Samodzielna Grupa Operacyjna - SGO Narew 1939.

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Resistance.

On the night of September 6-7, the Podlaska BK, previously located in the foreground of the 33rd Infantry Regiment, crossed the Narew River through Łomża and Nowogród, marching from the area of Mały Płock, Cwalina, Popka through the bridges on the Narew River in Łomża and Nowogród to the area of Nadbora, Gniazdowe, Lubotyń. During the day, the Brigade conducted reconnaissance in the direction of Goworowo and Chełst.

The Goworów area was free from the enemy, and in the Chełst area the Germans did not show much activity. The brigade remained in the Nadbory area overnight from September 7 to 8. Suwalska BK, after the third stage of the night march, stopped in the area of the Knyszyńskie and Tykocin forests. In the evening of September 7, it passed into the area of Jabłonka Kościelna (east of Zambrów).

On September 7, the Commander of the 35th Infantry Division, Col. J. Szafran, reported to the SGO headquarters in Zambrów and informed that his Division was almost entirely concentrated in the area south of Białystok (Tołcze, Turośl, Dojlidy) ready to be loaded onto railway transports. The Commander of the SGO ordered the transfer of the 35th Infantry Division to the Bielsk Podlaski area, as first destination. This order was not implemented, because the very next day the 35th Infantry Division ceased to be subordinated to General Młot-Fijałkowski and, by order of the Supreme Command, was placed at his disposal in the area of Kleszczcie and Czeremcha.

On the seventh day of the war, the commander of the 18th Infantry Division issued a directive and orders specifying the tasks of the 42nd and 71st Infantry Regiments, 18th Light Artillery Regiment (pal), 3rd Mounted Rifle Regiment (psk): the 3rd psk was to hold positions on the Orz River and cover the flank of the 18th Infantry Division until the morning of September 8; The 42nd Infantry Regiment will continue to man the Ostrołęka section; The 33rd Infantry Regiment remains under direct orders of the SGO command and mans the Narew lines; The 71st Infantry Regiment maintains its positions and reconnoites towards Żabin and Kruszewo.

On September 8, the commander of the 3rd psk reported around 09:00 a.m. that the enemy is attacking Grodzisk, an armored unit is attacking on both sides of the road from Suchcice. The attack was repelled. Around 1:00 p.m. the enemy again started to attack Grodzisk and Czerwin. The tanks appeared again and the situation was becoming very difficult, the 3rd PSK was already defending itself with the last of its strength. The enemy, who was already entering Grodzisk, was thrown back by a counterattack.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Resistance.

September 8 at around 10:00 hours the SGO command received an air report about the march of a German infantry column with artillery from the direction of Różan to Ostrów Mazowiecka, and at 15:30 about the approach of a motorized convoy approximately 15 km long. Podlaska BK came to help. A squadron of cyclists, advancing as advance guard, occupied the buildings at the railway station in Ostrów at dusk. However, soon, under the pressure of the Germans, it had to withdraw. The main forces of the Brigade were late, so the moment of surprise passed and the commander did not risk a night fight to capture Ostrów Mazowiecka.

Reports from the commander of the 18th Infantry Division, Col. Stefan Kossecki to the SGO staff about the threat to the rear of the 18th Infantry Division and SGO "Narew" from the direction of Ostrów Mazowiecka coincided with air reports. They were no surprise to the SGO commander, General Młot-Fijałkowski, and his staff: he was already preparing the order for the SGO to leave the Narew River. Moreover, on September 8, Major Jacyna arrived at the SGO headquarters from the Supreme Command with an order to march the SGO towards Brest.

As a result of this order, General Młot-Fijałkowski defined the following tasks for individual units:
1. Podlaska BK in the area of Ostrów Mazowiecka will cover the departure of the 18th Infantry Division and recognize the situation in the area of Różan and Wyszków. In the event of an attack by enemy forces in this direction, it is intended to delay his advance northwards.
2. The Suwalska BK, after reaching the Głębocz area, as a reserve of SGO "Narew", will secure the southern rear of the 18th Infantry Division, the 2nd Uhlan Regiment closes the gap between the Pniewo garrison and the "Wizna" sector.
3. The 18th Infantry Division is to remain in its current positions until dusk on September 8, then to retreat from the southern wing from the Borowo and Ostrołęka area to the Ruż River, where the division will resist until the next order to retreat. Until then, it is essential to maintain the line of the Ruż River and the Rybaki-Czartoria-Nowogród-Łomża-Pniewo section.
4. 3rd psk will maintain its current positions until 22:00 hours to cover the march of the main column of the 18th Infantry Division, then break away from the enemy and retreat to the area of Piska and Tyszka. From dawn on September 9, cover the flanks and rear of the 18th Infantry Division from this area.

