1st Cavalry Division (Polish)
Encyclopedia
The Polish
1st Cavalry Division (Polish: 1 Dywizja Jazdy, later 1 Dywizja Kawalerii) was a tactical unit of the Polish Army between the World Wars. Formed in 1919, partially of veterans of the Polish Legions
, the unit saw extensive action during the Polish-Bolshevik War.
The division took part in the operation which resulted in the battle of Koziatyn
and the capture of Kiev in late April and early May 1920, then under the command of Jan Romer
.
After this, the unit fought in the battle of Wołodarka, where it faced the Russian Konarmia, led by Semyon Budyonny
, who had served as a corporal under Aleksander Karnicki, now the 1st Cavalry Divisions commander, in the Imperial Russian Army. The division managed to stop a Russian breakthrough in this battle on the 29th of May, despite being outnumbered six to one. However, this success could not permanently stop the advance of the Russian forces towards the Polish rear and the division had to retreat.
The division fought the Konarmia again in early June, around Koziatyn
, before the Russian cavalry was called to attack Kiev. In another engagement between those two cavalry forces on 10 June, between Zhitomir and Koziatyn, the Konarmia's advance was again halted but the need for more troops on the northern front forced the Poles to retreat eventually.
Upon Piłsudski's order, cavalry from the northern frontline was moved south in the beginning of July, to enforce the 1st Cavalry Division in an attempt to decisively defeat the Konarmia, which was seen as the major threat on the southern front for the Polish Army. This expanded force was put under the command of General Kazimierz Raszewski. Meanwhile, Budyonnys forces advanced and took Równe
on 2 July. The Konarmia managed to advance as far as Brody
by early August, when the 1st Cavalry Division, together with a Cavalry unit under General Kazimierz Sawicki, was ordered to counter attack, but had to shortly after withdraw to the north due to the worsening situation on the northern frontline.
At the battle of Komarów
on 31 August 1921, when the division completely defeated the Russian 1st Cavalry Army, it was commanded by Juliusz Rómmel
.
The 1st Cavalry Division was severely reorganised in 1924, as were the other Polish cavalry divisions. The previously separate mounted rifle regiments were integrated in the four cavalry divisions.
The division was, alongside the 3rd and 4th Cavalry Division, disbanded in 1929 and 1930 upon order of Pilsudski, who had come to the conclusion that cavalry was outdated. Only the 2nd Division in Warsaw remained in existence as a back-up force for to counter a possible coup-attempt.
, the 3rd in Poznań
and the 4th in Lwów. The new organisation, still consisting of six regiments, was:
One of the main aims of this reorganisation was to integrate the mounted rifle regiments into the cavalry divisions, which had previously existed separatly as a form of second-class cavalry.
under Napoleon, being part of the Imperial Guard, from 1807 until 1815. This unit took part in most major engagements of the Napoleonic wars
after 1807 and was highly regarded by Napoleon.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
1st Cavalry Division (Polish: 1 Dywizja Jazdy, later 1 Dywizja Kawalerii) was a tactical unit of the Polish Army between the World Wars. Formed in 1919, partially of veterans of the Polish Legions
Polish Legions in World War I
Polish Legions was the name of Polish armed forces created in August 1914 in Galicia. Thanks to the efforts of KSSN and the Polish members of the Austrian parliament, the unit became an independent formation of the Austro-Hungarian Army...
, the unit saw extensive action during the Polish-Bolshevik War.
History
The unit was formed in 1919, compromising of six regiments, each of those with a distinct own history and made up of World War I veterans who had served in the Austrian, French, German and Russian armies. As such, the division was made up from a distinct variety of soldiers with different equipment and training. On top of this, its soldiers had fought during the first world war in opposing armies. The 1st Cavalry Division was in this fact a prime example of the new Polish Army, which was composed in a very similar way of soldiers with completely different militaristic background but the common goal of defending their newly reestablished country.The division took part in the operation which resulted in the battle of Koziatyn
Battle of Koziatyn
The Battle of Koziatyn of 25–27 April 1920 was one of the most spectacular raids of the Polish cavalry during the Polish-Soviet War. In the effect of a pincer maneuver some 160 kilometres behind the front line, the Polish Army was able to seize the strategically important town of Korosten...
and the capture of Kiev in late April and early May 1920, then under the command of Jan Romer
Jan Romer
Jan Romer was an Austrian and Polish general. Studied in Mödling and joined the Austro-Hungarian Army. During the First World War fought at the battle of Limanowa and battle of Gorlice , was wounded twice. Later he joined the newly recreated Polish Army. During Polish-Ukrainian War he fought in...
