ToRo Model from Poland has released a new plaster/resin vignette set with Polish soldiers in siege of Kołobrzeg in 1945.
35F37 Infantrymen at Railway Station
Kołobrzeg (German Kolberg) is ancient Polish city in Western Pommerania (German Pommern) that finally became Prussian property in XVIII century. Name Kołobrzeg is clearly understandable in Polish language as “near coast”. In fact first name of town was “Sól koło brzegu” (“Salsae Cholbergiensis” according to Tietmar’s chronicles) what means “Salt near coast”. In this website we would use German name Kolberg, just because it is easier to use by foreigners.
Battles of Kolberg
Kolberg was famous for defense in 1807 against napoleonic troops. It was the only town in Prussia that has not surrendered. In 1945 Germans released a propaganda movie about this battle to increase morale of nation.
Kolberg was an important harbour on the supply trail to German troops in Kurland. Soviet troops made first attempt to capture city in 4th March. Polish First Army with 3rd and 6th Divisions stormed city in 11 March 1945. Then they were supported with Heavy Tank Regiment 4th (IS-2M) and 4th Division and Soviet rocket Artillery (Katyusha). City was captured in 18th March, survivors have escaped by sea.
One of the best Polish war movies is black and white “Jarzębina Czerwona” from 1969 (“red rowanberry” – radio codename of one company from 7th Regiment). It presents soldiers with no propaganda glory typical to the movies from communist Poland. No glory fighting in cold, wet mud with hard enemy. They are just people put into ranks because of nonsense war. They have almost no hope to survive, but need to do something to finish German state that destroyed their lifes. Between lines we read their hopes and fears and losses. Main character: 2nd Ltn Wiktor Kotarski (played by Andrzej Kopiczyński – platoon, then company commander) lost all family because of Bendera Ukrainian Nationalist genocide on Eastern Poles (German security forces did not opposed Bandera bands in 1943, SS Galizien supported).
Despite some minor inaccuracies Jerzębina Czerwona is very close to historical document. We see most of the important events in battle. Some small details, like wide use of Panzerfausts that were captured by Poles are shown. In the fragment below you can see Kriegsmarine KG Kell counterstrike with Armoured Train support.
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Polish IS-2 tank 1:35 by Mike Rinaldi
Polish Army in Berlin vignette 1:35
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