Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something on the subject.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Szczekociny was in the line of the main enemy attack, which was the 10th Army (General W. von Reichenau) of Army Group South (Colonel General G. von Rundstedt). The straight-line distance of Szczekociny from the borders of the German Reich was only 70 km. The city's location on the weaker northern flank of the "Kraków" Army (Brigadier General Antoni Szylling) weakened its defensive position. Another unfavorable fact was the lack of army reserves and fortifications prepared in time. It should be noted at this point that in the defense plan of Poland, the most important role was played by the "Krakow" Army, the so-called "Hinge". Their goal was to block enemy troops until the remaining armies withdrew to the Vistula-Narew defense line. The concept of an encirclement from two directions had been developed in the German general staffs: East Prussia and the Silesia-Częstochowa region towards central Poland. Most of the Polish army was to be surrounded, with a cut off retreat beyond the Vistula and the San. The area east of the Saint-Vistula-Narew line was to be occupied by the Red Army in accordance with a secret protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 23, 1939.

On the night of August 19-20, 1939, the 2. Le. Div left his peace garrison, the motorized march continued through Zwickau-Annaberg-Komotau-Brüx-Dux towards Teplitz-Schonau; the Pz Abt 66 was transported by rail. In the second week of August it occupied a staging area in the Groß Strehlitz area. For its part, the 3. Le Div was on the march towards the Polish border as of August 20, 1939. First, it followed the Autobahn to Forst, to reach Liegnitz, in Military District VIII. From there it went along country roads to the outskirts of Jauer, also Military District VIII. On the afternoon of August 23, 1939, the division continued towards the border. It went southeast through Jauer, Striegau, Schweidnitz and Reichenbach. On the afternoon of August 25, 1939, the orders for the Fall Weiss were received. The direction of march was now changed to the east. The Oder was crossed south of Oppeln near Krappitz. The 5./ KSR 8 arrived at Guttenberg and went to a school around 10:00. This Squadron, commanded by Rittmeister Freiherr von Wolff (later awarded the Knight's Cross), advanced around 8:00 p.m. to take up a reserve position through Zochwald to the border. Squadrons from KSR 9 advanced to the border deployment overnight. Around 02:00 hours on August 26, 1939, the regiments were ordered to fall back. They then moved back about 60 kilometers to the west and settled in the Proskau area.

On the night of August 31, 1939, the closest Polish Army unit to Szczekociny was the Krakow Cavalry Brigade (BK) commanded by Brig. Zygmunt Piasecki, deployed on the Warta River, mainly near the town of Woźniki (55 km). On the border, near the town of Kalety and further north near Koszęcin, the 3rd pułk ułanów (lancers regiment) of the cavalry brigade, the "Lubliniec" National Defense Battalion, an armored squadron, units of the Border Protection Corps (KOP) and a squadron of cyclists. Across the border, the German 2. Le. Div (Generalleutnant G. Stumme) was ready. Apart from the tanks, the light division had several dozen armored vehicles and artillery of various calibers, from grenade launchers and mortars to howitzers. The disproportion of forces between the Polish cavalry brigade and the German light division was enormous in terms of equipment and personnel. Cavalrymen partially made up for this difference in bravery, unit mobility, and knowledge of the terrain. Unfortunately, they were practically defenseless against bombing aircraft. Ground-based anti-aircraft defense was ineffective and the few aircraft owned were obsolete and slower than the German ones (except for Łoś bombers).

The second Polish unit near Szczekociny was the 7th Infantry Division (DP) commanded by Brigadier General Janusz Gąsiorowski. The major had been released from the hospital at his own request, having returned to the division just hours before the war broke out after several operations. Not being well versed in the latest preparations of his unit, he had great difficulty commanding it and the burden of managing the division fell to his deputy, Colonel Dipl. Kazimierz Janicki. Spread out on too long a front (about 40 km) on the outskirts of Częstochowa, this unit was a weak obstacle, especially for the armored forces. The regulation defensive front of the infantry division in the Polish army was 7-8 km. There was a gap between the BK Kraków and the 7th Infantry Division and the two units had no direct contact with each other.

The lack of divisional cavalry due to late mobilizations and unfinished fortifications (12 combat bunkers compared to 61 planned), as well as the extension of some units to the very border weakened the defense force of the 7th Division. Meanwhile, its main task was to act as a retarding and protective effect. Only in the creators' minds did the plan work well. In fact, the 7th DP was alone and lost in the overwhelming advantage of the enemy. According to the eminent General Kazimierz Sosnkowski (initially removed from defensive actions), the road to Kielce and Radom was by no means assured.