As a result of General Młot-Fijałkowski's order, Colonel Kossecki, at a briefing of the commanders of the 42nd Infantry Regiment, 71st Infantry Regiment, 3rd psk, 18th light Artillery Regiment and 18th heavy Atillery Group, passed on the decision to bend the southern wing of the 18th Infantry Regiment and retreat to the line of the Ruż River. The order was:
"At dusk, around 8:30 p.m., the departure of the 18th Infantry Division units from the southern part of the Narew River will begin, in the following order."

The first headquarters of the 18th Infantry Division was moved from Borowe to Radgoszcz. The second division headquarters was also moved to Radgoszcz. The field hospital remained in Czaplice, quarterly staff and division services were moved overnight to the edge of Czerwony Bor, to the Jemielite area.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Battles for Łomża and Nowogród.

According to the order of the SGO commander, the 33rd Infantry Regiment was again subordinated to the command of the 18th Infantry Division. The task of the 33rd Infantry Regiment remained unchanged: the Nowogród and Łomża sections were to be absolutely maintained on September 8 and 9, as they ensured the possibility of fighting on the left wing of the SGO and then the SGO retreat to the east. The Division Commander saw the need to support the fight of the 3rd Battalion near Nowogród with one battalion of the 42nd Infantry Regiment and later the entire regiment.

In the afternoon of September 8, German units of the 21st Infantry Division, after strong artillery preparation and smoke-covered Polish positions near Nowogród, crossed the Narew River and a bloody, fierce fight began with the 3rd battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment. The fortified defensive position was maintained, but the Germans managed to establish themselves on the left bank of the river. The defenders had neither the strength nor the means to throw them out. In the attacks on September 8, the Germans suffered serious losses in men and equipment, although they were preceded by three wave raids by a larger group of attack aircraft.

The enemy also renewed the attack on Łomża, but without results. At dawn on September 8, a dug-in German infantry unit was noticed in the foreground of the forts in Piątnica, probably remaining there since the evening of September 7. After the unit was shelled by artillery and machine guns, the Germans surrendered. Around 6:00 a.m., German artillery launched a strong fire attack from the Buda Czarnockie area on Fort 3, covering the wooden bridge connecting Piątnica with Łomża.

After an hour of artillery preparation, the German attack began across the entire width of forts No. 2 and 3. Four subsequent assaults failed under the fire of the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment and the Battery of the 18 pal. Around noon there was a break in the fighting. Approximately At 2:00 p.m. the enemy introduced attack and bomber aircraft. Waves of air raids on Łomża, the bridge and the southern bank of the Narew River caused serious losses to the defense. German attacks, of lower intensity than before, repeated in the afternoon, were repelled.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Wizna - Polish Thermopylae.

The fortifications on the Wizna section were, according to SGO plans, to close the crossings through Narew and Biebrza. The width of the section was 9 km. The skeleton of the position consisted of 6 heavy gas-tight reinforced concrete shelters and 6 small combat shelters. Along the main position and deep in the defense (especially on the hill of Góra Strękowa), field fortifications for infantry and camouflaged positions for artillery were built.

The final crew of the Wizna section was as follows: approximately 20 officers, 700 non-commissioned officers and privates; 6 light guns, 28 heavy machine guns, 18 light machine guns, 2 anti-tank rifles. Neighbors on the right: approximately 30 km away, the crew of Osowiec defending the fortress, consisting of the 135th Infantry Regiment with the 2/32nd Pal Group and a fortress battalion.

