Polish cavlary charges in 1939

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szopen
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Polish cavlary charges in 1939

#1

Post by szopen » 12 Aug 2004, 09:36

Basing on Cezary lezenski "Zostaly tylko slady kopyt" (only traces of hoofs are left) Warszawa 1984, 2nd Edition, ISBN 83-05-11122-9


1. Krojanty.

Gen. Grzmot-Skotnicki September 1st about 16:00 ordered 18th pulk of Uhlans to make an counterattack with goal of stopping the invading army and to give time to Polish infantry to withdraw. The order _did not mention a charge_. The officer (po. Grzegorz Cydzik) who transported the order to plk Mastalerz (commander of 18th pulk) noticed that Mastalerz is wanting to make a charge:
"You are not going to charge, aren't you?"
"You will not teach me how to fulfill impossible orders" was the Mastalerz answer.

Cydzik immediately called by phone gen Skotnicki. Skotnicki immedietely ordered to stop the charge, but it was too late, Mastalerz with his men already were en route.

Close to Krojanty Poles noticed the infantry and immedietely charged. There was initial success, but the armoured cars (uhlans actually mentioned tanks, but at Krojanty there were no tanks that day) started to shoot from the bushes and uhlans immediely fall back.

Tomorrow i will edit the post to put more details.

Effect: defeat, however indeed enemy advance is stopped. The charge made such effect on German units, that Guderian had to intervene himself to clam down some panicked units.

2. September 11th, by 11th Pulk of Legion Uhlans. Charge at Klauszyn. Pulkownik Engel wanted to make a reconessaince at city to know what are enemy's forces inside of city. He ordered "cavalry advance!" The 4 squadron commander, rtm. Franciszek Wrzosek understood it as order to charge. Uhlans charged and were quickly joined by infantry.

The results: success, the city was taken, but from 85 uhlans only 33 wre able to further actions.

3. September the 13th near Maliszew by 27th pulk of uhlans from Nowogordzka brigade of cavalry. Charge was unsuccesful, only when uhlans attacked in normal way - that is, on foot - the city was taken.

Results: failure, oinly second attack on foot succesful

4. Wolka Weglowa, September the 19th, 14th Pulk Uhlans (Jazlowieckich) under plk Edward Godlewski: uhlans were trying to break through German lines to get into Warsaw.

Result: Success, uhlans were able to fight their way into Warsaw

5. September the 23rd 25 Pulk of Polish cavalry, 2 squadron under Tadeusz Gerlecki charged near Krasnobrod.

This was only example in 1939 campaign when Polish cavalry fought against German cavalry. German cavalry was defeated and forced to retreat. The question: what was the name of that German cavalry unit?

Result: Success

6. September 26th, Lubaczow, charge by 27 Pulk of cavalry (The same which charged at Maliszewo).

gen. Anders ordered the Uhlans to get through the village occupied by German infantry as fast as possible. Uhlans charged.

Result: Failure, although Uhlans did pass the village, but had enormous losses (The book gave that only few uhlans - about 14 -charged and 5 of them died?)

That probably all the charges of Polish cavalry in 1939. If you know about another ones, please add them to the list.

Note that Polish uhlans were the only ones (probably) who in 1939 attacked German territory - Polish uhlans entered Eastern Prussia 2-3 September, and made few skirmishes on German territory, taking one larger settlement: Klarheim and few smaller villages.

Some of the cavalry pulks escaped then to France and fought there, but transformed into motorised units. Uhlans (motorised) fought in Tobruk and in Monte Cassino. Unit under Maczek, under standards saved from September campaign, was the only large Polish unit from Polish army on the West which entered the Germany in 1945 (Wilhelmshaven)

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Musashi
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#2

Post by Musashi » 12 Aug 2004, 13:31

Charge at Klauszyn.
Ka³uszyn.

Besides you mix English phrases with Polish.
Pu³k u³anów is uhlan regiment
pu³k strzelców konnych is mounted rifles regiment
pu³k szwole¿erów is light horse regiment

Cheers,
Chris


szopen
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Posts: 814
Joined: 21 May 2004, 16:31
Location: poznan, poland

#3

Post by szopen » 12 Aug 2004, 14:57

Musashi wrote:
Charge at Klauszyn.
Ka³uszyn.

Besides you mix English phrases with Polish.
Pu³k u³anów is uhlan regiment
pu³k strzelców konnych is mounted rifles regiment
pu³k szwole¿erów is light horse regiment

Cheers,
Chris
Thanks. I simply hadn't know the term.

Kaluszyn is of course simple typing error

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