Incidents of the Polish Campaign, 1939:

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

The 1st Light Division was created in Wüppertal (WK VI) on November 10, 1938 after being reclassified the 1. Light Brigade. His commander at the beginning of the Polish campaign was Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm von Loeper. In addition to the armored units shown in the table, had the Schützenbrigade 6 (SR 4 with I, II and III. Battalion and the Kradsch. Btl 6), the AR 76 with the I. and II. Groups, the Pi Btl 57, the Pz Jäg Abt 41, the AA 6 and the NA 82.

The division was equipped with tanks Czech Skoda LT 35 (Light Tanks mod 1935) designated Pz Kw 35 (t) with a weight of 10 tons, a crew of 4 men and armed with 37 mm L/42 cannon plus 2 7.92 mm machine guns. These cars were given as the communications equipment the FuG 5 (10-watt receiver / transmitter) and FuG 2 (receiver). The Germans also added a fourth crew member as loader (as requested by the Division Commander), sacrificing space in the turret but thus increasing the rate of fire to match the Pz Kw III; this tank was an important addition to the armored force.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

On August 19, 1939 the 1st Light Division went to make the autumn maneuvers to be held in training camp of Neuhammer and in Sargan and Sorau.

In late August 1939, the division was deployed on the Polish border around Kreuzberg.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 1, 1939 across the Prosna, behind the troops of the IR 54, belonging to the 18th ID, moved ahead reconnaissance armored combat patrols and part of the I./ KSR 4 (Kavallerie Schützenregiment). Around noon using a war bridge crossed the Kradsch. Btl 6 and parts of the III. / KSR 4.

At the same time came an order of the 10 AOK specifying that the Division (1 Light Division) had to march through the north of Kowale through the wooded area towards Wierzbie. Because of this the division organized the Kampfgruppe v. Esebeck composed of the Kradsch. Btl 6, the III. / KSR 4 and the I / AR 76.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

The positions at Ozarow were occupied by the 2. / 36 pp commanded by por. (Lt) Jan Wojciechowski. One Platoon defended Ozarow, another Platoon around the town and a third took position near a mill in Kocilew. The artillery guns emplaced in the cemetery with observatories in the church and mill. At dawn on September 1, 1939 the company was alarmed and within hours began arrive refugees coming from Praszka and Kowale.

Towards evening the Germans had conquered Wierzbie, Ozarow and the heights north of the latter town, holding heavy fighting with the Polish 36 pp (Infantry Regiment - pulk piechoty) and suffered some casualties. Meanwhile, the PR 11 was assembled in Landsberg on the border by the Prosna River, opposite the Polish town of Praschka; the Pz Abt 65 was due north in the town of Golhe.

Map of the area: http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/200e/36-51.jpg

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 2, 1939 at 03:30 hours the PR 11 led the way to the border and according to the War Diary of the II. / PR 11, the detachment marched through Josefsberg and crossed the Prosna at 05:00 hours entering into Poland. The Regiment moved north and south of Soltysy and could hear artillery fire and machine guns due north; half way there was a light reconnaissance vehicle of the AA 6 that had been knocked out by antitank fire of a day earlier (here perished Leutnant Begeman and other members of the vehicle's crew).

At 07:00 hours reached the assembly area located in the forest east of the route Praschka - Wielun (1 km southwest of Soltysy). At 07:30 hours the I. / PR 11 was attached to the Kav. Schützen Brigade 6 having the mission of rejecting the enemy which occupied Gaszyn (2 km south of Wielun).

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 02, 1939 at 09:00 hours the I./ PR 11 seized the ground east of Gaszyn and continued its movement toward the northwest, at 09:30 the cavalry riflemen reached the southern access of Wielun. The PR 11 had achieved the assigned target and in the evening occupied an assembly area at Kadlub and Gaszyn. The Pz Abt 65 crossed the border by Praschka at 06:00 and around noon the 4./ Pz Abt 65 (Hauptmann Hagen) was given the task of reconnoitering towards the Warta.