Neighbors on the left: approximately 20 km away, the crew of the Łomża section, part of a battalion (I/33 Infantry Regiment). In the area of the Grąda Woniecko-Kalinówka Basie dike, there was a liaison post with the 33rd Infantry Regiment. On September 8, the 2nd Uhlan Regiment from the Suwałki BK was sent to the Pniewo-Wizna section.

The Wizna section was subordinated to the commander of the Osowieć section, Lt. Col. Tadeusz Tabaczyński (135 Infantry Regiment). Ultimately, Wizna was attacked by: the 10th Panzer Division and the "Lotzen" brigade in the first wave, the 3rd Panzer Division in the second wave, and the 20th Motorized Division directly south of Wizna. The tactical weakness of the position near Wizna was determined by: a small number of fortifications, very weak personnel in the section, lack of a second line of defense, heavy artillery to combat enemy artillery that was incapacitating shelters, and anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery.

The SGO headquarters was not aware of the size and threat of danger in the Wizna sector, as they had no information about the enemy forces at all; the report about armored units heading towards Wizna was received by the headquarters of SGO "Narew" only on September 7, and by the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief on the evening of September 8, i.e. when the battle for Wizna had been going on for several hours.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Wizna - Polish Thermopylae.

From the morning of September 8, throughout the day, the Germans reconnoitered the Polish position by fighting, simultaneously preparing artillery and raising new armored and motorized columns. In the evening, the German artillery concentrated particularly heavy fire on the advanced positions.

On September 9 around 10:00 hours the Germans started hurricane artillery attacks on the Polish position. This fire, with great intensity, lasted all day. At the same time, German sappers were building a bridge near Wizna for the 10th Panzer Division and 3rd Panzer Division. German aviation bombed positions and rear areas, destroying the road bridge under Strękowa Góra. This led to the interruption of the defense commander's communication with his northern sub-section. As a result of German fire preparation, the Polish artillery suffered heavy losses, and its commander, Lieutenant Brykalski, was killed by a shell fragment.

The German attack started after 10:00 hours and in the afternoon it reached its greatest intensity. After a heroic fight in the afternoon, the Gielczyn section was lost. The southern sector fell before the evening after a fierce battle with the German infantry, supported by numerous tanks of the 10th Panzer Division. In the evening, German tanks passed between the remaining single shelters, reaching Tykocin, and at night even Zambrów.

The Battle of Wizna ended on September 10. In the morning hours, in one of the two defending shelters, there was a explosion of a grenade. This was Capt. Władysław Raginis, the commander of the section, faithful to the oath he had previously taken, took his own life. Shortly afterwards, the last shots near Wizna ceased. General Heinz Guderian, appearing at the Nuremberg trials, characterized the Polish fight at Wizna as follows:

"The Polish non-commissioned officer school there defended bravely, but the superiority of our armored forces was so great and the air force so powerful that the Polish resistance was hopeless."

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

SGO's "offensive turn".

Approximately At 8:00 a.m. on September 9, the 18th Infantry Division completed the departure of the left wing from the southern (Ostrołęka) section of the Narew to the Ruż River and the organization of the command system at new positions. The reorganization of divisional services and their night march to new staging areas were also completed. Approximately at 1:00 p.m. the Chief of Staff of the 18th Infantry Division, Lt. Col. dipl. Pluta-Czachowski set out for the town of Jemielite Stare to check the organizational and moral condition of the division's rear grouping.

During the inspection of the second echelon of the rear group, security outposts were shot at on the routes of Czerwony Bor. Enemy planes flew over the area of Czerwony Bor from time to time and made airdrops without bombing the forests. An infantry platoon sent for reconnaissance eliminated a group of civilian saboteurs caught cutting the telephone line and spreading out identification signs for pilots, and fought a skirmish with a group of German paratroopers (??) who had retreated to the east. It should be emphasized that cutting telephone lines was a common occurrence. During the inspection, a unit of saboteurs attacked the security of the supply warehouses in Śniadów and blew up an artillery ammunition depot.

3rd psk (mounted rifle regiment), whose main forces were stationed in Nadbory near the road from Ostrów Mazowiecka, stayed at about 5:00 p.m. attacked by a motorized infantry regiment supported by tanks and artillery. The 3rd psk could not withstand the sudden and strong attack and after a short fight it retreated towards Śniadów, losing all its anti-tank guns, several dead and a dozen or so horses. Strong German armored patrols followed the 3rd psk, as well as towards Szably-Żyźniewo, occupying Szabły Stare. On the evening of September 8, General Młot-Fijałkowski and his staff moved to the Michałki farm (24 km west of Wysokie Mazowiecki).

