Podlaska Cavalry Brigade

The Podlaska Cavalry Brigade (Polish: Podlaska Brygada Kawalerii) was a military unit of the Polish Army, created on April 1, 1937. Its headquarters were located in Białystok, it was based on the Cavalry Brigade "Białystok", existing between February 1929, and March 30, 1937.

History

In February 1929, the Polish Army created the "Białystok" Cavalry Brigade; which gathered such units as the 10th Regiment of Lithuanian Uhlans from Białystok, the 1st Regiment of Krechowce Uhlans from Augustów, the 9th Regiment of Mounted Rifles from Grajewo, the 14th Brigade of Mounted Artillery from Białystok and a Squadron of Pioneers of the 1st Cavalry Division, also from Białystok.

On April 1, 1937, the Białystok Cavalry Brigade was renamed the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade, which resulted in some changes. A neighboring unit, the Suwalska Cavalry Brigade, absorbed the 1st Regiment of Krechowce Uhlans, while the 5th Regiment of Zaslaw Uhlans was transferred to the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade. In the same year, the 10th Squadron of Communication was created.

Structure (1937 - 1939)

Headquarters in Białystok,
5th Regiment of Zaslaw Uhlans from Ostrołęka,
10th Regiment of Lithuanian Uhlans from Białystok,
9th Regiment of Mounted Rifles of Kazimierz Pulaski from Grajewo,
14th Brigade of Mounted Artillery from Białystok,
1st Squadron of Pioneers from Białystok,
10th Squadron of Communication from Białystok.

Armored Component

32nd Armored Dyon 13 TKS tankettes and 8 armored cars

Polish September Campaign 1939

The Podlaska Cavalry Brigade, under General Ludwik Kmicic-Skrzynski, was part of the Narew Independent Operational Group of General Czesław Młot-Fijałkowski. It did not engage in combat until September 3, covering the area of Łomża, and sporadically attacking Wehrmacht units advancing from East Prussia. In the night of September 3/4, the Brigade withdrew towards lower Narew, it was located near Ostrów Mazowiecka on September 8, where it attacked Panzer Division Kempf, under General Werner Kempf. In the evening of September 9, the Brigade engaged in heavy fighting, trying to recapture the town of Brok, with its bridge over the Bug River. The Poles managed to capture the eastern part of the town, but then their advance was stopped.

On September 11, the Brigade withdrew towards Zambrów, next day it joined forces with the Suwalska Cavalry Brigade, creating the so-called 'Group' of General Zygmunt Podhorski: "Zaza Cavalry 'Division'" ("Zaza" after "Zygmunt"). Depleted in continuous fighting, it headed eastwards to Białowieża, reaching the Białowieża Forest on September 16. After the Soviet invasion of Poland, remnants of the Brigade fought both Wehrmacht and Red Army troops, capitulating on October 6.

References