The Polish defense at Borkowo halted a Soviet river crossing during the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, securing a strategic position for subsequent Polish offensives.
Key Facts
- Dates
- 14–15 August 1920
- Polish casualties
- approximately 500 men
- Polish commander
- Colonel Kazimierz Rumsza
- River contested
- Wkra river
- Soviet units engaged
- 11th and 16th Rifle Divisions, 5th Army
- Commemoration
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Warsaw
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Polish–Soviet War, Soviet forces advanced along the Wkra river, threatening Polish defensive lines. General Józef Haller ordered the Polish 5th Army under General Władysław Sikorski to launch an attack on the Soviet 15th Army on 14 August 1920, requiring the Siberian Brigade to defend the Wkra river crossings near Borkowo against superior Soviet forces, including the 11th and 16th Rifle Divisions.
The Polish Siberian Brigade, supported by subunits of the 9th and 18th Infantry Divisions, fought a two-day engagement at Borkowo on 14–15 August 1920. After initial setbacks, including the loss of Cieksyn and heavy officer casualties, Polish forces were reinforced and ordered to continue attacking regardless of losses. On 15 August, Polish regiments stormed Nowe Miasto in close combat, suffering up to 50% casualties in some companies before driving Soviet forces back across the Wkra.
The Poles halted the Soviet advance and secured positions on the eastern bank of the Wkra river, losing approximately 500 men in the process. This outcome provided the Polish Army with a strategic advantage for subsequent offensive operations toward Nasielsk and Pułtusk. The battle is commemorated on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw with the inscription 'BORKOWO pod NASIELSKIEM 14 – 15 VIII 1920'.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Colonel Kazimierz Rumsza, General Władysław Sikorski, General Józef Haller.
Side B
1 belligerent
General August Kork.