Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade
Encyclopedia
Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade (Polish: Nowogródzka Brygada Kawalerii) was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period
. It was created on April 1, 1937, out of the Baranowicze Cavalry Brigade. Its headquarters were stationed in the town of Baranowicze. It consisted of several units, garrisoned in several towns located in northeast part of pre-1939 Poland:
and Płock. It became part of the Modlin Army
, on August 8, 1939, it was moved north, to the Polish - Prussian
border, near the town of Lidzbark
. Its purpose was to cover western wing of the Army.
On September 1, 1939, the Brigade faced German
217 I.D. of General Richard Baltzer, west of Mława. On September 4 it organized a successful counterattack, but after Polish positions had been broken, the Brigade had to withdraw south. It was ordered to defend the Vistula
river between Dobrzyń
and Czerwinsk.
On September 6, 1939, General Anders was informed that his troops became part of the freshly created Warszawa Army
under General Juliusz Rommel
, six days later the Brigade was ordered to attack German forces in Mińsk Mazowiecki
. The assault began on September 13, together with the Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade
the Poles attacked German 11th I.D. However, without support promised by the Army, the offensive halted. After that, General Rommel ordered the Brigade to move towards Lublin
, as mounted troops were of no use in urban warfare in Warsaw.
Upon reaching the area of Lublin, the Brigade became part of Northern Front, commanded by General Stefan Dąb-Biernacki
. It took part in heavy fights in the Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski
. In the morning of September 27, 1939 the Germans, using aircraft, artillery and tanks, managed to destroy the Brigade.
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
. It was created on April 1, 1937, out of the Baranowicze Cavalry Brigade. Its headquarters were stationed in the town of Baranowicze. It consisted of several units, garrisoned in several towns located in northeast part of pre-1939 Poland:
- 25th Regiment of the Greater PolandGreater PolandGreater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
uhlanUhlanUhlans were Polish light cavalry armed with lances, sabres and pistols. The title was later used by lancer regiments in the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian armies....
s, stationed in Pruzana, - 26th Jan Karol ChodkiewiczJan Karol ChodkiewiczJan Karol Chodkiewicz was a famous Lithuanian military commander and one of the most prominent noblemen of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.-Biography:...
Regiment of the Greater Poland uhlans, stationed in Baranowicze, - 27th King Stefan BatoryStefan BatoryStephen Báthory was a Hungarian noble Prince of Transylvania , then King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania . He was a member of the Somlyó branch of the noble Hungarian Báthory family...
uhlan Regiment, stationed in Nieswiez, - 3rd Regiment of Mounted Rifles, stationed in Wolkowysk,
- 9th Regiment of Mounted Artillery, stationed in Baranowicze,
- 9th Squadron of Pioneers, stationed in Baranowicze,
- 9th Squadron of Communication, stationed in Baranowicze.
Participation in Polish September Campaign
The Brigade, commanded by General Władysław Anders, was mobilized as early as March 23, 1939 and, together with Polish 20th Infantry Division (also garrisoned in Baranowicze), was transported to the area of SierpcSierpc
Sierpc is a town in Poland, in the north-west part of the Masovian Voivodeship, about 125 km northwest of Warsaw. It is the capital of Sierpc County. Its population is 18,777 . It is located near the national road No 10, which connects Warsaw and Toruń...
and Płock. It became part of the Modlin Army
Modlin Army
Modlin Army was one of the Polish armies that took part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. After heavy casualties in the battle of Mława , the Army was forced to abandon its positions near Warsaw around September 10; eventually it took part in the battle of Tomaszów Mazowiecki and surrendered...
, on August 8, 1939, it was moved north, to the Polish - Prussian
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
border, near the town of Lidzbark
Lidzbark
Lidzbark is a town in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in north-east Poland, on the Wel river.Lidzbark may also refer to the following places in Poland:* Connected with the town of Lidzbark:...
. Its purpose was to cover western wing of the Army.
On September 1, 1939, the Brigade faced German
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
217 I.D. of General Richard Baltzer, west of Mława. On September 4 it organized a successful counterattack, but after Polish positions had been broken, the Brigade had to withdraw south. It was ordered to defend the Vistula
Vistula
The Vistula is the longest and the most important river in Poland, at 1,047 km in length. The watershed area of the Vistula is , of which lies within Poland ....
river between Dobrzyń
Dobrzyn
The terms Dobrzyń and Dobrin may refer to:* Order of Dobrzyń, military order* Golub-Dobrzyń, town in Poland* Dobrzyń nad Wisłą, town in Poland* Dobrzyń, Masovian Voivodeship...
and Czerwinsk.
On September 6, 1939, General Anders was informed that his troops became part of the freshly created Warszawa Army
Warszawa Army
The Warszawa Army was one of the Polish armies to take part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. Created on 8 September, eight days after the invasion begun, it was an improvised formation charged with the defence of the Polish capital of Warsaw ....
under General Juliusz Rommel
Juliusz Rómmel
Juliusz Karol Wilhelm Józef Rómmel was a Polish military commander and a general of the Polish Army. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, he gained great fame for achieving a decisive victory in the Battle of Komarów, the largest cavalry engagement of the 20th century...
, six days later the Brigade was ordered to attack German forces in Mińsk Mazowiecki
Minsk Mazowiecki
Mińsk Mazowiecki is a town in central Poland with 38 181 inhabitants . It is situated in the Masovian Voivodeship , previously in Siedlce Voivodeship...
. The assault began on September 13, together with the Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade
Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade
Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the Cavalry Brigade “Poznań”...
the Poles attacked German 11th I.D. However, without support promised by the Army, the offensive halted. After that, General Rommel ordered the Brigade to move towards Lublin
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
, as mounted troops were of no use in urban warfare in Warsaw.
Upon reaching the area of Lublin, the Brigade became part of Northern Front, commanded by General Stefan Dąb-Biernacki
Stefan Dab-Biernacki
Stefan Dąb-Biernacki was a Polish general.Members of the Polish Legions in World War I, fought in the Polish-Soviet War commanding regiments and later 1DPLeg...
. It took part in heavy fights in the Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski
Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski
Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski took place from 17 September to 26 September 1939 near the town of Tomaszów Lubelski. It was the second largest battle of the Invasion of Poland and also the largest tank battle of the campaign. It resulted in the destruction of the Polish forces...
. In the morning of September 27, 1939 the Germans, using aircraft, artillery and tanks, managed to destroy the Brigade.