Unfortunately, the general was right. The Germans skilfully exploited the weakness of the Polish defense lines in this area by deploying powerful fists: the XVI Motorized Corps (General E. Hoepner) with the 1st and 4th Armored Divisions, and the XV Light Corps (Gen. H. Hoth ) along with selected infantry divisions. As a result, Szczekociny found itself near the most dangerous section of the entire Polish front. In the last days of August, the Polish command erred in announcing two general mobilizations, causing delay and chaos. At the end of the month, the mobilization was carried out by 66% and the concentration by 45%. The lack of transportation also affected the Polish concentration, which on September 1 was not even 50% carried out.

For the "Krakow" army, practically this meant having no reserves. The breach of the front line on its northern wing opened the way for the Germans to the Świętokrzyskie mountains, Warsaw and the Vistula. With optimistic propaganda in the press and posters plastered ("Strong, Compact, Ready", "We will not surrender to our attacker, we will win", etc.), it is difficult to suppose that the inhabitants of Szczekociny were aware of the real threat of war in July. People deluded themselves into thinking that Hitler was lying, that he was just scaring with war, and that he was basically talking about Danzig and the so-called "Corridor" in Pomerania. Only in the last days of August, after the mobilization order, did the illusions of peace burst like a soap bubble. In society, however, one did not feel the horror of the situation, but the excitement and curiosity. The population massively bought food products and listened to bad news on the radio. Overall, optimism and a sense of ultimate victory prevailed, as they had the help of strong allies.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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The 2. Le Div on the way to the Polish border taking advantage of the motorway network...............
The 2. Le Div on the way to the Polish border taking advantage of the motorway network...............
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something on the subject.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

The Battalion ON "Lubliniec".

The Battalion ON "Lubliniec" (in some studies known as the Battalion ON "Kosięcin") was formed in May 1939 as part of the Sieradzka Brigade of National Defense (ON) on the basis of Military Training District No. 174. The unit supplying the battalion was the Lubliniec 74th Infantry Regiment. The battalion command was located in Lubliniec, the special subunits and the 1st company were stationed in Woźniki, the 2nd company in Kosięcin (Koszęcin), and the 3rd company in Kamienica Polska. Major Franciszek Żak was the battalion commander. On August 24, the soldiers took up defensive positions in the Koszęcin area. Shortly before the outbreak of war, the battalion was attached to the 3rd Uhlans Regiment of the Cracow Cavalry Brigade of the "Crakow" Army. Brigade Commander Brigadier General Zygmunt Piasecki reinforced the battalion with a heavy machine gun platoon.

3. Leichte Division.

On the afternoon of August 31, 1939, the units returned to the border. The division formed two combat groups (kampfgruppe) for the next few days. The Commander of KSR 9 (Oberst Wilhelm Dietrich von Ditfurth) commanded the division's left Kampfgruppe. The I. Abteilung of the regiment, under Oberstleutnant Crisolli, together with the I. Abteilung of the 80th Artillery Regiment, under Maj. Wenghoffer, and the IV/68 Frontier Guard Battalion formed the 2nd Kampfgruppe and took up positions in the Dramatal - Larischhof area. When war broke out, the Kampfgruppe should simulate a stronger opponent in order to lure the enemy and release the 2. Light Division. Our own division would follow as the second wave behind the 2. Light Division.

First day of war.

On the morning of September 1, between 04:45 and 05:45, German troops, largely armored and motorized, moved towards the border throughout the "Krakow" Army sector. The ground forces were supported by the Luftwaffe, dropping high-explosive and incendiary bombs and firing machine guns at people working in the fields with impunity and then fled east.

The front line was marked by fire and smoke from villages burned by the aggressor. On the first day of the war, German planes appeared over Szczekociny. They did not cause losses when flying to targets located east of the city, ie. in the Tunnel, Kielce Radom. There were also sounds of artillery fire from the west and northwest. The population began to leave the city to seek refuge in the nearby towns and forests. The inhabitants knew nothing or very little about the situation on the border, and it was fragmentary, unverified information, usually rumours.

In the northernmost wing of the "Krakow" Army, which consisted of the isolated Polish 7th Infantry Division and the Krakow Cavalry Brigade, 6 large units, including 2 armored and 2 light divisions, with a total of about 1000 tanks and armored vehicles. attacked. Immediately at dawn, in the direction of Woźniki, defended by the Cracow Cavalry Brigade, the 2. Light Division advanced from Tworóg to Kalety, and further back the 3. Light Division (Generalmajor A. Kuntzen).

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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The 2. Le Div finds the first obstacles that are cleared by the sappers.....................
The 2. Le Div finds the first obstacles that are cleared by the sappers.....................
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something on the subject.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

First day of war.

At 04:45 hours the front line regiments of the 2. Le Div, KSR 6 and KSR 7, crossed the border at Stahlhammer and Seifersdorf and advanced towards Koszęcin (10 km east of the border) with the support of Pz Abt 66. Towards evening the Aufkl. Regt 7, after taking Kosieglowy, reached the Warta. In the south of the attack sector, the Pz Abt 66 attacked Woźniki.

