Introduction: A Misunderstood Legacy The image of a Polish cavalryman is often unfairly shrouded in the myth of “charging tanks with lances.” In reality, the Polish cavalry of 1938–1939 was one of the most sophisticated and mobile infantry forces of its time. This photograph, taken in Warsaw just a year before the storm of World War II, reveals the true face of Polish defense: a highly trained soldier equipped with the top-secret Wz. 35 anti-tank rifle.
The Technical Marvel: The Wz. 35 “Ur” The long, slender barrel strapped to the rider’s back isn’t an ordinary rifle. It was the Karabin przeciwpancerny wz. 35. At the time of this photo, it was a state secret. To maintain cover, the crates containing these rifles were marked “Ur”—suggesting they were destined for Uruguay.
In 1938, its performance was devastating. Most German tanks, like the Panzer I and II, relied on thin armor plates. The Wz. 35 didn’t just dent them; its high-velocity rounds could punch through the armor, creating a “spalling” effect inside the cabin that would disable the crew and the machine. It was a sniper’s tool against a mechanical beast.
The Horse as a Tactical Asset Modern observers often view the horse as a relic, but in the muddy, forested, and often roadless terrain of Eastern Europe, the horse was a logistical superpower.
Silence: Unlike the roar of a truck engine, a troop of horses could move through a forest in near-silence, enabling deadly ambushes.
Versatility: While German tanks were often confined to roads or firm ground, the cavalry could traverse marshes and dense woods to strike the enemy’s vulnerable flanks.
Speed: They were “Dragoons” in the classic sense—using horses for rapid movement, then dismounting to fight with their specialized anti-tank weaponry.
1939: The Turning Point When the war broke out, these cavalry units were surprisingly effective. In the initial weeks of the September Campaign, the Wz. 35 accounted for numerous German armored vehicle losses. However, the tragedy of the Polish cavalry wasn’t a lack of bravery or technology; it was a lack of scale. They were outnumbered and out-paced by the sheer volume of the Luftwaffe and the multi-front invasion.
By 1941, as armor thickness increased on the Panzer III and IV, the Wz. 35 began to lose its “one-shot” kill potential against frontal plates. Yet, the tactical lesson remained: mobile, specialized units could punch far above their weight class.
Conclusion: The End of an Era This soldier represents the twilight of the horse in modern warfare. He stands as a symbol of a nation that tried to bridge the gap between 19th-century mobility and 20th-century firepower. It wasn’t a lack of modernization that defeated the Polish cavalry, but the overwhelming tide of a new kind of total war. Today, this image serves as a reminder that “old-fashioned” methods, when paired with the right tools, are often more effective than history books give them credit for.
