Debunking Polish stereotypes: the cavalry charge against German tanks

It is interesting to note historically that the Poles, during the siege of Vienna, had perhaps the best cavalry arm in existence. The Polish Winged Hussars never failed to break an enemy they charged. At least that was what was taught me at Eastern Washington Univ. The poles lifted the siege and perhaps save a large chunk of Europe from Muslim conquest.

 

They sometimes failed (especially late in their history).

But indeed very rarely and only when charging against vastly overwhelming enemy odds or enemy protected by anti-cavalry obstacles, trenches, fortifications, etc.

I agree that they were the best European cavalry of their era (16th - 17th centuries).

 

I read some where the Poles downed or damaged at least 485 German aircraft. hope that helps

 

I would imagine the difference in the numbers of tanks destroyed in Poland vs in France could be attributed to the fact that Poland really had no warning, whereas France had the surprise attack on Poland to clue in their military and give it a chance to get ready (which, it sorta-did and sorta-didn't). Also, the fighting in France was on a much wider field (I have no numbers, but want to say that there were more divisions fighting in France than in Poland) plus the fact that the technological disparity between Germany and France was not as large as that between Germany-Poland. Again, this is opinion on my part, as I have no solid numbers to go on, just opinion formed from reading various sources.

 

I read that Poland downed somewhere around 350 German planes. As far as the comparison against the French numbers, my point is simple. Poland did far more with far less.

 

This is a simplified and populist interpretation. Relations between states are not based on good will. Britian declared war to maintain balance of power in Europe, precicely the reason for American economic support. Germany threatened to establish overwhelming political and economic influence rivaling Britain and the US. The treaty with Poland was a joke, backed up by nothing. No one in their right mind would argue that Hitler liked the British and having conquered Europe would simply let the island be. This is a patriotic myth propagated to maintain the idea that Britain declarted war on Germany when it did not have to.

 

My goodness, what a rightous rant. The looming establishment of German superiority in Europe was the motivation not good will.

 

Simplified yes - You wouldn't want me to write a book would you?

Populist? - Do you have another interpretation of the events and reasons behind the action taken.

Of course, the emergence of a dominant power in Europe especially one as evil as Hitler's would trigger Britain's 500 year policy of supporting the weaker party. But as in WW1 (poor, raped neutral Belgium by the German Hun), the leader of a democratic country had to convince his people that the war was just. This was a lot easier against Hitler than the Kaiser. But look at the how far Chamberlain was prepared to go to accommodate the perceived wrongs done to Germany in the Versailles treaty. The German take-over of the rump of Czechoslovakia was the red-line.

Yes, giving direct practical help to Poland was not possible. But it was a matter of honour and if the Poles had allowed the Soviets in then I think it is debatable if the German generals would have accepted a war on two fronts.

I do dispute your contention that Hitler "disliked" Britain - there is a mountain of evidence from Mein Kampf onwards that he envisaged a British Empire co-operating with a German Empire and elimination of the Bolsheviks.

The final "joke" was on Hitler - he lost both the "1000 year Reich" and his own life by this miscalculation.

 

In case it hasn't been referenced already there's an article in here: http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1984/ArmorJanuaryFebruary1984web.pdf
that addresses the topic.

 

Rightous rant? Where on earth do you get from that statement anything that states we declared war for good will? Whereas Communist Russias reasoning for invading Poland was what exactly?

 

Much of what you say could also be applied to the French. Anti-Semitism was (and still is) a world wide plague.