The Polish Navy 1918-45: From the Polish-Soviet War to World War II

This book provides a detailed account of the Polish warships developed and built in the interwar years, including the Grom-class destroyers that were dispatched to Britain in 1939. The Polish Navy played a significant role in the Allied war effort, operating their own ships and Royal Navy warships alongside the Allies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive study delves into the development and construction of Polish warships, particularly the Grom-class destroyers, during the interwar years. Following Poland's independence in 1920, the Polish Navy initially consisted of six ex-German torpedo boats. However, the rapid allocation of funding after German-Soviet exercises off the Polish coast in 1924 led to the construction of two destroyers and three submarines in France. Despite initial disappointment with their quality, Poland subsequently ordered new ships from British and Dutch shipyards. By the summer of 1939, the Polish Navy comprised four destroyers, five submarines, one minelayer, six minesweepers, and a handful of lesser ships. While the Grom-class destroyers were among the fastest and most well-armed destroyers of the war, the small Polish fleet stood little chance against the formidable Kriegsmarine. Consequently, on August 30, three destroyers were dispatched to Britain, followed by two submarines that managed to escape internment. By September 3, the remaining Polish surface fleet had been sunk.

In exile, the Polish Navy operated not only their own ships but also Royal Navy warships, including a cruiser, destroyers, submarines, and motor torpedo boats, which played pivotal roles alongside the Allies in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Arctic Convoys, and the Normandy landings. This detailed account not only chronicles the Polish Navy's significant contribution to the Allied war effort but also highlights the remarkable episode of the Polish destroyer Piorun, which engaged in a lone gun duel with the Bismarck, ultimately leading to the sinking of the legendary German battleship.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 185 x 247 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472847003