Incidents of the Polish Campaign, 1939:

[tigre]

Hello Prosper ; thanks for joining and sharing those pictures here . Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!

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Pz Kw IV destroyed in Orła.

Polish history: On Sep 11, 1939 in pursuit of the fleeing enemy the 3 Squadron of the 2. Light Cavalry Regiment Rokitniańskich under por. (Lt.) Wojciechowski and the 2 Squadron of the 8. Mounted Rifle Regiment rtm. (Capt.) Wisniewski entered into Orła, and soon mastered the western part and then the whole village. The Polish cavalry pressed deeper into the German troops defending Ozorków. To counter this maneuver, the 2. / PR 23 moved to Orła in support of the infantry which defended the line Sierpów - Parzyce. When the tanks launched the attack into the town they fell under intense and dense fire of all weapons available to the squadrons. When a pair of tanks managed to break through the security service in the eastern part of Orła and reach the crossroads in the center of the village, they were greeted by the fire of a captured gun (pak of 37 mm?) that shot in ambush from one of the houses.

German history: the Poles have gathered substantial forces on the railway embankment west of the village of Orla. The Pz. Abw. Abt. 17 had to withdraw with heavy losses. And here is the 2. Company which was ordered to attack the Polish troops. The company rolled by Kowalewice, there was no time to lose............... As soon as we reached the town received heavy fire from all calibers .......... hence began a deadly duel between tanks and anti-tank weapons. Especially dangerous was a captured anti-tank gun, manned by Polish service. Two tanks were hit by the hostil fire but the crews, some seriously injured, managed to bail out, almost a miracle, and were rescued by other tanks. The crew of a third tank, which got stuck in the mud, despite the intense fighting could withdraw also.........................

Source: Na Slazk Nº 28 2009.
http://chociszew.pl/files/9613/5836/696 ... zesnia.pdf
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hagridm ... ry/ZPANZER

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Kiernozia.

On Sep 16, 1939 tThe 1. Pz.Div. moved towards the river Bzura. At the eastern bank of the river German artillery opened up against enemy forces. The roads were muddy because of the rain. At 10:30 hours the first tanks of the PR 1 went across the southern Bzura-bridge and met heavy enemy resistance. As the II./PR 1 attacked the infantry had to pull back because of heavy enemy artillery and AT-gun fire. The left wing outflanked the “Stiefelwald” pushed through the enemy defense line and destroyed strong AT- and artillery forces advancing west via Csiek.

At 16:00 hours the II./ PR 1 took the edge of Kiernozia-south which was defended by strong artillery and AT-units. Enemy AT-guns and artillery showed up everywhere and caused casualties. The commander of the 8. / PR 1 Hptm. v. Köckeritz was killed in his tank the Pz Kw Ausf, C Nº 800, also were killed there Uffz.Schwarz (driver) and Pz.Schtz. Wendland (gunner).

http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm
Source: Na Slazk Nº 28 2009.
http://chociszew.pl/files/9613/5836/696 ... zesnia.pdf
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/hagridm ... ry/ZPANZER

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Sierakow.

On Sep 19, 1939 the 1. Le Div has to solve three problems in that moment. It has to clear the forest south of Palmiry, prevent that the forces from Warschau and Modlin establish contact at the road and stop the enemy who attacks towards Warschau via Sierakow and Laski. To manage these three tasks the division is too weak. So it has to refrain from clearing the Kampinoska.

Early afternoon strong enemy forces in advance from Sierakow towards Laski into the flank of the division. The division has no available reserves and takes position with the back towards Warsaw from where enemy attacks are also possible. The gap between the division and the 29. ID (Mot) gets bigger. The II./KSR 4 which is not assembled yet is overrun. A counterattack by Pz.Abt.65 between Izabelin and Truskow towards Sierakow fails in heavy enemy defense fire. The Abteilung loses 4 officers, 5 NCOs and 17 men. The loss of tanks is not clearly reported.

