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Blitzkrieg - Polish Armored Train

By: Battlefront Miniatures

Type: Miniatures Box Set

Product Line: Flames of War - WWII - Poland - Box Sets & Miscellaneous

Early

Last Stocked on 12/28/2022

Product Info

Title
Blitzkrieg - Polish Armored Train
Sub-category
Publish Year
2011
Dimensions
11.5x8x3"
NKG Part #
2147444830
MFG. Part #
BFMPBX05
Type
Miniatures Box Set
Material
Plastic
Age Range
14 Years and Up

Description

The history of Polish armored trains started shortly after Poland gained independence in 1918. They were one of the most important weapons in the war against Bolsheviks in 1919 and 1920, and the other conflicts that shaped the borders of Poland. Dozens of improvised armored trains fought between 1918 and 1921. After operations ceased in 1921, only the dozen most advanced were left in service.

In September 1939 the Polish Army had two armored train battalions in service:

1. Dywizjon Pociagów Pancernych based in Legionowo operated in the north-west of Poland.
2. Dywizjon Pociagów Pancernych based in Niepolomice operated in the south of Poland.

Each battalion mobilized five armored trains, 1st Battalion included trains numbered from 11 to 15 and the 2nd Battalion had trains numbered from 51 to 55. The trains were usually attached to other units patrolling, providing artillery support, and often covering withdrawals.

Armored train Nr. 53 Smialy (‘Bold’) was typical. It was grouped with train Nr. 52 Pilsudczyk (‘Pilsudskiite’—supporter of Józef Pilsudski, Chief of State from 1918 to 1922). Both had fought for Poland in the wars of independence from 1918 to 1920, and modernized, fought again in 1939.

On the day of the German invasion Nr. 53 assisted the Wolynska Brygada Kawalerii (Volynian Cavalry Brigade) in stopping the advance of the German 4th Panzer Division at
Mokra. On the following day the trains withdrew towards Warsaw engaging tanks of the 1st Panzer Division.

Two weeks later both trains fought in the defense of the fortress city of Brzesc, holding off the 10th Panzer Division for three days. The train escaped the fall of the fortress, only to be finally captured by the Red Army in Lvov.

Box contains:

1x Command Locomotive
1x Assault Car
2x Artillery Cars
2x Heavy Artillery Turrets
4x Light Artillery Turrets
14x Rare Earth Magnets