List of Polish armies in World War II
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of Polish Armies during World War II, together with their commanders and brigade and division-sized units. For a more detailed list see: Polish army order of battle in 1939
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Note that during the Polish Defensive War several divisions were grouped into two units smaller than armies: the Wyszków Operational Group and the Narew Independent Operational Group.
Polish army order of battle in 1939
Polish OOB during the Invasion of Poland. In the late thirties Polish headquarters prepared "Plan Zachód" , a plan of mobilization of Polish Army in case of war with Germany...
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Formed before the war | Blue |
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Formed during the war in Poland | Green |
Formed in exile at later stages of the war | Red |
Karpaty Army Karpaty Army Karpaty Army , formed on 11 July 1939 under Major General Kazimierz Fabrycy, was created after Germany annexed Czechoslovakia and created a puppet state of Slovakia.-Tasks:... (Armia Karpaty) Kazimierz Fabrycy Kazimierz Fabrycy Kazimierz Fabrycy was a Polish general. Fabrycy was a member of the Polish Legions in World War I, and fought in the Polish Soviet War. He was the Viceminister of military affairs from 1926 to 1934, and commander of several infantry divisions during the interwar period in the Second Polish Republic... 2nd and 3rd Mountain Bdes, 11th Inf.Div, 24th Inf.Div 24th Infantry Division (Poland) Polish 24th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. The Division was created in 1921, and its first commandants were: General Jan Hempel , General Waclaw Scewola-Wieczorkiewicz, Colonel Boleslaw Maria Krzyzanowski... , 38th Inf.Div |
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Kraków Army Kraków Army Kraków Army was one of the Polish armies to take part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. It was officially created on March 23, 1939 as the main pivot of Polish defence. It was commanded by Gen... (Armia Kraków) Antoni Szylling Antoni Szylling Antoni Szylling was a Polish general, considered, along with Generals Wiktor Thommée and Stanisław Maczek, to have been one of the most successful Polish Army commanders during the Polish Defensive War of 1939.-Biography:... 6th 6th Infantry Division (Poland) Polish 6th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. The Division was created on May 9, 1919 in the area around Krakow, its first commandant was Colonel Ignacy Pick.... , 7th, 21st Mountain, 22nd Mountain, 23rd 23rd Infantry Division (Poland) 23rd Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interwar period . Created in 1921, its headquarters were stationed in Upper Silesian town of Tarnowskie Góry... , 55th 55th Infantry Division (Poland) The 55th Infantry Division was a reserve unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign... Infantry Divisions, 10th Mot., Kraków Cav.Bde. Kraków Cavalry Brigade Kraków Cavalry Brigade was a unit of the Polish Army), created on April 1, 1937. Its headquarters were located in Kraków, but some units were stationed in other places:* 3rd Silesian Uhlans Regiment in Tarnowskie Góry,... , 1st Mountain 1st Mountain Brigade (Poland) 1st Mountain Brigade was a unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. Commanded by Colonel Janusz Galadyk, it was part of Operational Group "Bielsko" of the Army Kraków. It consisted mostly of units of the Border Defence Corps , sent to... |
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Łódź Army (Armia Łódź) Juliusz Rómmel Juliusz Rómmel Juliusz Karol Wilhelm Józef Rómmel was a Polish military commander and a general of the Polish Army. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, he gained great fame for achieving a decisive victory in the Battle of Komarów, the largest cavalry engagement of the 20th century... , Wiktor Thommée Wiktor Thommée Wiktor Thommée was a Polish military commander and a Brigadier General of the Polish Army. A veteran of the Great War and the Russian Civil War, he is best known for his command over Piotrków Operational Group and the battle of the Bzura during the Polish Defensive War of 1939.- Early life :Wiktor... 2nd Legions, 10th 10th Infantry Division (Poland) 10th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the 1939 German Invasion of Poland. It was created in 1919 from the former Polish 4th Rifle Division. Stationed in Lodz and commanded in 1939 by General Franciszek Dindorf-Ankowicz, it was part... , 28th, 30th Infantry Divisions, Wołyńska Wolynska Cavalry Brigade The Volhynian Cavalry Brigade was a Polish cavalry brigade, which saw action against the invading Germans during the Invasion of Poland, a part of World War II. Raised from recruits in the area of Wołyń, the division was posted to the Łódź Army. During several desperate counter-attacks, the... and Kresowa Cavalry Brigade Kresowa Cavalry Brigade Kresowa Cavalry Brigade was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was organized on April 1, 1937 and was based on the Second Cavalry Brigade... s |
