Polish Valor

By Mike Bennighof, Ph.D.

November 2007 A real Breton from Brest sent me a nice e-mail the other day, thanking us for doing White Eagles and saying, "You're a real guy from MittelEuropa and this is a part of the charm of your work."

It's always fulfilling when someone understands what you're trying to say. White Eagles was a lot of work but I'm very pleased with the result. I wanted to show rather than tell the story of the September Campaign, and I think the scenario set does that very well. About the only problem was holding it to 40 scenarios; it could have gone to 60 pretty easily. I suppose we'll have to do another Polish supplement down the road. We've hit on a good, solid development groove for the past several games, and fan feedback has been extremely good for recent releases North Wind, South Africa's War and Road to Berlin. I believe the progression continues with this set. Here's a look at the "middle" 13 scenarios, placed in chronological order: Weekend at Pless

2 September 1939

Imperial Germany's last emperor had enjoyed visiting Pless Castle in Upper Silesia, home of his purported lover Princess Daisy, but in 1919 the region was annexed by Poland and re-named Pszczyna. When the Germans returned in 1939 the Poles met them with a stout defense in multiple layers — a very effective tactic in the First World War, but the German panzer troops moved much faster than their fathers had marched. Conclusion

The Poles had chosen their positions carefully on a range of wooded hills, but in the end it didn't matter as the Germans used their mobility to shred the Polish lines and attack their artillery. Sixth Infantry Division suffered enormous losses extracting itself from the battlefield, and fell back in some disorder; by the 5th losses had reached 40 percent. The German panzers surged forward, unhinging the Polish line to the east. Polish valor would not be enough. Note: This scenario uses pieces from Eastern Front, and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: One of the real pleasures of designing historical games is to use them to break the myths of popular history. Poland was not overrun by slashing German panzer attacks; the armored formations supported an overwhelming conventional infantry attack backed by lavish artillery support and tactical air power. More often than not the Poles shot up the advancing tanks with their excellent anti-tank guns. This battle is one of the few instances where reality did match myth, and so I felt we should include it. Invasion

2-3 September 1939

On the eastern frontier of East Prussia, the Germans did not bother to cross the border. Unknown to the Poles, this part of Poland had been allotted to the Soviet Union in the infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. If the Germans would not come to them, the local Polish commanders decided, it was only fitting to bring war into their land.

Conclusion

The Poles rode up on the German garrison unexpectedly. The Germans, local Landwehr mobilized only a few days earlier, ran about in panic while the Poles sabered them down. The victory made no impact on the overall military situation but did give Poland an important piece of propaganda. Note: This scenario uses a board from Road to Berlin and pieces from Eastern Front. Design Note: A small scenario with high-morale Poles riding down low-morale Germans. What could be better? Drawn Sabers

3 September 1939

The German command had expected great things of its own cavalry, but its advance came only slowly. Bridges had to be improved before the horsemen could cross them, the brigade command whined, leading higher headquarters to point out that Polish cavalry seemed to be able to make its way over them. Near Frankowo, a retreating Polish lancer regiment turned to strike back at the invaders. Conclusion

The Germans claimed to have driven away the Lancers with an outflanking maneuver, yet admitted that the Poles overran and dispersed the Germans' regimental headquarters — not exactly the act of an outflanked and beaten enemy. Given that the German brigade's advance ground to a solid halt, while the Poles broke contact and retreated at their own pace, it appears that the Polish cavalry gained exactly what it wanted from the engagement while the German cavalry failed. Again. Note: This scenario uses boards from Road to Berlin and pieces from Eastern Front. Design Note: It's probably a holdover from the Infantry Attacks: Empires End scenario work, but I had an itch to do some cavalry vs. cavalry scenarios. Popular histories that mention the German cavalry at all — and there aren't many references — usually call them an elite force, and this simply was not true. Polish Armor

5 September 1939

The Polish high command scattered its handful of armored units across the front, rather than concentrating them for maximum effect. One of the few substantial armored units, 2nd Light Tank Battalion, stood behind the Polish lines near Piotrkow to support an offensive by Army Lodz against the German 10th Army. But before the Poles could launch their afternoon assault, the Germans struck first.

