With the 3 Pz through Poland - 1939.

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Hello Tigre!,

Excellent material!

Now something from the Polish - literally - point of view - photos:

http://www.odkrywca-online.com/pokaz_wa ... ?id=190415

27th Infantry Division - last days of August 1939 (author of the photo is standing in the middle):



A battery from 27th Light Artillery Regiment occupying defensive positions - first days of September 1939:



September 1939 - masked Polish 75mm type 1897 artillery guns on defensive positions:



Battery of 1st Battalion from 9th Light Art.Rgt. (9th Infantry Division) fireing at German positions near Krojanty and Klodawa:



After the first German breakthrough - an infantry battalion from 35th Inf.Rgt. is marching with relief towards Piastoszyn:



Among artillery crews met near Koronowo:



A battery from 27th Light Art.Rgt. involved in combat near Strzelce:



A battalion of 27th Light Art.Rgt withdrawing towards Vistula after the German breakthrough:



Local inhabitants are helping the artillerymen:



"For the beloved family in memory of the war of 1939 - 04.09.1939 - Corporal Drążesz Wacław":

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

The battle of Sawin - 18.09.1939 - 19.09.1939 - the first (?) defeat of 3rd Panzer-Division:

Sawin near Chelm Lubelski:

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=51.307223 ... 2&l=28&m=b



German 3rd Panzer-Division [commander - general Schweppenburg] according to the order received from general Guderian, on 18.09.1939 sent a strong Kampfgruppe towards Chelm Lubelski. It was the last stage of the German plan "Fall 5 September" - which was assuming closing the encirclement of the whole Western Poland along the river Bug by two fast Corps - one attacking from the north (XIX Corps) and one from the south (XXII Corps) - it was planned that units from both Corps should have met somewhere near Chelm Lubelski. This Kampfgruppe was ordered to establish operational contact with the forward unit of 4th Leichte-Division, which was also directed - from the same purpose - towards Hrubieszow, Wlodzimierz Wolynski and further Chelm Lubelski via Zamosc by the commander of 14th Army.

Schweppenburg didn't know that even if he had managed to reach Chelm Lubelski, it was no longer possible to establish operational contact with 4th Leichte-Division there, because units of 4th Leichte-Division had already been repulsed near Wlodzimierz Wolynski by Polish Grupa Operacyjna "Wlodzimierz" under command of general Kazimierz Sawicki yet two days earlier - on 16.09.1939 - and didn't even manage to cross the river Bug, suffering casualties. During their withdrawal from the region of Wlodzimierz Wolynski, units of 4th Leichte-Division were bombed by elements of Polish Bomber Brigade twice, and since 18.09.1939 vast majority of this division was involved in devastating defensive combats in and around Tomasz Lubelski, being under heavy attacks of Polish Warszawska Armoured-Motorized Brigade.

Anyway - general Scheppenburg started to complete his orders, not even knowing that his goals were already impossible to achieve, especially that German 4th Infanterie-Division - which was ordered to advance towards Chelm Lubelski too - was also stopped during the heavy battle of Krasnystaw (18.09.1939 - 19.09.1939) against Polish 39th Infantry Division.

But the Kampfgruppe was finally sent and the final attack towards Chelm Lubelski started at noon on 18.09.1939.

At the beginning German Kampfgruppe (II./S.R.3, 6./P.R.6, I./A.R.75, 1./Pz.Abw.Abt.39) was marching without any obstacles towards Chelm as not before the region of Macoszyn it encounterred heavy Polish resistance - this resistance was organized by forward elements of 13th Uhlan Regiment. 13th Uhlan Regiment from Wilenska Cavalry Brigade - at that time only few hundred men out of the initial 900 - organized its defense along the North - South axis along the line Macoszyn - Bachus with main resistance nests in localities Macoszyn, Osowa, Malinowka, Bachus, expertly taking advantage of favourable terrain conditions and building many obstacles along the road Wlodawa - Chelm Lubelski (which was bad for movements of motor vehicles even without those obstacles, by the way). The most fierce resistance was encounterred by German units near Malinowka - which was being attacked mainly by 6th company from II./S.R.3 under command of Hauptmann Wellman - as well as near Osowa. German forces found well-organized and well-hidden resistance nests filled by desperate and skilled defenders there.

