Polish Military Equipment in World War II

The Polish army played a crucial role in World War II, although they were outnumbered and facing an outmatched situation. Polish forces depended on a variety of weapons, from small arms to tanks and heavy artillery. Though many of these weapons were outdated, Polish soldiers showed great bravery in combat with the arms they had.
A primary firearm used by the Polish infantry was the Mauser Kar98k, a bolt-action firearm. The Mauser 98k was reliable, accurate, and powerful. The Polish army carried this rifle in numerous engagements, although it was not the most modern weapon available. Besides the Mauser, the military also employed the Mosin-Nagant rifle, another bolt-action weapon used by many armies. The Mosin-Nagant, despite being slightly older, was still durable and reliable.
In terms of sidearms, commanders and select units carried the Vis semi-automatic pistol, a semi-automatic handgun. The Vis 35 was considered one of the finest pistols produced during that era. Unfortunately, production shortages meant that not all troops were issued this weapon.
Regarding heavy weapons, Polish forces utilized various artillery pieces from different sources. A major artillery weapon was the 75mm wz. 1897 artillery piece, based on a French design. Polish forces used this gun extensively, especially during the early stages of the war. The gun was praised for its rate of fire and effectiveness against enemy infantry.
To combat enemy tanks, Poland used the Bofors 37mm anti-tank gun, a Swedish-manufactured anti-tank gun. While compact, it proved capable of disabling many enemy armored vehicles. Over time, as German tanks improved, it struggled to keep up with more heavily armored tanks.
In terms of tanks, the Polish army had relatively few tanks. The 7TP light tank was the primary armored vehicle used by Polish forces. It was based on the British Vickers 6-Ton design, though it was upgraded with a more powerful engine and improved armor. However, it was no match for heavier German tanks.
Another important vehicle used was the TKS reconnaissance vehicle, a very light armored vehicle used for reconnaissance. This vehicle was mainly used in reconnaissance missions and to support infantry units. Its light armor made it highly vulnerable to enemy attacks despite its speed. It was armed with machine guns or a small anti-tank gun, but its effectiveness was limited against heavily armored vehicles.
pre-WW2 Polish Portrait Photo of a Major VM, KW 5th Polish Rifle Division (Siberian) - Sarmatia Antiques
Over the course of the war, a variety of machine guns were used by Polish forces, such as the Ckm wz. 30 heavy machine gun and the Browning wz. 1928. These weapons provided critical support to infantry units, while the heavier Ckm wz. 30 was used for defensive roles. The Browning wz. 1928, being lighter, was more suited to mobile operations.
In summary, Poland's military throughout World War II used a variety of weapons, including small arms, tanks, and artillery pieces. Despite facing superior enemy forces and fewer resources, Polish troops fought valiantly using what they had. The legacy of their sacrifice continues to inspire Poland and the world.