PIBWL presents:

Polish Armoured Train Nr. 15 ("Śmierć") (Smierc)

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	© Michal Derela, 1999	Updated: 02. 07. 2004 - major supplement.

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History - Combat use in 1939 - Train composition

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It is not sure, which train was captured, though. The Austro-Hungarian army employed at least 11 armoured trains during the war (see the page at the Armoured Train Web-museum). The older publications claimed, it was "type V" train, which obviously is an incorrect designation. According to a newer book by J. Magnuski [2], most likely it was mixed of two k.u.k. trains: PZ.III and PZ.VIII. The captured train consisted of two armoured locomotives (series 377), two artillery wagons of a standard S type and two or three machine gun wagons. On 3 November 1918 the train was manned by the Polish crew, and soon divided into two trains: "Pilsudczyk" (PP.1) and "Smialy" ("Śmiały") (PP.2). Both trains were given one locomotive, one artillery wagon and one assault wagon, and then completed with further Polish-built improvised armoured wagons.

'Smialy' in 1920 - this artillery wagon will be found later in 'Smierc'. (Photo source 2)

Both trains were at once moved to Przemysl and Lwów (Lviv), in order to defend these cities against the Ukrainians, who were also aiming to gain the most territory. Poland regained its independence after the last 120 years, while the Ukrainians had a new-born national awarness and were aiming at their own country for the first time. In Galizia (the province with Lviv) the Poles and Ukrainians were totally mixed, and both nations were claiming their rights to the province. After the Poles had defended Lviv and Polish-Ukrainian war had ceased, Polish C-in-C Marshal Pilsudski attempted to help the Ukranians defend their independence (and the rest of their territories) against the Soviets, which was one of the reasons of Polish-Soviet war, in which some Ukrainian units were fighting on the Polish side... Ukraine lost the independence and became a Soviet republic for 70 years. Between the World Wars, Lviv was Polish Lwów, now it finally belongs to the independent Ukraine.

Both "Smialy" and "Pilsudczyk" were fighting in the Polish-Soviet war 1919-20, but their story will be a subject of another page. In 1921 both trains were re-equipped with new artillery wagons of a Polish design (type III). The old Austro-Hungarian artillery wagon of "Smialy" was given to armoured train "Zagonczyk", which was decomposed in 1929. "Pilsudczyk" gave away its old rolling stock as well. Finally, both ex-Austro-Hungarian artillery wagons and one assault wagon were given to armoured train "Smierc" ("Śmierć"), but the exact date is not known. Possibly it was done in 1929, when the final composition of Polish trains was established.

The original armoured train "Smierc" was probably created in August 1920 in Cracov. It was used in the Polish-Soviet war since August 1920, in the 3rd Army of the Central Front. It distinguished itself in fights against Budionny's 'Konarmya' (Mounted Army) near Zamosc. It had number 23 (P.P. 23 - Pociag pancerny nr 23) then. In that period, the train consisted mainly of improvised partially armoured wagons. On 7 December 1920 the train was renamed to "Pogoń" (The Chase), later it was renamed back.

In the twenties "Smierc" was assigned for the further service, among 12 most modern trains, and it was given number 8 (P.P. 8). In the winter of 1923/24, most Polish armoured trains were demobilised and stored - among them was also "Smierc". Most likely it was not brought back from reserve to an active service before the mobilization in 1939. In that period, it was equipped with mentioned Austro-Hungarian wagons. In the early thirties, the train underwent some modernization, it received radio and signal equipment, and the locomotive was changed to the standard type Ti3 (the earlier locomotive type is not known). The artillery wagons were rebuilt, their armament was standardized (75mm wz.02/26 guns and wz.08 MG's) and anti-aircraft MG's were added. In the thirties "Smierc" was assigned to the 1st Armoured Train Unit in Legionowo, near Warsaw.

In 1939, during the mobilization, the 1st Armoured Train Unit mobilized five trains, among them light armoured train (pociąg pancerny) nr. 15 - former "Smierc" (the names were not used anymore officially). Only recently it have been researched and confirmed with photos, that during the mobilization, the train was given the third artillery wagon, armed with a 100mm wz.14/19A howitzer. It was not known in previous publications, nor on a previous release of our page.