On September 2, 1939, the Polish 36 pp. withdrew along the axis Borowiec-Rychłocice-Konopnica, carrying out delaying combat. The 72 pp was assigned the task of retreating during the night from 02 to 03 Sept., 1939, crossing the Warta and to organize new defensive positions in Rychłocice-Konopnica along a front of 5 km; the III./ 72 pp would be subordinate to the 15 pp.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

The 36 pp, reinforced by the II. / 28 pal and the 72 pp reinforced by the III. / 28 pal retreated while fighting towards the Warta in direction to Rychłocice but there was an unfortunate mistake here and the bridge was blown up prematurely before the 72 pp. and the III. / 28 pal could cross; these units had to cross on rafts, leaving the heavy material behind.

On September 3, 1939 the enemy (Poles) retreated in order to establish new positions along the Warta. The aerial reconnaissance found that new Polish troops (one division) moved from Widawa to Wielun, reaching the line Maslowice – Czarnoszyly. The XIV AK and the XIII AK should attack the enemy on the move and then to push to Wielun.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

At 10:30 hours the I./ PR 11 was attached to the KSR 4, while the II. / PR 11 received at 12:45 hours an order of the regiment stating that it should progress through Wielun to Malyszyn (3 kms northeast of Wielun). Wielun was totally destroyed by artillery fire and aerial bombardment.

The II. Abteilung reached Malyszyn at 14:10 hours finding the town in flames; the fraction of engineers was to repair the bridge in Borowiec which had been destroyed. At 16:30 hours Oberstleutnant Koll carried out a reconnaissance towards the Warta by Rychlocice.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

The tanks of the I. Abteilung had run out of fuel and ammunition. The 7. / PR 11 (Hauptmann Streger) reinforced with a Platoon of Pz Kw IV of the 6. / PR 11 which had been detached at 16:45 hours to the crossroads 2 kms northeast of Wielgie, was ordered to support the attack of the infantry.

The attack was scheduled for 18:45 hours, Oberstleutnant Koll reconnoitered the starting line located in a forest at about 1500 mts southwest of the access at Rychlocice. At 18:40 hours the armored company moved on with Hauptmann Streger on the lead, behind three medium tanks of the 6. Company (Leutnant Schmidt) and then two Platoons of Skoda tanks of the 7. Company (Oberleutnant Koch).

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

Shortly before the access to Rychlocice the German tanks deployed on the right and left of the road and opened fire, under that cover the riflemen moved through the open field dragging a three men dinghies and set out to cross the Warta. Hauptmann Streger, who came down of his armored in order to recognize a ford, was seriously wounded, while Oberstleutnant Koll was shot in the arm that also struck Oberleutnant Schoeller (Adjutant of II. / PR 11). Oberleutnant Saalbach succeeded in rescuing Oberstleutnant Koll, Hauptmann Streger and an engineer officer seriously wounded and transported all of them to the Main Aid station.


Rychlocice

Maj. Schenk (5. / PR 11) took over command of the II. Abteilung, Oberleutnant Rosenberg of the 5. Company and Oberleutnant Koch of the 7. Company. The crossing was successful and it was established a bridgehead of 2 kilometers deep. The Pz Abt 65 advanced to Dymek. At night the I./ PR 11 progressed to Wielgie.


The town of Rychłocice completely destroyed.

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pamiatki,2/stare-fotografie-wielun-zatrzymany-w-kadrze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlosc-zajezierza,1/28-pulk-artylerii-lekkiej-z-zajezierza,20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/leichte%20Panzerdivisionen/1leDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 4, 1939 the Polish 28 DP faced the German XVI AK (Mot) and the III. / 28 pal supported the counterattack carried out by the 4 pp Leg in the direction of Zapolice. While Oberstleutnant Thomas, commander of the Pz Abt 65, moved in order to reconnoiter the crossing over the Warta, the Pz Abt 65 proceeded to Widawa attacking by Rogozno. The PR 11 occupied an assembly area in the forest located 2 km south of Wronsko.


Polish prisoners in Wielun - Sep 04 1939....................