Both light units operated north towards Koszęcin. A total of about 180 tanks (*) participated in the German attack. The Germans easily crossed the shallow Mała Pane River. The town of Kalety, the key point of the Świerklanie forests, was lost at 08:00 hours to the overwhelming forces of the 2. Light Division. On the fifteen kilometer line of operation of the BK "Krakow", the enemy's advances were delayed by the strenuous effort of the incomplete 3rd Uhlans Regiment (Colonel Cz. Chmielewski) with the National Defense Battalion "Lubliniec" (Major F. Żak) and an armored squadron. Between 08:00 and 09:00 hours the battalion was forced to leave Koszęcin by a heavy armored attack by the 2. Light Division. The soldiers' retreat was covered by the 2nd Battalion of the Polish 74th Infantry Regiment and a platoon of light artillery from the 7th pal. The soldiers withdrew in two groups: one from Koszęcin along the road through the Lipowiec - Łazy - Babienica forest, and the other from the Koszęcin-Piasek area along the edge of the forest through Prąd and beyond Psary. Under pressure from the 2. Le Div, the Kraków Cavalry Brigade fell back on Woźniki at 08:30 hours. Most of the brigade occupied the main position: Woźniki-Ligota Woźnicka-Rudnik Mały. In the evening the brigade repelled another attack by the German 2. Le Div.

In the northern wing of the army the forces of the XVI. Corps (Mot) of the 10th Army, attacked in the direction of Częstochowa and Kłobuck. Further north in the 7th DP sector, Krzepice fell first after a brief engagement between ON company and elements of the German 4th Panzer Division. To the north of the 7th DP, the Volyn Cavalry Brigade commanded by Col. Dipl. Julian Filipowicz ("Łódź Army") repelled four attacks by the 4. Pz in the Mokra area. It was the only known episode of World War II when a relatively weak cavalry brigade managed to hold off a strong armored division. Unfortunately, it did not help the Polish 7th Infantry Division in the defense of Częstochowa, although its operational front decreased from 40 to 10 km. Troops from the 7th Infantry Division (27 pp) deployed to the border held off pressure from the neighboring German 4th Infantry Division alongside an active Border Guard formation. By noon they managed to defend the cities of Panki and Przystań. The National Defense Battalion at Kłobuck managed to further slow the Germans. In the afternoon, by order, it was withdrawn.

At Wilkowiecko, a divisional cavalry squadron, attempting to hold off German tanks from the German 1st Armored Division (Lt. Gen. R. Schmidt) and cover the 7th DP contact point with the Volyn Cavalry Brigade, was shattered. Until noon, the 2nd Battalion of the Polish 74th Infantry Regiment fought to hold Lubliniec against the main forces of the German 4th Infantry Division (Major General E Hansen). The Polish troops suffered very heavy losses. Until 3:00 p.m., the village of Truskolasy was bloodily defended by the 1st Battalion of the Polish 27th Infantry Regiment, supported by a battery, in the fight against the front of the German 14th Infantry Division (Lt. Gen. P. Weyer ). After a hard fight, the battalion managed to fall back on their regiment.

The remaining battalions of the 74th Infantry Regiment, fighting near Lisów and Boronów, were further delayed. Despite this, they withdrew to the main position near Częstochowa. The fights for Częstochowa were carried out successfully, the opponent suffered heavy losses, but due to the unfavorable development of the situation on the front of the 7th Infantry Division, it was forced to withdraw from the city on the night of the September 1 to 2 to avoid the encirclement. The balance of the first day of the war was valued by the Supreme Command, and years later by historians, as favorable, as the combat units fulfilled the tasks entrusted to them. However, from the first day of the war, the drama of the lack of reserves began, especially in the Armies of "Krakow" and "Prussia", where the mobilization and transportation of troops were still ongoing.

(*) Pz Abt 66 - 2.Le Div 41 Pz Kw I, 42 Pz Kw II, 2 Pz Bef; Pz Abt 67 - 3. Le Div 23 Pz Kw II, 55 Pz Kw 38 (t), 2 Pz Bef 38 (t)

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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War-bridge across the Malapane at Stahlhammer..........................
War-bridge across the Malapane at Stahlhammer..........................
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Second day of the war.

On September 02, 1939, the regiments (KSR 8 and KSR 9) of the 3. Light Division joined the front. Kampfgruppe von Ditfurth (KSR 9) was to advance in full force towards the upper Warta on the division's left wing. By 08:00 hours in the morning, Kampfgruppe Crisolli had already gained Hill 299, west of Tarnowitz, without much resistance.

