The Battle of Tarczek marked a Mongol defeat of Polish forces during the first Mongol invasion, opening central Poland to further devastation.
Key Facts
- Date
- 19 March 1241
- Mongol force under Kadan
- 10,000 warriors
- Outcome
- Polish forces defeated; Tarczek burned
- Kraków reached by Mongols
- 1 April 1241
- Wrocław reached by Mongols
- 8 April 1241
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following a successful winter campaign in which Mongol forces captured and ransacked Sandomierz, the Mongol army split into two groups near Sandomierz. A force of approximately 10,000 warriors under Kadan moved northward toward the Land of Łęczyca and Kujawy, while the larger group under Baidar and Orda Khan drove westward, defeating Polish forces at the Battle of Chmielnik on 18 March 1241.
On 19 March 1241, Kadan's Mongol army clashed with Polish knights near Tarczek. The Polish forces present were most likely survivors of the Battle of Chmielnik, drawn from the knights of Lesser Poland. The Mongols defeated them and burned Tarczek to the ground.
After the battle, Mongol forces ransacked central Poland for several more days. They appeared before Kraków on 1 April 1241 and reached Wrocław on 8 April, where Kadan's army reunited with Baidar's force, consolidating the Mongol advance deep into Poland.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Kadan.
Side B
1 belligerent