The interwar period witnessed a flurry of tankette development, with various nations seeking to find their footing in armoured warfare. Poland, too, ventured into this domain, fielding the TK-3 tankette as a mainstay until 1934. This article explores the evolution of Polish tankettes, focusing on the TKF, a lesser-known but notable variant.
The TK-3 tankette emerged as the primary armoured vehicle in Polish service, tracing its lineage back to the TK-2 prototype, itself inspired by the British Carden-Loyd Mark VI tankette. Characterized by their diminutive size, speed, and limitations in armour and armament, tankettes like the TK-3 served smaller nations during World War II, albeit with modest capabilities.
Seeking to improve upon the TK-3, Polish designers embarked on a series of prototype developments, aiming to enhance various aspects of the tankette concept. Among these, the TKF stood out, often mistaken for its predecessor, the TK-3. The key upgrade in the TKF was the replacement of the American Ford A engine with an Italian FIAT 122 AC engine, which was already under license production in Poland. This powerplant modification resulted in a slightly improved maximum speed of 46 km/h.
In 1935, the suspension of the TKF underwent modifications, borrowing elements from the TKS, a fellow Polish tankette design. These changes aimed to enhance the vehicle's mobility and overall performance.
The 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade of the Polish Army is the only confirmed unit to have used TKF tankettes. In September 1939, as World War II erupted, this brigade engaged the German army near Jordanów as part of their march towards Lwów. However, with the Soviet invasion of Poland on September 17, which created a new eastern front, the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade was ordered to change its course. They moved southwest, eventually crossing the Hungarian border on September 22, 1939. Upon their arrival in Hungary, the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade surrendered their equipment to the Hungarian army. This included the surviving TK-3s and TKFs. These Polish tankettes found themselves in the service of the Hungarian army, marking a unique chapter in their history.
The Hungarian army later supplied the Polish TKFs to the Croatian Army, a move that would see these tankettes used in combat. The Croats employed the TKFs against Yugoslav communist guerrillas during a tumultuous period. While many TKFs met their fate on the battlefield, one managed to survive the ravages of World War II. In March 1944, Yugoslav soldiers captured a TKF tankette, which was subsequently placed on display at the Military Museum in Belgrade. This solitary TKF stands as a tangible relic of a bygone era.
The TKF tankette, born of the Polish pursuit of armoured innovation, played a significant role in a tumultuous period of history. Although often overshadowed by more prominent armoured vehicles, the TKF's journey from Poland to Hungary and Croatia and its lone survivor in Belgrade offer a unique perspective on the resilience and adaptability of these modest yet historic war machines.