In the evening a company of Pz.Abt.65 advances to Truskow.

Source: http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (offline)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; pictures again..................................

Sierakow.

Source: in the pictures.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Łask and Pabianice - September 1939.

On the night of 6/7 September, the regiment spent in the area south-east of Zdunska Wola. The Regiment's HQ spent the night at the station "Krasnica" [probably about Karsznice].

On September 7 it went to the east and at 16:00 hours the I./IR 55 had reached Markówki [8 km west of Pabianice]. Since the village was inhabited by many Germans the battalion was greeted warmly and took a break. Suddenly came an urgent order to march. It turned out that the Leibstandarte (SSLAH) was trapped in Pabianice and its attacks failed because of the strong resistance of the opponent. The IR 55 reinforced with the II./AR 17 was ordered to reach Kudrowice on the Lodz-Pabianice highway and maneuver around the Pabianice-Rzgów road to break the enemy's resistance fighting against the Leibstandarte. It was assigned the 1./Pi 17 and was also sent a tank company at Piątkowiska (I. / PR 23).

The I./PR 55 marched toward Piątkowiska. The other battalions relentlessly followed. In Piątkowiska they found the tanks. Since the other troops were still in progress, the regimental commander ordered the attack by the I./IR 55 according to the following deployment: two companies on the right, a company on the left. Meanwhile, the tanks were coming back and reported that both the railway embankment as the hills behind the route are occupied by the enemy (single infantry and machine guns). To move faster, some soldiers of the I./IR 55 boarded the tanks. Suddenly, during the movement the enemy opened fire with machine guns. The battle began! ..............

Source: http://www.dws.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=9 ... a&start=25
Foto Panzer Tank Polen Krobanow Lodz Lask Pabianice.

If what say the auction is correct these pictures correspond to the described action. Cheers. Raúl M .

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Border fighting between Liswarta and Panki 1939.

The 41. kompania kolarzy (cyclist) and kompania Straży Granicznej (border guards) defended the border in the sector Michalinów – Podłęże Szlacheckie – Kuźnica Nowa – Galińskie. At 04:30 hours the first elements of A.A. 4 (1. Pz) began to cross the border in the area of ​​the 41. kompania kolarzy (cyclist). The bridge over the Liswarta in Podłężie Szlacheckie had been blown. Because of the difficulties imposed by the ground on the banks of the river, the mass of the division could not overcome the Liswarta until 05:30 hours. After initial resistance and following the leader's order, por. Szewczyk, the cyclist company retreated towards Przystajni, assembly area of cyclists and border guards.

Along the route they carried out a series of destructions that included all bridges and viaducts in the area. In the first skirmish at Przystajni (7:30 horas) between a small German detachment and the Poles took place, during which a German motorcyclist rode over a mine and was killed on the spot (Uffz. Hans Meiners).

Meanwhile around 09:00 hours the sappers of Pi. Btl 37 built a makeshift bridge over the Liswarta and the heavy equipment/vehicles of the 1. Pz could get across it. Meanwhile the 41. Cyclist Company under por. Szewczyk continued its withdrawal placing anti-tank mines on the route Przystajni - Panki and then blew up the bridge over the Pankowka near Panki. Before 08:00 hours the Polish company occupied positions on the railway embankment located east of Panki and soon reached the town the riflemen of the SR1 supported by some light armored vehicles, two of which were rendered useless due mines.

The railway viaduct in the route Panki - Truskolasy was also blown , therefore stopping the advance of the enemy vanguard for a long time. The 41. Cyclist Company withdrew under cover of the Platoon under ppor. Bochniak. At 11:45 hours the Schütze Brig 1 continued the attack from the line Panki - Pyri. Shortly afterwards the AA 1 reported contact with the enemy in Truskolasy.