13th Uhlan Regiment repulsed many German attacks and was holding up the German advance long enough that the commander of 41st Infantry Division - brigadier general Waclaw Piekarski - could organize effective defense on the main defensive position near Sawin, which is at the far outskirts of Chelm Lubelski.

Polish resistance was so strong that 13th Uhlan Regiment managed to hold up II./S.R.3, 6./P.R.6, I./A.R.75 and 1./Pz.Abw.Abt.39 until the sunset, despite the fact that it lost some ground as Germans were fighting down further Polish resistance nest.

During the night Germans stopped their attack and Polish Uhlans withdrew towards the main defensive line.

On 18.09.39 II./S.R.6 suffered the highest daily casualties of all battalions of 3rd Pz.Div. during the whole Campaign.

In the morning on 19.09.1939 Germans resumed their attack towards Chelm Lubelski. But their Kampfgruppe once again encounterred heavy enemy resistance - this time at the outskirts of Sawin, which is about 19 kilometres to the north from Chelm Lubelski.

Thanks to skilful and long resistance of lonely 13th Uhlan Regiment, colonel Sawczynski - commander of the divisional artillery of 41st Infantry Division - managed to gather over 30 artillery guns and concentrate them near Sawin, organizing a fire barrier on time. Around 8:00 AM on 19.09.1939, when Germans finally unfolded their lines and started the assault against the main Polish defensive line - Polish artillery blocked their way with massive barrage of direct fire. When Germans were pressed to the ground and their tanks couldn't advance because of heavy Polish direct artillery fire, Polish infantry started to counterattack. The counterattack was so successful that Germans were rejected to the north as far as behind the locality Łowcza (over 7,000 m to the north from the outskirts of Sawin).

After the Polish counterattack from Sawin succeded and repulsed the Germans 7,000 metres to the north, general Schweppenburg decided to assemble his shaken units at Wlodawa and ordered the Kampfgruppe back on 19.09.1939. The II./S.R.3 withdrew from the area near Łowcza and moved back. 6./P.R.6 was covering the withdrawal of the battalion which was still under pressure of enemy troops. Combats lasted until the sunset on 19.09.1939.

During the night from 19th to 20th of September Germans finally retreated towards Wlodawa and Polish units broke contact with the enemy, stopped chasing him and marched via Chelm Lubelski towards the region of Majdan Ostrowski near Wojslawice - as general Dab-Biernacki ordered. The battle was over.

German casualties on 19.09.1939 amounted to 4 tanks completely lost and over a dozen of tanks, motorized transporters and trucks completely lost in total. Poles also reported capturing many Prisoners Of War.

Germans did not manage to achieve their goal - capture Chelm Lubelski and establish operational contact with 14th Army - in other words, they did not manage to complete the "Fall 5 September" operation. German sources only mention, that soldiers of Guderian managed to establish radio communication with one of radiostations of 14th Army for a moment - whether it is true or not - hard to say.

Best regards!
Peter

---------------------------

Germans did not manage to achieve their goal - capture Chelm Lubelski

By the way - that was not the last battle of Chelm Lubelski which took place in 1939.

On 25.09.39 Soviet forces - 36. Tank Brigade (with use of 196 operational tanks and 23 armoured cars) attacked Chelm Lubelski. Polish resistance was fierce - Russians were forced to call for help (according to combat diary KSOW) - tank battalions of 44. and 87. Rifle Divisions and reconnaissance battalions of these two divisions arrived as reinforcements. Only after receiving these reinforcements Russians finally managed to encircle and capture the city - after 5 hours of heavy combats. According to Russian sources they captured 8,000 POWs, 20 MGs and 10 cannons in Chelm.

On one hand Soviet combat diary KSOW of Ukrainian Front mentions that:

"25.09.1939: 36th Tank Brigade which was ordered to capture Chelm, until the evening hours was involved in heavy combats at the outskirts of Chelm along the line: Wolka Leszczynska - Wojslawice. Two independent tank battalions and two independent reconnaissance battalions were sent to rescue this brigade."