Conclusion

The initial German assault on the Polish infantry failed, and just as they finally managed a penetration Polish tanks appeared to restore the situation. The Polish vehicles were slower but better-armored, better-armed and better-led than the panzers; by the time night fell the Polish tank battalion had claimed 17 tanks, 14 armored cars and a pair of self-propelled guns for the loss of two tanks. But success would not last. Note: This scenario uses a board and pieces from Eastern Front and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: We know the fans want tank battles, and this is a fine tank battle — and the Poles have the upper hand in terms of armor. Polish Prussia

5 September 1939

Encouraged by the cavalry raid into East Prussia, the Narew Operational Group decided to repeat the ride on a much larger scale with a full-blown invasion of German territory. This just might, the Polish corps command reasoned, force the Germans to divert some of the mobile forces pressing southward from East Prussia toward Warsaw back to defend their own frontier. Conclusion

This time the Germans were ready for the Polish invaders, and though the infantry remained relatively unsteady in the face of the Polish lancers they had considerable artillery support. The Poles could not make headway against the heavy shelling, and finally broke off the attack at a cost of 55 dead and wounded. Note: This scenario uses boards from Road to Berlin and pieces from Eastern Front. Design Notes: That high-quality Polish cavalry attacks third-rate German infantry backed by massive artillery fire. I like this one, it rewards the Pole for making a mass cavalry charge of the light brigade in the teeth of the Nazi guns. Life Guards

6 September 1939

The Waffen SS attached its three regiments to different Army divisions for the campaign in Poland. The Adolf Hitler Life Guards and an independent tank "regiment" of three companies accompanied 17th Infantry Division in the initial assault, and a few days later were assigned to attack the town of Pabianice, an important crossing point on the Warta River line. The Poles had dug in on a ridge just west of the town.

Conclusion

Thanks to poor training coupled with fanatic determination of their officers to maintain the attack — a common theme for the Nazi state's uniformed criminals — the SS racked up enormous casualties for little gain despite good artillery and armor support. Polish reservists and civilian volunteers armed themselves and rushed to the front to assist the regulars. Note: This scenario uses boards and pieces from Eastern Front, pieces from Sinister Forces and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: The German player has an odd force mix — the 23rd Panzer Regiment has the best tanks in these scenarios, but the Waffen SS troops are simply terrible. The Poles have a small regular force backed by a steady stream of poorly armed volunteer reinforcements. Weapons of Mass Destruction

8 September 1939

On 3 September, a flight of German bombers dropped bombs containing sulfur mustard gas on a Warsaw suburb. Three years later the Third Reich claimed this had been accidental, and this is likely true. The Nazis certainly had no qualms about mass murder of civilians, and if they'd intended to use chemical weapons would no doubt have plastered the Polish capital with them. The Poles retaliated in kind at Jaslo in Galicia, where the German 136th Mountain Regiment encountered sulfur mustard mines placed to defend a key bridge crossing. Conclusion

The action at Jaslo is the only confirmed instance of the intentional use of chemical weapons in the Second World War in Europe. Fourteen jägers suffered chemical burns and lung damage; the rest of the Tirolean regiment stormed the bridge and drove off the Poles. Higher command did not take the reports seriously, but the division staff decided that the Poles intended to wage this war with use of poison gas and instructed the troops to use their masks and protective gear at the first suspicious sign. This slowed the advance considerably — exactly the reaction the weapons were intended at achieve. Note: This scenario uses pieces and a board from Eastern Front, pieces from Edelweiss and a board from Road to Berlin. Design Note: My grandfather told me that he knew guys who'd been gassed in 1939, and thinking this a confused result of passing time, alcohol abuse and the horrific post-traumatic effects of Mauthausen, I did not actually believe him until I researched it while in graduate school. Given the recent obsession with imaginary weapons of mass destruction, and the terrible results of those twisted fantasies, I definitely wanted to include this unusual event when it came time to do this book. 700

9 September 1939

Near the town of Wizna, the Poles had constructed a series of bunkers and entrenchments overlooking the crossings of the Narew River and protecting the flanks of the defenses at Warsaw and Brest-Litovsk from a rapid German advance. When most of the border forces withdrew to defend the capital, a National Guard battalion of 700 men led by Capt. Wladyslaw Raginis remained isolated in the fortified post. The Germans dropped leaflets claiming that Warsaw had fallen and resistance was futile, but Raginis swore that he would not leave his post alive and exhorted his troops to fight to the last man.

Conclusion

Fighting continued into the night, as the Germans destroyed the bunkers one by one and the Poles fought back with suicidal courage. In a scene that could have come straight from Sienkiewicz's Deluge, German corps commander Heinz Guderian had Polish prisoners shackled and paraded in front of the Polish positions at noon the next day. If Raginis refused to surrender, the barbaric Panzer Leader raged, he would have them shot one by one. Despondent, Raginis allowed his surviving troops to give up and then killed himself with a hand grenade. Note: This scenario uses pieces from Afrika Korps, boards and pieces from Eastern Front and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: Since my stalwart VP is obsessed with the stand of Leonidas, I knew I had to include the "Polish Thermopylae" in White Eagles. The Poles are outmanned and outgunned, but they have more important advantages. I almost titled the scenario "This. Is. Poland!" but figured that was a little too over the top. Overrun

9 September 1939

As the Polish high command tried to alert its scattered divisions for a concentrated counter-attack against the invaders, some had a hard time responding. The rapid German advance had placed their mechanized formations in the Polish rear areas, and the 12th Infantry Division found itself pressed from all sides in what should have been a secure zone well behind the lines.

