Battle of Cześniki

The Battle of Cześniki took place on 21 and 22 September 1939 during the German and Soviet invasion of Poland, around the village of Cześniki near Zamość.[1] It was an armed engagement between the Polish reserve 39th Infantry Division and a large German detachment of the 14th Army, comprising the 27th Infantry Division and 4th Light Division.

Battle of Cześniki
Part of the Invasion of Poland
DateSeptember 21–22, 1939
Location
Result Tactical Polish Victory
Belligerents
Nazi Germany Poland
Commanders and leaders
Wilhelm List
Friedrich Bergmann
Stefan Dąb-Biernacki
Bruno Olbrycht
Strength
27th Infantry Division
4th Light Division
39th Infantry Division
Casualties and losses
~200 killed
~600 wounded
100 captured
150 vehicles captured
~200 killed
600 wounded

Outcome

Cześniki monument to battle

The result of the battle was inconclusive, though the Polish units successfully forced the Germans to retreat and broke through on their way from Zamość towards the Hungarian border. However, instead of breaking through towards Hungary, the division was ordered to attack towards the besieged city of Lwów. The 39th Division reached Tomaszów Lubelski but was destroyed in the Second Battle of Tomaszów several days later.

Both sides suffered similar losses: approximately 200 killed and 600 wounded. The Poles took some 100 Germans prisoner and captured about 150 motor vehicles and motorcycles.

References

  1. Dr Jacek Feduszka, Muzeum Zamojskie w Zamościu (3 September 2008). "Bitwa pod Cześnikami i Barchaczowem, 20-21 & 22 September 1939". Zamojski wrzesień 1939. Zamość i Roztocze, ZamoscOnline.pl.


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