10th Dragoons of the Polish 1st Armored Division. A Brief History 1939 The origins of 10th Dragoon Regiment can be traced to the reconnaissance squad of the Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (at the time of the German invasion in 1939 the brigade was the only fully motorized unit in the Polish army). The reconnaissance squad (Dywizjon Rozpoznawczy) was raised on April 20 1938. Shortly before the outbreak of the war entire brigade was moved to southern Poland and became reserve unit in Army “KRAKOW” which was preparing defenses of Silesia and southwestern part of border. The Brigade was eventually used in southern sector of the front and successfully slowed down German XXII Panzer Corps, thus saving the entire Army “KRAKOW” from encirclement and certain annihilation in early days of the war. During the campaign, this unit was participating in all major actions of the brigade. The reconnaissance squadron had seen action for the first time on September 2 near Naprawa village, south of Krakow, encountering forward elements of German XXII Panzer Corps. During the campaign reconnaissance squadron was also involved in battles and skirmishes at Skrzydlna (sept.5, squadron was taking part in a heave defensive battle and covered the retreat of the brigade behind Dunajec River, the date of that battle become later a regimental holiday) Ubrzez-Wieruszyce (Sept.6), Albigowa (Sept.9), Niemirow (Sept,12) and finally, Dobrosiny, near Lwow (Sept,15-16). On September 17, 1939 Polish High Command ordered Brigade to move to area of Stanislawow, where troops learned about Soviet invasion. On September 18-19 brigade crossed Hungarian border where troops were intern. During 16 days of campaign Reconnaissance squad lost 2 officers and 31 men killed, 3 officers and 30 men wounded. Out of 16 officers in unit 2 were awarded Virtuti Militarii cross (Polish highest military award) and 4 were awarded Merit Cross (Krzyz Walecznych). Reconnaissance Squadron (Dywizjon Rozpoznawczy) -HQ -Motorized cavalry squadron (3 platoons) -TKS squadron (13 light tanks) -Communication platoon -Motorcycle platoon -MG platoon -AT platoon -Technical platoon -Pioneers squad 1940 France Shortly after crossing Hungarian border, Hungarian authorities began disarming the 10th Brigade and relocating the personell into internee camps. However, as soon as gates of the camps closed behind last soldier, first were already escaping to France. Around 60% of the old Brigade escaped from Hungary to France. The new Brigade (along with reconnaissance squadron) was being organized at Coetquidan in Northern France. Unfortunately, when Germans invaded France in May the brigade wasn’t combat ready. As the situation worsened at the front, French requested Poles to send “Brigade” to the front. Improvised group was sent to the front. Reconnaissance squad gave two platoons of motorcycle dispatchers to that group. On 6th June, the “brigade” was attached to the French VIII Corps and was given order to cover the flanks of the corps. During the retreat “brigade” suffered heavy loses and finally due to French collapse was disbanded and individual soldiers and officers were trying to escape to England or unoccupied France. During that short period of time brigade distinguished its self during heavy fighting at Monthbard. During the French campaign 1 officer and 16 soldiers of the reconnaissance squadron were killed. 1940-1944 England During the summer of 1942 10th Dragoon battalion is organized (continuing traditions of the old reconnaissance squadron) and attached to 1st Polish Armor Division. As the number of the Polish personnel increased in England 10th dragoon battalion was expanded to the regimental size. In 1943 10th Dragoon regiment was part of 10th Motorized Brigade along with 1st and 2nd armor regiment and 24th Ulan regiment. 1944-1945 France and Northwestern Europe France: Two months after Normandy invasion Polish 1st Armor Division landed in France. The Division was attached to the Canadian II Corps. The 10th Dragoon regiment had a chance to be engaged in combat for first time since disastrous campaign of 1940. On August 10th near La Croix-Le-Val, on August 15th at Jort and on 18th near Trun. From August 19th to 22nd 10th Dragoons fought at Falaise-Chambrois area. The regiment along with 10th motorize cavalry brigade was posted to Chambrois where they were supposed to stop Germans retreating west. At Chambrois Poles linked up with an American II battalion, 395 infantry regiment form American XV Corps. After two days of heroic fighting, the battle was won. For almost a week regiment was resting. On Sept.29 10th Dragoons was on the road again as a vanguard of the Polish Armor. On Sept 1 10th dragoons reached small city of Abberville (on Sept, 12 1939 British and French delegation met at that city and decided that their troops will not come with help for Poland) and after heavy fights captured that city. After capturing Abberville, 