Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

[tigre]

hello to all ; new year, new topic ............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

The 15 DP under command of Gen. Bryg. Zdzisław Przyjałkowski with ppłk (podpulkownik – lieutenant colonel) Józef Drotlew as CoS was composed of:

59 pp (pułk piechoty – infantry regiment) Inowroclaw under płk. (pulkownik – colonel) Bolesław Mirgałowski.
61 pp Bydgoszcz under płk. Franciszka Sobolty.
62 pp „Dzieci Bydgoskich” under płk Kazimierz Heilman – Rawicz.
15 pal (pułk artylerii lekkiej – light artillery regiment) Bydgoszcz under ppłk Jerzy Leonhard.
15 dac (dywizjon artylerii ciężkiej – heavy artillery group) under Mjr Stefan Starzyński.

After leaving Bydgoszcz, on September 06 1939, the division took defensive positions in the area Bydgoszcz – Brzoza –Łęgnowo along the line Łęgowo –Jez.Jezuickie – Kobylarny. There it was to halt the advance of the German 50 ID.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

The German 50 ID (belonging to 4 AOK) under Generalleutnant Sorsche with Oberst Eberle as CoS met the 15 DP’s line as follows:

IR 121 against the 59 pp deployed along the road and railway Bydgoszcz – Torun.
IR 122 against the 62 pp deployed along the line Rupienica – Łążyn.
IR 123 against the 61 pp deployed along the road Bydgoszcz- Brzoza.

On Sep 06 1939, after mopping out the Bormberg / Bydgoszcz’s Forest, the Division pushed eastwards. The II./ IR 121 stormed southeastwards to Legnano heading to Schulitz; the I./ IR 121 southwards against the woods. Both battalions met strong enemy groups there. Around noon the 50 ID had reached the line before Legnano (IR 121) – Forsthaus Kobylbott (IR 122) – north of hopfgarten (IR 123).

The enemy retreated or was encircled. In the afternoon the Division’s CP was shifted to Forsthaus Kobylbott. Due to the attack on Kobylbott the IR 121 and the IR 122 had sustained heavy casualties, specially among the officers. By nightfall the enemy successfully attacked against the 5./ IR 122 which had to withdraw with great number of casualties.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

After fighting some 6 hours, the 15 DP retreated towards Gniewkowa, reaching the ordered area just on Sep 07 1939 at noon. There the Division’s Commanding Officer took over as a Commander of the whole Group of Operations, so he issued orders for assembling all the troops within the area of the villages of Zagajewice y Miechowice during the night from 07 to 08 Sep 1939. According to that the 15 DP should gather in the area Osięciny - will Skarbkowa – sugar factory of Brześć Kujawski - Redecz Krukowy. The 15 DP’s CP would be located at Miechowice and the Regimental CP at:

59 pp 1 km southeast of Wola Skarbkowa.
61 pp at Redecz Krukowy.
62 pp at Karolin.

But the units of the 15 DP were exhausted and did not execute this order, especially with the roads in asituation of huge congestion due to columns of civil vehicles and civil refugees. As it as told by Captain Miedziankowski the 82. Heavy Machinegun Company’s Commanding Officer: commanders of individual columns were in complete ignorance with regards to the daily march’s objectives. At 09:00 hours I found an unprecedented disarray along the road Gniewkowo – Murzynno with rows cars going in the same direction. Some officers past us galloping and nobody knew where they ride and which unit belongs to. I have lost one hour putting my column in order.

