5. Panzer-Division in the Polish Campaign

[Domen123]

Here is the battle calendar of 5. Panzer-Division in the Polish Campaign:

1. Breakout in Western Galicia - 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939;
a) Fierce battle of Pszczyna against Polish 6. Infantry Division - 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939*;
2. Pursuit fightings towards the Nida river - 04.09.1939 - 07 / 08.09.1939;
a) Combats at the section of Przemsza river near Chełmek;
b) Battle of Auschwitz;
c) Pursuit fightings towards the Nida river north of Krakow and north of Vistula river;
c) Battle of the Nida river and forcing the river near Pinczow;
3. Encircling battle south of Radom - 08.09.1939 - 10.09.1939 / 11.09.1939;
a) Combats against Polish 22. Infantry Division in the area Busko - Bronina - Stopnica - Staszow - Rytwiany
4. Approaching the Vistula river near Opatow, Ozarow and Sandomir - 10.09.1939 - 11.09.1939;
5. Withdrawal from the area near Sandomir, transfering the division to the southern section of the Army frontline, pursuit fightings towards Przemysl - 10.09.1939 / 11.09.1939 - 17.09.1939;
a) Withdrawal & transfering to the area south of Bochnia;
b) Pursuit fightings towards Przemysl - up to 17.09.1939;
6. Planned operation against Lemberg and Romanian Bridgehead - 17.09.1939 in the morning;
a) 17.09.1939 at 10:15 - orders for the division to: move to the area east of Przemysl, storm Lwow since 18.09, advance across Lwow towards the eastern suburbs of the city, later attack towards either Tarnopol or Stanislawow;
b) 17.09.1939 at 12:00 - headquarters of the Corps cancelled the previous orders due to the information about the Soviet Invasion of Poland and planned movements & operations of Soviet units against Polish forces including Lwow;
7. Battles west and south-west of Lemberg;
a) Combats of 15. Panzer-Regiment near Rzesna Ruska, Hołosko and Brzuchowice - 18.09.1939 - 20.09.1939;
b) Fights near Sambor, Drohobycz and Stryj - 18.09.1939 - 20.09.1939;
8. Withdrawal behind the river San towards the demarcation line;

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*Battle of Pszczyna 01.09.1939 - 04.09.1939:

01.09.1939:

1. Frontier combats. Capturing Rybnik and Zory;
a) Northern Column - Sumina, Chwalecice, Rybnik - 4:45 - 10:00
b) Southern Column - Raciborz, Sumina, Rydultowy, Radlin - 4:45 - 8:00
c) Southern Column - Mszana, Jastrzebie, Wisla Wielka, Warszowice - 8:00 - 10:00
d) Southern Column - Brzezce - 10:00 - 11:00
e) Northern Column - Rowien, Zory, Kleszczow - 10:00 - 14:00
f) Southern Column - Jastrzebie, Brzezce - 11:00 - 14:00
2. 5th Panzer-Division defeated in the battle against the Polish protruding defensive position;
a) Both Columns - initial operations against the Polish protruding defensive position - 10:30 - 14:00
b) Both Columns - assault against the line Brzezce - Wisla Wielka, Polish counterattack, German defeat - 14:00 - 23:00

Night 01.09.1939 / 02.09.1939:

1. Recovering, regrouping, reorganizing, reinforcements, supplies (ammunition, fuel), making new plans for the next day

02.09.1939:

1. Battle against the Polish defensive position - 8:30 - 14:00:
Phase 1 - Successful breakout and combats for Western Cwiklice - 8:30 - 11:00
Phase 2 - Combats for Stara Wies - 11:00 - 11:20
Phase 3 - Polish counterattack (it failed, seized and encircled by Panzers in the open field) - 11:20 - 13:00
2. German operational exploitation - 13:00 - 18:00:
Phase 4 - Sending a Kampfgruppe towards Bierun and bridge in Chelmek - 13:30 - 14:30
Phase 5 - Battle of Cwiklice and Miedzna, continuation - 14:30 - 16:30
a) Battle of Cwiklice and Miedzna, continuation
b) Failed German attack against Bojszowy and bridge there, 5. Panzer-Division lost the chance for operational success
Phase 6 - Sending a column towards Gora - 16:30 - 18:00, Germans fail to cut off Polish forces and capture the bridge
3. Polish reorganization - 16:00 - 22:00:
A - covering outpost of colonel Misiag in Jawiszowice
B - units around Pszczyna
C - Units in Goczalkowice
D - Group of major Balos

03.09.1939 - 04.09.1939 - Polish detachment from the German forces and successful withdrawal:

03.09.1939:

Polish units detach from German forces:

Kobiorski Forest - 18:00 - 22:00 - group of 20. and 16. Infantry Regiments
A - 22:00 - morning on 04.09 - group of 20. Infantry Regiment of major Balos
B - 22:00 - morning on 04.09 - group of 16. Infantry Regiment of major Ryba
C - 23:00 - morning on 04.09 - garrison of Kobior (lieutenant colonel Adamczyk)
D - Group of colonel Misiag in Jawiszowice and Harmeze

German operations:

A - Column Lubbe - failed attempts of capturing all bridges
B - Column Streich - failed attempt of clearing out the forest near the river Gostynka (men casualties, 5 tanks knocked out), fail attempt of capturing bridge at the river Przemsza in Ruda Slaska
C - Column Lubbe - failed attempts of capturing bridges in Broszkowice and Rajsko

04.09.1939:

1. Fierce battle of Rajsko against cut off group of major Ryba - 4:00 - around 11:00 / 11:30