Military operations in southern Poland 1939.

[tigre]

Hello everyone: D; completing the story .........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

The military situation in August 31, 1939 showed that the Upper Silesia and the foothills of the Carpathians were defended by the "Krakow" Army commanded by General Antoni Szylling. The polish expected an attack in Upper Silesia mainly from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. In the Upper Silesia and Cieszyn Silesia was deployed the Operational Group (GO) "Bielsko" under the command of General Mieczyslaw Boruta-Spiechowicz, which included the 21st Mountain Infantry Division (21º DPG) and the 1st Mountain Brigade (1st BG) in the area of ​​Zywiec, Bielsko and Chabowka. In the area of ​​Zator to Pszczyny defended the 6 DP under General Bernard Mond, near Krakow remained the 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade (10 BK) under Colonel. Dipl. Maczek. The primary purpose of GO was to keep Silesia the time necessary to carry out the full mobilization of the large population of the region.

Defensive Position of Cieszyn.

Polish forces deployed in Cieszyn were scheduled to provide coverage and assure the sector against attacks from the directions of Frydek-Mistek - Cieszyn and Ostrawa - Cieszyn and to take a defensive position on the Olza River. In case of heavy pressure, it was to fight delaying actions and withdraw to the main line of resistance established in Bielsko.

The approaches toward Cieszyn from the west and south were defended by the I. / 4. PSP (Pułku Strzelców Podhalańskich-Rifle Regiment) commanded by maj. F. Perl, supported by the 21. pal (100 mm howitzers) and the own regimental Platoon of 75 mm cannons. The 1. Company had been deployed in the northwest sector of the city and the 2. Company south of the city; the 3. Company in reserve in the neighborhood Bobrek to support either front lines companies.

Starting from the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the XVII AK would attack this region with the 44. ID and the 45. ID ID against Skoczow and Bielsko while the 7. ID would push to Zywiec from the Slovak territory. The Army Corps was, jumping out of the area-Mistek Friedek, to cross the Olsa and move towards Krakow with the 44. ID to the left and the 45. ID to the right, in turn the 7 ID was to attack on the region of Jablunka Pass.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej/
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... pa-gl2.gif

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Cieszyn defensive position.

At 04:00 hours on September 1, 1939, came the first information by phone of the border guards reporting the crossing of German troops. According to orders the Polish battalion should withdraw only when the German forces focussed their attack on the city. The fight was developed on the outskirts of the town. It was particularly active the Reconaissance company of the Polish regiment, which that day lost his leader ppor. F. Szydlar. Enemy aircrafts flew over the city but there was no bombing. The artillery unleashed its fire on the eastern sector of the city where the Polish weapons were located. The Germans began to reconnoitre the defensive positions north and south looking fords along the river Olza. At noon infiltrated groups in civilian clothes attacked the pillbox No. 6 trying to find infiltration routes for the regular army.

At 15:00 hours the 21 DPG issued the order to retreat from Cieszyn by Skoczów to Bielsko. Hold Cieszyn had lost meaning both at operational and tactical level. At 15:10 hours, after blowing up the bridges over the Olsa (two roads and one railroad) the Polish battalion regrouped on the line Ogrodzona - Goleszów. The first German regular troops (45. ID) appeared at 16:30 hours. The city had been taken previously by the fifth column and armed civilians.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... eszyn.html
http://cieszyn.fotopolska.eu/zdjecia,40 ... 9&zakres=5

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Skoczów defensive position.

The next defensive position was "Skoczów". this position of delay [component of GO "Bielsko"] was located, in fact, 2.5 km east of the city, in the region of hills along the mound Podgorski. Here, in a narrow passage between two complexes of pools, ran two important ways of communication: the railway line and the road Bielsko - Cieszyn. The Skoczów position was occupied by two battalions of the 202 pp. Res under pplk. (Lt.Col.) Zygmunt Piwnicki. These troops were to be reinforced by the troops retreating from the intermediate position, the I. Battalion 4 psp [mjr. F. Perl] and 3rd battery of 21. pal [kpt. J. Jasinski]. The southern most heavily fortified section was occupied by the III. Battalion. Its commander, was mjr. Kuchma. The plans of these fortifications were completed in April 1939, but building permits were extended until June 25, the works on a larger scale did not begin until July 1939.

On September 1, along the bridge over the Vistula withdrew not only the Polish troops, but also stragglers and civilians. Triangulation towers in the hills were demolished. Occasionally the city and people were strafed by enemy planes flying low. In the afternoon, the refinery of spirituous beverages "Przetwór" ( "Preparation") blew and poured into a field about 800 hectoliters of alcohol. Many residents and stragglers became drunk with it, which was not a very glorious event.

