September War
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The Polish 1st Armored Division is undoubtedly one of the most famous units of the Polish army. The soldiers who served in it were participants in three campaigns of World War II - in September 1939 they defended Poland under the battle flag of the 10th Cavalry Brigade, then fought in France in the ranks of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and after reorganization in Great Britain into the 1st Armored Division , participated in the last stage of the war in Western Europe. Throughout its existence, the division maintained the continuity of its traditions, its basis consisted of the same units, the same soldiers and fought under the command of the same commander - General Maczek.
The Polish 1st Armored Division is undoubtedly one of the most famous units of the Polish army. The soldiers who served in it were participants in three campaigns of World War II - in September 1939 they defended Poland under the battle flag of the 10th Cavalry Brigade, then fought in France in the ranks of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and after reorganization in Great Britain into the 1st Armored Division, participated in the last stage of the war in Western Europe. Throughout its existence, the division maintained the continuity of its traditions, its basis consisted of the same units, the same soldiers and fought under the command of the same commander - General Maczek.
The Polish 1st Armored Division is undoubtedly one of the most famous units of the Polish army. The soldiers who served in it were participants in three campaigns of World War II - in September 1939 they defended Poland under the battle flag of the 10th Cavalry Brigade, then fought in France in the ranks of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and after reorganization in Great Britain into the 1st Armored Division , participated in the last stage of the war in Western Europe. Throughout its existence, the division maintained the continuity of its traditions, its basis consisted of the same units, the same soldiers and fought under the command of the same commander - General Maczek.
On September 1, 1939, a small but industrially important part of Czechoslovakia from Bohumín to Jablunkov on the left bank of the Olza River, which was occupied by Poland and became part of it, did not witness fierce fighting on September 1, 1939. Despite its economic importance, the Poles did not intend to defend it steadily, but preparations for World War II and the course of its first day were recorded in municipal chronicles, Polish historiography, as well as in German war documents.
How World War II in the air began? These were not the massive attacks of hundreds of bombers and the persistent fighting of fighter groups we know from later periods of this war. However, the actors of its beginning on both warring parties showed a lot of determination, which from the point of view of the intensity of later events seems insignificant, little known, but still very interesting.
The swastika is one of the oldest symbols of humanity, but World War II fixed it in the public consciousness as a sign of Nazism. However, the swastika was used by military units on both sides of World War II. It was the first German victim, Poland, who used the swastika symbol in the insignia of regiments of Podhalan shooters and other mountain units.
The legend of the Polish cavalry attacks with sabers and spades on German tanks is perhaps the most famous myth of the September 1939 campaign. The myth arose during the entire Polish campaign and in the years following it. The fact that such an attack would be a clear suicide and no commander with common sense would give such a stupid order does not diminish the popularity of these stories, surprisingly repeated and well-known authors. It proves that it is very difficult to remove any stereotype, even if it is completely absurd, when it is so deeply ingrained.
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