief translation - it's about polish river fleets in 1920 and 1939 wars. Quite refreshing read as river fleets are almost forgotten. :)

In 1919 newly crated Polish river fleets consisted of few very light unarmoured ships (adapted from civilian ships) armed with HMGs and some of them 37mm guns but in course of operations several heavier Russian ships have been caputered and few new ships have been built. Fleets fought in close cooperation with infantry, artillery and airforces. Defensive missions included protecting towns, bridges and possible fording places as well as supplying ground units. Fleets were also used offensively to give support to infantry units capturing towns and villages, to transport "commando" units deep into enemy territory, for crossing a river by Polish units and to attack enemy ships, cavalry and infantry units, often when these were crossing a river. Both Russians and Poles used fleets in similar way, from description of fights seems like Russians had better equipment but slightly worse tactics - seldom cooperating with infantry and artillery as closely as Poles. There were numerous fights between Polish and Russian ships, some Polish and Soviet ships have been sunk, many more captured by one side or the other. Out of two Polish fleets participating in combat one came out with some successes and without significant losses, the other one was much more successfull, destroying and capturing many Russian ships and providing support for ground units on many occassions, but had to be sunk by its crews when Russian offensive cut out any way of retreat by water. Fleets were considered useful in combat and support so Poles had built some new, heavier river warships in 1920s and 1930s

In September 1939 Fleets had much better equipment, including 105mm guns, AA-guns and much better armour. Unluckily rivers were dried out and water was too shallow for river fleets to move. Most part of ships have been sunk by crews after running aground, some destroyed, some participated in defense of towns as an AA platform and artillery batteries. It has been confirmed that one of ships had destroyed a German tank with direct artillery fire, also few planes have been shot down by both Pinsk and Vistula fleet.

It's just a brief summary of the webpage, there one can find descritptions of combat missions and technical details of ships.


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Re: Actions of Polish River Flotillas 1919-20

#3

Post by PT Dockyard » 20 Jun 2008, 04:57

Great! Thanks for the translation!

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