The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign.

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

Due to the increase of the German Army from 21 to 36 divisions, on October 1, 1936 was created in Braunschweig the 31.ID. Upon the mobilization the division, commanded by Genlt. Rudolf, Kaempfe (Ia Obstlt iG Pohlmann, Hartwig), was composed of the following units and formations: IR 12 under Oberst Hugo, Ribstein (Halberstadt), IR 17 under Oberst Friedrich-Wilhelm Neumann (Braunschweig); IR 82 under Oberst Gerhard, Berthold (Göttingen); AR 31 under Oberst Angelo, Müller (Halberstad); Pz. Abw. Abt 31 under Major Viktor, Ullrich; Pi Btl 31; AA 31 under Major Arndt v. Oertzen; Beb Abt 31; Nach. Abt 31 and columns of trains and sanitary elements.

On August 26, 1939 was the first day of mobilization and already during the night from 27 to 28 August 1939, the division was moved to Oppeln in Upper Silesia, where it arrived on the evening of August 28, 1939 under a heavy rain. In the case of IR 12, it detrained in Oppeln at 21:30 hours and then proceeded on a night march of about 40 km towards the eastern border of the Reich. While the IR 82 reached Oppeln on the night of August 29, 1939 and then marched through Malapane [Ozimek] - Guttentag [Dobrodzień] to Friedrichsgrätz [Grodziec?], where it arrived on the morning of August 30, 1939; after lunch the regiment resumed the march towards Rosenberg and on the morning of August 31, 1939 reached a wooded area nearby Grunsruh [Bodzanowice]. The 31. ID was subordinated to the XVI AK (Mot) within the 10. AOK in Army Group South.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

War - September 1, 1939.

A member of IR 82 recalled: It dawned on September 1, 1939, as we were in a grove about 200 meters from the border, Poland stretched before us. What will bring us the new day? 04:45 hours, motorized units and tanks crossed the border. At 10:00 hours, we also step on Polish soil. The first Polish town which we passed through was Panki. Most of its inhabitants were standing or sitting in front of their houses and watched with mixed feelings the gray columns that marched incessantly. In another village, a little further inland, we saw the first signs of the struggle. The Poles had defended at a roadblock in the village and several houses were partially destroyed. During the march we had to stop a couple of times because the road had been demolished and we had to overcome these obstacles, which did not constitute a difficulty for our sappers. In the next village, the Poles had blown up the bridge over the creek. But that did not stop our progress. The sappers had built a walkway for the infantry and vehicles could wade without difficulty through the shallows. We also note signs of the fight.

We continued our march; about one kilometer beyond the village before mentioned, we reached a railway embankment. The Poles had blown up the bridge and then blocked the road. Fortunately, about 300 meters to the right there was another bridge over a small creek, leading to a dirt road. But the Poles had mined it also. Again, our sappers cleared the way and we could pass this dangerous place (Note: constant mobility support). As soon as we were on the road we heard a plane, but nobody did anything. Suddenly, it appeared on our left at low altitude and in rapid succession three violent explosions took place. 100 m to our left rose three columns of land (Note: null aerial observation). Quickly we continue the march, and soon reached a small hill, the road had a gentle slope. Recognizing the importance of this point, the Poles had dug trenches on the ridge, but hastily evacuated the place before the German attack, leaving behind all kinds of weapons, equipment and clothing. We continued walking cross country and approached a village when we received fire from a house. Someone who spoke Polish required ceasefire and leave the building, the shots were repeated and we lost patience (Note: Freischärler - guerrillas). We set fire the thatched roof and the same to other nearby houses. Later on near the burned village we spent our first night in Poland.

For the IR 12: On September 1, at 4:45 hours the attack began, first target of attack Kuków. The attacking units arrived on the evening of the first day of attack, despite the difficult terrain and enemy resistance, u to a line about three kilometers east of the road Zlochowice - Opatow. The roads and trails were very poor, partly of sand and overloaded with traffic.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 2, 1939.

September 2, 1939.

On the morning of September 2 attacked the I. / IR 12 (left) and the II. / IR 12 (right), slightly apart with the SR 12 and the 1./ PR 35 in the sector of Kocina, and rejected the Poles, deployed in small groups, suffering some own losses. The road Miedzno-Łobodno was overcome, reaching an area south of Mokra III. The supply of food was still not efficient on the second day of the war. Parties of infantry moved through Łobodno and Kacynka creek towards Cykarzew and then continued to the northeast and together with the IR 17 won the crossing over the Warta.

