Soviet Aviation in War Against Poland in 1939
Hi to all.
It is nice to inform you that has been edited in Poland (in November 2003) second part of material about “Soviet Aviation during invasion on Poland in September/ December 1939” in Militaria i Fakty no 5-6/2003. This contains 5 pages and 7 b&w photos. First part was edited in the MiF no 4/2003 (also 5 pages + 7 b&w photos). All text is in Polish, no Englishs captions, no colour drawings. Both contains such sub-titles:
Preparations
OdB Soviet Aviation
Moscow Operation Group
Gritseviets
Polish Planes Interned in SU
Soviet Parachuties over Poland
First Combats (Białorussian, Ukrainian Fronts)
Air Combats
Other Aviation Losses of Polish Side
Under Soviet Bombs
Soviet Losses over Poland
In this short period there were a few air combats. Much more Polish planes (>10) were shot down by the Soviet A/A (The last case was on 24 September 1939 - over old fighter PZL P.7, two pilots tried to escape to Romania to fight but Soviets stoped them, helping Germans).
I have found in Soviet document confirmation for at least 13 totaly destroyed planes (5 SB, 1 R-5 CCC, 2 U-2, and several more not recognised/specified types, most probably U-2).
Polish fighters claimed to shot down 3-4 Soviat planes (1 R-5, 2 - 3 SB, 1 I-15bis). Confirmed in Soviet sources are for 3 (1 R-5 SSS, 1 SB, 1 I-15bis). Several next were damaged (2-3 SBs).
Soviet fighters shot down 2-3 Polish planes (1 P.11c, 1 P.23 Karaś on 17 IX, maybe also a unarmed RWD-13S on 17 IX 39)
There are given OdB of all army aviation units attached to the army. I also made OdB for both fronts aviation.
Before Red invasion was “interened” at least 4 planes (2 P.37, 1 RWD-8, 1 R-XIII).
“Moscow Operation Group” an elite veteren group send on 15 IX on the “Polish Fronts”. Among airmen selected were first 3 duble HSU: Griceviec, Smushkiewist, Kravchnko + other “old hands”. All airmen had on thier records at least one air war, some two or even three (Spain, China, Mongolia - like Gritseviec)
There were much more Soviet air assults on withdrawing Polish Army between 17 IX up to 2 X 39. Soviet did exactly the same “nice job” as Germanas agains Pole.
I also written about one case of shot down by anti-tank gun (yes exact Bofors 37 mm A/T). A Soviet biplane (R-5, or R-5 Sz) on 24 IX 1939 was hit and destroyed. The crew made several flights very low over the gun possition. Once to much. The gunner shot it with one shell almost instantly destroyed it. Incredible luck. This case is also confirmed in Soviets raport on 24 IX 1939. This day were claimed by Poles 2 “Reds planes” shot down/destroyed (other in near area). Both cases are confirmed in Soviet report.
Soviet last bombing mission was about 2-3 October (planes from squadrons of 4. Soviet Army or from 5. Soviet Army).
The last air combats were between Polish unarmed trainer PWS-26 and 3 Soviets I-16 (probably of 4. IAP).
The Polish planes (1 PWS-26+2 RWD-8) made many reccon mission (46 exactly) over German nad Soviet troops which were going to destroyed Indepent Army Group “Polesie”. The last short reccon flight was done by Polish PWS-26 on 5 October 1939.
Still on 7 October Soviet reccon planes reported movments of small group of Polish Army units.
The Reds officialy ended the invasion on Poland on 14 October 1939. This day in Brzesc was Soviet “air show”. Over Germans and Soviets military authorities heads flow 60 I-16 and 20 I-15bis. It bagan an era of great “socialist” friendship. It lasted up to 21 VI 41. This is other story.
I am also looking for a photos, matereials from this period. As so far I have gathered (many photos) related to this period and subject but resarch is still go on.
I wonder if maybe someone have any aditional information, photos, details about landing in September in the border countries Polish planes in: Lithuania (1 P.46, “Sum”), Estonia (2 planes: RWD-13S, L-14 Superelectra), Latvia (about 90-100, mostly training), Rumania (about 300- all what could fly), Hungary (3; 2xRWD-8, 1xP11a), Bulgaria (1-PWS-26), Soviet Union (5-6: 1 R-XIII, 3 P.37, 1 RWD-8, 1. P.11c). I am laso lookin for othere storeis realted to this subject
You may contac me off this forum (I can not logg in, so this massage is send with the support of my firend).
You may send me e-mails to:
mirwaw@xl.wp.pl
PS. There were published in Russia two materials about this war. First by V. Kotelnikov (in 1999 in Aviacja i Kosmonavtika). Second one (2 parts) by A. Stepanov in Istoria Aviacji (6/2000 + 1/2001). I know them well.
This is the third story about this air war. Much more enlarged, chacked in Soviet documents and reports and checked with Polish side sources (memories).
Soviets documents are coming from army staffs of Ukrainian, Białorssian Fronts, Army commands, ect.). I compared this data with Polish veteren memories, diares, reports ect.
This is cross-checked datas, going far ahead this former two materials which are very good when were written.