.
After this, the unit fought in the battle of Wołodarka, where it faced the Russian Konarmia, led by Semyon Budyonny
Semyon Budyonny
Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny , sometimes transliterated as Budennyj, Budyonnyy, Budennii, Budenny, Budyoni, Budyenny, or Budenny, was a Soviet cavalryman, military commander, politician and a close ally of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.-Early life:...
, who had served as a corporal under Aleksander Karnicki, now the 1st Cavalry Divisions commander, in the Imperial Russian Army. The division managed to stop a Russian breakthrough in this battle on the 29th of May, despite being outnumbered six to one. However, this success could not permanently stop the advance of the Russian forces towards the Polish rear and the division had to retreat.
The division fought the Konarmia again in early June, around Koziatyn
Koziatyn
Koziatyn is a city in the Vinnytsia Oblast of western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Koziatynsky Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast, and is located from oblast capital, Vinnytsia, at around...
, before the Russian cavalry was called to attack Kiev. In another engagement between those two cavalry forces on 10 June, between Zhitomir and Koziatyn, the Konarmia's advance was again halted but the need for more troops on the northern front forced the Poles to retreat eventually.
Upon Piłsudski's order, cavalry from the northern frontline was moved south in the beginning of July, to enforce the 1st Cavalry Division in an attempt to decisively defeat the Konarmia, which was seen as the major threat on the southern front for the Polish Army. This expanded force was put under the command of General Kazimierz Raszewski. Meanwhile, Budyonnys forces advanced and took Równe
Równe
Równe may refer to:*Polish name for Rivne in Ukraine*Równe, Masovian Voivodeship *Równe, Opole Voivodeship *Równe, Pomeranian Voivodeship *Równe, Subcarpathian Voivodeship...
on 2 July. The Konarmia managed to advance as far as Brody
Brody
Brody is a city in the Lviv Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Brody Raion , and is located in the valley of the upper Styr River, approximately 90 kilometres northeast of the oblast capital, Lviv...
by early August, when the 1st Cavalry Division, together with a Cavalry unit under General Kazimierz Sawicki, was ordered to counter attack, but had to shortly after withdraw to the north due to the worsening situation on the northern frontline.
At the battle of Komarów
Battle of Komarów
The Battle of Komarów was one of the most important battles of the Polish-Bolshevik War. It took place on August 31, 1920, near the village of Komarowo near Zamość...
on 31 August 1921, when the division completely defeated the Russian 1st Cavalry Army, it was commanded by Juliusz Rómmel
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...
.
The 1st Cavalry Division was severely reorganised in 1924, as were the other Polish cavalry divisions. The previously separate mounted rifle regiments were integrated in the four cavalry divisions.
The division was, alongside the 3rd and 4th Cavalry Division, disbanded in 1929 and 1930 upon order of Pilsudski, who had come to the conclusion that cavalry was outdated. Only the 2nd Division in Warsaw remained in existence as a back-up force for to counter a possible coup-attempt.
Formation
The unit was formed in 1919 from six individual regiments.- 1st Lancers: Made up of veterans of the Imperial Russian ArmyImperial Russian ArmyThe Imperial Russian Army was the land armed force of the Russian Empire, active from around 1721 to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the early 1850s, the Russian army consisted of around 938,731 regular soldiers and 245,850 irregulars . Until the time of military reform of Dmitry Milyutin in...
, from an all Polish regiment - 8th Lancers: Made up from veterans of the Austro-Hungarian ArmyAustro-Hungarian ArmyThe Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint army , the Austrian Landwehr , and the Hungarian Honvédség .In the wake of fighting between the...