That day, the situation worsened on the front of the BK "Krakow". Already at 05:20 in the morning mist the enemy infantry approached the Polish positions, and at 07:00 in Woźniki and Ligota Woźnicka the main forces of the German 2. Light Division launched an attack violent. 60 tanks accompanied by infantry went on the attack. The enemy broke into the Polish group and there was fierce fighting within the Polish positions. German tanks stormed Floriańska Góra, defended by a single squadron of the 3rd Uhlan Regiment. Two reserve squadrons successfully counterattacked Floriańska Góra. The soldiers used cannons and anti-tank rifles, as well as packs of hand grenades. After heavy fighting, the German tanks managed to break through the lancers' positions, which created a dramatic situation for the cavalrymen. The Brigade Commander, General Piasecki, ordered a counterattack from his reserves. The 1st and 2nd squadrons of the 3rd Regiment and a platoon of cyclists with a team of heavy machine guns entered the battle. The cavalry squadron was like a storm. It was commanded by a proven soldier, Major Jan Zapolski. The Uhlans, shouting "hurray", launched a bayonet attack.

The Germans could not resist the momentum of fierce hand-to-hand combat and fell back in panic, abandoning their heavy weapons. The brigade fell back breaking contact with the enemy, leaving about 20 destroyed (enemy) tanks on the battlefield. A brave counteroffensive saved the 4th squadron. Unfortunately, at Ligota Woźnicka, the 8th Prince Józef Poniatowski Cavalry Regiment was repulsed by a wave of about 40 tanks and the enemy entered the area of ​​the artillery positions. Two German tanks reached the position of the regimental commander, Colonel Dunin-Zuchowski, who was waiting for them with a rifle in his hand. In this dramatic situation, the regiment succumbed and left Mzyki and the Czarny Las mansion free for the Germans.

On the morning of September 2, soldiers of the Battalion ON "Lubliniec" gathered in the Ligota Woźnicka-Czarny Las area. Around 09:00 in the morning, due to the strong pressure of the 2. Light Division on the defensive positions, the Brigade Commander, General Piasecki, ordered a withdrawal towards Zawiercie.

Around 10:00 hours, the Cavalry Brigade lost Woźniki and, under pressure from the enemy, began an organized retreat towards Koziegłowy and Zawiercie. In the area of ​​the Markovice forests, the cavalrymen fought to repel the heavy attacks of the enemy light division. After a 5-hour fight, the overwhelming German forces failed to break the Polish brigade, but a dangerous gap appeared in the main defensive front of the "Krakow" Army.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Second day of the war.

The enemy armored and motorized units were able to operate both in the deep wing of the isolated Polish 7th Infantry Division and through Siewierz and Zawiercie in the wing of the Operational Group "Śląsk". Its commander, General Sadowski, sent to Siewierz a part of the Polish 23rd Infantry Division and a company of cyclists to cover the rear of the Operational Group. In the afternoon, the BK "Kraków" was pushed across the Warta River into the Myszków and Mrzygłód area, moving further away from the 7th Infantry Division. As a consequence, the BK "Krakow" had the majority of the forces in the Zawiercie area, and the gap between its units and the 7th Infantry Division widened to 30 km, then further and further. The enemy, ie the German 2. Light Division, was heading from the already occupied Żarki to Janów, where the Polish 7th Infantry Division was to appear.

Before nightfall, the Battalion ON, located in the north wing of the Cavalry Brigade, was pushed away from the river. The German 2. Light Division now had an open road to the Warta River. In the evening, around 9:00 p.m., the Commander of the BK "Krakow" received two more orders from the Commander of the Army "Krakow", General Szylling. According to the first, he was supposed to defend Zawiercie. The following order directed the brigade to the Pradło city area, from where, together with the 7th Infantry Division subordinate to General Piasecki, it was to defeat the German 2. Light Division heading from Żarki towards Szczekociny.

Unfortunately, the execution of the second order was delayed and impossible to execute due to the capture and encirclement of the Polish 7th Infantry Division by the Germans. The course of fighting for the 7th Infantry Division on September 2 was initially fairly calm. At dawn, the divisional units, despite the temporarily critical situation in the covering positions, managed to withdraw from there and remain together with the rest of the division's forces to defend the main position on the outskirts of Częstochowa. Here they found themselves under fire from aircraft bombs and artillery shells. Six German planes were shot down, and in one of them an officer of the General Staff of the German 10th Army, who carried operational orders and the combat composition of this Army. Unfortunately, these documents did not reach the Polish commanders, because the 7th Infantry Division was flanked from the north and south. Throughout the day, the division only a few times repelled attacks by reconnaissance units of the German 14th and 46th Infantry Divisions.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
General situation in the area of ​​operations..........................<br />http://www.akokregkielce.pl/dzialania-wojenne-w-wojewodztwie.html
General situation in the area of ​​operations..........................
http://www.akokregkielce.pl/dzialania-wojenne-w-wojewodztwie.html
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Second day of the war.

