Bohaterowie Morza Baltyckiego! The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”

The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Bohaterowie Morza Baltyckiego!
The Polish Navy in
“Victory at Sea”
Despite ambitious programmes in the 1920s the Polish Navy entered the 1930s as a small force of less than
20 vessels. Increasing militarism in Germany saw a revitalisation of Polish defence, with new destroyers,
submarines and coastal craft ordered. However, the programme started too late and by the outbreak of war
the Polish navy comprised a mere 4 destroyers, 5 submarines and assorted small craft. The German
onslaught of September 1939 by land and sea could not be resisted an as many ships as could be made
mobile escaped to Britain in Operation “Peking” to form the Polish Navy in exile. The Polish Navy remained
a sovereign force, working with the Royal navy but distinct from it. Its ships served in the Atlantic,
Mediterranean and the Arctic. Its numbers were swelled by ex-RN ships, notably the cruisers Dragon and
Danae (renamed Conrad).Although small, the Polish Navy made a vital contribution to the war effort.
Perhaps the best tribute to their service can be found in a quote from the British First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley
Pound, said in 1942 when decorating Polish submariners.
"Last night I asked my Chief of Staff to give me a list of all Polish warships fighting alongside the Royal
Navy. I was shocked to learn how few they are because in all despatches of naval operations and major
engagements I almost always find a name of a Polish ship that distinguished itself."
The Polish Navy Fleet List
The following forms the entire fleet list for the Polish Navy.
Priority Level: Patrol
Grom class destroyer
Wicher class destroyer
G class destroyer
N class destroyer
Ouragan class Destroyer
M class destroyer
Hunt class destroyer escort
Wilk class submersible
Orzel class submersible
U class submersible
Gryf class minelayer
PZL P.11 (three flight)
PZL P.7 (four flights)
PZL 23 (three flights)
PZL 37 (three flights)
Priority Level: Skirmish
Danae class cruiser
Special Rules
Crew Quality
Polish Navy ships may be added to any RN force. Due to their extreme professionalism Polish ships are
always treated as Veteran or Elite.
Observation Aircraft
Although none of the ships of the Polish Navy could operate aircraft the Polish Navy did have an air arm
equipped with Lublin R-XIII observation aircraft. A Polish fleet in 1939 can have two aircraft of this type on
table at the start. The Lublin R-XIII is treated in all respects as a normal observation aircraft.
References
Most of the data for this article has come from Conways “All the Worlds Warships 1922-1946”.
For excellent online references for the WW2 Polish navy I would recommend the following:
http://www.polishnavy.pl/enemy/
http://www.ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk/polish_navy.html
http://www.polish-navy.org/
Page 1 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Danae Class Cruiser
Dragon was transferred to the Polish Navy in 1943. She served in British waters until 1944, when she was torpedoed by
a German “Neger” mini-sub off the Normandy beaches. She was replaced by the cruiser Danae which was renamed
Conrad.
Ships of this class: Dragon, Conrad
Speed: 6”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 3+
Damage: 6/2
Crew: 19/7
Special Traits:
In Service: 1916
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port Torpedoes
Starboard Torpedoes
Range
20”
5”
-
AD
3
3
3
3
DD
1
4
4
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
AP, One-Shot
Length: 445 ft.
Displacement: 5,925 tons
Speed: 29 kts.
Crew: 469
Page 2 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Grom Class Destroyer
When built these British-build destroyers were the fastest ships of their type in the world. Only the first two were
completed. The second pair were ordered and were to be built in Poland, but construction had not begun by the time of
the start of the war. They fled to Britain and were extensively refitted. Grom was sunk off Narvik in 1940, but
Blyskawica still survives, as a museum ship in Gdynia
Ships of this class: Grom, Blyskawica, Huragan, Orkan
Speed: 7”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 4/2
Crew: 7/2
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1935+
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
5”
3”
AD
2
2
3
4
DD
1
4
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 374 ft.
Displacement: 3.383tons
Speed: 39 kts.