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

SGO's "offensive turn".

At 07:00 on September 9 he received the order to withdraw towards the Białowieża Forest, Brześć via Siemiatycze. However, Osowieć's defensive grouping, the KOP Augustów grouping and the 35th Infantry Division belonged, as he ordered, to the SGO "Narew". These units were subordinate to the Commander of OK III (Okręg Korpusu Nr III - Military District) and were to be transported south with the Grodno defense units. The withdrawal was to begin immediately. Through the liaison officer, the SGO Commander obtained a one-day delay in the withdrawal, because he wanted to make an offensive turn against the German forces in the area between Ostrów Mazowiecka and Różan and the 42nd Infantry Regiment towards Ostrołęka before let it begin.

Both cavalry brigades were tasked with attacking the enemy in the area between Ostrów Mazowiecka and Różan, and the 18th Infantry Division was tasked with heavy raids on Ostrołęka. When the SGO "Narew" was preparing for an offensive turn, the Germans had the Armored Division "Kempf", the 1st and 12th Infantry Divisions and the 1st Cavalry Brigade in the area of Ostrów Mazowiecka and Brok, the 206th Infantry Division passed through Różan and the 21st Infantry Division attacked from the front. If we add to this the armored and motorized mass of the XIX. General Guderian's Corps in Wizna, we can observe an unprecedented disproportion of forces.

Near Novgorod, the Germans continued the attack they had begun the previous day. Despite the heroic defense, the infantry of the German 21st Infantry Division, supported by powerful artillery, captured part of the city. The Germans also broke through the defense at Szablak and established a bridgehead on the left bank of the Narew. Due to the overwhelming advantage of the enemy, the situation was becoming more and more serious.

The counterattack of the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment, carried out by Major Sikora with the support of the 9th Batteries of the 18 pal, with the forces of the 9th Company in the area of ​​the bridge and the town, and the remains of the 8th Company with the 2nd company of the 77th Infantry Regiment in the farm area and Szablak stopped the German attack. His own heavy losses that day (about 50 percent killed and wounded), on the one hand, and the reinforcement of German troops, on the other, forced Major Sikora to withdraw to the second line of defense outside the city, near the Catholic cemetery.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

SGO's "offensive turn".

It was this fight that the German war correspondent Hadamowsky wrote about in his book "Blitzmarsch nach Warschau", and a German General wrote about the soldiers of the 33rd Infantry Regiment: "Polen kampfen fanatisch und hartnacking" ("Poles fight fanatically and stubbornly"). The weakening of German operations on the Łomża - Piatnica section in the afternoon of September 8 was caused, as it later turned out, by the shift of the main effort towards Nowogród and Wizna.

The 10th Panzer Division and the "Lotzen" Brigade operating here were subordinated to General Guderian's XIX. Army Corps and directed to force the Polish defense near Wizna. The order to cross the Narew near Nowogród and Łomża was given to the 21st Infantry Division, with the main effort directed towards Nowogród. On September 9 around 06:00 hours the Germans began artillery preparation, reinforced by wave air attacks on Łomża.

After an hour of fire, an attack was launched against Fort No 2. Three attacks, undertaken with one-hour breaks, were each time repulsed. Approximately at 1:00 p.m. they attempted to attack Fort No 1 from Czarnocin. The attack was nipped in the bud by artillery and machine gun fire. On September 9, the Germans did not continue any further attacks and withdrew to the area of Budy Czarnockie, Elżbiecin, Jeziorko.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

The SGO "offensive turn" fiasco.

The consent of the Supreme Commander to carry out an offensive turn of the SGO "Narew" was in sharp contrast to the situation in other sections of the country's front, as well as with the situation of the SGO "Narew". The telegram from the Supreme Command indicated that offensive operations were to be carried out by the forces of the Suwałki Cavalry Brigade, the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade and the 18th Infantry Division. Notably, the Germans had a disproportionately larger number of forces in the SGO "Narew" section.

