15th Infantry Division (Poland)
Encyclopedia
15th "Greater Poland" Infantry Division (Polish: 15 Wielkopolska Dywizja Piechoty) was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period
. Founded on February 17, 1920, it was based on the 2nd Greater Poland Rifles Division. It actively participated in the Polish-Soviet War
, including the Battle of Warsaw
. After Polish victory, the Division chased the Red Army
out of Mazovia
, from the area of Łomża and Mińsk Mazowiecki
.
After the conflict, the Division was stationed in Bydgoszcz, with one regiment in nearby Inowrocław. It was commanded by General Wladyslaw Jung (1920), General Wiktor Thommee
(1924 - 1926 and 1928 - 1934), and General Zdzislaw Wincenty Przyjalkowski, during the Polish September Campaign.
In August 1939, with prospect of war growing, the Division was ordered to defend southwestern sector of the Polish Corridor
between Bydgoszcz and Naklo
. Backed by some field fortifications and located along the Brda
, it successfully defended attacks of the 50th Infantry Division
and the Netze Brigade of the Wehrmacht
between September 1 and 2. Its rear units, remaining in Bydgoszcz, took part in the Bloody Sunday (1939), on September 3.
On the same day, the Division was ordered to retreat towards the Bzura
and the Bydgoszcz Canal
. Then, it withdrew to Toruń
, continually attacked by the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe
. Between September 9 and 18, the unit took part in the Battle of the Bzura
, covering rear areas of Polish troops. After its defeat, the Division gathered around Palmiry
, with 1500 soldiers still alive. Without heavy equipment, and after several skirmishes with the Germans, the remains managed to reach Warsaw
on September 23 (see: Siege of Warsaw (1939)
).
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...
. Founded on February 17, 1920, it was based on the 2nd Greater Poland Rifles Division. It actively participated in the Polish-Soviet War
Polish-Soviet War
The Polish–Soviet War was an armed conflict between Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine and the Second Polish Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic—four states in post–World War I Europe...
, including the Battle of Warsaw
Battle of Warsaw (1920)
The Battle of Warsaw sometimes referred to as the Miracle at the Vistula, was the decisive battle of the Polish–Soviet War. That war began soon after the end of World War I in 1918 and lasted until the Treaty of Riga resulted in the end of the hostilities between Poland and Russia in 1921.The...
. After Polish victory, the Division chased the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
out of Mazovia
Mazovia
Mazovia or Masovia is a geographical, historical and cultural region in east-central Poland. It is also a voivodeship in Poland.Its historic capital is Płock, which was the medieval residence of first Dukes of Masovia...
, from the area of Łomża and 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...
.
After the conflict, the Division was stationed in Bydgoszcz, with one regiment in nearby Inowrocław. It was commanded by General Wladyslaw Jung (1920), General Wiktor Thommee
Wiktor Thommée
Wiktor Thommée was a Polish military commander and a Brigadier General of the Polish Army. A veteran of the Great War and the Russian Civil War, he is best known for his command over Piotrków Operational Group and the battle of the Bzura during the Polish Defensive War of 1939.- Early life :Wiktor...
(1924 - 1926 and 1928 - 1934), and General Zdzislaw Wincenty Przyjalkowski, during the Polish September Campaign.
In August 1939, with prospect of war growing, the Division was ordered to defend southwestern sector of the Polish Corridor
Polish Corridor
The Polish Corridor , also known as Danzig Corridor, Corridor to the Sea or Gdańsk Corridor, was a territory located in the region of Pomerelia , which provided the Second Republic of Poland with access to the Baltic Sea, thus dividing the bulk of Germany from the province of East...
between Bydgoszcz and Naklo
Naklo
Naklo may refer to:*Naklo, Slovenia, a town and a municipality in Slovenia*Nakło nad Notecią, a town in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, north-central Poland*Nakło nad Pianą, Polish name for the town of Anklam, Germany...
. Backed by some field fortifications and located along the Brda
Brda
Brda, meaning Hill, may refer to:* Brda region, Montenegro* Brda, Slovenj Gradec Slovenia* Brda, Slovenia, a municipality* Brda, a municipality in Croatia* Brda , a river in Poland*Brda, Pomeranian Voivodeship...
, it successfully defended attacks of the 50th Infantry Division
50th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 50th Infantry Division was a German division in World War II. It was formed on 26 August 1939 from the Grenzkommandantur Küstrin.-50. Infanterie-Division 1939:*Infanterie-Regiment 121*Infanterie-Regiment 122...
and the Netze Brigade of the Wehrmacht
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:...
between September 1 and 2. Its rear units, remaining in Bydgoszcz, took part in the Bloody Sunday (1939), on September 3.
On the same day, the Division was ordered to retreat towards the Bzura
Bzura
Bzura is a river in central Poland, a tributary of the Vistula river , with a length of 166 kilometres and the basin area of 7,788 km2.-Towns and townships:*Zgierz*Aleksandrów Łódzki*Ozorków*Łęczyca*Łowicz*Sochaczew...
and the Bydgoszcz Canal
Bydgoszcz Canal
Bydgoszcz Canal - a canal, 24.7 km long, between the cities of Bydgoszcz and Nakło in Poland, connecting Vistula river with Oder river, through Brda and Noteć rivers . The level difference along the canal is regulated with usage of 6 locks...
. Then, it withdrew to Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
, continually attacked by the Wehrmacht and the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. Between September 9 and 18, the unit 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...
, covering rear areas of Polish troops. After its defeat, the Division gathered around Palmiry
Palmiry
Palmiry During World War II, between 1939 and 1943, the village and the surrounding forest was one of the sites of German mass executions of Jews, Polish intelligentsia, politicians and athletes, killed during the AB Action. Most of the victims were first arrested and tortured in the Pawiak prison...
, with 1500 soldiers still alive. Without heavy equipment, and after several skirmishes with the Germans, the remains managed to reach Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
on September 23 (see: Siege of Warsaw (1939)
Siege of Warsaw (1939)
The 1939 Battle of Warsaw was fought between the Polish Warsaw Army garrisoned and entrenched in the capital of Poland and the German Army...
).