[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Was Polish Cavalry attacking tanks with sabres?

This long-lived myth goes back to Krojanty on 1st September 1939. Two Squadrons of 18th Uhlan Cavalry Regiment (Col Mastalerz) attacked a German Infantry Battalion from behind with sabres. The assault was initially sucessful but suddenly German armour appeard. The Polish Cavalry tried to escape by continuing riding through the German lines but several cavalrymen were killed.

The following day German Minister of Propaganda Dr. Joseph Goebbles invited Italian journalists to the area and they were told that the stupid Poles had tried to assault tanks with sabres because they believed the tanks were made of paper (!).

This idiotic myth could easily be falsified by the fact that the Polish Cavalry had their own armoured cars, tanks and anti-tank guns. Polish cavalrymen did very well know what a tank was and how to fight them in a proper way.

It seems to be generally beleived that the Poles kept the horse mounted Cavalry because they did not understand that it was obsolete. That is wrong. The mechanization of the Polish Cavalry began in 1929 and it was planned that the whole Polish Cavalry should be mechanized by 1941. In the meantime they used horses since large quantities were available. Riding is quicker than marching and the Polish Cavalry could act as mounted Infantry.

The totally stupid myth about Polish Cavalry attacking German tanks with sabres is nothing but an insult to the brave Polish Cavalry.

Even Field Marshal Viscount Bernard Law Montgomery of Alamein bought this false myth. Do You?