Polish Armor of the Blitzkrieg

Polish Armor of the Blitzkrieg examines the armored forces of Poland during the 1939 German invasion. The book covers the development, organization, and combat use of Polish tanks and armored vehicles in the opening campaign of World War II. Steven Zaloga presents technical specifications and operational details of Poland's tank fleet, including the 7TP, TK-3, and other indigenous designs, as well as foreign-acquired vehicles. The text incorporates archival photographs, illustrations, and maps to document the Polish armored units' equipment and battlefield performance. The narrative follows the Polish armored forces through the September Campaign, from initial border clashes to the final desperate actions. Coverage includes major engagements involving Polish armor and analysis of tactics, training, and leadership. The book provides perspective on an overlooked aspect of early World War II, challenging assumptions about Polish military capabilities and highlighting the determination of Polish forces against overwhelming odds.

Readers found the book provided clear technical information about Polish tanks and armored vehicles from 1939, with detailed specifications and unit organizations. Positives: - Strong archival photos showing Polish armor in action - Clear explanations of Polish armored doctrine and tactics - Accurate coverage of specific battles and engagements - Useful tables comparing Polish vs German equipment Negatives: - At 48 pages, many felt it was too brief - Some wanted more details on production numbers and variants - A few readers noted minor errors in vehicle identification - Limited coverage of post-1939 Polish armor units Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) "Packs a lot of information into its pages but leaves you wanting more" - Amazon reviewer "Good introductory work but lacks depth expected from Zaloga" - Goodreads review "The photos alone make it worth having" - Military Model Craft International review

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🔹 The Polish Army in 1939 had more tanks than is commonly believed - around 880 tanks and armored vehicles - though they were outmatched by Germany's 3,190 tanks during the invasion. 🔹 Author Steven Zaloga has written over 50 books on military technology and history, and is considered one of the world's leading experts on armored warfare. 🔹 Poland's 7TP tank was their most modern design in 1939, based on the British Vickers 6-ton tank but improved with a diesel engine and better armor - making it superior to Germany's early Panzer I. 🔹 Many Polish tanks and crews escaped to Romania and Hungary after the invasion, where their vehicles were interned but later used by these countries' armed forces. 🔹 Despite being overwhelmed, Polish armored units achieved some notable successes, including the battle of Mokra where the Volhynian Cavalry Brigade's tankettes helped repel attacks by the German 4th Panzer Division.