Hundreds of vehicles and thousands of refugees were mixed with the troops. In order to halt the flow of refugees on General Przyjałkowski’s orders, a great number of pamphlets were droped by the II. Platoon of the 46. Eskadry (observation) stationed at Walentynowo. However, the results of these propaganda were insignificant. Leaving Gniewkowo, the 15 DP marched along the following routes:

• Lipie - Murzynno - Straszewo - Koneck - Łowiczek - Bądkowo
• Murzynno - Dąbrowa Biskupia - Siniarzewo
• Dąbrowa Biskupia - Sędzin – Krzywosądz

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[charlieboy]

hi tigre
they certainly had a abundance of helmets left over from ww1, they look so big on the mens heads, and look very heavy.
micky

[tigre]

Hello Micky ; yes, may be those helmets were made with the good iron from Lorraine. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

On Sep 08 1939, the division had reached the line Channel Parchánski – Barchoze in order to be reorganized in the area Bądkowo, Straszewo, Sędzin.

At 13:00 hours in the village of Sędzin, the 15 DP’s Commanding Officer issued orders stating that the new positions should be occupied during the night 08/09 Sep 1939. The following tasks were assigned:

• 59.pp – marching by:
o kol. Seroczki - Gosławice - Kamieniec - Ujma Duża - Bądkowo - kol.Wysocinek – dwór Bachórka - dwór Falborz and:
o Seroczki. - Gęsin - Siniarzewo - Ujma Mała - folwark Krotoszyn - kol.Miechowice – Romocinek.

Establishing its defensive positions towards Osięcin along the line Kąkowa Wola ¬– Miechowice. The heavy batteries (15. dac) and the battalion of national Defense (ON) Bydgoszcz should march before the infantry. CP at Kuczyna.

• 62.pp – marching by:
o kol.Zakrzewo - Bachorza - Czołpin - folw. Nagórki - folw. Kościelna Wieś ¬
o folw. Zagajewice - folw. Miechowice - Jądrowice, and
o - Sędzin - Dęby Morawy - Ułomie - Byczyna - Pilichowo - Osięciny - Redecz Krukowy

Establishing its defensive positions on the line Kąkowa Wola - Redecz Kalny - Height 100. With this regiment should march the 82. Machine gun Company and an antiaircraft battery. CP at Bielawy.

• 61.pp – marchando por:
o folw.zach.Kobielice - ko1.Bronislaw - folw. Kłonowo - Skibin - st.kolei Osięciny¬ - folw. Dąbie, and
o Pieranie - Konary - Skotniki - Radziejów - Faliszewo - Torzewo - Bodzanowo

Establishing its defensive positions on the line rzeczki Zgłowiączki - Height 100 Redecz Kalny. CP at Lubraniec south of Ciegini.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

The Divisional Staff should occupied the agricultural school’s building at Brześciu Kujawskim. In order to fulfill its tasks, the division should be organized as follows from 09 Sep 1939 onwards:

The 59 pp plus six machinegun battalions supported by the 2./ pal north of Miechowic, the liaison with the 27 DP should be maintained.

The 62 pp plus the divisional machinegun company and supported by the 3./ pal following the 59 pp up to Redcza Kalnego.

The 61 pp supported by the 1./ pal from the river at Zgłowiączki kolo Żydowo Redcza Kalnego.

The Defense National’s Battalions NAKŁO and BYDGOSZCZ maintained its positions at Falborek farm and sugar factory of Brześć Kujawski respectively; the 15. dac was emplaced around Rzadka Wola, the antiaircraft battery covering the 15.dac and the 82 machine gun company covering the divisional CP.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 15 Dywizji Piechoty (Infantry Division) withdrawal to Kutno.

After getting its orders, the units continued its march without enemy action. The 62 pp together with the 3./ 15 pal and the divisional machinegun company were re-organized around Osięciny; the engineers troops had blown up the bridge over the channel in the road Radziejów - Brześć Kujawski blocking the village’s access by blasting the great wayside poplars in direction to Dąbia and Lubrańca.

German squads had appeared before the 15 DP already in the afternoon, Sep 09 1939 coming from the northwest. The 15 DP had regrouped without incidents during the night from 09 to 10 September 1939 in the area Chodecz - Lubień – Szczutkowo.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 27 Dywizja Piechoty (Infantry Division) – Pomeranian’s Army rearguard.

