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The Battle of Wólka Węglowa ( pl, Bitwa pod Wólką Węglową) was a battle near
The battle of Wólka Węglowa was a
Wólka Węglowa Wólka is a diminutive of Wola and may refer to:
* Wólka, Aleksandrów County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (north-central Poland)
*Wólka, Rypin County in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (north-central Poland)
* Wólka, Lipno County in Kuy ...
(near Warsaw) on September 19, 1939, during the last stages of the Polish counteroffensive ( Battle of the Bzura) of the Invasion of Poland.
Outcome
The battle of Wólka Węglowa was a cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...
battle, as Polish Uhlan cavalry (14th Regiment of Jazlowiec Uhlans 14th Jazłowiec Uhlan Regiment (, 14 puł) was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the Second Polish Republic, also a unit of Polish Armed Forces in the West and the Home Army. During the interbellum, the regiment garrisoned Lwów. It was named aft ...
of Podolska Cavalry Brigade
Podolska Cavalry Brigade (Polish: ''Podolska Brygada Kawalerii'') was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the 6th Independent Cavalry Brigade. Its headquarters were stationed in Stani ...
and elements of the 9th Regiment of Lesser Poland Uhlans The 9th Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment (Polish language: 9 Pulk Ulanow Malopolskich) was a cavalry regiment of the Polish Army, formed on November 21, 1918. Its first commandant was Rittmeister (Rotmistrz) Józef Dunin-Borkowski. The regiment fought ...
) retreating towards Warsaw encountered German units. The commanding officer of the 14th Regiment, Col.
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
Edward Godlewski ordered a cavalry charge. German infantry was taken by surprise, but machine guns and tanks hidden nearby opened fire on the cavalry. Eventually Polish units broke through towards Warsaw, as intended, but at the cost of heavy losses (105 killed, 100 wounded - about 20% of their initial strength).
The battle was witnessed and described by the Italian war correspondent Mario Appelius
Mario Appelius (Arezzo, 29 July 1892 – Rome, 27 December 1946) was an Italian journalist and radio presenter, best known for being one of the most prominent Fascist propagandists during World War II. He was famous for his catchphrase, ''Di ...
.
See also
* List of World War II military equipment of Poland * List of German military equipment of World War IIReferences
Sources
* Krzysztof Komorowski, ''Boje Polski 1939'', Przewodnik encyklopedyczny. * * Wolka Weglowa Warsaw Voivodeship (1919–1939) Polish cavalry {{WWII-battle-stub