| POLISH NAVY |
When Poland regained it's independence in 1918, it had limited access to the Baltic, a result of being late in developing a navy. By 1939 Poland had a small number of destroyers, submarines and auxiliary ships and merchant vessels placing it at a significant numerical disadvantage in relation to the German navy. Poland had 4 destroyers, 5 submarines and 1 mine layer plus 2 more destroyers under construction in Gdynia, and 2 motor torpedo boats in England. Despite it's small size, and the overwhelming nature of Germany's attack in the September Campaign, the Polish navy played a memorable part in the defence of Gdynia, the Hel Peninsula, and Westerplatte, as well as numerous other missions. Polish ships and coastal batteries brought down about 53 German aircraft, sank 2 German destroyers, and damaged the infamous German battleship, the Schlewig-Holstein. Shortly before Germany's assault, 3 Polish destroyers, the Blyskawica, the Grom, and the Burza, as well as two submarines, had all escaped from the Baltic Sea, and arrived in British waters. They were incorporated into the British navy and took part in many Allied maneuvers. Some allied ships temporarily gave over command to the Polish officers and crew in the light of their superb seamanship. British shipyards rapidly constructed more ships to add to the Polish fleet. Their missions included taking part in the attack on Narvik, shelling shore batteries, and engaging German raiders. They covered the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France, shelling the coast around Dunkirk. The Blyskawica even entered the Dunkirk canal, experiencing heavy bombing and gun fire. From 1940, Polish destroyers took part in the Battle of the Atlantic. They protected shipping in the English Channel, patrolled and escorted convoys in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. They also took part in naval operations at Tobruk, Dieppe, Lefoten, Murmansk, Malta, and Normandy. Polish valor was always evident in every battle. When the HMS Hood was sunk by Germany's Bismarck, the Polish ship ORP Piorun, from a short distance began firing on the giant Bismarck. Her guns hardly made any damage, but kept the Bismarck tied up in a duel, earning much needed time for the British navy to arrive and destroy the German ship. The next day, the British government showered congratulations on the Polish Navy, but not one word of it was printed in the newspapers, nor in books published after the end of the war. The only mention of praise was for British gallantry and heroism. Polish ships were instrumental in sinking several enemy battleships, shooting down aircraft, and escorting convoys and patrolling the seas of Western Europe. |
| Polish Navy Statistics Enemy Targets Damaged Destroyed Ships 9 6 Subs 8 3 Transports - 41 Shore Batteries 8 9 Aircraft 7 probably destroyed 17 downed Polish Losses: 1 cruiser 2 destroyers 2 submarines 31 officers 373 other ranks At the end of the war, the Polish fleet consisted of 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers, 3 submarines, and 7 motorgun boats. |