Source: http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (off-line)
http://docplayer.pl/8551309-75-rocznica ... cyjne.html
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/SR1.htm
http://www.mapywig.org/m/WIG_maps/serie ... I_1933.jpg

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 2. Le. Div in Poland - Lelów 1939.

AFAIK Oberleutnant Schütt and its crew belonged to Aufkl. Reg 7 (2. Le Div.); on September 3, 1939, the division was ordered to move towards Szczekociny. In Lelów, the Aufkl. Rgt. 7 broke a light enemy resistance. On both sides of the march route, elements of the retreating 7. Div (Polish) fled to hide in the woods. Elements of the German division pursued in order to cut the enemy forces. The Aufkl. Rgt. 7 struggled to Szczekociny while the Schtz. Rgt. 6 attacked Pradla. Perhaps in these fights was knocked out the panzerspähwagen Sd Kfz 223 (fu) where Schütt and his comrades perished on Sep 03, 1939........................

Sources: http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... tml#700425
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (off-line)

Does anyone have more details about these fights? Cheers. Raúl M .

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Night fight in Olszewo 1939.

A grouping of Polish cavalry, formed from the Cavalry Brigades "Podlasie" and "Suwałki" under the command of General Zygmunt Podhorski was surrounded by the XIX. AK (Motorized) under General Heinz Guderian. General Podhorski decided to attempt a breakthrough of the siege during the night of 13 to 14 September 1939. During the execution of this maneuver, there was a night meeting engagement between the 3rd pułku szwoleżerów (Light Cavalry Regiment); The 1st pułk ułanów (Ulanos Regiment) and 4th Dywizjonu Artylerii Konnej (horse-drawn Artillery Group) on one side and a mechanized column of the German 3. Panzer Division in the village of Olszewo. All Polish units involved in the fighting suffered heavy losses, especially on officers and non-commissioned officers. With clear superiority the Germans rejected to the detachments of the Cavalry Brigade "Suwalki" until their starting positions in the forests of Hodyszewo. In retaliation after the fighting the Germans set fire to the village of Olszewo and killed its inhabitants ...............................

On the other hand the Germans also suffered heavy casualties in material and personnel, around 20 vehicles of various types were destroyed and some 70 soldiers were killed in action ..........

Sources: https://dobroni.pl/n/echa-bitwy-pod-olsze/18668.
Http://www.wrzesien39.pl/historia/histo ... oscickiego
Http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... 30647.html

Greetings. Raúl M .

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Lodz (Lodsch) 1939.

On September 6, the XIII Army Corps advanced towards Dobron. On September 7, the Corps crossed the Ner and advanced east towards Lowicz, passing through Lodz, where the 17th Infantry Division advanced without a fight.

Source: Mit dem XIII. Armeekorps in Polen.
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... orps-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Forest Battle at Ruda Talubska in Poland. (Which Unit?)

On 17 September at about 2:00 p.m. the battalion reached a point on the Lublin highway, two miles southeast of Garwolin. Here the formations which had been mixed during the forest fight near Potok (south of Anin) reorganized, and just northeast of Sulbiny the noon mess was served. At this time I received the following order from the battalion :

1. At 3:00 p.m. the company is to start out and mop up the woods southeast of Ruda Talubska. After finishing this assignment, the company will re- turn to Ruda Talubska and rejoin the battalion.
2. It is reported that there are smaller enemy detachments in the woods about a mile southeast of Ruda Talubska.
3. A battery has been assigned to cooperate in this operation. The battery will go into position in the Zofianow area east of the Garwolin- Lublin highway. The battery commander is now on the way to Dolne, where you will meet him. In addition there are being placed under your command one light infantry gun platoon, one group of heavy trench mortars, and one platoon of heavy machine guns. The commanders of these subordinated units will shortly report to you.
4. The reconnaissance detachment which is stationed at D. Rowy with front toward the northwest will prevent enemy escape toward the south and southeast. North of this detachment, the regiment is marching toward Ruda Talubska.
5. The combat train will remain with the battalion.