And on the other hand Kombrig N. Bogomolow - comander of this brigade - mentions in his report that his brigade lost two officers KIA during combats for Chelm (and he doesn't say how many NCOs and soldiers were KIA).

Also Polish historian, Czeslaw Grzelak writes about combats in and around Chelm:

"When approaching to the military barracks tanks were fired at by small arms, MGs and artillery fire. They retreated but due to barricades on the streets only one managed to break through to the eastern part of the city, where Polish soldiers were being disarmed. One of Polish units refused to be disarmed and opened fire. Soviet sources say about the death of their two officers. It is not known what happened to these encircled Soviet tanks."

After this incident Soviets retreated all of their units from the city of Chelm. Czeslaw Grzelak writes:

"After this failed attempt of capturing Chelm and disarming Polish soldiers, heavy combats started in the outskirts of the city, which later transmitted to nearby forests."

"Commander of 36 Tank Brigade decided to encircle the city and attack it with use of two tank battalions (I and III) and one reconnaissance battalion. Nothing is mentioned about the II battalion, which tried to capture Chelm previously."

"Although the report of the commander of 36 Tank Brigade does not say anything about it, but according to the combat diary of KSOW, combat situation of the brigade in the region of Chelm was so hard, that tank battalions and reconnaissance battalions of two rifle divisions (44 and 87) were send to rescue the brigade."

And this (several fragments from the report of the commander of this 36 Tank Brigade - kombrig N. Bogomolow):

"At 23:00 reconnaissance group of the brigade (infantry platoon, 2 tanks, 3 armoured cars) which was near the locality Wierba was attacked by foot and horse soldiers. As the result of this combat around 50 Polish were killed; casualties of the reconnaissance group - 2 killed, 1 wounded."

"Disarming of the garrison of Wlodzimierz Wolynski ended at 20:00. 1500 officers and 12,000 soldiers were captured, 150 cannons were captured. Own casualties: 2 killed, 5 wounded, one armoured car BA-10 destroyed."

"The battle started, as the result of which until 17:30 Chelm was captured; in the city around 8000 officers and privates were captured, 20 MGs and 10 cannons were captured. During combat 2 officers of the brigade were killed."

What is interesting is that:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 9&t=151394

according to the report (written on 04.10.1939) on casualties and condition of Soviet armoured forces in Poland in period 17 IX - 2 IX 1939 losses were as follows (the following numbers were reported in this report):

KIA / MIA / WIA / Tank casualties / Including tanks completely destroyed or burnt out (irretrievable losses):

In brackets - number of operational tanks on 17.09.1939 / 02.10.1939:

[...]

36 Tank Brigade - 4 / 0 / 4 / 20 / 0 (220 / 200)

While even from the report of komrig N. Bogomolow we receive higher numbers - at least 6 killed and at least 7 wounded (and these are only casualties during those three combats - in Wlodzimierz, in Chelm, near Wierba).

But as this has only relatively little to do with the main topic of this thread, so I'm ending writing about the 2nd battle for Chelm - anyway - it would be sad not to mention about it if I was writing about the first German-Polish battle.

Regards!
Peter

------------------------------

And one more thing - sources to this post:

Cpt. Kazimierz Ważyński, "Kronika 41 DP Rez." ("Chronicles of 41. Reserve Inf.Div."), MiD WIH, II/2/90, pages 57 - 58
Heinz Guderian, "Wspomnienia Żolnierza" (Polish edition of "Memories of a Soldier"), page 69
Ludwik Głowacki, "Kampania wrześniowa na Lubelszczyźnie" ("September campaign in Lubelszczyzna"), pages 93 - 94
Czeslaw Grzelak, "Kresy w Czerwieni 1939. Agresja Związku Sowieckiego na Polskę" and "Kampania Polska 1939 Roku"
Janusz Magnuski, Maksim Kolomijec, "Czerwony Blitzkrieg" ("The Red Blitzkrieg")
Photo of Sawin comes from the internet (Google Images)

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Units destroyed so far 9 Div, 2/3 27 Div, Cav Brig Pomorska, Group Stargard (parts of it) and ON Brig Tuchel.