On the afternoon of September 9, the commander of the Polish 18th Infantry Division ordered Lieutenant Colonel Wacław Malinowski to send the 42nd Infantry Regiment and the 18th Light Artillery Regiment (pal) to the Nowogrod area with the task of relieving to the bleeding 3rd Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment. The command of the 18th Infantry Division was not aware of the situation in Wizna or the German divisions located in the vicinity of Ostrów Mazowiecka, Brok and Różan. The whereabouts of the cavalry brigade commanders and what was happening there were also unknown.

The rear of the 18th Infantry Division was covered by the 3rd Mounted Rifle Regiment (psk) in the area of the village of Truszki, security in the hills north of Jakaci. When part of the Panzer Division "Kempf" (a tank battalion, a motorized infantry battalion and an artillery group) attacked from the southwest, the regiment could not resist the attack and, finding itself surrounded by tanks on both sides, retreated towards the north, abandoning most of its heavy weapons. The enemy approached Radgoszcz, PC of the 18th Infantry Division, and attacked the artillery positions of the 18th Infantry Division in the Kamienowo Forest.

German troops posed a serious threat from the south to the left wing and rear of the 18th Infantry Division. To eliminate this threat, Colonel Stefan Kossecki ordered the infantry division commander, Colonel Hertl, to attack with two battalions of the 71st Infantry Regiment (1st and 2nd), supported by all artillery located in the Kamienowo and Żyźniewo forest area. It was not a large-scale offensive action. The main reason for this was the fact that only the Suwalski Cavalry Brigade (without the 2nd Infantry Regiment) and part of the 71st Infantry Regiment could participate in this action, that is, it could only be a "short attack with one limited objective".

On the night of September 8-9, the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade was in the forest east of Ostrów Mazowiecka, in the Kalinow area. There was no contact with the SGO, only occasionally through liaison officers. The Podlaska Cavalry Brigade Commander initially intended to attack Ostrów Mazowiecka with cavalry and an improvised infantry unit of Major Strubel on the morning of September 9. However, when he heard from the people that the Germans were crossing near Brok, he changed his mind and decided to attack this town and destroy the bridge there.

Around twelve o'clock he set out in two columns. The 9th psk secured the rear of the brigade in the Biel area in the direction of Ostrów Mazowiecka. At nightfall the fight for Brok began. The Germans defended themselves fiercely. After capturing the eastern part of the city, the Brigade's attack stalled. The commander learned from the people that the bridge had been destroyed and that the Germans were crossing on pontoons. In this situation, around 22:00 hours, General Ludwik Kmicic-Skrzyński decided to stop the fighting and withdraw to the east.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

The SGO "offensive turn" fiasco.

During the brigade's action, the Germans in the area of Ostrów Mazowiecka behaved passively, only near the town of Biel there was a mutual exchange of artillery fire. After the night march on September 10, in the morning, Podlaska BK stopped in the area of Złotoria, Zaręby Kościelne. At that time, the commander of the 18th Infantry Division ordered a night sortie against the enemy's armored group in the Jakaci area with the task of eliminating the armored and motorized threat on the southern wing of the Division. Col. Hertl, who directly commanded the attack, ordered a briefing in Szabla Stare of the commanders of the 71st Infantry Regiment, 18 pal (light artillery) and 18 dac (heavy artillery).

At 3:30, observers noticed the movement of Germans at the column along the road from Jakaci Stara towards Szabły Młode and in the villages of Stukać Stara and Stukać Dworna. In this situation, Col. Hertl ordered the commander of the 18th dac to open fire, which turned out to be a complete surprise for the enemy. After artillery preparation, the units of the 71st Infantry Regiment attacked from the area of Szabły Stare with bayonets, dispersed the fleeing enemy and captured Szabły Nowe.

Then, in pursuit of the Germans, Stukać Stara and Dworna and the forest south of these towns were captured, thus throwing the Germans beyond the Ruż River. German artillery fire was chaotic and ineffective. The fight lasted about 3 hours. Prisoners and a lot of war equipment were taken, several tanks, 12 cannons, many cars, etc. The raid was a complete success and influenced the morale of the army. The infantry showed the highest discipline and a determined willingness to fight.