Conclusion

The Germans mauled the marching infantry columns, wrecking 12th Infantry. The division command ordered the troops to destroy their heavy weapons and break out in small groups to join other Polish units. A few days later the survivors were re-grouped in a single infantry battalion under the command of 36th Infantry Division. Note: This scenario uses a board and pieces from Eastern Front, and boards from Battle of the Bulge. Design Note: Every now and then, myth is based on reality. The Polish player is caught in the open and forced to save what he can of his force, while the German tries to wipe them out. It's actually a very nicely balanced scenario, because the Germans are expected to achieve great things with their great advantages. Failed Counterattack

9 September 1939

Years before the German invasion, Polish military planners had set down a doctrine derived from their victory over the Soviet Union. Cavalry brigades would slow the enemy's advance, and infantry would then counter-attack. Along the Bzura River, the Polish Army Poznan put theory into practice, the only time the Poles held an actual advantage in numbers in a major battle of the September Campaign. Conclusion

The initial Polish attacks caught the Germans by surprise and were very successful. Fighting for once "when the odds were even," the Poles routed 30th Infantry Division and took over 1,500 prisoners. But the Germans eventually responded, and within a week had re-established numerical superiority and were using their armored and mechanized forces to crush Army Poznan. Note: This scenario uses boards and pieces from Eastern Front, and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: The Polish player's turn to do the wiping out. The Germans are actually pretty tough but the Pole has numbers though not artillery superiority. Skilled Instruction

12 September 1939

With the ancient city of Lvov seemingly open to a quick strike, Gen. Ludwig Kübler of 1st Mountain Division ordered Col. Ferdinand Schörner of 98th Mountain Regiment to take a small motorized task force and try to seize the city. Schörner had spent some years between the wars as a military instructor to the Waffen SS and had a good relationship with the officers of the Germania Regiment attached to the division. But the quality of said instruction was open to question. ...

Conclusion

The Germans could have achieved surprise, but Schörner — later to become the general best loved by Hitler and most hated by German soldiers — insisted on roaring straight down the road toward the city, alerting the Poles. The small Polish force repelled his first assault and, when reinforcements arrived, drove them back the way they had come. Lvov would hold out for 10 more days. Note: This scenario uses a board and pieces from Eastern Front, pieces from Sinister Forces, and a board from Road to Berlin. Design Note: This is a small scenario, with very mobile Germans facing a small but tough defending force. I did enjoy writing an incompetence rule for Ferdinand Schörner. Suburban Commandos

13 September 1939

Repelled in his first attempt to take Lvov, Ferdinand Schörner received reinforcements from his own regiment and from division headquarters. With his mixed Army-SS battle group he now tried to break in through the suburb of Zboiska. But the Poles were now alerted to the danger, and rushed in reinforcements of their own. Conclusion

With the mountain troops present to do the heavy lifting, the battle group pushed back the mixed Polish defenders and captured the suburb. From the line of hills behind the town, artillery batteries could now pour their fire directly into the city center to the east. The city could not long hold with this key spot in German hands. Note: This scenario uses a board and pieces from Eastern Front, pieces from Sinister Forces and Edelweiss, and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: The German player must attack with a mixed force of the best troops in the game and the worst. The Poles are outnumbered and badly outgunned, but as always the regulars are very stout troops. Annopol Bridgehead

13 September 1939

The Warsaw Armored-Mechanized Brigade had still been forming when the Germans invaded, and so did not participate in the first battles along the frontier. When fast-moving German mechanized units snatched a bridgehead across the Vistula River south of Warsaw, the high command believed they needed to be thrown back across, or at the very least engaged long enough to keep them from counter-attacking the Polish Bzura offensive. The brigade set out on its first mission.

Conclusion

The Poles attacked with enthusiasm, but had run into one of the handful of German mechanized units with tanks better than theirs. The Polish tanks attacked with so much enthusiasm that they became separated from their accompanying infantry, and after losing several vehicles to German tanks received a massive — though ultimately harmless — fusillade from Polish riflemen and machine-gunners. The brigade failed to take the bridge back, but succeeded in keeping the German division away from the Bzura front. Note: This scenario uses a board and pieces from Eastern Front, and boards from Road to Berlin. Design Note: Another tank battle, and one that required some thought and analysis. Some German sources show 2nd Light Division equipped only with light tanks, yet the Polish accounts are clear that they faced tanks better than their own. When 2nd Light became Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division after this campaign it already had the Czech-made Pz 38t tanks, so I felt pretty secure giving them to them here. Order your copy of White Eagles today!