Battle of Pszczyna

Battle of Pszczyna
Part of Invasion of Poland

Polish and German deployment on September 1, 1939
DateSeptember 1–2, 1939
Location
Result German victory
Belligerents
 Germany  Poland
Commanders and leaders
Nazi Germany Heinrich von Vietinghoff
Nazi Germany obst. Haarde  (WIA)
Nazi Germany obst. Streich
Nazi Germany obst. Lubbe (commander of column "A" after Haarde)
Second Polish Republic Bernard Mond
Second Polish Republic Ignacy Misiąg
Strength
5th Panzer Division
335 tanks
Waffen SS motorized regiment "Germania"
6th Infantry Division
Casualties and losses
Unknown human losses
98+ tanks and AFVs
1 recon plane
441+ killed
7+ cars
2 tankettes
33 - 34 cannons
11 anti-tank guns

Battle of Pszczyna (Polish: Bitwa Pszczyńska) refers to a series of battles between 1 and 2 September 1939 near the town of Pszczyna during the Invasion of Poland. The battle of Pszczyna formed part of the defensive Battle of the Border. The initial, decisive victory of the Polish forces on September 1, 1939 was followed by the crushing defeat on the next day near Ćwiklice, due to a major tactical error on the part of the Polish military command,[1] resulting in premature withdrawal of the entire Armia Kraków from Upper Silesia.[2]

  1. ^ Janusz Ryt 2007, pp. 73, 82, 93, 161.
  2. ^ Michał Pudełko, Pierwsze dni września 1939 roku w Jankowicach i okolicy. Bibliography: 16. Pułk Piechoty Ziemi Tarnowskiej. Historia – Tradycja – Pamięć”, ed. Juśko E., Tarnów 2007. Małecki, Marian, Z dziejów wojny obronnej, Polski w 1939 r. Bitwa graniczna pod Pszczyną”, Warszawa-Kraków 2003. Ryt Janusz, Bitwa Pszczyńska 1939, Pszczyna 2007.