"Smierc" ("Śmierć" - correct spelling with Polish characters) means "The Death". It is pronounced in English like: [ Shmy-air-tch ].

( a map )

The armoured train nr. 15 (former "Smierc") was commanded by Cpt. Kazimierz Kubaszewski.

The train was initially at the disposal of Polish C-in-C. It finished its mobilization in Legionowo on 4 September 1939, and then was assigned to the Army "Modlin".
During the next day, the train, along with the train nr.13, appeared very useful fulfilling reconnaissance duties and providing the Army staff with situation reports (one of its armoured draisines Tatra was destroyed by AT-guns on patrol near Nasielsk town).

From 8 September the train was subordinated to Modlin fortress Defence HQ. On the next day, due to a damaged bridge on the Bugo-Narew river, the armoured train lost contact with its auxuliary section, and had to do without it. When the German siege of Modlin started, from about 15 September, the train was used as a mobile artillery in the fortress area, manoeuvring on a few kilometer track between Modlin and Pomiechowek stations. It was assigned to support the 28th Infantry Division, holding Pomiechowek area. The train nr 15 showed quite efficient in supporting Polish defenders, firing at pointed targets and helping to repell enemy attacks. On 19 September it was even fighting an artillery duel with its German opponent - armoured train PanzerZug 7, acting on a track Nasielsk-Pomiechowek. On 22 September it supported Polish III/36 battalion in a succesfull night counter-attack near Pomiechowek.
 During the next days the train was not used that much due to a superiority of enemy artillery and shortages of ammunition in the fortress. The train was mainly staying in the railway excavation near "Ostroleka" fort then. On 25 September the assault wagon and locomotive were destroyed, and the locomotive was replaced with a regular one (on the other hand, photos taken by the Germans after siege show the train with the armoured locomotive!). Finally, on 29 September, the alone fortress surrendered, and the crew destroyed the train's armament. Train nr 15 was the last Polish fighting armoured train. It was not used by the Germans after capture.

Train composition in 1939:

The light armoured train nr. 15 consisted of:

• an armoured section:

flatcar	artillery wagon	assault wagon	armoured locomotive	artillery wagon	flatcar
In 1939, armoured train nr 15 had also the third artillery wagon

• a platoon of armoured draisines (scout rail vehicles)
• an unarmoured auxiliary section

The length of the whole armoured part (including flatcars), without the third artillery wagon was 69 m (226 ft), the weight: 215 t (source [5]). "Smierc" was the light armoured train, so the armoured section crew was probably only about 80 men (without the third artillery wagon) to 95 men (with the wagon). The whole armoured train's crew was probably up to 155.

The standard locomotive for Polish armoured trains since 1927 was the armoured steam locomotive series Ti3 (former Prussian series G5³, built in 1903-06).

Artillery wagons:

Armoured train nr.15 ("Smierc") had two 2-axle artillery wagons of the standard Austro-Hungarian S type, built by MAV railwy workshops and MAVAG factory in Budapest. Their factory numbers were S141164 and S141455. In the thirties they were modernized by the Polish.

Each was armed with one 75mm wz. 02/26 (modified "3in" Putilov) field gun in a turret. At the beginning of the service, the wagons were armed with 70mm SFK L/30 naval guns, replaced in 1920 with 80mm M. 5/8 guns. The horizontal angle of fire was about 240°. Other armament consisted of two 7.92mm wz. 08 (Maxim) machine guns in the side doors - with partially opening doors, they could be used for flank-fire along the train. It was Polish improvement of the original wagons - originally they had simple casemates for MG's in the sides, and had a door in the rear end wall only. Also in the thirties there was added 7.92mm wz. 08 anti-aircraft machine gun in a small turret on the roof, replacing original high superstructure with one MG fixed to the wagon's front and an observation cupola. A maximum elevation of the AAMG was 90°. The ammunition was probably 3,750 rounds per each MG (in 250-round belts). Probably up to 120 artillery rounds were carried in the wagon.

