Pomeranian Cavalry Brigade
Encyclopedia
Pomeranian Cavalry Brigade (Polish: Pomorska Brygada Kawalerii) was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the Cavalry Brigade "Bydgoszcz". Its headquarters were stationed in Bydgoszcz and the brigade consisted of these units:
. On September 1, 1939, parts of the 18th Regiment of Pomeranian Uhlans made the legendary charge at Krojanty
, during which unit's commandant, Colonel Kazimierz Mastalerz
was killed.
On September 2, the Brigade was ordered to attack the town of Koronowo
, which was defended by the German 3rd Armored Division of General Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg
. This move was necessary, as it would help the withdrawing 9th Infantry Division, which had been engaged in bitter fighting. The cavalrymen, with heavy losses, managed to halt the Germans. However, at Bukowiec
the Wehrmacht
forces destroyed the 16th Regiment of Greater Poland Uhlans, soon afterwards the 18th Regiment of Pomeranian Uhlans shared same fate.
The remaining forces managed to withdraw from the Tuchola Forest and on September 5, became part of the Operational Group of General Juliusz Drapella. After a few days, these units, together with Podolska Cavalry Brigade
, took part in the Battle of Bzura. Then they managed to break to the Kampinos Forest
, where, together with Podolska Cavalry Brigade and Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade
they created the Joint Cavalry Brigade of General Roman Abraham
. On September 20, these forces broke into besieged Warsaw
, where they capitulated together with the city, on September 28, 1939.
- 2nd Regiment of Rokitno Chevau-légers, garrisoned in StarogardStarogard GdanskiStarogard Gdański is a town in Eastern Pomerania in northwestern Poland with 48,328 inhabitants...
, - 16th Regiment of Greater Poland Uhlans of General Gustaw Orlicz-DreszerGustaw Orlicz-DreszerGustaw Konstanty Orlicz-Dreszer was a Polish general, and a political and social activist.Before World War I, Orlicz-Dreszer was involved in pro-independence activities in partitioned Poland. In 1914-17 he served in the 1st Brigade of the Polish Legions. He was arrested during the Oath Crisis...
, stationed in Bydgoszcz, - 18th Regiment of Pomeranian Uhlans, stationed in GrudziądzGrudziadzGrudziądz is a city in northern Poland on the Vistula River, with 96 042 inhabitants . Situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship , the city was previously in the Toruń Voivodeship .- History :-Early history:...
, - 8th Regiment of Mounted Rifles, stationed in Chełmno,
- 11th Regiment of Mounted Artillery, stationed in Bydgoszcz,
- 10th Squadron of Pioneers, stationed in Bydgoszcz,
- 8th Squadron of Communications, stationed in Bydgoszcz.
Polish September Campaign
The Brigade, under Colonel Adam Zakrzewski, was part of the Pomorze ArmyPomorze Army
The Pomeranian Army was one of the Polish armies to take part in the Polish Defensive War of 1939. It was officially created on March 23, 1939. Led by Gen.dyw...
. On September 1, 1939, parts of the 18th Regiment of Pomeranian Uhlans made the legendary charge at Krojanty
Battle of Krojanty
The Charge, battle or skirmish of Krojanty was a cavalry charge that occurred during the Invasion of Poland in the Second World War. It took place on the evening of September 1, 1939, near the Pomeranian village of Krojanty...
, during which unit's commandant, Colonel Kazimierz Mastalerz
Kazimierz Mastalerz
Kazimierz Władysław Mastalerz was a Polish military commander of the 18th Pomeranian Cavalry Regiment....
was killed.
On September 2, the Brigade was ordered to attack the town of Koronowo
Koronowo
Koronowo is a town on the Brda River in Poland, located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, 25 km from Bydgoszcz, with 10,818 inhabitants . It is located at N 53°19 - E 17°56...
, which was defended by the German 3rd Armored Division of General Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg
Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg
Leo Dietrich Franz Freiherr Geyr von Schweppenburg was a German cavalry officer in World War I and a general during World War II. He was particularly noted for his expertise in armoured warfare and his command of Panzer Group West during the Invasion of Normandy.- Biography :Geyr was born in...
. This move was necessary, as it would help the withdrawing 9th Infantry Division, which had been engaged in bitter fighting. The cavalrymen, with heavy losses, managed to halt the Germans. However, at Bukowiec
Bukowiec, Swiecie County
Bukowiec is a village in Świecie County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Bukowiec. It lies approximately west of Świecie and north-east of Bydgoszcz....
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:...
forces destroyed the 16th Regiment of Greater Poland Uhlans, soon afterwards the 18th Regiment of Pomeranian Uhlans shared same fate.
The remaining forces managed to withdraw from the Tuchola Forest and on September 5, became part of the Operational Group of General Juliusz Drapella. After a few days, these units, together with Podolska Cavalry Brigade
Podolska Cavalry Brigade
Podolska Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the 6th Independent Cavalry Brigade...
, took part in the Battle of Bzura. Then they managed to break to the Kampinos Forest
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, together with Podolska Cavalry Brigade and 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”...
they created the Joint Cavalry Brigade of General Roman Abraham
Roman Abraham
Roman Abraham was a Polish cavalry general, commander of Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade during German and Soviet Invasion of Poland in September 1939, in Battle of Bzura commander of Polish cavalry ....
. On September 20, these forces broke into besieged 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...
, where they capitulated together with the city, on September 28, 1939.