The 27 DP under General Juliusz Drapell with ppłk. dypl. Stanisław Bobrowski as CoS, had been smashed in the battles within the Polish Corridor and had been re-organized on Sep 05 1939 in the area of Bydgoszcz (Bromberg), taken personal from the units already destroyed in the cauldron and from the battalions that garrisoned the city.

After sustaining several defensive battles the Division had reached the area of Wloclaw on Sep 09 1939 in the morning and then took up positions as follows:

• 24.pp under ppłk. dypl. Julian Grudziński reinforced with 68.dal from the river Vistula up to the line Kaźmierzowo - majątek Ustronie;

• 23.pp under płk. Jerzy Wroczyński reinforced with 27.pal following the 24.pp up to the line Lipiny - Gustorzyn;

• 22.pp under płk. Felik Jędrychowski reinforced with 2.dywizjonem (group) of 9.pal following the 23.pp up to Canal Bachorze, which was the boundary with the 15.DP.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 27 Dywizja Piechoty (Infantry Division) – Pomeranian’s Army rearguard.

On September 08 of 1939 the IR 122 marched some 20 kms towards Thorun. On September 09 of 1939 it had reached a point located some 25 kms northwest of Wloclawek.

Already during the afternoon on Sep 09 1939, the German vanguards (50 ID) had appeared before the 27 DP’s defensive positions. The battle ensued. Strong attacks had followed on the 23.pp’s positions particularly in the direction of Jaranowa. However, by nightfall the Germans troops had been driven back.

Having left the area the 15 DP, in order to occupy new positions, the 27 DP’s Commanding Officer had decided to take advantage of the woods and then to establish new defensive lines as follows: Korabniki - Mazury - Machnacz - Kąty - Nowy Młyn - Brześć Kujawski - Nowe Turowo and besides to deploy forward a strong detachment in the area of Osięcin.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The 27 Dywizja Piechoty (Infantry Division) – Pomeranian’s Army rearguard.

However, on September 10 1939, the units of the 27 DP fought hard against the German 50 ID in the area Wieniec - Nowy Młyn. One strong German assault, reinforced with tanks (?), had knocked against the 22.pp, but happily, it had been beaten off. However, a second one had launched with support of motorized artillery rendering some progress. Indeed that very day a counterattack carried out by the 23 pp had retrieved partially the situation before twilight; however that night (10 / 11 September) the 27 DP withdrew towards its new positions.

On Sep 10 1939, the German objective was Brzesc Kujawski, heading in that direction were advancing the IR 122 together with the MG Btl 8. The motorized battalion took heavy defensive fire when reaching the Zglowiaczka stream hence it withdrew. The Artillerie Abt. 101 furnished fire support in this fight. Both units pressed towards Nowy Mlyn blocking the ford at Kol. Michowice. Around 17:00 hours Nowy Mlyn was taken by the 1./ IR 122. A crisis in the afternoon was solved.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The battle on Sep 10 of 1939.

On September 09 at 14:00 hours the Commander of the 27.DP, General Drapella, issued an order about the organization of a combat group composing of 24 pp (less its I. Battalion), 48.dal, divisional cavalry, team of cyclists, team of Signal; as direct support were appointed 2. battery of 9.pal and two batteries of 27 dac.

It is not known, why it has gone out towards Osięcin in other deadline and with other composition than it was expected/ordered. Perhaps, the reasons lay in the chaos during the division’s regrouping. At dawn on September 10 1939 the Combat Group marched off along the road Wieniec - Osięciny under Major Alexander Wilhelm Hertklein (Commander of I. Battalion 24.pp), with the following composition:

• I./24.pp composed by:
o 1. Company - Kpt Waclaw Dziewulak.
o 2. Company - ppor Boleslaw Mackiewicz.
o 3. Company - ppor Antoni Martynowicz.
• MG Company – por Czesław Glowacki
• Recce Pl - ppor Marian Pękalski
• Infantry howitzer Pl - ppor Julian Gozdal.
• Antitank Company - ppor Mieczysław Tabacki.
• 48.dal - Major Antoni Molenda.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The battle on Sep 10 of 1939.