27th Infantry Division after its withdrawal from Pomerelian Corridor and reorganization + replacements (06.09.1939):

Four infantry regiments:

23rd Inf.Rgt. - 3 battalions reinforced by 63rd marching (spare) battalion
24th Inf.Rgt. - 2 battalions + battalion ON (National Defense) "Starogard"
- improvised regiment organized from remnants and ON battalions
- 208th Reserve Inf.Rgt. (attached to strengthen the division)

- 22nd Infantry Regiment (from 9th Infantry Division) - since 08.09.1939

Regiments usually had got shortage of infantry artillery, AT guns, MGs, supply columns and field kitchens.

Artillery:

27th PAL (Light Artillery Regiment) - II. battalion of 27th PAL (4 batteries), 48 DAL (2 batteries), 68 DAL (3 batteries)
27th DAC (Heavy Artillery Battalion) - full strength

II. battalion of 9th PAL - since 08.09.1939

Casualties of the division in Pomerelian Corridor:

In total 27th Division suffered around 40% men casualties in the Corridor (including those soldiers who were cut-off and encircled but did not surrender - some managed to break through later or resist until late September).

Out of 9 organic infantry battalions:

- most parts of 4 were lost (only remnants remained)
- 5 battalions + remnants of the other 4 ones remained (remnants were used to form the 3rd, improvised regiment)

Artillery casualties - 36 percent of artillery guns were lost

Equipment casualties - around 40% (but depends on type of equipment).

Supply columns of the division suffered heavy casualties due to strong Luftwaffe bombings.

On 4th of September 1939 27th Infantry Division, despite heavy casualties, was still able to fight.

Units destroyed so far 9 Div

9th Div suffered around 50% men losses (as above - including all causes + cut-off and dispersed soldiers).

Equipment and artillery losses were greater - over 2/3. In total division lost up to 60% (almost 2/3) of its potential.

Two out of 3 infantry regiments survived (although one with only 2 battalions and the other one with heavy losses).

22nd Inf.Rgt. (two battalions) and II. battalion of 9th PAL + smaller units and remnants of other units escaped from the pocket. Also 35th Inf.Rgt. escaped from the pocket but a bit later because on 05.09.1939 - it suffered heavy losses. Remnants of 34th Inf.Rgt. which escaped from the pocket formed one infantry battalion.

So in total out of 9 infantry battalions, 6 remained (but some of them had got low number of soldiers).

The division was not reorganized and its remaining units were fighting separately, attached to other great units.

Cav Brig Pomorska

Around 40 percent of this brigade broke through and later fought as the Collective Regiment of Pomorska Cav. Brig.

ON Brig Tuchel

Such unit did not exist as far as I know. There was GO "Czersk" and some (four) ON battalions there.

or the time being were captured 4.000 to 6.000 men and 350 horses.

Can be quite a correct figure as in total Germans reported capturing around 10,000 men in the Corridor - during the first seven days of Sept., if I remember correctly (but I'm not sure now - later I'll check exactly when they reported this figure). But this numbers is from the OKH communicate so it may be exaggerated to some extent.

Considering how many units were cut-off, they should have captured even more POWs, but some soldiers avoided captivity and continued to resist in the Tucholskie Forests or broke through the encirclement later than others.

tanks losses 6 to 8 vehicles out of 350 Pz Kw due to enemy fire.

Am I right that this refers to irretrievable losses only? - total casualties were much greater.

For example Panzer-Regiment 6. before the battle in Pomerelia (operational tanks):

79 Pz-II, 9 Pz-IV, 3 Pz-III, 67 Pz-I and Pz-Bef

And Panzer-Regiment 6. after the battle in Pomerelia and before the battles at the Narew (operational tanks):

55 Pz-II, 6 Pz-IV, 3 Pz-III, 55 Pz-I and Pz-Bef

And according to both Guderian and Polish sources only on 01.09.1939 3rd Pz.Div. lost over a dozen of AFVs disabled.

