One of the last engagements of the Soviet invasion of Poland, fought by a numerically depleted Border Defence Corps unit against the Red Army's 45th Rifle Division.
Key Facts
- Date
- October 1, 1939
- Polish force strength
- Approximately 3,000 men
- Soviet unit engaged
- 45th Rifle Division
- Soviet tanks destroyed
- 4 T-26 tanks
- Distance marched by Polish units
- ~500 km in two weeks
- Artillery shells remaining at 9 AM
- 60 shells (75 mm); ≤10 per howitzer barrel
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following their victory at the battle of Szack on September 28, 1939, General Orlik-Rückemann's Border Defence Corps crossed the Bug River to continue resistance against Soviet forces. By October 1 the unit was exhausted, reduced to about 3,000 men, low on ammunition, and lacking heavy equipment after covering nearly 500 kilometres in two weeks.
In the early hours of October 1, Soviet tank units of the 45th Rifle Division attacked the Polish column near Wytyczno. Polish Bofors 37 mm guns repelled the first assault, destroying four T-26 tanks. A larger Soviet attack at dawn was held off with artillery, but by mid-morning Polish ammunition was nearly exhausted. A war council at 10:30 AM ordered withdrawal into the forest.
Polish forces successfully withdrew to nearby forests by noon and most joined Independent Operational Group Polesie. Commander Orlik-Rückemann eventually escaped through Lithuania and Sweden to Great Britain. The battle marked the effective end of organized Border Defence Corps resistance during the Soviet invasion of Poland.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
General Wilhelm Orlik-Rückemann, Col. Nikodem Sulik.
Side B
1 belligerent