Reply To: Poland 1939 – Preparing for 80th Anniversary of World War II

[oriskany 60771xp 1]

Okay, just had a great game of Darkstar with @damon and now I have to start prep for the Valor & Victory Falklands with @elessar2590 .  But between I can get to some replies:

Unfortunately like your self I can only conform the 1st Cavalry Brigade as part of 3rd Corps,  Army Group North. – Yeah, that’s what I’m seeing in my sources, aside from the smaller component units I mentioned.

I did come across some supporting evidence for your idea that the German cavalry had been broken into small packets. – Awesome!  Although all honesty it’s not really my “idea.”  😀  It’s documentation I found in historical and primary German sources (Infanterie-Reiterzug KStN 181 dated 01.10.1937).

Interesting anecdote about Rundstedt’s flank.  He had no cavalry divisions or brigades that I can find.  So unless there was a move to take 1st Cav Brigade from AGN /3A’s operational reserve and transfer it to AGS (hence Hitler’s interference… totally guessing here) … he might have considered stripping his cavalry reconnaissance companies of his infantry divisions and forming a flank security force.  I do see SS LAH (the 1st SS you mention) Mot. Div in AGS’ OOB (specifically XIII AK, Eighth Army).

Also I came across a mention that a number of Light Divisions were equipped with Pz-35Ts. Although starting to shown its age it was still a formidable tank in the Polish Campaign.  – I agree and I agree. 😀 Yes, some Light Divisions were equipped partially with PzKpf-35(t).  And yes, they were still respectable assets, given the opposition typically faced and the general shortfall of German armor to fill the “official” Panzer division establishments.

Specifically I’m looking at the:

• 1st Light Division (65th and 11th Panzer Regiments)
• 3rd Light Division (67th Panzer Regiment)

2nd and 4th Light divisions were equipped with a mix of PzKpfw Is and IIs.  I should note that even 11th, 65th, and 67th Panzer Regiments were not completely PzKpfw-35(t), but definitely a sizable portion.