Polish Army Order of Battle
Germany
Germany had a substantial numeric advantage over Poland and had developed a significant military prior to the conflict. The Heer23 (army) had some 2,400 tanks organized into six panzer divisions, utilizing a new operational doctrine. It held that these divisions should act in coordination with other elements of the military, punching holes in the enemy line and isolating selected units, which would be encircled and destroyed. This would be followed up by less-mobile mechanized infantry and foot soldiers. The Luftwaffe24 (air force) provided both tactical and strategic air power, particularly dive bombers that disrupted lines of supply and communications. Together, the new methods were nicknamed "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war). Historian Basil Liddell Hart claimed "Poland was a full demonstration of the Blitzkrieg 25 theory." Some other historians, however, disagree. 26
Aircraft played a major role in the campaign. Bombers also attacked cities, causing huge losses amongst the civilian population. The Luftwaffe forces consisted of 1,180 fighters, 290 Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers, 1,100 conventional bombers (mainly Heinkel He 111s and Dornier Do 17s), and an assortment of 550 transport and 350 reconnaissance aircraft. In total, Germany had close to 4,000 aircraft, most of them modern. A force of 2,315 aircraft was assigned to Weiss. Due to its prior participation in the Spanish Civil War, the Luftwaffe was probably the most experienced, best trained and best equipped air force in the world in 1939.
German Army Order of Battle
Soviet Order of Battle Poland in 1939
The Soviet order of battle for the invasion of Poland in 1939 details the major combat units arrayed for the Soviet invasion of Poland on September 17, 1939. Joining battle after the Germans had already launched their attacks, the Soviets met little resistance and were prepared for battle. Several fights between German and Soviet forces did occur, but neither government was prepared for starting a larger conflict, and these were soon referred to as "misunderstandings". Like the Germans, the Soviets employed two primary offensive axes, each managed by a Front. Each Front commander had at his disposal a mobile group of forces created from cavalry and mechanised troops; a precursor of the cavalry-mechanised groups of the Second World War.
The effects of the purge are visible in the ranks of the commanders in the order of battle, with only one Army commander serving in the appropriate rank of the Army General, in this case 2nd Class (Komandarm 2nd rank) the rest serving in being Corps (Komcor) and Divisional (Komdiv)