At night the Divisional CP and the Chief of Supply trains at Mokra; San.Kp.1. / 84 and the field hospital in Wilkowiecko; San.Kp.2. / 84 still west of the border; ammunition and fuel trains west of Opatow; Werkstatt-Kp.1. / 84 and Werkstatt-Kp.2 Krzepice. / 84 in Starokrzepice.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): On the morning of September 2, 1939, we left early in the morning and by midday we took a rest in a forest, we continue there until late afternoon. At this time we saw as a Polish plane was shot down shortly after by our flak. In the afternoon moved again. We past through large and small towns during the advance. Along the way we met the first refugees. We were impressed with the energy of the small local hybrid horses that were pulling the heavily laden peasants carts. Towards evening we reached a partially burned village that had been abandoned by its inhabitants. Outside town we joined the command of the regiment and spent the night there. The flow of refugees had no end.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 3, 1939.

Elements of the division (IR 12) marched through Lobodno, crossed the Kacynka-creek, reached Cykarzew and continue its advance due northeast in order to force the crossing of the Wartha together with IR 17. In the evening the II./IR 12 and the III./IR 17 got across the Wartha, establishing a bridgehead at Brzeznica. The bridge was destroyed by the poles.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): Then dawned a beautiful Sunday, September 3, our first Sunday in Poland. The path led us through forests. Finally, we came out of the woods. Before us lay a plain, a village in the middle, but on all sides were high spruce forests. The village was burning but abandoned by the enemy, who had established himself in a position in the woods to the right. On this forest now drummed our artillery. We rested on the outskirts of the village in a small cornfield. Our tanks rattled towards the enemy, and soon came back a whole column of Polish prisoners. We drove through the burning village, crossed the river and came to a road that led into the forest, now cleaned. For the first time we saw now in a terrible way the traces of the struggle and the hasty flight of the Polish. At the roadside were dead horses, destroyed ammunition wagons and other military vehicles. Weapons and guns, with their ammunition, were standing around, some still brand new and greased. During the afternoon we arrived after a forester, where we stayed the rest of the day and the night It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The well-maintained forest recalled the Brandenburg forest.

September 4, 1939.

During the day the division arrived at the Wartha and crossed the river (IR 17, IR 82, IR 12) with elements of the 4. Pz. The bridge was constructed by the Pi.Btl. 31 and elements of the I./IR 12. The crossing took the entire day and night.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): In the early hours of September 4, the advance continued. Again we passed through large forests, crossed a railway line and then came the wait. The Poles had destroyed the road bridge, our pioneers were on the ground. Over the impeccable pontoon bridge everything arrived safely across the river, which was here already quite wide and very deep. Now the landscape changed. While it had previously been remarkably flat, now there was a hilly country before us. In the evening we reached a village where we stayed during the night.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 5, 1939.

In the night and early morning the division lies in the area between Kalisko and Brzeznica after crossing the Wartha. After the initial skirmishes, the troops experienced its baptism of fire on 5 September 1939 in the battle at Borowa-hill, 20 km southwest of Petrikau. This far superior mountain massif formed the southern flank of the heavily fortified by the Poles Widawka position. At noon the Borowa-hill, after hours of grueling artillery fire, was assailed and taken despite the hefty Polish defense. Due to this success, the Poles were forced northwards and from the south was forged an important link of the chain, that later squeezed the main part of the Polish Army along the Bzura.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): Early the next morning [ 5 September] we broke up again. In the afternoon we arrived near the Barowa-berg, a hill which had already played a role in World War I. The Poles had mounted a fortified artillery position and thus dominated the whole advance. The Polish artillery was shown especially on our road of advance. In a forest we stood ready, in order to take part in the fight if necessary. However after several hours of hard struggle, our infantry already seized the height and chased the Poles like the devil. Near a burning village we stayed during the night. We expected attacks from the Polish side and therefore set double vigilant. But nothing happened. Nearby was a marshy meadow. Two trucks were held firmly there and did not come out again alone with its engines. We tried to help, but we did not succeed in spite of the utmost effort to make them free again. Somehow they will probably come out of the mud next morning.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 6, 1939.

