Poland, at the time of the German invasion, was in the process of transforming its armed forces into a modernized military based upon the French model. A light tank company, consisting of thirteen TK or TKS Polishmade tankettes, was subordinated to each of the 30 active infantry divisions and the 11 cavalry brigades. In addition, each of the cavalry brigades was also provided with an armored car company.

Plans had been laid calling for a company of light tanks to be added to the divisions. Each Polish Army or Operational Group was to have a battalion of light tanks, and the Polish High Command was to have at its disposal several battalions of medium tanks. By far the most ambitious portion of this plan was the conversion of all the Polish cavalry brigades into motorized brigades.

This mechanization plan required a considerable amount of time for its implementation, especially since it called for the bulk of the vehicles and tanks to be produced domestically.

Only two motorized brigades had been formed by September, 1939; these contained only two companies of ten TK or TKS tankettes each, and one company of twelve Vickers "E" light tanks. None of the divisions had yet received their light tank companies, and only 6 battalions and 3 companies of light tanks had been assembled to be used as army or High Command Reserves. The independent light tank battalions were:

1st Lt. Tank Bn. (49 7TP tanks)
21st Lt. Tank Bn. (49 R-35 tanks)
111th Lt. Tank Bn. (34 M-1917 tanks)
112th Lt. Tank Bn. (34 M-1917 tanks)
113th Lt. Tank Bn. (34 M-1917 tanks)
301st Lt. Tank Bn. (49 7TP tanks)

The three independent tank companies, each containing 13 Vickers "E" or 7TP tanks, were assigned to the High Command reserves.

At the time of the German invasion, Poland had at its disposal 987 armored vehicles:

50 French Renault R-35 tanks
102 French Renault FT M-1917 tanks
38 British Vickers "E" tanks
123 Polish 7TP tanks
574 Polish TK or TKS tankettes
20 Polish WZ-29 armored cars
80 Polish WZ-34 armored cars

In addition to the above, there were still 10 armored trains on active duty with the Polish Armed Forces. The Polish 7TP tanks were slightly heavier versions of the basic Vickers "E" design, manufactured in Poland. It was planned that Polish industry would manufacture domestically models of the French Renault R-35 tanks. Negotiations for licensed manufacture were begun with France; however, the invasion occurred before they could be concluded.

It should be noted that while each of the 30 active infantry divisions had a company of tankettes attached to it, many of the Army or Operational Group commanders removed these companies and consolidated them into operational reserve units. It is estimated that only 12 of the active divisions retained their tank companies. The 23 armored cars from the above list that are unaccounted for were, in all probability, assigned to individual headquarters of the various mechanized units, Armies, or Operational Groups.

More Polish Army 1939

Introduction
Cavalry
Mechanized
Artillery
Anti-Air Defense
Air Force
Order of Battle