- 9th Lancers: Made up partly from veterans of the 3rd Lancers of the Austrian LandwehrLandwehrLandwehr, or Landeswehr, is a German language term used in referring to certain national armies, or militias found in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe. In different context it refers to large scale, low strength fortifications...
and the 2nd Lancers of the Polish LegionPolish Legions in World War IPolish Legions was the name of Polish armed forces created in August 1914 in Galicia. Thanks to the efforts of KSSN and the Polish members of the Austrian parliament, the unit became an independent formation of the Austro-Hungarian Army... - 14th Lancers: Made up of veterans of the Imperial Russian Army
- 16th Lancers: Made up of veterans of the Prussian ArmyPrussian ArmyThe Royal Prussian Army was the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It was vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power.The Prussian Army had its roots in the meager mercenary forces of Brandenburg during the Thirty Years' War...
- 2nd Light Horse: Made up of veterans of the Polish Legion
Reorganisation in 1924
The Polish cavalry divisions were severely reorganised in 1924. The 1st Cavalry was now one of four divisions, the divisional headquarter being based in Białystok. Of the others, the 2nd was based in WarsawWarsaw
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...
, the 3rd in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and the 4th in Lwów. The new organisation, still consisting of six regiments, was:
- 4th Cavalry Brigade – based in Wolkowysk, consisting of:
- 2nd Lancers – based in Suwałki
- 3rd Light Horse – based in Suwałki
- 8th Cavalry Brigade – based in Białystok, consisting of:
- 10th Lancers – based in Białystok
- 3rd Mounted Rifles – based in Białystok
- 11th Cavalry Brigade – AugustowoAugustowoAugustowo may refer to the following places in Poland:*Augustowo, Bydgoszcz County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship *Augustowo, Żnin County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship...
, consisting of:- 1st Lancers – based in Augustovo
- 9th Mounted Rifles – based in GrajewoGrajewoGrajewo , is a town in north-eastern Poland with 23,302 inhabitants .It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship ; previously, it was in Łomża Voivodeship...
One of the main aims of this reorganisation was to integrate the mounted rifle regiments into the cavalry divisions, which had previously existed separatly as a form of second-class cavalry.
Commanders
- Jan RomerJan RomerJan Romer was an Austrian and Polish general. Studied in Mödling and joined the Austro-Hungarian Army. During the First World War fought at the battle of Limanowa and battle of Gorlice , was wounded twice. Later he joined the newly recreated Polish Army. During Polish-Ukrainian War he fought in...
- Aleksander Karnicki
- Juliusz RómmelJuliusz RómmelJuliusz 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...
- Mikołaj Waraksiewicz
Members
- Stanisław Maczek, commanding officer of all the Polish forces in the United Kingdom 1945 -47, was in command of the assault battalion of the First Cavalry Division in the summer of 1920.
In history
A 1st Cavalry Division, made up partly of Polish lancers of the 1st Regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers, existed in the French ArmyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
under Napoleon, being part of the Imperial Guard, from 1807 until 1815. This unit took part in most major engagements of the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
after 1807 and was highly regarded by Napoleon.
See also
- Polish cavalryPolish cavalryThe Polish cavalry can trace its origins back to the days of Medieval mounted knights. Poland had always been a country of flatlands and fields and mounted forces operate well in this environment...
- 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....
(Polish: Ułanów), a form of light cavalry originating from Poland - LancerLancerA lancer was a type of cavalryman who fought with a lance. Lances were used in mounted warfare by the Assyrians as early as and subsequently by Greek, Persian, Gallic, Han-Chinese, nomadic and Roman horsemen...
, a form of cavalry originating from Poland
Sources
- Warsaw 1920 – Lenin's failed conquest of Europe, Adam ZamoyskiAdam ZamoyskiCount Adam Stefan Zamoyski is a historian and a member of the ancient Zamoyski family of Polish nobility.-Life:Zamoyski was born in New York City, but was raised in England and was educated at Downside School and The Queen's College, Oxford...
, Harper Collins Publishers, 2008, ISBN 978-0-00-725786-7
External links
- The Polish-Bolshevik Cavalry Campaigns of 1920, by Major Elbert E. Farman, Jr., Cavalry (Military Attaché to Poland), 30 July 1921
- Lance pennons of the Polish Army (1920–39)
- Republic of Poland – Lance Pennons for cavalry units 1920–1939