10th Dragoons continued a pursuit. On Sept, 7 Poles reached Belgian city of Ypres . This time 10th Dragoons did not take part in recapturing the city, instead they were send around the city toward Aeltre and crossings on the Gent canal. With the crossing of Belgian border and capturing of the Ypres, the French campaign was over. During short period of time, from Aug 31 till Sept, 9 10th dragoons cover a distance of 470 kilometers! Belgium At Aeltre Dragoons for a first time had to break through heavy German defenses on Gent canal. Unfortunately, German positions were too strong and the dragoons suffered heavy loses (maj. Zgorzelski, regiment commander, was wounded) eventually dragoons were pulled back and sent toward Gent. From Gent Dragoons were sent to St. Nicolas south of Antwerp. On Sept.16 10th Dragoons crossed Dutch border by the end of the day elements of the regiment managed to capture a bridgehead on Axel-Hulst canal. During the crossing of the Axel-Hulst the regiment suffers it’s biggest defeat. Soon after crossing the canal new commander (cap. Kownas) allowed his squadrons to move too deep into enemy controlled territory. Because most of the heave equipment didn’t cross the canal yet, the dragoons had only light support weapons with them. So not surprisingly when Germans counterattacked the regiment was almost routed many dragoons had to save their lives by swimming across the canal in order to avoid capture. During that unfortunate incident the regiment lost 2 officers and 72 men. As a result of that incident cap. Kownas was relieve of the command and transferred to 2nd Armor Regiment where he was killed two days later by German sniper (post humanly he was awarder Merit Cross) Next few days dragoons spent in second line recovering from defeat. Just 4 days after the defeat the regiment was combat ready again and on Spat, 20 they captured city Huls just a little bit west of Axle. Beginning form Sept 29 Dragoons with an entire division started operations which was supposed to clear off German troops from the area of Antwerp. During that time 10th dragoons were fighting at Baarle Hertog, Ruyssede-Aelter canal and Terover, taking a large number of prisoners and equipment. The dragoons crossed Dutch border on Oct 4. On Oct 6 an entire Division was ordered to stop its advance and take defensive positions. Holland Between October, 6 and 26 the regiment was resting after heavy fights in Belgium. On the October 27 the regiment is on the move again. Division’s main objective is an old city of Breda. The 10th Dragoons were clearing off Germans northeastern part of the city. By October 30 the city is free. With beginning of the November the regiment was engaged in heavy fights on the Mark and Wilhelmina Canal. On the October, 9 the entire division was pulled out of the front and sent to Breda and it’s vicinity for break. After refitting entire division was assigned a sector of Mass River were they spent most of the winter. Germany Finally on April, 7 1945 the regiment was sent to German border some 250 kilometers from Breda. During a month that followed 10th Dragoons fought at Rhede-Hedersfeld, Rhede Borsum, Potshausen, Rhande, and Kleine Potshausen. On May, 3 10th Dragoons reached area of Moorburg-Westerstede south of Wilhelmshaven. On May, 5 official cease fire announced approaching of the end of the war. Soon after Poles entered one of the larges bases of the German Navy, Wilhelmshaven. After 5 years the war was over… During the campaign in the west (1944-45) 10th dragoon regiment lost 14 officers and 194 enlisted men killed and 37 officers and 502 enlisted men wounded. The regiment lost also over 70 vehicles. The dragoons also inflicted heavy loses on the enemy. They captured 2752 POWs, destroyed 2 tanks and17 vehicles (that account might look not too impressive but for a most part Anti-Tank regiment was attached to the Dragoon regiment and AT unit was credited with most of the tank “kills”) The officers and men of the regiment received several awards both Polish and foreign. The commander of the regiment Maj. Wladyslaw Zgorzelski was awarded Virtuti Militari IV Class (only 5 other officers of the division were awarded that Class of VM!) 37 officers and men was awarded Virtuti Militari V Class, Merit Cross was awarded to 298 men, Merit Cross with swords to 77 men, Military Medal awarded to 873 men. British awarded D.S.O. (Maj. Zgorzelski), M.C. and D.M.C to 3 officers, Belgians awarded 5 medals, French 3 and Dutch 2. Also 1709 soldiers were awarded British Campaign Star. The regiment was disbanded on June 10 1947 In England. After the war soldiers of the regiment spread all around the world. Some returned to Poland some decided to stay in the West. The regimental club was organized in London and in early 70s they had their chapters in USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentine, Uruguay, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and South Africa.