By the way - what is the source of this number?

Own losses 1 % KIA and 3 % WIA

Hmm - Guderian writes about 150 KIA and 700 WIA (850 KIA + WIA) in the whole 19th Corps during combats in Pomerelia.

While this means that only 3rd Pz.Div. lost 125 KIA and 376 WIA (as 3rd Pz.Div. + Pz.Lehr.Abt. had got 12545 men).

What about MIA (usualy presumed dead)?

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

06 September 1939.

According to Army Group North orders, the XIX AK (Mot) was to be shifted to East Prussia; the 20 ID (Mot) was to get across the Vistula by Käsemark, the 2 ID (Mot) by Gniew (Mewe). The 3 Pz should follow next day (Sep 07).

At 11:30 hours the Army Corps’ Commanding Officer, CoS and Ia travelled from Lubiewo to the fork road located 1 kilometer south of Plewno (Julienhof) there they will meet the Führer.


The Führer paying a visit to the frontline troops, Grupa Dolna – 06 Sep 1939.

At 14:30 hours Führer’s arrival then escorted by General Guderian (Corps Commander) moved along the road Plewno – Schwetz (Swiecie) up to the bridge on the Vistula at Graudenz.


The Generalleutnant Guderian, CO of XIX AK (Mot), accompanied the Führer and Chancellor of Germany – Gruppa Dolna 06 Sep 1939.

There Adolf Hitler saw a destroyed polish artillery unit and asked if it was done by the Stukas, the answer was no by our panzers. Already close to the Vistula and seeing a city beyond the river, Hitler asked if that city was Kulm so Guderian answered yes, adding: last year we met in your country, now you 've visited me in my native city, I was born there.


A destroyed polish horse-drawn column...........

At 17:00 hours travel back to Plewno and farewell.

At 24:00 hours the 2 ID and the 20 ID were marching to its assigned crossing points.

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

07 September 1939.

The 3 Pz received the order stating that it was to get across the Vistula following the 2 ID (Mot) at Gniew (Mewe) then to send by train the tracked vehicles and to march with the wheeled vehicles to Osterode first, then on Sep 08 to Lötzen - Arys, behind the 2 ID (Mot), reaching it during the night 08/09 Sep 1939. During those three days the 3 Pz covered 380 kilometers.


The panzerspähwagen Sd Kfz 251 which was the mobile CP for the XIX AK (Mot), seen here parked in a polish village – Sept 1939.

With the Kradsch. Btl 3.................

The Kradsch. Btl 3 got across the Vistula at Mewe and marched to Arys (in the next three days) through Marienwerder – Rosenberg – Auerswald – Deutsch-Eylau – Osterode – Tannenberg-memorial – Allenstein – Guttstadt – Lötzen.

And the Aufkl. Abt 3..........

On Sep 07 1939, the division got across the Vistula by Mewe and marched (in the next three days) through Marienwerder – Rosenberg – Auerswald – Deutsch-Eylau – Osterode

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

10 September 1939.

At 14:10 hours it was received the order issued by XIX AK (Mot) stating the division should reconnoiter towards Ossowiec – Goniadz in order to secure the traffic along the road Grajewo – Knyszyn. The Divisional Commander should go ahead towards the Army Corps’ Command Post located at Wizna.

At 23:00 hours the March started with the bulk of the division following by Gehlenburg - Szczuczyn - Wososz – Jedbane a Wizna. The AA 3 to Knyszyn then Bialystok – Lapy.


Routes of march and combats of 3 Pz from the Narew river to Wlodawa – Sep 1939.

And the Aufkl. Abt 3..........

On Sep 10 1939, the first elements of the division, which was assembled at the Training Ground of Arys, marched off around 23:00 hours and reached the polish border by second time at Szczuczyn. The A.A.3, to Knyszyn, then Bialystok – Lapy, crossed the Narew River on a bridge built by the divisional engineers.

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

11 September 1939.

The division took a rest at Jezewo, securing towards Sokaly. CP at Kapice.