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Modlin Army Modlin Army Modlin Army was one of the Polish armies that took part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. After heavy casualties in the battle of Mława , the Army was forced to abandon its positions near Warsaw around September 10; eventually it took part in the battle of Tomaszów Mazowiecki and surrendered... (Armia Modlin) Emil Krukowicz-Przedrzymirski Emil Krukowicz-Przedrzymirski Emil Krukowicz-Przedrzymirski also known as Emil Karol Przedrzymirski de Krukowicz was a Polish general.Krukowicz-Przedrzymirski was born in 1886. He began military service as an artillery officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I. He joined the Polish Army in 1918 and fought in the... 8th and 20th 20th Infantry Division (Poland) 20th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. It was formed in 1920 from the reorganization of the 2nd Lithuanian-Belarusian Division... Infantry Divisions, Mazowiecka Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. It was created on April 1, 1937, out of former 1st Cavalry Brigade... and Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937, out of the Baranowicze Cavalry Brigade. Its headquarters were stationed in the town of Baranowicze... s, Warsaw BON |
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Pomorze Army Pomorze Army The Pomeranian Army was one of the Polish armies to take part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. It was officially created on March 23, 1939. Led by Gen.dyw... (Armia Pomorze) Władysław Bortnowski 4th 4th Infantry Division (Poland) The Polish 4th Infantry Division was created following Polish independence after the end of World War I. The division participated in the Polish-Ukrainian War in 1919... , 9th, 15th 15th Infantry Division (Poland) 15th "Greater Poland" Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. Founded on February 17, 1920, it was based on the 2nd Greater Poland Rifles Division. It actively participated in the Polish-Soviet War, including the Battle of Warsaw... , 16th and 27th 27th Infantry Division (Poland) The 27 Infantry Division , was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on 18 October 1920, as a result of reorganization of the Army, from units of the 2nd I.D., 3rd I.D., and 13th I.D. Its headquarters were located in Kowel, with units stationed in other Volhynian... Infantry Divisions, Pomorska Cavalry Brigade, Pomorze and Chełm National Defence Bdes, Wisła Independent Unit |
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Poznań Army Poznan Army Army Poznań led by mj. gen. Tadeusz Kutrzeba was one of the Polish Armies during the Polish Defensive War in 1939.-Tasks:Flanked by Armia Pomorze to the north and Armia Łódź to the south, the Army was to provide flanking operations in Grand Poland region, defend it and withdraw towards lines of... (Armia Poznań) Tadeusz Kutrzeba Tadeusz Kutrzeba Tadeusz Kutrzeba was an army general of the Second Polish Republic.Kutrzeba was born in Kraków, then part of Austria-Hungary... 14th 14th Infantry Division (Poland) 14 Greater Poland Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign.... , 17th, 25th and 26th Inf.Div., Podolska Podolska Cavalry Brigade Podolska Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the 6th Independent Cavalry Brigade... and Wielkopolska Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the Cavalry Brigade “Poznań”... Cav.Bdes, Poznań and Kalisz National Defence Bdes |
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Prusy Army Prusy Army The Prusy Army was one of the Polish armies to fight during the Invasion of Poland in 1939. Created in the summer of 1939 as the main reserve of the Commander in Chief, it was commanded by Gen. Stefan Dąb-Biernacki. One of the meanings of Prusy in Polish is Prussia, but this name only served as a... (Armia Prusy) Stefan Dąb-Biernacki Stefan Dab-Biernacki Stefan Dąb-Biernacki was a Polish general.Members of the Polish Legions in World War I, fought in the Polish-Soviet War commanding regiments and later 1DPLeg... 3rd Legions, 12th, 13th, 19th, 29th and 36th Inf.Div, Wileńska Cavalry Brigade Wilenska Cavalry Brigade Wilenska Cavalry Brigade was a unit of the Polish Army, created on 1 April 1937 out of the 3rd Independent Cavalry Brigade. Its headquarters were stationed in Wilno, with some regiments garrisoned in the neighboring towns.... |
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Lublin Army Lublin Army Lublin Army was an improvised Polish Army created on September 4 1939 from 1 motorized brigade and various smaller units concentrated around cities of Lublin, Sandomierz and upper Vistula river. It was commanded by Maj. Gen... (Armia Lublin) Tadeusz Piskor Tadeusz Piskor Tadeusz Piskor was a Polish Army general.Before World War I, he was a member of Polish pro-independence organizations. During World War I he served in the Polish Legions, and subsequently fought in the 1919–21 Polish-Soviet War.... 39th Inf.Div., Motorised Bde Warsaw Armoured Motorized Brigade The Warsaw Armoured Motorized Brigade was a motorized unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period. The brigade was one of two such units in Poland... , Sandomierz Group, Komorowski's Cavalry Group |
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Małopolska Army (Armia Małopolska) Kazimierz Fabrycy Kazimierz Fabrycy Kazimierz Fabrycy was a Polish general. Fabrycy was a member of the Polish Legions in World War I, and fought in the Polish Soviet War. He was the Viceminister of military affairs from 1926 to 1934, and commander of several infantry divisions during the interwar period in the Second Polish Republic... See:Karpaty Army Karpaty Army Karpaty Army , formed on 11 July 1939 under Major General Kazimierz Fabrycy, was created after Germany annexed Czechoslovakia and created a puppet state of Slovakia.-Tasks:... above |