After several hours of march the grouping occupied positions to the east of the village of Osięciny. The group’s deployment is not known with certainty but according to German sources it would be the following:

At least one battery (probably the 2. /48 dal) deployed in the locality of Osięciny. This battery was the most advanced towards the west and was protected by at least one company of infantry.

In the zone of the park of Osięciny at least one machine guns Platoon.

The main fire positions of the artillery (2-3 batteries) deployed in the neighborhood of Zakowice.

In the villages of Karolin and Zakowice a machine guns Platoon reinforced with infantry.

The bulk of the grouping occupied position some two kilometers on the highway Radziejów - Brześć Kujawski facing to the southwest.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The battle on Sep 10 of 1939.

This route constituted the main axis of advance of the 208 ID (Generalmajor Andreas); the division included the IR 309, the IR 337 and the IR 338. On September 05 of 1939 it had marched by Naklo in the direction of Inowroclaw having conquered this last locality on September 08 1939. On September 09 of 1939 had received orders to accelerate the march in the direction of Lubraniec - Kutno to alleviate the 50 ID which fought with the 27 DP on the Vístula river.


March route of the 208 ID in Poland 1939.

Eight days of strenous marches preceded to the regiment and still it had not had contact with the enemy. The IR 309 (Oberst Wilhelm Liegmann) which marched as vanguard of the division had reached at dusk on September 09 of 1939 the locality of Skibin and reassumed the march at dawn on September 10 of 1939 in the direction of Lubraniec. The first element in passing the route Radziejów - Brest Kujaswski was the Cyclist Platoon of the regiment and soon it had been followed by the III. /IR 309, the II. /IR 309 and the I./IR 309; around 10:00 hours the Cyclist Platoon of the IR 309 reached the region of Redcza Kalnego. It was when the III. /IR 309 (Hauptmann Mueller) had reached the village of Borucinek when unleashed the fight against the Polish forces deployed in Zakowice.


Osieciny.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more on it............................

Fighting at Osieciny on Sep 10 1939.

The battle on Sep 10 of 1939.

The Vanguard of the IR 309.

The advance of the III. /IR 309 which marched as vanguard of the regiment continued towards the bridge of Osieciny without interferences. Around 09:30 hours the spearhead of the vanguard (11. /IR 309) reported that this bridge had been destroyed and that it was still passable by infantry on foot. The companies continued advancing towards the damaged bridge and the vehicles were detoured to Samfzyce. Around 10:00 hours the battalion began to receive artillery fire from the direction of Zakowice and machine-gun fire from the wooded zone in Karolin; the III. /IR 309 looked for cover in the roadside ditches on both sides of the route.

The 11. /IR 309 advanced by the roadside ditch in the direction of the eastern edge of Borucinek therefore it could gain the flank of the opponent deployed in the forests around Karolin. The attack of the 9. /IR 309 plus the machine guns of the 10. /IR 309, a Platoon of the 12. /IR 309 and one Platoon of infantry howitzers managed to expel the Polish infantry from Zakowice about the 13:30 hours. At the same time the 11. /IR 309 had reported about two companies and one Polish artillery battery on the road to Zakowice marching to the east reason why at 15:00 hours the German artillery opened fire on those elements. The losses of the III. Battalion ascended to one KIA, two WIA and two horses were lost.

Sources: Bitwa pod Osięcinami 10 września 1939 r. Stanisław Górecki
Die 50. Infanteriedivision im Feldzug gegen Polen
http://www.50-infanterie-division.de/Ka ... raeume.htm
Die Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.

Cheers. Raúl M .