The official AHF Poland quiz thread

[henryk]

During the Polish-Soviet War Piłsudski criticized some of his generals for carrying out a particular World War I tactic. What was this tactic and why did he disapprove of it.

[Halibutt]

During the Polish-Soviet War Piłsudski criticized some of his generals for carrying out a particular World War I tactic. What was this tactic and why did he disapprove of it.

Well, the question is a little vague as Pilsudski was well-known for criticising anything and everything about the generals he didn't like personally. This was particularly true to people who - unlike him - were in fact educated professional officers rather than self-taught geniuses.

I guess you're referring to the minutes of the August 12 meeting of State Defence Council, at the onset of the battle of Warsaw. While the minutes are anything but clear about it, many authors suggest that Pilsudski criticised Rozwadowski's plan of strengthening the 5th Army (northern flank) at the expense of less forces for the Manoeuvre Group (Wieprz River area). It might just as well be a myth though. Is that what you meant?

Anyway, as I mentioned, when mad at someone Pilsudski could criticise any tactics he pleased. At the same time he forgave even the most grave offences to people he liked. For instance Rydz ignored Pilsudski's orders to withdraw from Kiev when the time was right and instead started his retreat much too late. Only luck saved Rydz's army from complete destruction when Budennyi's Horse Army crossed the Dneper and outflanked the Poles. Yet, Pilsudski did not even remove Rydz from command.
Cheers

[henryk]

I am referring to the major change in warfare that was carried out by the major powers in WWI.

[henryk]

First a correction. Piłsudski called it a strategy, not a tactic.
Now a hint, the strategy is now recognized as inferior.

[henryk]

YEAR 1920 and its climax BATTLE OF WARSAW during the Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920
Józef Piłsudski, 1972. (I presume there is a Polish language original).
Re: Use of abandoned German WWI trenches. pp 106 - 117.
As Commander-in-Chief Piłsudski renounced any attempt at trench warfare. He was accused behind his back of antiquated strategical concepts and puerile romanticism, and ignoring modern warfare.
Piłsudski said that trench warfare replaces the main factor of victory in war : maneuver and movement. Trench warfare caused a diversion of resources: building materials including obtaining, transporting, installing. It required a network of telegraph wires . Soldiers concentrated on making a suitable habitation for work and rest.
The psychology of warfare was changed to capturing and retaining trenches. With trench warfare a tactical defeat was converted to a strategic defeat.
Some of his generals used the abandoned German trenches in the north to apply their concept of modern warfare.

I will post a new question tomorrow.

[Halibutt]

Bah, that explains it. I'm not sure the answer is right though (even thought it was your answer to your own question). Sure, Pilsudski disliked trench warfare but this did not prevent him from using it himself on several occasions. The line of German WWI trenches was defended after all, just like the line of Polish trenches north of Warsaw before and during the Battle of Warsaw.
Cheers

[henryk]

Going back in time.
He was a great King of Poland. But he had to hide from his enemies in a Polish church.
Who was he? What did he accomplish that made him considered great? Which church?

[Halibutt]

We didn't have kings between 1919 and 1945. Except for the king of the Gypsies, perhaps.
Cheers

[henryk]

Sorry. My bad. So here's one from 1919.
In Nov 1919, the Germans attacked a Polish ship. The damaged ship was forced to a German port, where it was captured. It was put into German naval service. What was the name of the ship?

[Mischa]

Sorry. My bad. So here's one from 1919.
In Nov 1919, the Germans attacked a Polish ship. The damaged ship was forced to a German port, where it was captured. It was put into German naval service. What was the name of the ship?

Hello henryk,
I`m really very interest, because I`ve never heard about this (in 1919 You mean Those bad Germans!) or is the word "ship" to big?. I`m patiently waiting for the answer, but it is very similar to wait for Godot too , because it is a question for "Wer wird Millionär" in the Polish edition, really.
Regards
Mischa

[Mischa]

Hello,
with a little help from the Forum Okrętów Wojennych - http://fow.aplus.pl/forum/index.php
here the answer:
it is the: "Rożycki" - Polish armed vessel. He was a civilian vessel requisitioned by the army in 1919 and provisionally armed with two heavy machine guns. Was used to patrol the Vistula River, which also operated a voluntary Vistula German flotilla, guarding the demarcation line between the Polish and Germans.

Incident under Silno
2 November 1919, the ship commanded by Navy Lieutenant Wladyslaw Suski due to navigational error violated the line. There have been exchanges of fire with the German sentries and border guard ship "Möwe", armed with 2 guns and 2 37 mm heavy machine guns. "Rożycki" struck the shore, where his commander had the intention to try to explain there had been a misunderstanding amicably, but the crew was arrested by the Germans. The ship was commissioned into the group of "Thorn" Vistula Flotilla called "Reiher.

Sources:
1) Mateusz Borowiak: Plamy na banderze - Alma-Press, 2007. ISBN 978-83-7020-370-2.
2) Jozef Wieslaw Dyskant: Flotylla Rzeczna Marynarki Wojennej 1919-1939. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Bellona, 1994. ISBN 83-11-08251-0.
Regards
Mischa

[henryk]

Correct.
Another interesting source:
http://www.rzeczna2004.republika.pl/flo ... slana.html
Your turn.

[Mischa]

Correct.Your turn.

Thank You.
What connect them?

[Mischa]

Hi guys,
is it so difficult? come on! It is a eagle and a city and port in....
Regards
Mischa

[wojtop79]

ORP Orzeł (Eagle) sinking German troop transport ship "Rio de Janeiro" on 4th of April 1940 near Norway?