Decision : After making preparations in the vicinity of Dolne, the company will attack the enemy which has been reported, and after mopping up the woods will head for the Ruda Talubska - D. Rowy highway.

Orders to the platoon commanders and commanders of the subordinated units :

1. Repetition of the situation and mission.
2. The company will march with march security one group strong to Dolne, leaving via the road leading into Sulbiny from the south. I will proceed ahead to Dolne and examine the terrain with reference to placing the heavy weapons and will make contact with the battery. I will wait for the company on the north edge of Dolne on the Sulbiny-Dolne road. Prepare equipment for marching. Get under way.

The cooperation with the battery resulted in the following decision for the contemplated course of action : After getting ready on the southeast edge of Dolne, the company will reach the course of the stream under the fire protection of the battery, then the edge of the woods. As soon as the company has penetrated into the woods, artillery fire is to be supplied only on the appearance of red light signals.

Source: Military Review May 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Forest Battle at Ruda Talubska in Poland. (Which Unit?)

Orders.

1. The infantry cannon platoon is to go into position in the area north of Dolne in such a manner that it will be able to lay its fire on recognized targets and the village of Feliksen. It establishes contact with the artillery with regard to sweeping the woods with fire.

2. The heavy machine-gun platoon will keep a watch over the right and left edges of the zone of combat with a half platoon assigned to each edge in order to prevent a lateral escape of enemy forces from the woods.

3. The heavy trench-mortar group is to go into position in such a manner that it will be able to concentrate its fire on the group of houses in Feliksen. Signal for fire will be one red and one green rocket.

4. The heavy machine-gun group belonging to the company will sweep the edge of the woods as a measure against snipers in trees while the company is crossing the stream. The group will then follow behind the company.

5. The company will be arranged with 1st platoon on the right, 2nd platoon in the center, 3rd platoon on the left. Boundary on the right, line connecting the north edge of Dolne and the northwest edge of the woods. Boundary on the left, line connecting south edge of Dolne and southeast edge of woods (shown in the sketch) . The rifle troops will go through the woods in skirmish line formation with five paces interval between the men. Contact on right. Light machine-gun troops follow in single file twenty paces behind their rifle troops.

After this preparation, the battery opened fire and the company pushed forward toward the water course. After the first few rounds, however, the enemy, whose morale was shattered, came forward in small groups and surrendered. I picked out a place for the prisoners and appointed men to guard them. Altogether about 70 men surrendered in my sector.

An additional 70 Poles on the left ran into the arms of the reconnaissance detachment. The mopping up of the woods then con- tinued according to plans and without resistance. I was able to report the execution of the assignment without casualties to the battalion.

Source: Military Review May 1943.

It's all. Cheers. Raúl M .

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23 pp (Infantry Regiment) in the September Campaign.

In the interwar period, the command of the 27th Infantry Division was stationed in Kovel. In 1923, it consisted of the 23rd Infantry Regiment (23 pp), the 24th Infantry Regiment (24 pp) and the 50th Infantry Regiment (50 pp). During the September Campaign, the division fought as part of the "Pomorze" Army. Originally designated for the Intervention Corps, it was deployed to the border of the Free City of Gdańsk.

The 23rd Infantry Regiment was an administrative and mobilizing unit. It began alarm mobilization on August 14 from 0:25 a.m. and ended on August 16. In the "W" mobilization plan, the 23rd Infantry Regiment in Włodzimierz mobilized in a group of units designed to protect the border with the USSR,

After initial mobilization activities, the subunits moved to nearby villages, where they completed their mobilization activities. On August 15, the mobilized soldiers took an oath. On August 17, the 23rd Infantry Regiment left for Bydgoszcz and took up quarters in the Kapuściska district. Then on August 25, he left by rail with the entire 27th Infantry Division to the Ocypel, Osów, Lubiechowo, Osieczno area. In the northern area of ​​the Tuchola Forest, where the division became part of the Intervention Corps.

