Podlaska Cavalry Brigade

Podlaska Cavalry Brigade (Polish: Podlaska Brygada Kawalerii) was a military unit of the Polish Army, created on April 1, 1937. Its headquarters were located in Białystok, and it was based on the Cavalry Brigade "Białystok", existing between February 1929, and March 30, 1937.

History

In February 1929, Polish Army created Cavalry Brigade "Białystok", which gathered such units, as 10th Regiment of Lithuanian Uhlans from Białystok, 1st Regiment of Krechowce Uhlans from Augustów, 9th Regiment of Mounted Rifles from Grajewo, 14th Brigade of Mounted Artillery from Białystok, also a Squadron of Pioneers of 1st Cavalry Division from Białystok.

On April 1, 1937, the Cavalry Brigade "Białystok" was renamed into Podlaska Cavalry Brigade, which resulted in some changes. Neighboring unit, Suwalska Cavalry Brigade, absorbed the 1st Regiment of Krechowce Uhlans, while 5th Regiment of Zaslaw Uhlans was transferred to the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade. In the same year, the 10th Squadron of Communication was created.

Structure (1937 - 1939)

• Headquarters in Białystok,
• 5th Regiment of Zaslaw Uhlans from Ostrołęka,
• 10th Regiment of Lithuanian Uhlans from Białystok,
• 9th Regiment of Mounted Rifles of Kazimierz Pulaski from Grajewo,
• 14th Brigade of Mounted Artillery from Białystok,
• 1st Squadron of Pioneers from Białystok,
• 10th Squadron of Communication from Białystok.

Polish September Campaign 1939

Podlaska Cavalry Brigade, under General Ludwik Kmicic-Skrzynski, was part of Independent Operational Group Narew of General Czesław Młot-Fijałkowski. It did not engage in combat until September 3, covering the area of Łomża, and sporadically attacking Wehrmacht units advancing from East Prussia. In the night of September 3/4, the Brigade withdrew towards lower Narew, and on September 8, it was located near Ostrów Mazowiecka, where it attacked Panzer Division Kempf, under General Werner Kempf. In the evening of September 9, the Brigade engaged in heavy fighting, trying to recapture the town of Brok, with its bridge over the Western Bug. The Poles managed to capture eastern part of the town, but then their advance was stopped.

On September 11, the Brigade withdrew towards Zambrów, and next day, it joined forces with Suwalska Cavalry Brigade, creating the so-called Group of General Zygmunt Podhorski. Depleted in continuous fighting, it headed eastwards to Białowieża, reaching the Białowieża Forest on September 16. After Soviet invasion of Poland, remnants of the Brigade fought both Wehrmacht and Red Army troops, capitulating on October 6.

References

• Tadeusz Jurga: Wojsko Polskie : krótki informator historyczny o Wojsku Polskim w latach II wojny Êwiatowej. 7, Regularne jednostki Wojska Polskiego w 1939 : organizacja, dzia∏ania bojowe,, uzbrojenie, metryki zwiàzków operacyjnych, dywizji i brygad. Warszawa : Wydawnictwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej 1975
• Gietkowski Miroslaw, Artyleria konna Wojska Polskiego 1918-1939, Wydawnictwo Adam Marsza∏ek, Toruƒ 2001, ISBN 83-7174-823-X

See also

• Polish army order of battle in 1939
• Polish contribution to World War II