The division passes Petrikau towards Tomaszow. In Bialkowica the division finds food, supply, horses and cigarettes. The division continues by Rawa-Mazowiecka – Zabia-Wola to Gloskow. The IR 12 and IR 82 had to secure the western flank of the armored divisions.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): next morning we marched again slightly to the rear and then avoiding the Barowa height. In the afternoon we passed close the burned Petrikau. Unfortunately we did not go through, because we would have liked to look at it closely. In a village, where we saw traces of the German offensive, we stayed for the night.

September 7, 1939.

The division marches 40 km in extremely hot weather through heavy terrain. The daily objectve is reached at 03:00 hours of the next day. Several engagements with enemy forces. The AR 31 inflicts heavy losses and also suffers losses today.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): On September 7 we marched due north toward Lodz. On the way I saw twice Bodo Kreidt [classmate], which was with the artillery. On both occasions we greet each other warmly.

In the afternoon we met our I. Battalion. So I met Hauptmann Kranz, who then chatted for a while. Later we arrived at our accommodation.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 8, 1939.

The division tries to come up with the 4. Pz.Div. to give infantry support. Division is transferred from XVI. AK (mot.) to XI. AK. The division pursues enemy forces in the area Tomaczew via Wola-Moszczenica to Chorzekin. The objective of the division is the bridge at Gora Kalwarja across the Weichsel south of Warschau.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): The next day [8 September] we marched on, but now in a northeasterly direction to Warsaw. In the afternoon we came up with a wonderful asphalt road. That was such a thing in Poland, we had not dared to hope according to past experience. It was the main road from Warsaw to Lodz on Rawa. We passed through villages, that you noted from a greater distance, that they were German. The whole area gave a clean, friendly impression.

In the evening we arrived at Rawa Mazowiecka. A disgusting smell of putrefaction lay over this city. For the first time we saw here, what a great job had done our artillery and particularly our Luftwaffe. From some houses stand only the battered facade, and many huge, filled with debris, gaps that indicated where a heavy bomb had hit the house. Out in the suburbs, we quartered ourselves in a German farm.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 9, 1939.

The division defends southwest of Pruszkow to the northwest. The IR 12 advances from Rawa via Babsk – Kowiesy – Zawady – Huta and reaches Mszczonow. In the evening IR 12 secures against enemy forces around Zyrardow and the woods south of it. The III./IR 12 defends to the north against Grodzisk. The II./IR 12 defends the outer line to the northwest and I./IR 12 in and around Mszczonow. Civilians fire on german soldiers from houses and cellars.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): On the nine we continue on the good road. Around noon, we were told that part of our fast troops managed to advance to Warsaw and to penetrate into the city itself. There was some talks that we should be loaded on trucks and brought to Warsaw, but this plan did not carry out in the end. Next we had to rely on our own feet and vehicles. The march went through Mszczonów. This town had at least 80-90% Jewish population. In the evening we arrived at a large village and stayed there at the vicarage. According to orders we took a dozen of military capable men as hostages and by the Mayor we let the villagers know about the consequences that would have any hostile action against the German soldiers. For every German soldier wounded or killed, would be three hostages killed. The night went very quiet. We were now only 44 kilometers from Warsaw. Now it was clear to all of us that we would have the Polish Capital in sight in a short time.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 10, 1939.

The IR 12 marches off towards Warschau in the morning to reach the town of Siestrzen. The division should assist the attack of the 1. Pz across the Weichsel at Gora Kalwarja tomorrow. Until tomorrow the division should reach Zalesie Ziesto Ogrod south of Warschau and attack towards the Weichsel-crossing at Otwock.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): The second Sunday in Poland [10th September] was a beautiful day. In the evening we came to a German village clean and remained on a friendly farm. The farmer and his family attended us very nice.

September 11, 1939.

After the division left Mszczonow yesterday enemy forces occupied the town and cut off the divisions supply line. Elements of the 4. Pz area attacked and lost some tanks. The II./IR 12 is ordered to establish a defense line to secure the back of the division and the flank of the 4. Pz. Around noon the division receives order to move to the area Grodzisk and defend to the northwest. The elements of the division already south of Warschau (IR 82, III./AR 31) are attached to 4. Pz. They replace IR 33 which gets Corps reserve.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): Also Monday morning we were on the farm. We had time to clean our weapons and equipment pieces, the guns and vehicles. Of course, the horses were properly supplied, and we even took the opportunity to wash us once again properly and brush our teeth. We were now only 15 kilometers from Warsaw. In the afternoon we moved in the direction of Warsaw. In the evening we came to Immelin, 9 km away from Warsaw. There we spent the night on an abandoned farm.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 12, 1939.