Crew: 180
Page 3 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Wicher class Destroyer
Ships of this class: Wicher, Burza
These destroyers were based on the French Bourrasque class, but were extensively improved. Wicher was sunk by the
Luftwaffe during the invasion of Poland, but Burza escaped to Britain. The stats below reflect the ships as delivered.
The Post Refit weapon stats reflect Burza as modernized by the RN and optimized for convoy escort.
Speed: 7”
Turning: 3
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 7/3
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1930
“As Built” Armament
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
6”
3”
AD
1
1
3
4
DD
1
3
2
Special
Weak
Post Refit Armament
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
6”
3”
AD
1
2
2
8
DD
1
4
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 352 ft.
Displacement: 1,920 tons
Speed: 33 kts.
Crew: 150
Page 4 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
G class Destroyer
Garland was the first ship transferred to the Polish Navy by the RN. She was a G Class destroyer and retained her old
name after transfer.
Ships of this class: Garland
Speed: 7”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 8/2
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1935
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
5”
3”
AD
1
1
4
4
DD
1
4
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 323 ft.
Displacement: 2,095 tons
Speed: 36 kts.
Crew: 190
Page 5 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
N Class Destroyer
The N Class destroyer Nerrisa was handed over to the Polish Navy in compensation for the destroyer Grom, which was
sunk off Norway
Ships of this class: Piorun
Speed: 7”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 7/2
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1938+
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
5”
3”
AD
1
1
5
4
DD
1
4
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 357 ft.
Displacement: 1,690 tons
Speed: 36 kts.
Crew: 183
Page 6 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Ouragan class Destroyer
Ships of this class: Ouragan
A former French destroyer, the Ouragan was seized after the fall of France and temporarily given to the Polish Navy
until 1941, when she was returned to the RN and eventual Free French service.
Speed: 7”
Turning: 3
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 6/2
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1930
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/STarboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
6”
3”
AD
1
1
3
4
DD
1
3
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 347 ft.
Displacement: 1,298 tons
Speed: 33 kts.
Crew: 145
Page 7 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
M class Destroyer
The ex-Royal navy Myrmidon, transferred to the Polish Navy in 1942. She was sunk in the following year by an
acoustic homing torpedo.
Ships of this class: Orkan
Speed: 7”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 9/3
Special Traits: Agile
In Service: 1940
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Depth Charges
Range
12”
5”
3”
AD
2
1
4
4
DD
1
4
2
Special
Weak
AP, One-Shot
Slow-Loading
Length: 362 ft.
Displacement: 2,840 tons
Speed: 36 kts.
Crew: 226
Page 8 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
“Hunt” Class Destroyer Escort (Type 2)
Three ships of the RN’s “Hunt” Class were transferred to the Polish Navy, the Silverton, Oakley and Bedale became the
Krakowiak, Kujawiak and Slazak respectively. Kujawiak was mined of Malta and sunk, but the others survived the war.
Ships of this Class: Krakowiak, Kujawiak, Slazak
Speed: 5”
Turning: 2
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 7/3
Special Traits: Agile, Sub Hunter, Radar
In Service: 1941+
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Depth Charges
Range
12”
5”
3”
AD
2
2
4
DD
1
2
Special
Weak
Slow-Loading
Length: 264 ft.
Displacement: 1,625 tons
Speed: 27 kts.
Crew: 168
Page 9 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Wilk Class Submersible
Good sea boats, but noisy and prone to leaving traces of oil in their wakes. Rys and Zbik were interned in Sweden,
whilst Wilk made it to Britain. Unfortunately she was in a poor condition when she arrived and spent the war serving as
a training boat (nevertheless a valuable and important duty)
Boats of this class: Rys, Zbik, Wilk
Speed: 3”/1”
Turning: 3
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 3/1
Special Traits: Submersible
In Service: 1929
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Forward Torpedoes
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Range
4”
4”
-
AD
1
1
2
1
DD
1
4
4
Special
Slow-Loading, Weak
AP, Slow-Loading
AP, One shot
Length: 257 ft.
Displacement: 1,250 tons
Speed: 14/9 kts.
Crew: 54
Page 10 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Orzel Class Submersible
These were large ocean going boats with excellent fighting qualities. They were double hulled and thus extremely quiet,
and survivable in the face of depth charging. Sep was interned in Sweden. Orzel made a dramatic escape from Tallin to
reach the UK, but was sunk in the North Sea in 1940, presumably mined.
