Introduction
The Support Arms Battalion1 was formed following the disbandment of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment2. This decision was finally taken after many postponements. The interventions of various more or less influential personalities, as well as our own arguments indicating the illogicality of this decision, were of no help.
It was recognised by all that the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment was the best unit in our army on British soil. This opinion was held by Poles and Allies alike. The regiment had been observed during its exercises and all had a high opinion of it. Four months passed and it can still be heard today that the only regiment ready to go to war was the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, but in vain as it was disbanded3!
Less than half the strength of the former 1st Reconnaissance Regiment is now in the Support Arms Battalion of the 1st Armoured Division's4 Infantry Brigade5.
Kazimierz Duda - Chronicles of War - 1st November 1943 - Page 1
1 Support Weapons Battalion : Batalion Broni Wspierających
2 1st Reconnaissance Regiment: 1. Pułk Rozpoznawczy. It consisted of two battalions of infantry, anti-tank battalion until summer 1941, a battalion support weapons and a battalion supply.
3 1st November 1943 at the latest reorganization of the Polish forces - this introduction had to be written in February 1944. The battalion support weapons was created in the Reconnaissance Division on 1 October 1940. Reconnaissance Division became the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment on July 1, 1942, attached to the 1st Polish Armoured Division, which was established on 25 February 1942.
4 1st Armored Division: 1.Dywizji Pancernej
5 Infantry Brigade: Brygada Strzelców
Translation from French version: Steven Duda
Original page 1
Scotland - Cowdenbeath - 1941