At dusk on September 9, Suwalska BK began its march to the Koskowo and Rząśnik area, which it reached before dawn. Almost simultaneously with the action of the 71st Infantry Regiment. The Suwałki BK attacked towards Piski and Wiśniewo, reaching the rear and artillery positions of Panzer Division "Kempf". The fight lasted until noon. The attack was a complete success. The Germans were pushed south and forced to move southwest across the Orz River. The enemy left a lot of combat equipment on the battlefield. After destroying the gains, the Brigade withdrew to Glębocz Wielki.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

The SGO "offensive turn" fiasco.

The Commander of the 42nd Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Wacław Malinowski, gave the following order around 03:00: the 1st Battalion will occupy the initial base north of Grądy with the direction of attack towards the southern part of Nowogrod; The 2nd battalion will occupy the starting point near the town of Grzymaly Nowogrodzkie with attack direction towards the eastern part of Nowogrod; The 3rd Battalion will remain as the regiment's reserve.

Around 2:00 p.m., the battalions reported that they were ready for action. At around 16:00, Lieutenant Colonel Malinowski gave the order to fire artillery on the Szablak crossing, prepare the crossing in the bridge area near Nowogród and then attack. Unfortunately, the battalions were "covered" in the open field by massive German artillery fire (with aerial observation) and bomber fire. The troops entrenched themselves in their positions.

On 10 September, after an hour of artillery preparation, another German attack on forts Nos. 2 and 3 in Piątnica began at approximately 06:30. Seven batteries, the 18th dac and the machine guns of the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment were hit by fire. In the afternoon, the enemy heavily bombed the forts that had been burning for two days on the southern bank of the Narew river and Łomża with nine aircraft.

Once the raids were over, the Germans launched attacks on individual forts. At around 6:00 p.m. the German troops withdrew out of range of artillery fire. At dusk, the soldiers of the 1st Battalion gathered the wounded Germans on the front line and took them to the hospital in Łomża.

The offensive turn, expected at the operational level, was transformed into tactical actions by individual units before the withdrawal began. At that time, General Młot-Fijałkowski was unaware of the Supreme Command's intentions to continue the actions included in the operational order of September 10: retract the front from Osowiec, Grodno (Augustów) and withdraw troops south through Brest, preparing a barrier for troops to defend Polesie under the command of General Kleeberg.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Withdrawal of SGO "Narew".

On September 10, around 3:00 p.m., General Młot-Fijałkowski arrived in Radgoszcz, where the commander of the 18th Infantry Division was staying. He decided to withdraw with three large units and gave the following order: withdraw the defense on the line of the Narew and Ruż rivers at night; The 18th Infantry Division will move to the Czerwony Bór forests, the 71st Infantry Regiment will reconnoiter Zambrów as a reserve unit, and the Suwalski Cavalry Brigade will organize a group to attack Zamtrów from the south; the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade will cover the action in Zambrów from the south.

At 6:00 p.m. the last briefing with the SGO commander took place in the Radgoszcz mansion, in which the following commanders participated: 18th Infantry Division, Col. Dipl. Stefan Kossecki, Col. Kazimierz Plisowski of the Suwalski Brigade Cavalry and General Zygmunt Podhorski. Executive orders for the withdrawal of regiments and individual units were sent between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The withdrawal of the troops, exhausted by fighting and marches and deprived of normal supplies, began in critical, almost desperate conditions.

Units of the 33rd Infantry Regiment were to withdraw to Bacza Mokre; The 3rd company of the 33rd Infantry Regiment remained in the Piątnica forts until 12:00 on September 11, as cover for retreating units of the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment. The units of the 42nd Infantry Regiment retreated dismembered towards Czerwony Bor, in the Sierzputa-Marka area, reaching the assembly point on September 11 at around 12:00.

At dawn on September 11, the 71st Infantry Regiment was approaching Zambrów. At 3:00 p.m. on September 11, the Suwalski Cavalry Brigade arrived on the Zambrów - Ostrów Mazowiecka road, leading the march towards Długobórz. The task of the brigade was to seize the forests in the Długobórz area (south of Zambrów), close the German route towards Czyżewo and Wysokie Mazowieckie and be ready from the morning to support the attack of the 18th Infantry Division towards Zambrów.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Independent Operational Group "Narew".