In the event of a coup in Gdańsk, the 27th Infantry Division was to march to it via Skaryszewy, Kolbudy. In the event of a Polish-German war, the division was to retreat to the Chełmno or Bydgoszcz area. From August 26, the 23rd Infantry Regiment took up positions in the Osów Leśne area together with the 1st Group of the 27th Light Artillery Regiment. Training was conducted with the wz. 35 caliber AT rifle, field exercises, and a horse inspection was carried out. Designated subunits of the regiment patrolled the line of the Wda River. On August 31, the General Inspector of the Armed Forces disbanded the Intervention Corps, and the 27th Infantry Division was assigned to the "Pomorze" Army. According to the plans, it was to be the army reserve in the Chełmno, Chełmża area. Throughout the day of August 31, the division waited for rail transport to be delivered to the area of ​​planned deployment.

Source: Der Kommandant im Kampf: von einem polnischen Kriegsteilnehmer. Allgemeine schweizerische Militärzeitung = Journal militaire suisse = Gazetta militare svizzera. Band (Jahr): 87=107 (1941). Heft 4
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_Pu%C5% ... _Lisa-Kuli

Cheers. Raúl M .

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23 pp (Infantry Regiment) in the September Campaign.

Battles in Pomerania.

On September 1, at around 09:00 a.m., the 27th Infantry Division (27 DP) received the order to march on foot. Between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., units of the 27th Infantry Division began a march on foot through the Tuchola Forest in the direction of Fordon in three columns. The 23rd Infantry Regiment began the march in the central column, together with the 1st Group of the 27th Light Artillery Regiment (27 pal), the 27th Engineer Battalion, the 27th Signals Company and the 23rd Machine Gun and Supporting Weapons Company. The march was conducted via Osowo, Ocypel, Kasparus, Osie, Sierosław, Jastrzębie. Meanwhile, at 12:30 p.m., on the orders of the Commander of the Pomeranian Army, General Władysław Bortnowski, the German 3rd Armored Division was to be attacked from the Bysław, Bysławek area by the Polish 9th Infantry Division. The march route was changed.

In the evening, on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, the 27th Infantry Division returned to its previous march route, losing time and forces on this march. In the evening, at about 9:00 p.m., on the orders of the Army Command, four trains were to be provided on the Wierzchucin-Lniano-Laskowice section of the railway line to transfer parts of the 27th Infantry Division to the destination area. The units of the 27th Infantry Division, following an order from the division commander, had to march in a south-easterly direction, to the loading stations. Among others, the 23rd Infantry Regiment, minus one battalion, was to leave by rail. The rest of the division was to continue the march on foot.

At dawn on September 2, the 23rd Infantry Regiment found itself stopped after a march of more than 50 kilometres in the area of ​​Trzebcina, Wielkie Gacno. The commander of the 27th Infantry Division, General Juliusz Drapella, ordered the entire division to march towards Bydgoszcz via Gacno, Lniano, Karolewo. The 1st Battalion, together with the 1st Battery of the 27th Pal, left first, by a separate route through Zdroje. The 2nd Rifle Company marched in the vanguard, the commander of this company was missing, and 2nd Lieutenant Stefan Majewski took command. At around 4:00 p.m. hours the 1st Battalion of the 23rd Infantry Regiment reached the Szewno area, where it deployed in defense on the isthmus between the Szewno and Branickie lakes. After nightfall, it gathered its defenses and continued its march to the southeast. In the early evening, in the area of ​​the village of Polskie Łąki, the battalion fought against three German tanks.

Source: Der Kommandant im Kampf: von einem polnischen Kriegsteilnehmer. Allgemeine schweizerische Militärzeitung = Journal militaire suisse = Gazetta militare svizzera. Band (Jahr): 87=107 (1941). Heft 4
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_Pu%C5% ... _Lisa-Kuli

Cheers. Raúl M .

