Battle of Bukowiec

On September 3 at At 5:00 the 16th Greater Poland Uhlans Regiment, despite significant shortages in manpower and armament, sets off towards Poledno - Gruczno. The commander of the regiment, Lt. Col. Arnoldt-Russocki, receives an order to "Insure the retreating brigade towards the town of Bukowiec. To break away from the enemy not earlier than at 12:00". On the way, about 2 km from Bukowiec, in the town of Bramka, he encounters the 2nd battery of the 11th horse artillery squadron under the command of Capt. Janusz Pasturczak. After a short conversation, the captain himself suggested joint actions so that, as he writes in his memoirs, "not to stand idle while others are fighting".

The 16th Regiment takes up positions along the railroad tracks, awaiting an enemy attack. Sends a reconnaissance that reports a large (about 100 vehicles) group of Wehrmacht tanks in Polskie Łąki (about 3 km from the battle site). The 2nd battery of the 11th DAC took its place at the rail-road crossing in front of the German troops. Immediately after receiving the report, the first vehicles appeared on the horizon. The first attack is repulsed and the 3rd DP loses 15 tanks. The 2nd battery of the 11th Dak, which destroyed almost half of the enemy units, is of great merit. The second attack is more massive; German air force is approaching bombing Poles. Losses are growing at an alarming rate. The Polish army is losing both radio stations. After 12 o'clock Lt. Arnoldt-Russocki orders his withdrawal from the battlefield.

In the area of the village of Bukowiec and in the vicinity on September 3, 1939, 131 soldiers from the 16th Regiment of Greater Poland Lancers died in the fight against the Nazi invaders. As of 2008 one Polish solider who fought in the battle was alive and may still be in 2021. This article was translated from Polish Wikipedia.

• Polish Wikipedia article that was translated to make this one