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1st Grenadiers Division (Poland) 1

1st Grenadiers Division (Poland)

1st Grenadier Division

Memorial badge of the division, featuring the Cross of Lorraine

Active 1939-1940

Country Poland

Branch Land forces

Type Motorized infantry

Size 16,180 soldiers and officers

Engagements Battle of Lagarde, Maginot Line

Commanders

Notable

commanders

Bronisław Duch

The 1st Grenadier Division (literal translation 1st Grenadiers Division; Polish: 1. Dywizja Grenadierów, French:

1ère Division des Grenadiers) was a Polish infantry formation raised in France during the early stages of World War

II. The division was created as a result of the Invasion of Poland as part of the Polish Army in France, and took part

in the Battle of France in 1940.

History

As an effect of the Franco-Polish Military Alliance, the formation of a Polish division in France began in early

September 1939, shortly after the Invasion of Poland. The French government gave over a military camp at

Coëtquidan to the Polish military mission and permitted voluntary recruitment from the Polish diaspora in France,

which were particularly numerous in the coal-producing regions of Flanders. After the fall of Poland and the

formation of the Polish government in exile, the newly appointed Polish commander-in-chief Władysław Sikorski

ordered the formation of the 1st Grenadier Division on November 13, 1939.Initially commanded by Colonel Stanisław Maczek, the division was taken over by Colonel Bronisław Duch in

January 1940. It was organized according to the French model and was equipped with French weapons and uniforms.

Altogether, the formation numbered eventually about 13,000 enlisted soldiers, 2600 NCOs and 580 officers of all

grades, when it was sworn in by Gen. Sikorski on May 25, 1940, shortly before arriving at the front in Lorraine.

At the end of April 1940, the division was moved to Colombey-les-Belles in Lorraine where it received its

long-awaited heavy equipment and final training. On May 18 the formation was moved to the area of Sarry and was

attached to the French 4th Army, French XX Corps. 1st Regiment under Colonel Lowczowski was assigned to

defend the Maginot Line near Wittlesburg. Initially divided between the two units of the Corps, the French 52nd

Infantry Division and the 'Sarry Fortress Group,' the division operated in a supporting role. It first saw combat on

June 14, 1940, when attacked by German forces. The following day the division was centered and successfully

defended its positions. However, during the night the French 52nd Division broke down and withdrew soon after it

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1st Grenadiers Division (Poland) 2

was attacked to Dieuze. Fearing his corps being cut in two, the formation commander ordered the Poles to withdraw

to the second line of defenses. It withdrew to the area of Dieuze, where it covered the retreat of the French division

throughout the day of June 16. The following night it successfully disengaged itself and withdrew to the defensive

line of the Marne-Rhine Canal, where it covered the area around Lagarde. As a result of the two-day long Battle of 

Lagarde, the division was heavy damaged, but managed to hold its positions. However, the 52nd Division had been

destroyed by the Wehrmacht and the remainder of the corps was disbanded by its commanding officer.

The remnants of the XX Corps, then composed mostly of the Polish division and a small detachment of the Sarry

Fortress Group, withdrew to the forests around Baccarat. There it formed a perimeter defence in and around the town

of Meriller. Not attacked directly, the XX Corps was surrounded by the enemy on June 19. The Poles broke through

to Neureville, but were unable to continue their assault. On June 21, after receiving information of Franco-German

capitulation talks, Gen. Bronisław Duch disbanded the unit and ordered his men to either flee to neutral Switzerland,

or to join the Polish forces in the United Kingdom. Many chose the latter option, including the general himself.

Altogether, the division lost approximately 5200 men during the Battle of France.

Order of battle

•• 1st Warsaw Grenadier Regiment

• 2nd Wielkopolska Grenadier Regiment

•• 3rd Silesian Grenadier Regiment

•• 8th Uhlan Regiment

•• 1st Wilno Light Artillery Regiment

•• 1st Pomeranian Heavy Artillery Regiment

•• 1st Modlin Engineer battalion

•• 1st Gdańsk Signals battalion

Equipment•• 12,000 rifles

• 336 light machine guns

• 176 heavy machine guns

• 27 × 60 mm (2.4 in) mortars

•• 24 × 81 mm (3 in) mortars

• 54 × 25 mm (1 in) anti-tank guns

•• 8 × 47 mm (2 in) anti-tank guns

• 36 × 75 mm (3 in) field guns

• 24 × 155 mm (6 in) howitzers

•• 560 automobiles and trucks

•• 1,600 horse-drawn vehicles

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Article Sources and Contributors 3

Article Sources and Contributors1st Grenadiers Division (Poland)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=565798885 Contributors: Carom, Colonies Chris, Coyets, Dawkeye, EnigmaMcmxc, Halibutt, Jadger,

Johnpacklambert, MusikAnimal, PBS, Piotrus, R'n'B, Scromett, TorpetLegionary, Travelbird, Welsh, Woohookitty, 2 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsImage:1 Dywizja Genadierów.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1_Dywizja_Genadierów.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Halibutt, Jarekt, Lokal Profil, Red

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