Boats of this class: Orzel, Sep
Speed: 3”/1”
Turning: 3
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 3/1
Special Traits: Submersible, Silent
In Service: 1929
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Forward Torpedoes
Port/Starboard Torpedoes
Range
4”
4”
-
AD
1
1
2
1
DD
1
4
4
Special
Slow-Loading, Weak
AP, Slow-Loading
AP, One shot
Length: 257 ft.
Displacement: 1,250 tons
Speed: 14/9 kts.
Crew: 54
Page 11 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
U Class Submersible
Two boats of the RN’s highly successful U Class were transferred to the Polish navy in 1941. Urchin became Sokol,
and P52 became Dzik. Both served in the U Class’ favourite hunting ground of the Mediterranean, where their
successes earned them the nickname “The Terrible Twins”
Boats of this class: Orzel, Sep
Speed: 3”/1”
Turning: 3
Target: 6+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 3/1
Special Traits: Submersible, Silent, Agile
In Service: 1940
Weapon
Secondary Armament
AAA
Forward Torpedoes
Range
4”
4”
-
AD
1
1
2
DD
1
4
Special
Slow-Loading, Weak
AP, Slow-Loading
Length: 196 ft.
Displacement: 732 tons
Speed: 12/10 kts.
Crew: 33
Page 12 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Gryf class minelayer
In common with minelayers of other nations, Gryf served mainly as a training ship for officer cadets, her large mine
laying bays converted to temporary classrooms. She was sunk during the German invasion, although some of her guns
were salvaged and used as shore defences before the fall of Poland.
Ships of this class: Gryf
Speed: 6”
Turning: 2
Target: 5+
Armour: 2+
Damage: 3/1
Crew: 9/3
Special Traits: Minelayer
In Service: 1936
Weapon
Secondaries
AAA
Mines
Range
15”
4”
-
AD
2
2
-
DD
1
-
Special
Weak
Minefield
Length: 539 ft.
Displacement: 2,250 tons
Speed: 28 kts.
Crew: 205
Page 13 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
Polish Aircraft
The following stats are for Polish built aircraft and should only be used for scenarios set during or prior to the fall of
Poland. Thereafter the Poles used Allied aircraft, in particular the Spitfire, Wellington and Hurricane
PZL P.11
An unusual high wing monoplane, the P.11 suffered from low speed but enjoyed high manoeuvrability. Despite being
outgunned by German aircraft they scored many successes before Poland fell in 1939. Most were destroyed in the
Polish campaign, but some were transferred to Romania.
Type: Fighter
Speed: 16”
Target: 6+
Dodge: 2+
Dogfight: +2
Damage: 1
In Service: 1935
PZL P.7
The forerunner of the P.7, and sharing the same characteristics and flaws, although to a greater extent when compared
with their German counterparts.
Type: Fighter
Speed: 14”
Target: 6+
Dodge: 2+
Dogfight: +1
Damage: 1
In Service: 1930
Page 14 of 15
The Polish Navy in “Victory at Sea”
PZL.23 Karas
An unusually distinctive single engined and all-metallic bomber, the PZL.23 has the distinction of being the first aircraft
to bomb German soil during WW2. they were rugged and effective attack aircraft, but suffered heavy casualties at the
hands of the Luftwaffe’s Bf109s.
Type: Bomber
Speed: 16”
Target: 5+
Dodge: 3+
Dogfight: +1
Damage: 1
In Service: 1936
Weapon
Bombs
Range AD
2
DD
3
Special
AP, One-Shot
PZL.37 Los
A fairly conventional twin-engined bomber, the Los served the Polish Air Force well until the fall of Poland. At least 25
aircraft were handed over to the Romanian air force where they saw limited service against the USSR.
Type: Bomber
Speed: 16”
Target: 4+
Dodge: 4+
Dogfight: +1
Damage: 1
In Service: 1936
Weapon
Bombs
Range AD
3
DD
3
Special
AP, One-Shot
Page 15 of 15