Withdrawal of SGO "Narew".

On September 11 at dawn, the Podlaska Cavalry Brigade passed through Andrzejewo on its march towards the Oldaki Kolonia area (on the Zambrów-Czyżewo road), in accordance with the instructions received during the afternoon conversation between the commander of the brigade and General Zygmunt Podhorski. By order of General Wilczyński, Commander of the OK (Okręgów Korpusów - District) Grodno, the Osowieć fortress and the Goniądz area were finally abandoned on the afternoon of September 12, and the 135th Infantry Regiment with the 2/32 pal (light artillery) was loaded on the night of September 13-14 at Nowokamienna (near Grodno) and Czarna Wieś stations and moved in a southerly direction.

The 2nd Uhlan Regiment, supporting the 18th Infantry Division from Wizna, after fighting with units of the German 20th Infantry Division (mot) on the afternoon of September 10, withdrew in the afternoon to the city of Pruszki Wielkie. The following night it joined the Suwalski Cavalry Brigade at Dąbrowa Wielka.

The ON Kurpie battalion, greatly depleted in previous battles, was located on the Ruż River without contact with the enemy. It began to withdraw along the ordered route and on September 11, around 10 in the morning, it arrived at the disposal of the commander of the 18th Infantry Division in the town of Tabędz.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more.......................

Independent Operational Group "Narew".

The fighting of the Polish 18th Infantry Division near Zamtrów and Andrzejew.

In an attempt to prevent SGO troops from retreating eastwards, on September 11, the Germans massed the forces of the German 20th Infantry Division (Mot.) in the Zambrów area; part of the division was located in the Ciechanowiec area. However, General Młot-Fijałkowski decided to open a retreat route for the 18th Infantry Division through Zambrów. In this situation, the Commander of the Polish 18th Infantry Division with the forces of the 71st Infantry Regiment, which managed to approach Zambrów on the night of September 10-11, decided to personally lead the attack, which was to allow his soldiers to escape from the encirclement ring. At 6:00 a.m. the vanguard of the 71st Infantry Regiment (3rd Battalion) attacked Jabłoń Pruszki from the eastern edge of the forest near Zakrzew Stary.

At the same time, the 3/71st Infantry Regiment under the command of Major Fober launched an attack supported by fire from 6 batteries of the 18th pal (light artillery) and 1 battery of the 18th dac (heavy artillery). The Germans bombarded the attackers with massive heavy machine gun and artillery fire, stopping the attack. Around 7:00 a.m. the order was given to attack Zambrów with all forces. At noon, the 71st Infantry Regiment managed to capture Pruszki, Jabłoń and Sędziwuje. In this position, it went on defense, repelling repeated German counterattacks.

At around 2:00 p.m., General Młot-Fijałkowski, who was in command of the 18th Infantry Division, assessed that the 71st Infantry Regiment was at its limit. Realizing that he no longer had any reserves and considering that opening the road east through Zambrów to Wysokie Mazowieckie was impossible, he decided to stop the fighting and withdraw the troops through Czyżewo to the Bug River. After giving the orders, he abandoned the 18th Infantry Division and headed south to the Suwałki Cavalry Brigade.

However, the battalions of the 71st Infantry Regiment did not receive the order to disengage from the enemy in time. Thus, in a last charge, with great losses, they entered Zambrów and took over part of the city. They captured a lot of combat equipment and took many prisoners. During the 2/71st Infantry Regiment's attack on Zambrów, the battalion received small arms and machine gun fire from the western edge of the forest near Długobór. The battalion's fourth company advanced and also opened fire. This combat, before it was realized that it was fighting his own cavalry, lasted half an hour. This brief confrontation turned out to be tragic: it caused losses on both sides.