In the evening, members of the V column destroyed the towers of the power lines and the city was without electricity. The mood was gloom. Around midnight, passed through the bridge over the Vistula the last troops of the I. Battalion 4. psp and 3rd battery 21. pal, withdrawing after fighting on the Olza. On the morning of September 2, sappers of the 3. psp blew up the bridges over the Vistula River, one of the Polish sapper was killed.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... oczow.html
http://cieszyn.fotopolska.eu/foto/807/807849.jpg

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Skoczów defensive position.

On September 2, at approximately 09:00 hours, German troops belonging to the 45. ID, under General Materna, seized the city of Skoczów without a fight and were warmly welcomed by the local people of the German ethnic group. They approached from the region of Cieszyn - Trinec, which had been occupied the day before. The different German infantry regiments tried to gain a position on the foothill, by-passing the area by the north and mainly by the south. German units did not attempt a frontal attack, realizing the defensive capabilities of the Poles.

Attacking from the south of the city, the IR 135 not only had to overcome the defensive fire of the Polish troops, but also the marshland created by the spilled liquor of the distillery. German artillery began softening the Polish positions since 06:00 hours. The defenders took up the challenge and had the support of the 3rd battery of the 21. pal (Artillery Group) but the effectiveness of the Polish gunners was not good. To make matters worse, the desertion of the battery leader and sabotage caused a crisis between the gunners in combat. Then kpt. J. Bronikowski took over the command. A howitzer positioned in an excavation made in the foothills near the railroad became famous for its accuracy and effectiveness.

Until noon, the Germans could not break through the defenses, so around 15:30 hours launched a general attack with all the Infantry Division. After a short and uneven battle, the Germans seized the OP of the 3rd battery of 21. pal, but his forces were rejected by the I. / 4 psp and the Germans withdrew carrying the prisoners.

They also executed a pincer movement - marching around the area Skoczów position and occupied the commanding height of 417 meters from the south of the ridge. Polish soldiers managed to repel enemy attacks three times. However the position of Skoczów was not intended to be permanently defended - was another position of coverage and delay. Polish defenders in Skoczów had orders to fight until dusk and at night retreat to the main position of defense. Because there was a threat of encirclement and destruction of the Polish forces and acting on the express orders of the 21. DPG, at approximately 18:00 hours began an early withdrawal.

The commander of the redoubt of Skoczów, after the first battle, expected to be reinforced by a battalion coming from Cieszyn, but that battalion, without weapons, marched toward Nowy Sacz. A proposal of carrying out a counterattack against German forces did not have the approval of the Polish high echelon. Protected by the fire of the howitzers of the 3rd battery of 21. pal, the defenders retreated to the main position of defense in Bielsko, without being pursued or harassed by the Germans.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... oczow.html
http://cieszyn.fotopolska.eu/foto/807/807849.jpg

Cheers. Raul M .

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi tigre,

Don't forget the Slovaks!

For a detailed English-language version of the activities of their three divisions against southern Poland try the relevant chapter in: Axis Slovakia: Hitler's Slavic Wedge, 1938-1945. (I see all five of its reviews on Amazon are 5-star! See http://www.amazon.com/Axis-Slovakia-Hit ... merReviews)

Cheers,

Sid.

[tigre]

Hello Sid ; thanks for that tip . All the best. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Main defensive position "Bielsko-Biala".

On September 1, 1939, the units of the 21st DPG deployed in the position were:

- Komorowice - 2nd Battalion 3 psp,
- Stare Bielsko - 1st Battalion 3 psp plus - Hill 388 - artillery battery,
- Kamienica - 3rd Battalion 4 psp,
- Stoki Klimczoka - 2nd Battalion 4 psp,
- Stare Bielsko and Bielsko - 21º regiment of light artillery, 21º regiment of heavy artillery, 21º battalion of sappers,
- Lipowa - Divisional Cavalry Squadron of 21st DPG,

Due to the overall situation in front of the Army "Cracow", the defensive position "Bielsko-Biala" was not attacked by the enemy and the Polish troops retreated without a fight on the night of September 02, 1939. Originally it was thought to employ the Podhole battalions to counterattack in Pszczyna, therefore the battalions were assembled on the road Bielsko - Dziedzice in the area of Komorowice, however at this point the Army Commander took the decision to withdraw the 21st DPG through the Skawa river.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... oczow.html
http://www.fotopolska.eu/foto/807/807851.jpg

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Czechowice-Dziedzice defensive position.

The fortification works began in the second half of August, in the construction worked Polish conscripts. As September 1, only had been completed a casemate type "oblique" for two machine guns, however it was impossible to provide it with weapons and basic equipment. The trenches and firing positions were occupied by the men of the 1st Battalion, 202 pp of Reserve and National Defense Battalion "Bielsko". Some Polish troops (6. Company) were engaged in the destruction of the refinery of Dziedzice, but despite the plans lacked adequate elements or sappers.