At 06:15 hours the 4.Pz sends a radio message to the Korps: “Attack of 31. ID towards the area Blonie urgently needed” (The division starts to attack towards Blonie at 07:00). The III./IR 12 attacks towards Grodzisk, the I./IR 12 attacks Milanowek where the 14.Kp./IR 12 destroys six enemy armoured cars. In the meantime the II./IR 12 cleans Grodzisk. The further attack of the I. and the III./IR 12 makes good progress towards Blonie. The I./IR 12 captures 80 enemy soldiers in Kotowice and captures several vehicles. The 4.(M.G.)Kp./IR 12 with Pak-platoon of the 14./IR 12 takes 60 prisoners and captures weapons and supply vehicles. The I./AR 31 supports the attack and disrupts three enemy battalions. Other elements of the AR 31 march to Pruszkow and go into position with firing direction north, west and east. They proceed to the north along the road Blonie – Warsaw to Fw. Pilaszkow.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): In the morning of the 12th, a Polish armored car came very close to us and it was forced to surrender while the crew was taken captive. The tank was completely intact; the Polish crew had done nothing to destroy it. The tank was marked with German insignia and later furnish us yet good services. In the afternoon we went ahead and arrived at a crossroad 5 km from Warsaw. Now we saw the Polish capital ahead of us: to our right Mokotów and the Fort, to the left the three radio towers of the station Warsaw II and in the background the old town with the Citadel. The forward units of our regiment had already occupied the first houses of Mokotów.

We lay at the asigned position and watched the foreland. Our guns fired with success into Mokotów. We spent the night in Sluzewiec. In the ditch we lay down on the straw and covered with our coats. That day took place a combat of our Regimental HQ with the Poles at another location. There fell the Regimentsatjutand, Freiherr von Freyberg, and our comrade Fritz Pfau, who had seen the Poles first and, already wounded, made his Platoon and the regimental staff aware of the danger.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 13, 1939.

The rest of the 4. Pz has to be assembled in the area Paprotnia – Kampinos to be ready to clean the forest area north of it with the 31.ID. The 31.ID takes command of the defense lines against Warsaw. In the previous night the division advances slowly towards Blonie but can take the city around 09:20 hours. The IR 82, Art.Rgt.Stab 627, II./AR 60, III./AR 31 were reattached or attached to the 31.ID.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): On the 13 we had to go back to Immelin "for security reasons", because the Luftwaffe would launch a big air raid on Warsaw. It took place and we only regretted not being able to look close at the effect. In the evening we drove back to Sluzewiec. On the night we went even further than before with the guns and stayed in a cabbage field.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 14, 1939.

The Aufkl. Abt. (Recce Detachment) reached Leszno in the late evening. To the left the division got in contact with the 19. ID.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): On the morning of the 14th we dug ourselves a little and we were ready, also the Poles shot already from an orchard three or four hundred yards ahead of us. The bullets whistled in ours ears, but could not touch us in our covers. A few well-fitting shots from our LI-Gs. [shells] soon got peace for us. Around noon we laid in our B site (OP) in a former Polish ammunition bunker, close to the already mentioned Warsaw II radio towers. In this shelter we lived until the 22nd. Our position was in a farm in Sluzewiec. We have to pick up from there our provisions, meals, and mail. Daily, at certain times, the poles sent their greetings to us, consisting of 15 cm grenades that smashed more or less close by.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 15, 1939.

The division received the order to clean the area of the Puszcza Kampinosca. In the afternoon of September 15, 1939, the first Group of the artillery regiment (I./ AR 31) under its commander Major von Stamford received a special task, along with an infantry regiment (IR 12). It was to move due north, to the Vistula in order to block the path east of the enemy advancing to the Bzura mouth.

Looking from the south, there were two wide forest belt, Kampinoswald and Buszczawald, between both a marshy plain was to be overcome; only then was the open Vistula lowland. That same night, the batteries went on the move. The infantry-regiment marched in two columns, with the right main column was the 1. Battery under Hauptmann Bartels, as the Group's HQ, in the left column was the 3. Battery under Hauptmann Machemehl. The 2. Battery under Oberleutnant Gröpler should support the advance through the Kampinoswald.