- a color sideview of an original wagon (with "Smialy" markings - source [2])
- a drawing of a modified wagon (source [4] - warning: it is likely a bit too high).

The armour thickness was 8 - 12mm. However, according to the source [2], the wagons had no armour plating in fact, but were protected with 12mm regular steel plates. Since Austro-Hungarian Army found them too vulnerable to machine gun bullets, the protection was strengthened from the inside with 40mm oak wood layer and the second layer of 9mm sheet steel, which showed quite enough against machine guns and splinters. In the Polish Army it was probably partially replaced with armour plates - in doors, at least.

The wagon's length was 7.55 m (or 7.9 m - source [2]); axle interval - 3.6 m; weight - about 21 t. The crew was about 12-15 men.

During the mobilization in 1939, the train nr. 15 was equipped with the third artillery wagon, to strengthen its power. It was two-axle, built in summer of 1920 in Lwow, according to the Polish design by KBPP Lwow construction bureau. The further details about this wagon are not known. In the thirties it remained in a reserve.

The wagon's armament consisted of one 100mm wz. 14/19A howitzer in a turret, rotating at 360°. Other armament consisted of 2 x 7.92mm wz. 08 Maxim machineguns in wagon's sides and the third anti-aircraft MG in a small turret on the roof. There is no information about its armour, probably it was similar to other Polish armoured trains.

The third, unknown artillery wagon of the train nr. 15 at Modlin station, after being captured by the Germans. Photos courtesy of Artur Przeczek.

Assault wagon:

The assault wagon (Polish nomenclature) was intended for the transportation of an assault platoon. The two-axle assault wagon of "Smierc", was an original Austro-Hungarian MG wagon, rebuilt in Poland in the thirties. The MG-casemates were replaced with flat armour plates with Polish cylindrical MG mountings, and a two-leaf door was cut in each side. Earlier it had doors in its end walls only. The wagon's number was probably 390243 (its original factory number was 140866 or 150060).
The wagon's armament was four 7.92mm wz.08 MG's in the sides. The ammunition was probably 3,750 per MG (in 250-round belts). The armour was like of artillery wagons. The assault platoon consisted of 32 men (1 officer, 7 NCO's, 24 soldiers, with 2 LMG's). The total wagon's crew was about 40 (with signalmen and stretcher-bearers).

Since the early thirties, the assault wagon was equipped with long-range radio RKD/P (range - up to 100km), placed in a separate radio cab in the middle of the wagon. The wagon was also fitted with a power generator, batteries and a large clothes line aerial on the roof. The significant feature was two rows of aerial masts. The wagon had two doors in each side, and also doors in both ends, which enabled passing between wagons. Apart from the doors, the wagon also should have hatch in the bottom. The wagon's length was 7.57m (or 7.90m - [2]), axle interval - 3.6m.

- a drawing of a modified wagon (source [4] - warning: it is likely a bit too high).

Each armoured train had a platoon of armoured draisines (scout rail vehicles). Train nr.15 had non-standard platoon of only two older draisines Tatra (see the details on armoured draisines page).

Each armoured train, considered as a military unit, also included an unarmoured auxiliary section. The auxiliary section accompanied the combat section in operational movements and provided it with an accomodation and logistics support. It was manned by a platoon consisting of 1 officer, 21 NCO's and 26 soldiers. The length of the auxiliary section of the train was about 250 m (820 ft).

It consisted of: a locomotive, coaches for officers (2), NCOs (2) and soldiers (8), supply wagons, an ambulance coach, a kitchen coach, a workshop wagon, a coal wagon, a water tanker and flatcars (5) - up to 30 carriages.
It also had two wz.34 half-tracked trucks, one light truck (Polski FIAT 618?) and four motorcycles with sidecars CWS M-111 - carried on three flatcars. Wz.34 half-tracks were from the repair patrol, and they could be equipped with a rail-riding device.

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Text copyright to Michal Derela © 1999-2004.