On September 2, 1939 at 14:00 hours the vanguards of the XVII AK composed of light armored vehicles and infantry in trucks, entered Dziedzice trying to take control of the place and supported by local groups of saboteurs. However the German success was temporary because they were rejected later by the 3rd Battalion of 3 psp (mjr. Drabik) which entered the town coming from Bogumin. Keeping the town was very important not only because its loss would cause the breakdown of the position of Pszczyna but also it was to generate a wide gap in the front of the GO "Bielsko". Additionally mjr. Drabik received orders to concentrate the battalion to counterattack on Pszczyna. Later however under the general situation of Poles in the area, at 20:00 hours the troops received the directive to withdraw from the position of Dziedzice to Kety.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
Foto 1939 Konvolut Polen Artillerie 55x Reg. Geschütze Bielitz Zlokiew Lemberg

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

Czechowice-Dziedzice defensive position. 51. Separate Company of Recce light tanks.

Deployed in Zabrzeg close to Dziedzice, as rearguard of GO "Bielsko". It was mobilized from depots of the 5th Armored Battalion in Krakow. Its commander was kpt. Kazimierz Poletyłło.
It was organized with a command group - 1 tankette, 2 armored platoons of 6 tankettes and a technical - logistic Platoon.
The strenght was of 4 officers, 34 NCOs, 53 riflemen. Equipped with 13 tankettes, 12 vehicles off-road, seven motorcycles and five trailers. The length of the column was 1 km.
The tankette TK-3 had a crew of two men - the driver and gunner; armed with a machine gun cal 7.92 mm. wz. 25 with 1,800 rounds.

Actions during the campaign.

Before noon on September 1, 1939 the GO sent the company in support of the independent position "Wodzisław" but the tanks could not reach because the bridges east of the Vistula had been destroyed by the sappers and returned. A patrol was to Pawłowice [2 tankettes]. In trying to cross through the deep ditch filled with water, one of the machines capsized and the crew drowned before help could be organized.

At that time the 2. Platoon, covering the work of sappers on the Vistula, faced unexpectedly with reconnaissance elements of the 5. Pz and immobilized an enemy vehicle. The platoon retreated and lost contact with the company commander.

On the morning of September 2, 1939, the company assembled at Bulowice and during the afternoon it was ordered to perform reconnaissance towards Tychy and to establish liaison with the 6. DP. Around 18:00 hours 8 tankettes arrived at Oswiecim (Auschwitz) and secured the access to the bridge over the Sole. The company commander received a report that a dozen German tanks had forded the river near Bielany, then retreated to Grojec and then to Wadowice, the HQ of the GO. The company commander made the mistake of not checking the report and mislead the staff of the GO.

On the night of September 3, 1939 the company reached Skawina and occupied an assembly area in the forest.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

The occupation of Bielsko / Bielsko by German troops.

The defense of Bielitz was only symbolic since the Polish Army withdrew from the town without a fight, surprised by the rapid movements of the German troops and left the resistance in the hands of volunteers and scouts. Of course these elements had no chance against the Wehrmacht's regular troops and so on September 3, 1939 the the capital of Lower Beskidy fell into German hands and was occupied by the 45. ID.

The bloodless march through Bielsko was a triumphal procession. The ethnic Germans inhabitants erected tables along the streets and offered flowers, fruits, sandwiches, cigarettes, etc to the troops. But it also could see around and behind a few Poles, in part frightened and in part malicious.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
http://wiadomosci.bielsko.info/9572-weh ... ej-zdjecia

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

On September 3 (Sunday).

During its retreat on the night of 2 till 3 September 1939 the GO "Bielsko" was renamed as GO "Boruta" (6. DP, 21. DPG, 1. BG, 10. BK). At night, the troops crossed the Przemsza and were partially dispersed by the action of the saboteurs. Once the Vistula was crossed by Dziedzice, the troops marched towards Kety. Then the GO crossed the Skawa and went to take defensive positions in Krakow. The German XVII AK in pursuit of hostile troops from Biala to the east; the 7. ID captured the fortified position of Wegierska Górka (18 bunkers were taken).

While withdrawing to the east, the GO "Boruta" continued fighting in the vicinity of Jordanow (Naprawa) and Mszana Dolna, including an attempt to counterattack to Lubiem and Sucha. On the night of 3 till 4 September the bulk of the 10. BK was transferred by Myślenice - Dobczyce to Kasina.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
http://wiadomosci.bielsko.info/9572-weh ... ej-zdjecia
http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/44-I-D-POLEN ... 217wt_1362

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

On September 4.