It was only at night that the Germans launched a decisive attack, trying to destroy the wings of the Polish division. The German 4.ID unexpectedly and very violently attacked the southern wing of the Polish division defended by the 2nd Battalion of the Polish 74th Infantry Regiment near Wrzosowa. Initially the Germans managed to surprise them, but chaos in the Polish battalion was soon brought under control and the infantry attack was repulsed. This is a confirmation of the result of many similar situations in the September campaign. Whenever infantry fought on both sides, the Poles were usually victorious through courage, bravado and dedication.

In the evening, two strong attacks against the wings of the Polish 7th Infantry Division were repulsed, which engaged the 1st Panzer Division from the north and a unit of the German 4th Infantry Division from the south. Around 8:00 p.m. the division was still in the main position with its wings folded towards the Warta. Only when the tank columns threatened to completely encircle it did General Gąsiorowski decide to leave Częstochowa. The given withdrawal direction of the 7th Infantry Division was to Koniecpol, which on the afternoon of September 2, was already threatened in the Mstów area by armored forces. The only temporarily free road led only to Janów, 30 km from Częstochowa in the direction of Lelów and Szczekociny.

On Saturday, September 2, the inhabitants of Szczekociny were preparing to defend the city. Trenches were also dug with the participation of the Jewish population, despite the fact that the Sabbath forbade them to do any work. In the afternoon and evening, a significant part of the city's population left their homes and hid in the forests and neighboring villages. Fear and panic especially gripped those who spoke on the roads with the refugees who often traveled with all their belongings through Szczekociny from the west to the east. There were stories about the cruelty of the German army and about burned farms. The news traveled fast. In fact, the military situation had become dangerous. The encirclement of the 7th Infantry Division and the retreat to Pradło of the BK "Kraków" created a gap in the Polish front, through which enemy armored and motorized units moved quickly.

On September 2, 1939, the II. Abteilung of the Aufkl.Reg. 8 led the advance of the 3. Light Division and moved alongside the vanguard of the 2. Light Division. In the afternoon of that day, the II. Abteilung had to break the resistance of the "Krakow" Cavalry Brigade. Late in the afternoon, the detachment reached the Warta, about 25 kilometers south of Czestochowa. The assigned engineer platoon was immediately brought forward and the crossing of squadrons with light pontoons began. After that, the Commander of the Abteilung, Major von Seidlitz, ordered the attack on Zarki to continue before nightfall. The place was taken and just to the east of it the detachment went to rest for the night.

A wave of refugees was coming from the Zawiercie side. The road was so packed with a column of cars, horse-drawn carts and walkers that it took a bus from Ogrodzieniec 9 hours to cover the several kilometer route. On the night of September 2-3, the rolling stock of Polish military units passed through Pilica. They were groups of soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the 74th Polish Infantry Regiment of the 7th DP. The mother unit fought in the vicinity of Janów and Złoty Potok. In Wrzosowa, near Częstochowa, the 2nd Battalion protecting the unit was dispersed and some of its soldiers moved south. After reaching Pilica, the unit headed first towards Złożeniec, then turned and headed for Wolbrom.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Hello to everyone: D; anything else..........................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Third day of the war. Defeat of the 7th Infantry Division.

On September 03, 1939, the Aufklärungs-Regiment (motorisiert) 8, with the 3. Light Division, continued to advance against Janow in the early morning. There was a fighting that lasted several hours that broke out when parts of the Polish 7th Infantry Division encountered the II. Abteilung of the regiment, which suffered its first casualties. While the cavalry rifle regiments (KSR 8 and KSR 9) crossed the Warta.

On Sunday, September 03, in Szczekociny, where the sounds of artillery salutes came from Częstochowa, only a few remained. The inhabitants mainly fled to the surrounding villages: Bogadał, Starzyn, Drużykowa or Spowa. Many also took refuge in Gąszczach and in the woods north of the city. Everywhere, but beyond the Katowice, Częstochowa - Jędrzejów highway, which swept a wave of refugees and with them, not without foundation, rumors about the cruelty of the Germans. Most of the grown men had left town. Some in search of the Polish army, and others because of the news of mass arrests and executions spread by refugees, which were full of truth. On the night of September 2-3, the BK "Krakow" regrouped in the Kroczyce-Pradła-Biała Błotna-Nakło area. There was no news of the fate of the 7th Infantry Division since 8:00 p.m. the previous day, or whether the order to continue the march without stopping at Janów was given to the commander. At dawn on September 03, the BK "Krakow" with the Uhlans Regiments (3rd and 8th) took up defensive positions in the Pradły area, while the 5th Mounted Riflemen Regiment (pułk strzelców konnych) delayed the enemy along from axis: Żarki, Kotowice, Kroczyce.

