The Błyskawica (Lightning in English) smg was designed by Armia Krajowa member Wacław Zawrotny in 1942, after the design was accepted by higher ranks production of prototypes began in 1943. The gun itself was based off of the designs of the Germany Mp-40 smg and British Sten smg, both popular weapons within the Polish underground. So that the gun could be easily produced the gun was put together by screws and threads, no bolts and or welding. It used 9mm caliber bullets, so that ammunition could be taken from Germans. Around 700 examples were produced in the Warsaw area, but I'm sure more examples were built in workshops throughout occupied Poland. The magazine held 32 rounds, the machine gun was capable of firing off 600 rounds per minute. It was proved to be effective within a range of 200 meters.
Heres an iconic photo from the Warsaw Uprising of the Błyskawica. During the Warsaw Uprising 30-40 Błyskawica machine guns were produced.
And here is the design on the shoulder stock of the weapon, from which the Błyskawica got its name from
I found this website today, I thought I should share it on here.
http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-October00.html
Lots of good info about Underground manufactured weapons. Heres a photo from the site of markings on a Polish Sten gun copy.
Last edited by StefanM; 10-29-2012 at 03:36 PM.
I collect, therefore I am.
Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.
Were the Gwardia Ludowa partisans affiliated to the Polish communists? I can see what appears to be two Soviet soldiers in the photos. Soviet 'advisors' (commissars) perhaps?
As well, I count at least six PPSh 41 submachineguns in the top photo.
Absolutely right Mike, they represented the communist Polish Workers Party and remained outside the structures of the Polish Underground State of the Polish government-in-exile. Mainly involved with acts of sabotage on German logistics targets.
Units of the GL also sometimes fought against the Armia Krajowa and NSZ in tit for tat actions and reprisals that would set the pattern for the later civil war between the Polish nationalists and Polish communists during the Stalinisation of Poland.
The Soviets had been parachuting "specialists" into Poland with communications equipment to coordinate sabotage action with Soviet planners and arms supply drops and to help train Poles.
I collect, therefore I am.
Nothing in science can explain how consciousness arose from matter.
I would expect many people to come up with such a questions as yours Dastier, because unless you read specifically about them, you will not see much publication on them or come across much news. They are one of the many pieces of junk that thankfully are in the rubbish bin of the restored Rzeczpospolita.
Hi guys,
Here are some photos I found online of Allied supply drops to the Home Army. Does anyone know if denim battledress tunics were also dropped into Poland or only wool tunics?
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