Soldiers of the 6. DP blew up a bridge on the Skawinka in Skawina and prepared to resist the German armored division in approach (5 Pz). Barricades were built with railroad tracks between Zator and Skawina. Troops of the 21. DPG also occupied positions in the area; the 3pulk was deployed between Radziszów - Krzywaczka and the 4 pulk defended the route Krzywaczka - Głogoczów.

The bulk of the forces of pulk. Maczek, transferred to Kasina Wielka attacked the 3. GD and the 4. le.D and rejected them to Mszana Dolna. At night German troops appeared again in Kasina. Meanwhile the Germans continued their assault towards Myślenice to reduce hostile forces in Kasina. At 20:00 hours a platoon of tanks of the 2.Pz reached Stróża and broke through the defense towards Myślenice, but it was rejected.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
http://wiadomosci.bielsko.info/9572-weh ... ej-zdjecia

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

On September 5.

The 44. ID and parts of the 5. Pz approached Skawina and received artillery fire from the 21 pal of the 21. DPG from the area Mogilany and batteries of the 6 pal of 6. DP emplaced in Siedzina and Korabnikach. In zasadce there were destroyed about 30 German vehicles and one attack with 90 tanks was stopped. In the forests of Skawinski fell 3,000 projectiles in one hour. The Germans no longer renewed the ground attack and focused on bombing the roads between Skawina and Kobierzyn. The 6. DP remained in defense until evening, and was ordered to withdraw on the morning of September 6 by Swoszowice, Wieliczka and Podłęże to Niepołomice.

The 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment (10 BKZmot) with the 12 pp of 1. BGór organized a counterattack from Myślenice that lasted until noon and rejected the 2. Pz out of Pcim. However the Germans counterattacked and soon the Polish troops had to withdraw due to fear of encirclement by the 7. ID. According to orders, the Polish forces had to retreat to Wiśnicz. The 2. Pz and the 3. GD occupied Pcim again and, together with the 7. ID reached Myślenice around 14:00 hours. The 12 pp of the BGór with two batteries of III Group, 6 pal withdrew by Siepraw to Gorzkow where about 19:00 hours met the retreating column of the 21. DPG and then continued marching towards Bochnia.

In Rudnik soldiers of the 7. ID killed 21 civilians who supported the Polish soldiers of 12pp. The 2. Pz with 7. ID marched along the road Bochnia - Tarnow - Rzeszow. After reaching Myślenice, the 2. Pz proceeded to Dobczyce, and on the night of 5 to 6 September at Gdów.

Between 4 and 5 September 1939, the 21. DPG successfully fought against the 45. ID in Krzywaczka and Mogilanami, so it had the opportunity to leave during the night to Kłaj.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
http://wiadomosci.bielsko.info/9572-weh ... ej-zdjecia

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

On September 6.

On this day the Germans entered in Skawina and Kraków. Around noon, German troops appeared in Gorzkow, Kozmice Wielkie and Raciborsko (on the night of 6 to 7). Around 08:00 hours the 21 DPGór was in Lazany, by the road Dobczyce - Bochnia at a distance of 11 km was on the move the 2. Pz, which then split and part moved along the west bank of the Raba.

On this day, most likely in the afternoon, the Germans entered Świątnik Górnych, located in march route of the 45. ID Wehrmacht. Unfortunately, there were victims - German soldiers shot four people in Swiatniki and detained about ten.

Sources: https://swiatniki.wordpress.com/2012/12 ... swiatowej /
http://www.armiakrakow.fortyfikacje.pl/ ... owice.html
http://wiadomosci.bielsko.info/9572-weh ... ej-zdjecia

Cheers. Raul M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little more.........................

The development of military operations in southern Poland.

On September 6.

Furthermore the I./PR 3, v. Thoma, marched within the Armored Brigade behind the PR 4, Vogt, and during the afternoon before Bochnia was attached to Kampfgruppe Stollbrock (Kradsch. Btl. 2) to support the attack on that town.

At 17:40 hours the Detachment deployed to the left of the road Gdow - Bochnia with its 3. Company at the front and the 4. Company behind in support. The attack was stopped at dusk in the last hills before Bochnia by orders of the leader of the Kampfgruppe. The detachment withdrew and secured the first line of the motorcyclists with some tanks.

On September 7.

The next morning, the advance was resumed at 08:00 hours and the I. / PR 3 pressed north passing Bochnia, without contact with the opponent, who had left the place. Through a clever advance, the light Platoon of the Abtelung moved up to the railway line located east of Bochnia and it was taken by the detachment.

Sources: F. J. Strauß Friedens- Kriegserlebnisse und einer Generation - Pz.Jg.Abt. 38 (SF) in der Wiener 2. Panzer-Division
http://odkrywca.pl/panzer39-wraki-czesc ... 30647.html

Cheers. Raul M .