"Near-useless Frenchman in Polish Service" Topic

"The Polish army had likely the worst armoured force out of any nation that built its own tanks. Most nations at the time followed the same route: purchases of something like the Renault FT, then attempts to create something original, sometimes accompanied by purchases of the Vickers Mk.E tank or Carden-Loyd tankette. Then by the end of the 1930s these nations were capable of producing original tanks. Interestingly enough, Poland went through all these steps. They had the Renault FT, they built their own tanks, had their own dealings with Vickers and even Christie. The result was quite unusual. The typical vehicles of the Polish army by September of 1939 were the 7TP and TK-S, upgraded Vickers Mk.E and Carden-Loyd Mk.VI respectively. These were good AFVs in their class, but obsolete by the start of the war. The volume of 7TP production also left much to be desired. They were made in tiny batches, the last of which was only delivered in 1939. As a result, the ambitions of Polish brass outgrew the abilities of Polish industry…"

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Armand

That is a very well researched article.

Not sure Poland was that uniquely ill equipped.

Italy was little better in 1939 and as for the Japanese throughout, the tanks were death traps. Up against decent A/T or armour, not a hope. The art was to only use them against demoralised infantry, which worked in China or SEAC, in the early war

Thanks my good friend…

Armand