In the morning, in the captured tank of the 2. DL, a map with two directions of their operation was found: one along the Żarki-Pradła road, the other through Lelów-Szczekociny. Therefore, General Piasecki immediately sent the 8th Uhlans "Prince Józef Poniatowski" commanded by Colonel Dunin-Zuchowski with a battery and an armored squadron with the task of securing the crossings through the Pilica near Szczekociny. Still, the BK Krakow still had no news about the 7th Infantry Division. Only the roar of the guns on the Janów side was heard. General Piasecki only found out about the Janów drama at 2:00 p.m. when Lelów was already occupied by the Germans. The fate of the 7th Infantry Division was decided on September 3, although initially nothing foreshadowed the tragedy. In the morning, after the successful withdrawal from Częstochowa and a night march of several hours, 30 to 40 km, this unit reached the place of assembly, that is, Janów and the surrounding forests. Unfortunately, his commander grouped his troops too broadly and too deeply. For this reason, the division fought 4 separate battles, attacked from all sides.

At the moment when the 7th Infantry Division was finishing grouping for defense around 07:00-08:00 hours an officer from the BK "Krakow" arrived and gave the division commander the order to withdraw to the area north of Pradły and cooperate with the cavalry brigade, withdrawing from Woźniki beyond the Pilica. This order came too late to the division, which only caused great confusion in the route of the troops. Around 08:00 hours, the already weak 2nd Battalion, 74 pp south of Janów, was defeated. He was taken by surprise while marching as a flanker through tanks of the 2nd and possibly the 3rd Light Division. At 10:00 a.m. the Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, General Gąsiorowski unfolded maps on his stop point to assign tasks to individual regiments. Meanwhile, there was a violent shooting from the direction of Lelów.

It were the units of the German 2nd and 3rd Light Divisions (Commander Generalmajor A. Kuntzen) that attacked from Lelów and Żarki towards the rear and center of the Polish division grouped in the Olsztyn-Janów - Złoty Potok region. While determining the route of the march, the German tanks attacked, destroying the artillery and dividing the infantry into smaller parts.

On this day, the soldiers of the Batalion ON "Lubliniec" mistakenly received fire from the 51st Armored Squadron in the forest near Żarki. The result of this incident was the loss of communication with the BK "Krakow". Battalion size was shrinking very rapidly due to long, strenuous marches and constant contact with the enemy. It arrived in Koniecpol with a strenght of a company. There it was smashed and its remains crossed the Vistula River.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Third day of the war. Defeat of the 7th Infantry Division.

Within an hour, the enemy's actions led to General Gąsiorowski commanding only the division's reserve 74th Infantry Regiment under Colonel Wilniewicz, the cavalry detachment, a heavy group, and a light artillery group. This group took the area around Złoty Potok and defended itself to the west of this city. In fierce battles, the division destroyed several enemy tanks and armored vehicles with its artillery. Luckily for the infantry, the presence of such strong artillery was in their favour, otherwise the enemy could not be fought. Unfortunately, other events sealed the tragic fate of the 7th Infantry Division. Around 2:00 p.m., an attack through the woods to the east was ordered to break into Szczekociny. This move turned out to be a bloody catastrophe for the Polish troops. Destroyed by German shell fire, the 7th Division units were surrounded by a tight infantry barrage. It became necessary to pierce the enemy's ring, which meant more losses. In these fights the staff company was almost completely annihilated and almost all of its commanders fell in battle.

The two other regiments 25 pp and 27 pp fought two separate battles in the early afternoon and, severely beaten, retreated in different directions, each on their own. The groups of the 27th pp under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B. Panek and the 25th pp of Lieutenant Colonel A. Świtalski, bled dry during the night battles, during the engagement at Lgota Gawronna and Drochlin were defeated. Only small groups of soldiers escaped captivity or death, including officers. The Polish division was completely surrounded and succumbed to the advantage of German troops attacking from all sides. Soon the Germans intensified their attack supported by tanks and armored cars. Despite the effective fire of the 7th pal (Light Artillery Regiment), the losses suffered by the Polish units turned out to be very serious. The Germans also paid for this victory with the loss of nearly 50 combat vehicles. Many troops had been destroyed. Part of the division with the commander of the 8th Regiment came out of the encirclement, some were captured, and many soldiers were killed.

The Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, General Janusz Gąsiorowski and his General Staff were captured. What is worse, there was the possibility that the Germans had captured the encryption keys, which were used in conversations and radio links. This gave the Germans a huge advantage in future fights. Soldiers from the 74 pp also tried to break the siege, decimated and experienced in fighting the enemy that day. The attack, supported by artillery, was effective in the initial phase. The cavalry attack of the division from Janów in the direction of Bystrzanowice even caused the general staff of the German 2. Light Division to panic. However, machine gun fire supported by tank guns proved to be decisive. The decimated 74 pp was forced to remain in the bag. In the evening, units of the 7th Infantry Division made one more attempt to break out of the encirclement with two groups.