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 5, 1939 around Wronsko the Pz Abt 65 joined with the PR 11 and was assigned the following task: to attack towards northeast, marching due east of the Widawka. The attack was stopped due to swampy terrain, anti-tank obstacles and artillery fire; Leutnant Wendland's tank received a direct hit and burned, killing the officer and one Uffz, who were the first casualties of Pz Abt 65.


Interior of a Pz Kw 35 (t) of PR 11 .......................

At 16:00 hours the PR 11 was ordered to break a strong enemy resistance due east of Rogozno together with the SR 4 and for this task were ready the I. / PR 11 1 km due SE of Widawa and the II. / PR 11 in Kopiec, but the attack was canceled and the I. / PR 11 retreated to Wronsko, while the II. / PR 11 remained between Widawa and Rogozno.


German soldier watching Wielun on fire.........................

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

In effect, the German air reconnaissance had reported that the Polish defensive positions on the river Widawka were unoccupied, therefore the XV AK (Mot) ordered at noon on September 5, 1939 the attack against the Widawka defensive position. The I. / SR 4 under Maj. Zollenkopf approached about 100 meters of the target when the attackers got artillery fire skillfully directed and the German troops retreated.


Wielun on fire ...............


Polish POWs......................

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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A Light Division in advance on Wielun - September, 1939.

War!.

On September 6, 1939 the Polish troops ceased resistance and abandoned their positions, retreating to the northeast toward Lask. The 1. Le. Div immediately dispatched the Kampfgruppe v. Ravenstein toward the northeast. Indeed at 11:00 hours came the order to attack for which the I. / PR 11, the Pz Abt 65 and the II. / SR 4 should push for Patoki on Kurow and northeast toward Lask, in order to cut the route of withdrawal of the enemy columns of infantry, artillery and mixed.


Checking the engine of a Pz Kw 35(t)?........................

Sources: http://www.historiawielunia.fora.pl/pam ... ze,16.html
http://www.zajezierze.fora.pl/przeszlos ... 20-45.html
Geschichte der Panzerregiment 11.
Private Sales List-4. Panzer Photo Album - Panzer Rgt 11 (6 Panzer Div) - Poland, France
36 Pułk Piechoty Legii Akademickiej W wojnie obronnej 1939 r.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... eDiv-R.htm

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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Gr Wartenberg 1939.

Below follows a brief description of the fighting that took place along the route Syców / Gr Wartenberg - Kobyla Góra / Haideberg - Ostrzeszów / Schildberg between the 28 psk and German troops of the 24. ID.

The Polish battle group, which was supported by the National Defense Battalion (ON) of Ostrzeszów, consisted of:

The II. and III. Battalions of the 28. Psk (Rifle Regiment Kaniowskich).
Light Artillery Group of Pal-10 (light artillery regiment) Lodz Army.
Signal Platoon and Sapper Platoon of the 60 pp from Ostrow Wielkopolski
2 Squadrons of the 1.Pulku kawalerii (Cavalry) KOP
-92 Independent Light Armored Reconnaissance Company.

The 24. ID was organized in Chemnitz (WK IV) and consisted of Infanterie-Regiment 31 (Plaeun), Infanterie-Regiment 32 (Grimma) and Infanterie-Regiment 102 (Chemnitz); plus Artillerie-Regiment 24, Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 24, Aufklärungs-Abteilung 24, Nachrichten-Abteilung 24 and Pionier-Bataillon 24. Its commander was Generalleutnant Friedrich Olbricht (November 10, 1938 - February 1940) who later would has outstanding performance in the resistance against Hitler in Operation Valkyrie.


Schildberg's Church ................................

Sources:http://www.28pp.fora.pl/28-pulk-strzelcow-kaniowskich-1919-1939,14/
http://www.28pp.fora.pl/28-pulk-strzelcow-kaniowskich-1919-1939,14/walki-na-trasie-sycow-kobyla-gora-ostrzeszow,1626.html
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/ArtReg/AR66-R.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanteriedivisionen/24ID.htm
http://odkrywca.pl/wrzesien-1939-zdjecia-czesc-19-,651898.html

Cheers. Raúl M .