With the Kradsch. Btl 3.................

On Sep 11 of 1939 the Kradsch. Btl 3, as divisional advance guard had reached the polish border by second time at Szczuczyn. Then it got across the Narew River on a bridge built by the divisional engineers. The division advances to Wizna from there towards Jedzewo behind the 10 Pz. The Kradsch. Btl 3 was alarmed and ordered to Wysokie-Masowieki where polish troops had encircled the Korps-headquarter but when the Btl. arrived there the situation was already cleared and they were greeted by general Guderian himself standing on the middle of the road.

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

12 September 1939.

The 3 Pz took over the security of the Army Corps’ left flank, reconnoitering towards Bialystok. At 08:00 hours the Unit followed by Sokaly to Bielsk. At 14:35 hours it was received the order which stated one reinforced infantry battalion (with one light artillery group) should be sent towards Zambrow and attached to the 20 ID (Mot).

With the Kradsch. Btl 3.................

Again towards the heart of Poland with the same Pictures as usual…………………


Burning villages and columns of refugees.

The Recce patrols fulfilled its tasks. Yes, yes in that way the EK (Iron Crosses) were won (See picture below).

And the Aufkl. Abt 3..........

On Sep 12 1939 at 13:10 hours, the AA 3 coming from Bransk reached the western Edge of Bielsk; the reconnaissance proceeded up to the Bialowieczer Forest.

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Hi Tigre!

If it comes to my description of the battle of Sawin - also parts of Pz.-Lehr-Regt. participated in that battle from the German side - and they suffered heavy casualties (only one company lost a dozen or so KIA), check this thread:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5#p1363955

Maybe you have some more information about casualties of other units during that battle?

PS:

A further interesting information is that Polish 13th Uhlan Regiment - which played so important role during the battle of Sawin - had got some... Tatars serving in one of its squadrons in 1939.

Rotmistrz (Rittmeister) Aleksander Jeljaszewicz was the commander of 1st "Tatar" squadron:



Tatars used to serve in Polish Armed Forces since 16th century. Here is a video about Muslim Tatars in Poland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FBNvXFoyTk

[tigre]

Hello to all ; thanks Domen for your great post. Now, more follows...........

Hello to all ; the story follows.........

With the 3 Pz through Poland – September 1939.

13 September 1939.

The 3 Pz was located with its bulk in the area East of Bielsk; CP at Augustowo. The division should maintain its positions in order to secure along the Orlanka; later it would be relieved by the 2 ID (Mot) then proceed towards Kamieniec-Litowsie.

With the Kradsch. Btl 3.................

On Sep 13 1939, the division started its march towards the fortress of Brest-Liwosk. The 3./K.3 was in the lead. At Zabinka it met heavy resistance by a polish armoured train and polish troops in the village which they didn´t see before. The company had to withdraw immediately.


A knocked out Light polish tank in Zabinka.

At 14:00 the Kradsch. Btl 3 with the fire support furnished by the 6./ AR 75 took Zabinka, and occupied defensive positions there, establishing a bridgehead across the Muchawiec.


Defensive positions within the bridgehead on the Muchawiec.

And the Aufkl. Abt 3..........

On Sep 13 1939 at 06:20 hours, the AA 3 went under way in order to seize the bridge at Kamieniec- Litowski and then proceed its reconnaissance southeastwards.

Sources: Memorias de un Soldado. Heinz Guderian. Círculo Militar. Buenos aires.
KTB des Genralkommando XIX AK – Feldzug in Polen.
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 5. Kapitel 3.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... en/3PD.htm
http://www.feldgrau.com/heer3p.html
http://www.wwiidaybyday.com/
Subasta de eBay (finalizada).
PANZER Photo Album - Aufkl. Abt 3 - -Sudetenland, Poland. Auction of Historical media 2007. LLC (now expired). Sábado, 25 de Octubre de 2008.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Hi Tigre!,

Thanks for further excellent pieces of information!

