The Polish landing craft divisions according to a CIA report dated 17 February 1955An item reported that the Polish navy numbered 2 landing barge divisions each consisting of 3 barges. The 1st Division numbered two large barges (BDD=Barka Desantowa Duza) and one small barge. The large barges were added to the Minesweeper Flotilla except for the exercises at sea which were executed with their own division. The 2nd Division numbered two medium size (BDS=Barka Desantowa Srednia)and 1 small (BDM=Barka Desantowa Mala) and the 3rd Division 3 medium size barges (BDS=Barka Desantow Srednia).
The large landing craft or barge (BDD=Barka Desantowa Dusa was of Russian design, built at Torun, Poland covered in iron with around 0,5centimetres thick plating, a galvanized iron removable roof and duck-boarding covered bottom. The dimensions were circa 40 x 5-6 metres, speed of 6-8 knots and 2-150hp (approximately) Russian 3d 6 type engines. For operating the machinery were 4 mechanics (divided over 2 shifts), one electrician and one artificer.
Cargo capacity 4 medium tanks, one Stalin type heavy tank of 3 infantry companies.
1. Wheelhouse
2. Watertight cabine with an entrance form the port side also used as entrance for the crew
3. Entrance to the engine room
4. Lead-in to fuel tanks
5. Engine room
6. Quarters of the crew consisting of 2 cabins each with 8 bunks. Also below deck aft were the cabin of the commanding officer and galley positioned
7. Water and fuel tanks
8. Bed plate for mounting 2-12mm heavy guns
9. Bad plate with a about 1 metres diameter for mounting 1-8,5cm similar to the one on the Delfin
10. Catwalk round the sides with around 6 movable rails on each side to enable troops to embark. At these points were ion made ladders fixed. The space below the catwalk inside the craft was used as storage room and was fitted out with several doors
11. Hinged ramp
The medium sized landing craft or barge( BDS=Barka Desantowa Srednia), of German origin and no longer built in Poland. With as dimensions around 30 x 5 metres, fitted out with 2 engine allowing a speed of around 5 knots and around 05, centimetre thick plating. Cargo capacity 4 small tanks or 2-3 infantry companies. Lacking a catwalk the soldiers were forced to climb over the side when (dis)embarking. The crew’s quarters (10 bunks) and galley were positioned below the wheelhouse.
1. Wheelhouse
2. Anchor outside on port side
3. Engine room
4. Air chamber
5. Two bunks, one above the other, on either side
6. Bed plate for a heavy machine gun
7. Hinged ramp, the outer wall of which contains holes to let water in
8. Entrance for the crew
The small landing craft or barge (BDM=Barka Desantowa Mala) of similar design as the medium sized were built at Torun and Tosew shipyards. Their length was shorter and the bow ramp higher. Speed 6-8 knots. Stationed in the winter at Hel otherwise at Gdynia. Cargo capacity one tank and one infantry company.
Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP80-00810A005700960006-1
The large landing craft or barge (BDD=Barka Desantowa Dusa was of Russian design, built at Torun, Poland covered in iron with around 0,5centimetres thick plating, a galvanized iron removable roof and duck-boarding covered bottom. The dimensions were circa 40 x 5-6 metres, speed of 6-8 knots and 2-150hp (approximately) Russian 3d 6 type engines. For operating the machinery were 4 mechanics (divided over 2 shifts), one electrician and one artificer.
Cargo capacity 4 medium tanks, one Stalin type heavy tank of 3 infantry companies.
1. Wheelhouse
2. Watertight cabine with an entrance form the port side also used as entrance for the crew
3. Entrance to the engine room
4. Lead-in to fuel tanks
5. Engine room
6. Quarters of the crew consisting of 2 cabins each with 8 bunks. Also below deck aft were the cabin of the commanding officer and galley positioned
7. Water and fuel tanks
8. Bed plate for mounting 2-12mm heavy guns
9. Bad plate with a about 1 metres diameter for mounting 1-8,5cm similar to the one on the Delfin
10. Catwalk round the sides with around 6 movable rails on each side to enable troops to embark. At these points were ion made ladders fixed. The space below the catwalk inside the craft was used as storage room and was fitted out with several doors
11. Hinged ramp
The medium sized landing craft or barge( BDS=Barka Desantowa Srednia), of German origin and no longer built in Poland. With as dimensions around 30 x 5 metres, fitted out with 2 engine allowing a speed of around 5 knots and around 05, centimetre thick plating. Cargo capacity 4 small tanks or 2-3 infantry companies. Lacking a catwalk the soldiers were forced to climb over the side when (dis)embarking. The crew’s quarters (10 bunks) and galley were positioned below the wheelhouse.
1. Wheelhouse
2. Anchor outside on port side
3. Engine room
4. Air chamber
5. Two bunks, one above the other, on either side
6. Bed plate for a heavy machine gun
7. Hinged ramp, the outer wall of which contains holes to let water in
8. Entrance for the crew
The small landing craft or barge (BDM=Barka Desantowa Mala) of similar design as the medium sized were built at Torun and Tosew shipyards. Their length was shorter and the bow ramp higher. Speed 6-8 knots. Stationed in the winter at Hel otherwise at Gdynia. Cargo capacity one tank and one infantry company.
Source
The report was published on www.archive.org, document number CIA-RDP80-00810A005700960006-1