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23 pp (Infantry Regiment) in the September Campaign.

Battles in Pomerania.

After this skirmish, the I/23rd Infantry Regiment withdrew to the north and joined the 23rd Infantry Regiment in the Bukowiec area. The II Battalion marched at the head of the main column of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, which was bombed by German aircraft in the Wielkie Gacno area at around 8:00 a.m. on September 2nd. The II/23rd Infantry Regiment suffered losses and was temporarily dispersed, but continued its march to Trzebciny, where it was fired upon by a sabotage group with rifle and machine gun fire, and 2nd Lt. Jerzy Choroszcza was killed during the skirmish.

The I/ 27th pał, marching in the middle of the column without a battery, was fired upon by saboteurs, and the III Battalion, marching behind him, pushed the sabotage group off the axis of the march. During the further march, the III/23rd Infantry Regiment was bombed and three soldiers were killed, including 2nd Lt. Reserve Władysław Kałwa. At 4:00-5:00 p.m. the entire 23rd Infantry Regiment reached the area of ​​Błądzim and Karolewo. In the evening the regiment and I/27th pał set off on a march through Bramka, Bukowiec, Gawroniec, Różanna to the area of ​​Trzeciewiec.

On September 3 at dawn the 23rd Infantry Regiment, together with the 1st and 6th batteries of the 27th pał, reached the village of Włóki and was directed to defend the Bydgoszcz bridgehead and took up positions from the Gdańsk road to the Vistula River. II/23rd Infantry Regiment took up positions in the area of ​​the village of Włóki, with the 4th Rifle Company on the Gdańsk road from Trzeciewiec to Włóki, the 6th Rifle Company on the right, and the 5th Rifle Company on the left of the road.

I/23 pp on the Włóki-Zła Wieś section, 2nd Rifle Company on the road to Bydgoszcz in the Zła Wieś area, 1st Rifle Company on the right of the road to the Vistula bank, 3rd Rifle Company in reserve in the area north of Strzelce Dolne. III/23 pp took up positions on the Stronno, Magdalenka, Sienno line, covering the left wing of II/23 pp.

Finally, the regiment took up positions at 8:00 a.m. At around 11:00 a.m., the positions occupied by the regiment, previously prepared by other units, were fired upon by German artillery. Particularly heavy fire hit the positions on both sides of the Gdańsk road. German infantry from the IR 121st, 50th ID began the attack along the Gdańsk road.

In the area of ​​Żołędów, on the Gdańsk road, in the second echelon, the artillery platoon of the 24th Infantry Regiment took up positions, and the 1st Battalion of the 24th Infantry Regiment stood as a reserve of the 23rd Infantry Regiment in the area of ​​the village of Wilcze. Greater forces led the attack on the section from the Gdańsk road to the bank of the Vistula. Particularly strong pressure was exerted on the section of the 2nd Rifle Company, after introducing battalion reserves, the German attack was stopped. On the section of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, the fight continued with the support of 6 batteries of the 27th Pal. The attack was stopped.

Around 3:00 p.m., the German infantry again carried out an attack on the section of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, a particularly strong attack was made on the defense of the 2nd Battalion, with the support of German aviation. The defense of the 2nd/23rd Infantry Regiment was broken around 4:00 p.m., and the 2nd Battalion, after suffering large losses, was forced to retreat towards Bydgoszcz. The 2nd Battalion was practically defeated; immediately after the battle, just over 100 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion were gathered.

Source: Der Kommandant im Kampf: von einem polnischen Kriegsteilnehmer. Allgemeine schweizerische Militärzeitung = Journal militaire suisse = Gazetta militare svizzera. Band (Jahr): 87=107 (1941). Heft 4 https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_Pu%C5% ... _Lisa-Kuli

It's all. Cheers. Raúl M .