At nightfall, the regiment separated from the enemy and retreated to its initial position. Units of the 33rd Infantry Regiment also took part in the fight for Zambrów and reached the town of Bacza Mokre at night. By order of Colonel Hertl, Lieutenant Colonel Lucjan Stanek organized a unit that was to ensure the attack of the 3/71st Infantry Regiment from the north by occupying the town of Śląska and Hill 128.5 as quickly as possible. After eliminating enemy fire sources, units of the 33rd Infantry Regiment occupied the hill around 11:00 a.m. and then advanced towards the towns of Nagórki and Pruszki with constantly increasing enemy resistance and the intensity of their artillery fire. Around 1:00 p.m. they arrived at the Jewish cemetery in Zambrów. The commander of the 42nd Infantry Regiment informed the commander of the 18th Division in his reports at 12:00 and 15:00 p.m. that he managed to withdraw to the Sierzputa Marki area. The regiment's strength was approximately 1,800 soldiers. By order of the division commander, the regiment was directed to the city of Srebrna by the shortest route.

Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more.......................

Independent Operational Group "Narew".

The fighting of the Polish 18th Infantry Division near Zamtrów and Andrzejew.

Because the Germans had been attacking Łomża since the morning of 11 September, the 1st Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment was unable to withdraw within the prescribed time. Only in the afternoon did it join the regiment in Bacze Mokruch, with its strength reduced to 50 percent. In the afternoon, the 2nd battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment arrived at the village of Bacze Suche and then at the assembly point in Bacze Mokre. The 3rd Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Regiment had about 400 soldiers. He was complemented by about 300 people, who arrived freely and gathered in the city of Tabedz.

Around 12:00 contact was established with Major Strubel's infantry unit, belonging to the Suwalski Cavalry Brigade. The Ostrożne section closed the Ostrów Mazowiecka - Zamtrów road and controlled the directions to Ostrów, Szumowo and Głębocz. The Podlaska Cavalry Brigade, after clashes with the German 20th Infantry Division (Mot) on the Czyżewo - Zambrów road, took up defensive positions: the 9 psk (mounted riflemen) at the Dmochy position, Zaręby; Uhlan regiment in the Grzymka area, Łętownica, facing southwest; the 5th Regiment in the area of Przeździecko, Mroczki, facing north.

Before nightfall, General Czesław Młot-Fijałkowski arrived at the command of General Zygmunt Podhorski's Suwalski Cavalry Brigade, in the forest near Osowiec. After reconnoitring the place, the SGO commander, considering that there was a possibility of withdrawing troops between Osowiec and Ciemne, changed his previous decision: the SGO units were to move as soon as possible to the Dąbrowa Wielka area, instead of retreating further beyond the Bug River. The regiments of the 18th Infantry Division were ordered to withdraw towards the forests of Przeździecko, Drogoszewo, Łętownica and Srebrna.

The individual regiments were given the following directions of march and places of taking up positions: 33rd Infantry Regiment - direction of march and position: Srebrny Borek, Grzymały with the task of securing the division from the north on the general line Długobórz - Ostrożne - Żabikowo; 71st Infantry Regiment - direction of march: Łętownica, Krajewo Korytki, Krajewo, Łętowo with the task of ensuring the march of the division's units from Zambrów; the 42nd Infantry Regiment - direction of march: the shortest path to the Srebrno area, where security will be ensured with outposts (German villages) and a guard post in the direction of Żabikowo - Szumowo. The Polish troops, despite losses and exhaustion, managed to leave their positions and gather in orderly columns. In the morning, after an arduous night march, the overworked, extremely exhausted, mixed and hungry regiments arrived in the area of Krajewo, Borowe and Ostrożne.

The second line of the division, formed by the chief of the General Staff in a column of services and heavy carts (the carts transported about 1,500 sick and wounded in the previous and last battle fought) and the ad hoc survivors, set out and they attacked on the way, to Srebrny Borek. The reaction of the Germans to the attempt of the 18th Infantry Division to break through from Zambrów to the south was very quick: the 20th Infantry Division (Mot) with part of the 10th Panzer Division headed from Zambrów and Czyżewo towards Andrzejewo ; The 21st Infantry Division sent a strong detachment from the Śniadów area towards Srebrna; The 206th Infantry Division was grouped in the area of Małkinia, Nura, with the task of closing the circle from the southwest. As a result, by early afternoon the 18th Infantry Division was completely surrounded.

*horse-drawn carts, not tanks.
Source: http://www.lomza.friko.pl/
Wrzesien_1939_roku_na_Bia_ostocczyznie_.pdf

Cheers. Raúl M .