Battle of Tursko

Battle of Tursko
Part of the First Mongol invasion of Poland
Date13 February 1241
Location
Tursko Wielkie, Poland
Result Mongol victory
Belligerents
Mongol Empire Kingdom of Poland
Commanders and leaders
Baidar Włodzimierz of Cracow
Strength
1,000 1,000–2,000
Casualties and losses
Low[1] High, about 800

The Battle of Tursko (or Tursko Wielkie) took place on 13 February 1241, during the First Mongol invasion of Poland. It ended in the defeat of the Polish forces of the ziemia of Kraków.

In early February 1241, Polish forces under the voivode of Kraków Włodzimierz blocked the road towards Kraków, concentrating in the area of Miechów. Meanwhile, Mongol forces headed towards Kraków via Koprzywnica, Wiślica and Skalbmierz, then withdrew to Tursko Wielkie. Following the order of the voivode, the Poles decided to pursue the Mongols. The Mongol commander Baidar was probably aware of it, using mock retreat to find a better position for the battle. According to Jan Długosz, the first clash ended in a Polish victory and the release of a number of prisoners. The second clash however, resulted in the complete defeat of the Polish knights.[2] One of the reasons for the success of the Mongols' counterattack was that the Polish forces, having captured the Mongol camp, focused on looting it rather than worrying about the still significant enemy forces.[3]

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference google14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Labuda1983 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).