Senior Private Osiak was proud of his rkm wz. 1928. This
light machine gun looked and was powerful. While he knew it was a copy of the
more famous Browning BAR he cared little, it was his. He was good with it and
in a small way made him feel strong like the gangsters in the local movie
theaters. But for his corporal Osiak was an efficient soldier, his equipment
always clean and well maintained rarely getting caught with an infraction
during parade.
When he was called from his garrison to a defensive position
in early September 1939, he was concerned for his squad and his family. He was
going to do his duty to protect them both. As he was to young to see anything
of the fighting against the Soviets in 1921, he was uncertain how well he was
going to do against the Germans, a perpetual enemy of his Poland. His Sergeant
laughed at his concern and told him, “You will do your duty, if not the
corporal would kick his ass. “
His platoon reached the farms near the boarder shortly after
the war had started. Set up along the farm road in shallow trenches, the
Sergeant came along the line checking the men, their equipment and positions.
If any of the troops seemed unsteady he pointed to the anti-tank gun that was
being put into position at the left end of their line. He and the Lieutenant
were happy for the added support. The only other anti-tank weapon was the newly
arrivied wz.35 an anti tank rifle. The section that received that instead of
their Browning would fire it for the first time today. It was going to be a
long day…
As the morning moved along the troops kept near their guns
waiting. They knew the time for battle was fast approaching as they could hear
artillery in the distance and it was getting closer. Around mid-morning one of
the scouts returned saying that a German infantry column was approaching, and
they had tanks.
The private soon saw the Germans approaching across the
fields deploying, as they must have seen movement in the fields and along the
tree line. There was not going to be an ambush today.
The Germans came on the Polish line quickly with troops
crossing both fields and armoured cars coming down the path. Luckily no tanks
so far, but there were a lot of infantry. Senior Private Osiak watched a German
section advance on the anti-tank gun but his Corporal hit his helmet and
yelled, watch your front here come the Germans. While he could hear gunfire to
his left he watched the approaching Germans.
“Steady” was the order and he held his fire and then the
entire section opened up. The Germans halted and deployed the rifle team to
their left and the mg34 opened up on his well-entrenched team. Bullets flew
overhead as the Germans advanced. Two quick rounds from the anti-tank gun and
one armoured car was a flaming wreck and another was reversing away from the
Poles.
And then it happened; the Germans came at the Polish
position on the run. Both sides fired as quickly as possible and than it was
shovels, bayonets and rifle buts swinging. When he ran out on ammo for his
Browning he picked up a shovel and went at the German that just killed one of
the comrades. It was loud and bloody. It was also quick. The section to his
left was taking the Germans in a cross fire and they broke and ran. Senior
Private Osiak made it through his first fight with only a few bruises. His section
was not so lucky.
His platoon sergeant ran to his position now that the
Germans on both sides of the road were pulling back. The medic checked the
members of the section; two needed to be patched up at the aid station and two
needed the priest. “Osiak are you OK”, called out the Sergeant, “I’m good” came
the reply. “You did good Aleksy. You may even get a medal if we
survive this war.” And than the Sergeant headed to the next position. Aleksy
only wanted water and a chance to see his village. One he would receive sooner
than the other.