The first, consisting of parts of the 74 pp, the remnants of the divisional cavalry and a battalion of sappers under the general command of Colonel Wacław Wilniewczyc, managed to escape from the encirclement. This regiment decided to break through to Pilica. A fairly large group of soldiers from the regiment and cavalry from the division, led by Colonel Wilniewczyc and Major Pelec, managed to do so. On the other hand, the 2nd group of the same regiment met strong resistance from the Germans, was stopped and pushed back to the starting point, the 2nd Commander of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Dipl. S. Wilimowski was seriously wounded, captured and soon he died in a German hospital in Lubliniec. As a result of the combats described above, during the night and morning of September 4, the 7th Infantry Division ceased to exist. On that day, the Kraków Cavalry Brigade conducted three operations from the Pradła village area, each with the strength of a reinforced regiment. One regiment was delayed from the west by the 3. Light Division. The second of them (8 puł) was instructed to hold the Pilica crossing near Szczekociny, but was pushed back across the river. The third set out in an infantry line only after dark to assist the 7th Infantry Division, but turned around, causing only confusion among the Germans during the night attacks. After midnight it was in the starting positions. The fourth battle also took place in the vicinity of Lelów, fought by a lone battalion ON, repulsed the previous afternoon by the brigade. The battalion broke through the German lines, but when contact could not be made with anyone, the commander disbanded it.

An unidentified unit of the Polish Army came from the direction of Pradły, found mines laid by saboteurs on the side of the road between Pradły and Sierbowice. Offices, post offices, courts, notaries and the State Police station were evacuated. German planes dropped two bombs on Zarzecze, and from that day Pilica was at the front.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Fight for Szczekociny.

Detailed activities of the units of the BK "Krakow" on September 3, although historians differ in the description of the day and night fights (from September 3/4) for the city of Szczekociny. This is due to the rapid changes in the operations of the individual units of both the Polish cavalry brigade and the actions of the German armored forces. After receiving information that the Polish 7th DP was defending itself with the remnants of its forces and Lelów was occupied, the commander of the "Krakow" Cavalry Brigade, General Piasecki, threw the 3rd Uhlan Regiment in the general direction to Nakło- Szczekociny, hoping that it would relieve the infantry division on its move north. Only the 5th pułk strzelców konnych (Mounted Rifle Regiment) remained in the Pradeł defensive position for temporary defense, but will later move to Rokitno to cover Szczekociny from the southwest. After the cavalry brigade command and the 3rd Uhlan Regiment (Colonel Chmielewski) had regrouped at Zawada, word was received that there were already Germans in Szczekociny.

On the outskirts of Szczekociny, the 8th pułk ułanów (Uhlans Regiment) put up fierce resistance to the German forces. When the horsemen reached the city, having reached the fork of the Katowice and Częstochowa roads, they began to take up defensive positions. They occupied two very important points. Apart from a fork in the road, there is also a bridge over the Krztynia on the road to Lelów. The Uhlans had no idea that from the east (sic!) a German motorcycle race, supported by armored reconnaissance vehicles, was already hurtling towards them. The cavalrymen were very surprised when they came under fire from the east by the vehicles used by the German scouts, after reconnoitering the crossing over the Pilica River, they returned from the Market Square along present-day Śląska Street to meet with the Main forces of the 2. Light Div, which after the defeat of the 7th Infantry Division, moved from Janów via Lelów, Nakło to Szczekociny.

For the participant of these fights, the then cadet Leon Zając, it was a real shock. The Germans, also surprised, did not resume combat. Their tankettes, after a brief exchange of fire, departed for Tęgoborz. Heavy machine guns were sent behind them and they took up their positions on what is now Lelowska Street, in front of and behind the bridge over the Krztynia. They began firing on the road towards Nakło, but were soon driven away from there by heavy artillery fire and returned to the main forces of the regiment at a fork in the road. At the same time, the armored unit of the German 2. Light Division was advancing along the road towards Szczekociny.

The troops met near Szczekociny, where Captain Szawłowski's 2nd Squadron engaged the German spearhead, simultaneously reaching the western exit of the city. Polish troops managed to repulse the Germans and establish a bridgehead. At the same time, Captain Matuszek's 4th Squadron reached Nakło, 7 km to the west, and was unexpectedly attacked by the retreating enemy armored vehicles.

Area map https://www.google.com/maps/place/Szcze ... 4d19 .8255

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

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Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Fight for Szczekociny.

