Torpedoes of the Polish Navy 1924-1939
Photo collection of the Naval Museum
Torpedo weapons were one of the most important weapons of the Polish Navy. In the interwar period, various types of torpedoes were used and tested in Poland, and the capabilities of domestic industry were developed. Based on the available archival documents, the authors of the article would like to briefly present the progress of procurement and parameters of torpedo weapons used in the Polish Navy in 20-1924.
The effectiveness of torpedo weapons in war at sea led to the fact that at the end of the XNUMXth century the torpedo received the status of a weapon equivalent to artillery, and was quickly adopted by all navies. Its most important advantages were: the possibility of destroying the underwater part of the hull, high destructive power, ease of aiming and secrecy of use. The experience of combat operations during the First World War showed that torpedoes are a dangerous weapon even for large and armored formations, and at the same time they can be used with relatively small surface ships and submarines. Therefore, it is not surprising that the leadership of the developing Polish Navy (WWI) attached great importance to this type of weapon.
Torpedy 450mm
The young Polish Navy began efforts to purchase torpedo weapons from abroad in connection with the provision of Poland with 6 former German torpedo boats that came to the country without weapons. Vigorous activity aimed at acquiring torpedo weapons began in 1923, when the repair of individual torpedo boats was coming to an end. According to the plan, in 1923 it was supposed to purchase 5 twin torpedo tubes and 30 torpedoes of caliber 450 mm wz. 1912 Whitehead. Finally, in March 1924 (under the 24th tranche of the French loan) 1904 French torpedoes wz. 2 (T meant Toulon - production site) and 1911 training torpedoes wz. 6 V, as well as 1904 twin torpedo tubes wz. 4 and 1925 single cells. By March 14, 1904 torpedoes wz. 1911 T and both wz. XNUMX V.
These were the first torpedoes and launchers used on WWI ships, and their operation not only allowed more Polish sailors to be trained, but also laid the foundation for Polish tactics in the use of torpedo weapons. Due to the intensive operation and rapid aging of mechanisms in the late 20s. people began to understand that the equipment used should be replaced by a new type of weapon. In 1929, Captain Mar. Yevgeny Yuzhvikevich, then a member of the Commission for the Acceptance of 550mm Torpedoes in France, also visited the Whitehead plant in the UK to see 450mm torpedoes there.
Capt.'s opinion Mar. Jóźwikiewicz, it should have been positive, since on March 20, 1930 an agreement was signed with The Whitehead Torpedo Company Ltd. in Weymouth for the purchase of 20 450-mm torpedoes (at a price of 990 pounds sterling apiece). The torpedoes were manufactured in accordance with Polish specification no. 8774 and PMW were marked wz. A. Torpedoes (No. 101-120) arrived in Poland on board the Premier ship on February 16, 1931. Mar. Bronislaw Lesniewski, in his report dated February 17, 1931, wrote about English torpedoes: […] compared to French torpedoes, a very small percentage of unsuccessful receiving shots can serve as a good recommendation for them, and then on old torpedo tubes: [...] in connection with due to the fact that the English torpedo does not have a cutout in the bottom [...], there is a serious fear that while the ship is rocking before the launch itself, the torpedo may slip out of the chamber […], all the more it is worth emphasizing that there was already a precedent with one torpedo wz. 04 is lost.