And here something from me - comparison of Polish and German forces in the Corridor on 01.09.1939:

Polish forces*:

9 DP - 16492 soldiers, 48 field and infantry guns, 20 mortars, 27 AT guns
27 DP - 17441 soldiers, 52 field and infantry guns, 22 mortars, 27 AT guns
Pomorska BK - 7284 soldiers, 16 field guns, 2 mortars, 18 AT guns, 13 tanks, 9 amoured cars
OW Chojnice - ca. 2950 soldiers, 6 mortars, 3 AT guns
15 DP + attached units – 17896 soldiers, 48 field and infantry guns, 22 mortars, 33 AT guns, 13 tanks

*I don’t count forces defending the eastern border of the Corridor (OW Tczew, OW Wisla) as well as German forces which were attacking there (e.g. SS H - D).

Grand total:

62050 soldiers, 164 field and infantry guns*, 72 mortars, 108 AT guns, 26 tanks, 9 armoured cars

*This includes only 18 heavy guns (155 and 105mm). Calibre of Polish guns was as follows:

9 DP - 3 x 155mm, 3 x 105mm, 12 x 100mm, 30 x 75mm (incl. 6 infantry guns)
27 DP - 3 x 155mm, 3 x 105mm, 24 x 100mm, 22 x 75mm (incl. 6 infantry guns)
Pomorska BK - 16 x 75mm
15 DP - 3 x 155mm, 3 x 105mm, 12 x 100mm, 30 x 75mm (incl. 6 infantry guns)

In Polish army 105mm was considered as heavy gun (while in German army 105mm field howitzer was called "light").

German forces:

Units attacking in the first wave (crossing the border on 01.09.1939):

3 Pz.Div.* - 12545 soldiers, 42 field and infantry guns, 12 mortars, 45 AT guns, 394 tanks, 97 AFVs
20 Inf.Div.(mot.) - 16445 soldiers, 72 field and infantry guns, 54 mortars, 72 AT guns, 30 AFVs
2 Inf.Div.(mot.) - 16445 soldiers, 72 field and infantry guns, 54 mortars, 72 AT guns, 30 AFVs
Korpstruppen XIX AK – 9220 soldiers, 72 field guns, 6 mortars, 36 AT guns
32 Inf.Div. - 17734 soldiers, 74 field and infantry guns, 54 mortars, 75 AT guns, 3 AFVs
3 Inf.Div. - 17734 soldiers, 74 field and infantry guns, 54 mortars, 75 AT guns, 3 AFVs
Korpstruppen II AK – 4300 soldiers, 36 field guns
50 Inf.Div. - ca. 14500 soldiers, 30 field and infantry guns, 54 mortars, 36 AT guns
Inf.Bde. "Netze" - 8000 soldiers, 36 mortars, 48 AT guns
Korpstruppen III AK – 7050 soldiers, 28 field guns, 6 AT guns, 56 AFVs (from Lehr.Aufk.Abt.)
23 Inf.Div. - 17734 soldiers, 74 field guns, 54 mortars, 75 AT guns, 3 AFVs
Armeetruppen - 2560 soldiers, 12 field guns, 36 AT guns

* with Pz.Lehr.Abt.

Total:

144310 soldiers, 584 field and infantry guns, 386 mortars*, 576 AT guns, 394 tanks, 222 AFVs

*Only 8cm mortars are counted (as well as in Polish army) - without grenade launchers ("light mortars") 5cm.

Units attacking in the second wave (crossing the border on 03.09.1939):

10 Pz.Div. - 7301 soldiers, 24 field and infantry guns, 12 mortars, 21 AT guns, 151 tanks, est. 50 AFVs
73 Inf.Div. - 15273 soldiers, 74 field and infantry guns, 75 AT guns
218 Inf.Div. - 17901 soldiers, 74 field and infantry guns, 75 AT guns
Armeetruppen - 700 soldiers

Total:

41200 soldiers, 172 field and infantry guns, 12 mortars, 171 AT guns, 151 tanks, est. 50 AFVs

Grand total:

185510 soldiers, 756 field and infantry guns, 398 mortars, 747 AT guns, 545 tanks, 272 AFVs

German – Polish numerical superiority ratio in the Corridor:*

Tanks and AFVs: 23,5 : 1
Artillery for direct fire support (AT guns): 6,92 : 1
Field and infantry artillery (guns and mortars): 4,9 : 1
Soldiers: 2,99 : 1
Air support available: de facto almost boundless versus virtually zero

* Along the main axes of German attack their superiority was much greater (for example in front of Polish 9 DP it was much greater than in front of 15 DP).