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Warszawa Army Warszawa Army The Warszawa Army was one of the Polish armies to take part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. Created on 8 September, eight days after the invasion begun, it was an improvised formation charged with the defence of the Polish capital of Warsaw .... (Armia Warszawa) Juliusz Rómmel Juliusz Rómmel Juliusz Karol Wilhelm Józef Rómmel was a Polish military commander and a general of the Polish Army. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, he gained great fame for achieving a decisive victory in the Battle of Komarów, the largest cavalry engagement of the 20th century... , Walerian Czuma Walerian Czuma Walerian Czuma was a Polish general and military commander. He is notable for his command over a Polish unit in Siberia during the Russian Civil War and the commander of the defence of Warsaw during the siege of that city in 1939.-Biography:... , Wiktor Thommée Wiktor Thommée Wiktor Thommée was a Polish military commander and a Brigadier General of the Polish Army. A veteran of the Great War and the Russian Civil War, he is best known for his command over Piotrków Operational Group and the battle of the Bzura during the Polish Defensive War of 1939.- Early life :Wiktor... |
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Polish Army in France Polish Army in France (1939-1940) The Polish Army in France formed in France under the command of General Władysław Sikorski in late 1939, after the fall of Poland resulting from the Polish Defensive War... (Wojsko Polskie we Francji) Władysław Sikorski 1st Grenadier, 2nd Rifle, 10th Armoured Brigade Bde |
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Polish I Corps in the West Polish I Corps in the West The Polish I Corps was a tactical unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II.-Formation:It was formed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 1940. It was subordinate to the Scottish Command, and the Corps HQ was located in Edinburgh... (I Korpus Polski) Stanisław Maczek 1st Armoured Division, 1st Para Brigade |
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II Corps (II Korpus Polski) Władysław Anders 3rd and 5th Polish 5th Infantry Division 5th Lwów Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, with headquarters stationed in Lwów. It was created on May 20, 1919, during the Polish-Ukrainian War in Eastern Galicia. Originally, it consisted of three infantry regiments, but later it was strengthened with... Infantry Divisions, 2nd Armoured Division |
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First Army First Polish Army (1944-1945) The Polish First Army was a Polish Army unit formed in the Soviet Union in 1944, from the previously existing Polish I Corps as part of the People's Army of Poland . The First Army fought westward, subordinated to the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front, during the offensive against Germany that led to... (1 Armia Wojska Polskiego) Zygmunt Berling Zygmunt Berling Zygmunt Henryk Berling was a Polish general and politician. He fought for the independence of Poland in the early 20th century. During Second World War he was sentenced to death in absentia for desertion from the Polish Army of General Władysław Anders... 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th 6th Infantry Division (Poland) Polish 6th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. The Division was created on May 9, 1919 in the area around Krakow, its first commandant was Colonel Ignacy Pick.... Infantry Divisions, Armoured Bde, Cavalry Bde |
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Second Army (2 Armia Wojska Polskiego) Karol Świerczewski Karol Swierczewski Karol Wacław Świerczewski was a Pole who became a Soviet military officer and a general. He served as a general in the service of the Soviet Union, Republican Spain, and the Soviet sponsored Polish Provisional Government of National Unity after World War II.- Life :Karol Świerczewski grew up in... 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th 10th Infantry Division (Poland) 10th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the 1939 German Invasion of Poland. It was created in 1919 from the former Polish 4th Rifle Division. Stationed in Lodz and commanded in 1939 by General Franciszek Dindorf-Ankowicz, it was part... Inf. Divs, 16th Armoured Bde |
Note that during the Polish Defensive War several divisions were grouped into two units smaller than armies: the Wyszków Operational Group and the Narew Independent Operational Group.
See also
- Air Force of the Polish ArmyAir Force of the Polish ArmyThe Air Force of the Polish Army , unofficially known as the People's Polish Air Force was the name of the Soviet-controlled Polish Air Force in the USSR between 1943 and 1947 created alongside the Polish People's Army , a subordinate to the Red Army...
(in the East) - Polish Air Forces in France and Great BritainPolish Air Forces in France and Great BritainThe Polish Air Forces was a name of Polish Air Forces formed in France and the United Kingdom during World War II. The core of the Polish air units fighting alongside the allies were experienced veterans of Invasion of Poland of 1939 and they contributed to Allied victory in the Battle of Britain...
- Polish Navy in World War II
- List of Polish divisions in World War II
- Polish army order of battle in 1939Polish army order of battle in 1939Polish OOB during the Invasion of Poland. In the late thirties Polish headquarters prepared "Plan Zachód" , a plan of mobilization of Polish Army in case of war with Germany...
- Polish contribution to World War IIPolish contribution to World War IIThe European theater of World War II opened with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. The Polish Army was defeated after over a month of fighting. After Poland had been overrun, a government-in-exile , armed forces, and an intelligence service were established outside of Poland....