55th Infantry Division (Poland)
Encyclopedia
The 55th Infantry Division (55. Dywizja Piechoty) was a reserve unit of the Polish Army during the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. Commanded by Colonel Stanislaw Kalabinski, it was part of Operational Group "Silesia" of the Army Kraków.
The Division was created at the end of August 1939, out of battalions of the Upper Silesian Brigade of National Defence and the National Defence Regiment "Szczakowa
". Its task was to defend the Fortified Area "Mikołów". Between September 1 and 2, it fought the advancing German 8th I.D. in the area of Wyry
. After heavy fighting, on September 3, it was forced to retreat towards the Nida River
.
On September 7, the Division took part in bitter skirmishes northwest of Kraków
and around Proszowice
. Fighting its way, the unit managed to cross the Nida and withdraw eastwards. In the night of September 18/19, the Division joined Polish forces concentrated around Tomaszów Lubelski
. It capitulated on September 23, when it ran out of ammunition.
The Division was created at the end of August 1939, out of battalions of the Upper Silesian Brigade of National Defence and the National Defence Regiment "Szczakowa
Szczakowa
Szczakowa is a district of the Polish city of Jaworzno. Located in historical Lesser Poland, it now belongs to the Silesian Voivodeship and is one of the most important rail hubs of the area. In the years 1933-1956, it was a separate town....
". Its task was to defend the Fortified Area "Mikołów". Between September 1 and 2, it fought the advancing German 8th I.D. in the area of Wyry
Wyry
Wyry is a village in Mikołów County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Wyry. It lies approximately south of Mikołów and south-west of the regional capital Katowice....
. After heavy fighting, on September 3, it was forced to retreat towards the Nida River
Nida River
Nida is a river in central Poland, a tributary of the Vistula river , with a length of 151 kilometres and a basin area of 3,865 km2. This includes the protected area called Nida Landscape Park.Towns and townships;...
.
On September 7, the Division took part in bitter skirmishes northwest of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
and around Proszowice
Proszowice
Proszowice is a town in southern Poland, situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship , previously in Kraków Voivodeship . Its population numbers 6,206 inhabitants . It is the capital of Proszowice County....
. Fighting its way, the unit managed to cross the Nida and withdraw eastwards. In the night of September 18/19, the Division joined Polish forces concentrated around Tomaszów Lubelski
Tomaszów Lubelski
Tomaszów Lubelski is a town in south-eastern Poland with 20,261 inhabitants . Situated in the Lublin Voivodeship , previously in Zamość Voivodeship . It is the capital of Tomaszów Lubelski County.-History:...
. It capitulated on September 23, when it ran out of ammunition.
See also
- Polish army order of battle in 1939Polish army order of battle in 1939Polish OOB during the Invasion of Poland. In the late thirties Polish headquarters prepared "Plan Zachód" , a plan of mobilization of Polish Army in case of war with Germany...
- Polish contribution to World War IIPolish contribution to World War IIThe European theater of World War II opened with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. The Polish Army was defeated after over a month of fighting. After Poland had been overrun, a government-in-exile , armed forces, and an intelligence service were established outside of Poland....