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Korpstruppen XIX AK:

Panzerabwehr-Lehr-Abteilung - 708*, 36 AT guns
II.(mot.)/Infanterie-Lehr-Regiment Döberitz - 864, 6 mortars
I./Flak-Abt.-61 (gem.) – est.** 700
II./Flak-Abt. “Lehr” (lei.) – est. 700
Stab Art.Regt.z.b.V.-603 – est. 100
II./s.Art.Regt.-48 (gem.) - 550, 12 heavy field guns
II./s.Art.Regt.-68 (gem.) - 550, 12 heavy field guns
s.Art.Regt.-601 - 2350, 48 field guns
Mcl Plt 419 – est. 100
Mapping Det 419 – est. 200
Field Post Det 419 - 18
Engr Bn 419 - 831
Bridge Col 419 – est. 61
Signal Bn 80 - 424
Support Bn 419 – est. 400
Korps-Nachschubtruppen 419 – est. 550
Feldgendarmerie-Trupp 419 – est. 50
Korps-Kartenstelle 419 – est. 50

Total: 9222, 72 field guns, 6 mortars, 36 AT guns

Korpstruppen III AK:

I./Flak-Regt.-411 (gem.) - 700
Arko.-3 - 100
II./s.Art.Regt.-39 (gem.) - 550, 12 heavy field guns
II./s.Art.Regt.-59 (gem.) - 550, 12 heavy field guns
PzJag.Abt.-605 - 708, 36 AT guns
M.G.Btl.-8 (mot.) – est. 1000, 6 mortars, 3 AT guns
Lehr Aufk.Abt. - 753, 2 infantry guns, 2 mortars, 3 AT guns, 56 AFVs
Nachr. Abt. 43 - 424
Pi. Btl. 43 - 831
Mcl Plt 403 - 100
Mapping Det 403 - 200
Field Post Det 403 - 18
Bridge Col 403 - 61
Support Bn 403 - 400
Korps-Nachschubtruppen 403 - 550
Feldgendarmerie-Trupp 403 – 50
Korps-Kartenstelle 403 – 50

Total: 7050, 26 field and infantry guns, 8 mortars, 6 AT guns, 56 AFVs

Korpstruppen II AK:

I./Flak-Regt. “Lehr” (gem.) - 700
Arko.-2 - 100
II./s.Art.Regt.-38 (gem.) - 550 - 12 heavy field guns
s.Art.Abt.- 436 (gem.) - 550 - 12 heavy field guns
s.Art.Abt.-604 (gem.) - 550 - 12 heavy field guns
Mcl Plt 402 - 100
Mapping Det 402 - 200
Field Post Det 402 - 18
Bridge Col 402 - 61
Signal Bn 42 - 424
Support Bn 402 - 400
Korps-Nachschubtruppen 402 - 550
Feldgendarmerie-Trupp 402 – 50
Korps-Kartenstelle 402 – 50

Total: 4300, 36 field guns

Armeetruppen:

s.Art.Abt.-602 (gem.)*** – 550, 12 field guns
II./Flak-Regt.-421 (lei) - est. 700
Pz.Abw.Abt.566 - 708, 36 AT guns
Nachr.Regt.589 – est. 1300

Total: 2560 + 700, 12 field guns, 36 AT guns

* numbers refer to soldiers / men
** ”est.” (estimated) refers to all units of such type
*** attached to 23. Inf.Div.

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If there are any mistakes / something is wrong / something should be added then please correct me.

[chris44]

some nice pictures from Bundesarchiv

chris44

[chris44]

chris44

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Panzer I with only one MG = which of the test series / prototypes is this?

[Julius <3 history :D]

Sd.Kfz. 265 kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen

Regards