4 weeks, 7 whifs #2: Free Polish Arado Ar 96B-7

[comrade harps]

Free Polish Air Force Arado Ar 96B-7
10+B, 10th (Special Operations) Squadron
Łask, Poland, July 1945



Poland was in a state of disarray following the successful July 1944 coup against Hitler's Nazi regime. Partly occupied by the Moscow Pact's Red Army and partly by the Germans, the returning Polish Government in Exile (and their expatriate forces and domestic Home Army) struggled to assert national authority as they sought to align themselves with their erstwhile Germany enemies. While Polish troops serving under British command were discharged and assisted in their journey home, they were also disarmed and forbidden from using existing unit nomenclature, such as the numbers of the Polish-manned RAF squadrons.






With little choice but to use German planes, the Free Polish Air Force was initially equipped with new and second-hand Bf 109G-14s and Fw 190A-8 and F-8 fighters, with Ar 96Bs and Bf 108Bs for liaison and second-line duties. With their fighter squadrons desperately committed to combating the Reds over the front lines, other aircraft and units were required to engage the growing guerilla threat within Free Poland. Backed by Red Army Spetsnaz special forces, the Communist Armia Ludowa (AL or People's Army) waged a guerilla warfare campaign against the Free Polish government and its German allies. At first, the Ar 96 and Bf 108s of the 3rd (Liaison) Squadron were used to perform ad hoc visual reconnaissance and other army cooperation duties in the counter-insurgency campaign, but in January 1945 the 10th (Special Operations) Squadron was formed specifically to deal with the insurgency.






The Squadron was initially equipped with unarmed Bücker Bü 131B "Jungmann" biplanes and armed Arado Ar 96B-7s. The Bü 131Bs were primarily concerned with visual and (hand-held) photographic reconnaissance and artillery spotting. The Jungmann was later replaced by the Mráz K-65 Čáp (a Czechoslovakian-built Fieselert Fi 156 C-7). The Ar 96B-7s served as the Squadron's sole combat platform, their single forward-firing MG 17 machine gun and ability to carry a pair of SC 50 (or similar) bombs giving the Squadron light attack and close air support capabilities. Although the Squadron's inventory never rose above seven aircraft, they were active throughout Free Poland until April 1946. Forced from their last Polish base by the advancing Red Army, the Squadron was disbanded at Cottbus in Germany on 3 April 1946.

[zenrat]

Nice one Comrade.   

[dumaniac]

Yes - love the camp

[comrade harps]

Yes - love the camp

"camp" or "camo"?