The howitzers had to fight through the deep, sandy forest paths. Although slowly the columns moved forward.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): One of these shells fell in the afternoon of the 15th, and killed our comrade Reicht along with a comrade from the 14th (antitank company). A dear comrade had been taken away from us. Through his experience from the World War I he had gave some good advice to the younger men and helped us through his always helpful and comradely nature and his unfailing humor over many difficult hours. We buried him in the garden at the White House, close to the spot where he had fallen, together with the comrades of the 14. Coy. Now we did our duty more eager than before and we were more seriously since then.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 16, 1939.

The reinforced (by the I./ AR 31) IR 12 was ordered to build up a defense line 4km south of the Weichsel river at Polesie in order to cut off enemy troops. In heavy rain the regiment marched west. At first the III./IR 12 was encircled by enemy forces at Zamosc. The II./IR 12 attacked to reinforce the III. Btl. The III./ IR 12 could escape but leaving all its vehicles behind. Other elements of the IR 12 rejected enemy forces attacking from the west at Polesie in the afternoon.

History of the AR 31: in spite of heavy rain the resistance in Gorski was quickly broken and by the afternoon on Sep 16, the 1. Battery reached the town of Polesie on the northern edge of the Buszcza forest. The 2. Battery was emplaced on the southern edge of the Buscza forest, while trying to set up an OP at Polesie in order to secure the progress forward. While Hauptmann Bartels was looking for a new position towards the Vistula, received a radio-message from the Infantry Regiment Commander stating that around 11:00 hours the III./ IR 12 was attacked by enemy troops at Cisowe.

The III./ IR 12 with the 3./ AR 31 organized an all around position at the forestry-house in Zamosc and were attacked by the poles from north, west and even south. Without orders from the regiment, the II./ IR 12 launched one diversionary attack and with trumpet signals and shouts of hurra by 19:00 hours relieved the encircled III. Battalion.

By Zamosc and Gorski were deployed the II. and III./ IR 12 with the 2. and 3./ AR 31 which fought with the Poles attacking from the west. At Polesie were the HQ of IR 12, the I./ IR 12, parts of the 13. and 14./ IR 12, the HQ of I./ AR 31 and its 1. Battery.

Story of the IR 82 (I think 13. / IR 82): The days up to the 22nd proceeded otherwise without significant events. The Poles tried in this time several times, so in Wilanow, a breakthrough, but they were always repulsed with heavy losses to themselves.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The 31. ID in the Polish Campaign - Fall 1939!

September 17, 1939.

In the early morning elements of the IR 12 reject enemy attacks at Polesie. The II./ IR 12 held Zamosc and the III./ IR 12 was attacked out of the woods from the east. The division detached the A.A. 31 in order to reinforce the IR 12 which met enemy resistance at Lubiec. Before midday Polesie was attacked from west and south and was cut off until September 20. The IR 12 attacked enemy columns marching along the banks of the Weichsel towards Modlin with heavy weapons, avoiding the use of the river-road. Air attacks at 10:00 hours and 16:00 hours on the enemy columns on the other side of the river.

History of the AR 31: On Sep 17, Sunday morning, while the Poles proceeded with the attacks from west, north and south in the Buszcza forest, the Abteilung Commander Maj. von Stamford rode back to Gorki. Another movement of the B-trupp (FO) of the 2./ AR 31 from Polesie has not been possible. The Abt. Adjutant, Lt. Sprotte and the Abt. HQ with Oblt. Schulz-Fademrecht stayed in Polesie. During the morning Polish troops carried out an attack against the group at Polesie not only from the west but from the south also.

South of the woods at Gorki the 2./AR 31 took heavy fights, even the battery got artillery fire. Maj. von Stamford detached the battery Officer, Lt. Ramdohr as FO to Zamosc. After suffering heavy casualties the position was overrun in the end, nevertheless the battery gathered under cover of the night at Gorki; during the night two guns could be recovered and the 2. Battery took a new position some 300 meters eastward of Gorki.

Sources: https://www.dhm.de/lemo/zeitzeugen
Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und ihrer truppenteile 1623-1994. 4. Band.
http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/1939/se ... r_1939.htm (closed)

Cheers. Raúl M .