The attack was repulsed by anti-tank gun fire, but then more enemy forces arrived from the west. Despite the fact that Captain Matuszek organized an anti-tank obstacle using anti-tank weapons and machine guns, the squadron's only gun was prematurely withdrawn towards the city, which meant that resistance only lasted until 5:00 p.m. Under pressure from overwhelming enemy armor and motorized forces, the squadron was forced to withdraw south to Siedliska and Grabiec. Having failed to reach the main forces of the 8th Regiment, before its withdrawal from Szczekociny, it passed through Pilica near Obiechów, south of Szczekociny. Towards evening, the glow of a fire could be seen over Szczekociny. It was the German artillery preparing the area for the attack. However, the Poles occupying the city held on very tightly.

The 2nd Squadron of the 8th Regiment twice repulsed the bayonet-attacking Germans. However, the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable, so that at 6:00 p.m. they had to retreat after the order to leave the city. The squadrons had to break through German patrols. Following this action, a new line of defense was established to the east of the city. After the Cavalry Brigade Command and the 3rd Regiment regrouped at Zawada, at nightfall this regiment moved north on foot. Word was received that there were already Germans in Szczekociny, and the 8th Uhlans withdrew to the east. The 3rd Uhlans Regiment was sent to assist him, but unfortunately they were unable to establish contact with the 8th Regiment and accompanying troops.

General Piasecki then gave the 3rd Regiment the order to attack the rear of the Germans in the city, hoping that this attack would stop their actions and cause confusion. The regiment would then move to Rokitno, where General Piasecki intended to assemble the bulk of his brigade. Performing this task, the 3rd Uhlans Regiment approached Szczekociny, attacked the German-built bridge covering force, dispersed it and destroyed several tanks and passenger cars, probably from the 2. Light Division Staff. Realizing that there were more forces in Szczekociny, the 3rd Regiment withdrew to Rokitno.

The 2. Light Division was ordered to advance towards Szczekociny. At Lelow the Aufkl.Rgt. 7 broke a light enemy resistance. On both sides of the route of advance elements of the retreating Polish 7th PD fled to hide in the woods. The division captured the Quartermaster with important documents from the Polish division. Elements of the division began to pursue and cut off the enemy forces. The Aufkl.Rgt.7 was fighting for Szczekociny while the Schtz.Rgt. 6 attacked Pradla. The vanguard group of the Schtz.Rgt. 6 encountered enemy resistance at Pradla and returned fire with two anti-tank guns and machine guns. A group of Polish cavalry was attacked and disrupted. After a brief firefight, the main force of the regiment arrives and begins attacking Pradla immediately. Supported by three anti-tank guns, the infantry advances. The enemy falls back. A vehicle of the Schützenregiment is destroyed by a mine at the entrance to the city. In the evening the division takes up positions around Lelow and Szczekociny for the night.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Drama in Szczekociny 1939.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more.............................

Drama in Szczekociny -September 1939.

Fight for Szczekociny.

The Germans had already overpowered the crossing and the brigade crossed the Pilica at night under dramatic circumstances. The retreating Polish troops managed to destroy the bridge over the Pilica River, but the Germans quickly erected a replacement bridge. When the Uhlans retreated for the night, they were surrounded by flames from the burning buildings. Today's Lelowska, Silesia, Rynek and almost all of Zarzecze were on fire. Cadet Leon Zając remembers that when they retreated east at night, they had flames, the heat of which burned their faces.

No one was chasing them. At night, the old-type tanks were "blind", so the Germans usually did not fight at night. The "Krakow" Cavalry Brigade had to withdraw behind the Pilica and undertake its original task of protecting the "Krakow" Army on the Jędrzejów - Chmielnik line. The Uhlans set off in the direction of the village of Goleniów and then along the road to Sędziszów. On the Szczekociny-Jędrzejów highway, there were a large number of enemy armored vehicles and tanks. The fights in defense of Szczekocin lasted all Sunday and the following night. The Germans were not stopped. The Commander of the 8th Regiment wanted to organize a new line of defense to the east of the current one. Unfortunately, after the failure of these plans, he arbitrarily withdrew all his forces towards the Świętokrzyskie mountains, losing contact with the rest of the BK "Kraków". As it turns out later, he did not get it back in this war.

The brigade lost about 30% of its fighting strength. With the 8th Regiment withdrew: 1st Battery, 5th DAC (Heavy Art. Group), the Anti-Aircraft Battery and the 51st Armored Squadron. The next day, Monday, September 4, the first inhabitants of Szczekociny began to return to the almost completely burned village. A ghetto was established for the Jews, who made up about half the population. Their fate was tragic because on September 20, 1942 they were driven to Sędziszów and then, by train, they made their last trip to the Treblinka camp.

Sources: https://historiaszczekocin.pl/dzieje-sz ... -1939-roku
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gl ... 3leD-R.htm
http://obronanarodowa1939.pl/bataliony- ... iniec.html
http://www.jura-pilica.com/?wrzesien-1939,379
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/photos/ ... /2lei1.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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