Tanks of the Second World War by Anderson Thomas

Author:Anderson, Thomas [Anderson, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

STRENGTH OF GERMAN PANZERS IN POLAND, SEPTEMBER 1939

The PzKpfw I tanks deployed in large numbers had as little battle value as the midget tanks used by the Poles. The white crosses tended to be used for aiming purposes by the enemy and later they were painted over or covered with mud. (Wilhelm)

The Polish tanks were for the most part older, and light tanks armed only with MGs were in the great majority. In all the Poles had about 800 tanks available but not many were fitted with an effective cannon (108 of type 7TP).

The German advance was unstoppable. The superior technology, the superiority in numbers and efficient collaboration between the various arms of service crushed Polish resistance everywhere. All the same, there were examples of poor coordination which brought an attack to grief. In the attack at Mlawa north of Warsaw on field fortifications by PzRegt 7, the attack was defeated by anti-tank obstacles not recognised by air reconnaissance. Well dug-in anti-tank guns and artillery destroyed several German panzers, others were hit while retiring. At the end of the battle the regiment had lost 72 of its 164 panzers, and the operational goals were not met.

Even in 1939, panzers were not an everyday sight. Here German infantry admire a PzKpfw II Ausf.C. With its 2-cm gun this panzer was effective against enemy infantry trenches, the rounds penetrated all cover. (Anderson)

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