Polish 25th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 25th Infantry Division (Polish: 25 Dywizja Piechoty) was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period
, created in 1921 with headquarters in Kalisz
. It consisted of the following regiments:
During the Polish September Campaign the Division, under General Franciszek Alter
, was part of the Poznań Army
. It took part in the border battle, defending Krotoszyn on September 1, 1939. However, parts of the 56th Infantry Regiment were defeated near Rawicz
.
For the next days, the Division was in retreat, together with the whole Army. On September 8, it was positioned near Koło, then it took part in the Battle of the Bzura
, attacking the Germans at Ozorków
and Łęczyca. In the evening of September 9, the Division managed to recapture Łęczyca, but a few days later it was ordered to retreat. On September 17, the unit managed to force its way into the Kampinos Wilderness
, where it soon afterwards engaged in bloody skirmishes. After September 20, remnants of the Division reached Warsaw, taking part in the defence of the city.
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...
, created in 1921 with headquarters in Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
. It consisted of the following regiments:
- 29th Infantry Regiment, stationed in KaliszKaliszKalisz is a city in central Poland with 106,857 inhabitants , the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce...
, - 56th Infantry Regiment, stationed in KrotoszynKrotoszynKrotoszyn is a town in central Poland with 30,010 inhabitants . It has been part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship since 1999; it was within Kalisz Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998....
, - 60th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Ostrów WielkopolskiOstrów WielkopolskiOstrów Wielkopolski is a town in central Poland with 72,360 inhabitants , situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship; the seat of Ostrów Wielkopolski County.-History:Recently, a small fortified dwelling dating from the 10th century was discovered on the north-east side of...
.
During the Polish September Campaign the Division, under General Franciszek Alter
Franciszek Alter
Franciszek Alter was a Polish general.-Career:Franciszek Alter began his career as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army, reaching the rank of captain. He fought in the Polish Army during the Polish-Soviet War. He was promoted to general in March 1939...
, was part of the Poznań Army
Poznan Army
Army Poznań led by mj. gen. Tadeusz Kutrzeba was one of the Polish Armies during the Polish Defensive War in 1939.-Tasks:Flanked by Armia Pomorze to the north and Armia Łódź to the south, the Army was to provide flanking operations in Grand Poland region, defend it and withdraw towards lines of...
. It took part in the border battle, defending Krotoszyn on September 1, 1939. However, parts of the 56th Infantry Regiment were defeated near Rawicz
Rawicz
Rawicz is a town in central Poland with 21,398 inhabitants . It is situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship ; previously it was in Leszno Voivodeship . It is the capital of Rawicz County.-History:...
.
For the next days, the Division was in retreat, together with the whole Army. On September 8, it was positioned near Koło, then it took part in the Battle of the Bzura
Battle of the Bzura
The Battle of the Bzura was a battle in the opening campaign of World War II during the 1939 German invasion of Poland, fought between 9 and 19 September, 1939, between Polish and German forces...
, attacking the Germans at Ozorków
Ozorków
Ozorków is a town in central Poland with 20,731 inhabitants , located on the Bzura River. It is situated in the Łódź Voivodeship , having previously been in Łódź Metro Voivodeship .- External links :* * *...
and Łęczyca. In the evening of September 9, the Division managed to recapture Łęczyca, but a few days later it was ordered to retreat. On September 17, the unit managed to force its way into the Kampinos Wilderness
Kampinos Forest
Kampinos Forest is a large forest complex located to the west of Warsaw in Poland. It covers a large part of the ancient valley of Vistula, between Vistula and Bzura rivers. Once a gigantic forest covering 670 km² of central Poland, it currently covers roughly 240 km².Most of the...
, where it soon afterwards engaged in bloody skirmishes. After September 20, remnants of the Division reached Warsaw, taking part in the defence of the city.