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How I Unleashed World War II
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How I Unleashed World War II (Polish title: Jak rozpetalem druga wojne swiatowa) is a 1970 Polish war comedy film directed by Tadeusz Chmielewski, based on the popular novel Przygody kanoniera Dolasa (English: The Adventures of Gunner Dolas) by Kazimierz Sławinski, starring Marian Kociniak as Pvt. Franek Dolas. The story is divided into three parts, following the humble Polish Army soldier Franek Dolas, who after a series of remarkable coincidences, becomes convinced he was the sole cause of the outbreak of World War II. In the first part, Dolas is captured by the Germans, but manages to escape from their prison camp (Stalag). While trying to return to Poland to join the battle against the occupiers, he unwillingly travels across Europe. In part two, he is forced into service in the French Foreign Legion in the Middle East. He manages to escape their service and seeks to join the British forces, but unwittingly falls into their captivity. Later, he even manages to fall in with the Royal Italian Army. The story concludes, in part three, with Franek returning to Poland, where he meets partisans and falls in love with radio operator Teresa (Joanna Jedryka). The film, in a very funny way, depicts European nations and their inhabitants (Poles, Germans, French, Serbs, Greeks, British, Italians) as seen by an average Pole. Originally shot in black and white, the film was digitally colorized by the American company Dynacs Digital Studios in 2001.
The following weapons were used in the film How I Unleashed World War II:
Pistols
Walther P38
German officers are seen with the Walther P38.
Beretta Model 1934
An Italian Captain (Witold Kaluski) holds a service-issue Beretta M1934.
SACM Model 1935A
Teresa (Joanna Jedryka) is armed with a SACM Model 1935A. In firing scenes, it is replaced by a Pw wz.33.
Pw wz.33
When fired, Teresa's (Joanna Jedryka) SACM Model 1935A is replaced by an anachronistic post-war Pw wz.33, a Polish-made copy of the Tokarev TT-33, which it is presumably standing in for.
Revolvers
Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873
Capt. Letoux (Jan Swiderski) pulls a Chamelot-Delvigne Model 1873 on Pvt. Franek Dolas.
Enfield No. 2 Mk I*
Dolas plays cards against a British soldier for a Enfield No. 2 Mk I*, but loses his own boots instead.
Nagant M1895
Partisan commander Józek Kryska (Wirgiliusz Gryn) carries a Nagant M1895 in his belt. At the end of the film, he gives it to Pvt. Franek Dolas.
Submachine Guns
MP 40
German soldiers and partisans are armed with the MP 40.
Sten Mk II
Various characters also use the Sten Mk II.
Beretta Model 38/42
Italian soldiers are equipped with the Beretta Model 38/42.
Beretta Model 38A
Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion are seen also with the Beretta Model 38A.
MAS-38
Capt. Letoux (Jan Swiderski) is seen with a MAS-38.
Lanchester Mk. I
Pvt. Franek Dolas (Marian Kociniak) loots a Lanchester Mk. I.
PPSh-41
A Polish partisan is seen with a PPSh-41 with drum magazine.
Rifles
Carcano M91/38
An Italian soldier in the port holds what appears to be a Carcano M91/38.
Karabiner 98k
An unseen German soldier holds a Karabiner 98k at a barricade.
PzB-39
A Panzerbüchse 39 anti-tank rifle is seen on the parapet of the sandbags at the German barricade.
Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I
A Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I is seen in the British camp.
Berthier Mle. 1907/15
Most of the French Foreign Legionnaires are armed Berthier Mle. 1907/15, but they are mostly seen briefly or unsteadily.
Wz. 29 Mauser
Polish troops in 1939 are equipped with Wz. 29 Mauser rifles.
Machine guns
Bren Mk. I
A Bren Mk. I is carried by a French Foreign Legionnaire.
Browning M1919A4
A French Legionnaire fires a Browning M1919A4.
Degtyaryov DS-39
An Italian soldier with a Degtyaryov DS-39 is captured by Pvt. Franek Dolas. It is possibly being used as a substitute for the Italian Breda Modello 37 machine gun.
Degtyaryov DP-27
Polish partisans at the guard post are armed with a Degtyaryov DP-27.
Maxim MG08
German soldiers are seen at a guard post with a Maxim MG08
MG 34
A German soldier on a POW camp tower mans an MG 34.
MG 42
Another German guard on top of another tower uses an MG 42.
Hand grenades
F-1 Hand Grenade
F-1 hand grenades are carried by Franek Dolas (Marian Kociniak) and Polish partisans.
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
Model 24 Stielhandgranates are seen at the German barricade.
Other
Panzerfaust
Several Panzerfausts are seen at the German barricade.
7.5 cm PaK 40
The bridge over the river is defended by a 7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank cannon.
