Battle of Kock (1939)
The Battle of Kock took place on October 2-October 5, 1939 near the town of Kock. The battle was between the Polish independent operational group (Polesie), and the German '14th Motorised Corp.' The Polish forces were led by General Franciszek Kleeberg, and the German forces were led by General Gustav von Wiedesheim. The Battle of Kock was the final battle of the Polish September Campaign.
Before the battle
The Polish battle plan was disorganised, with no planned battle groups. The Wehrmacht destroyed the Polish reserve army (nick-named "Prusy" or "Polesie") and forced them to withdraw. With heavy losses, the Polish armies retreated to Kraków and the Vistula river. From there, they took the route from Warsaw to Sandomierz. Here, they were able to move on to the Lublin area. The eastern edge of Vistula was defended by Lublin's weak army. The Polish forces camped only in the areas where they could cross the river easily, in case of an attack. Other German forces advanced on Vistula and went on towards Zamość and Włodzimierz Wołyński. The Polish Army at Cracow and Małopolska suffered heavy losses, and did not have the chance to reach the San river front. Therefore, they were not able to organize defences. Field Marshal Rydz Śmigły was appointed to organize the defence of southern Poland. The commander of army area IX Brześć, General Franciszek Kleeberg, was appointed to organize the defence of the line from Pińsk to Brześć
Group organisation
On September 8th, General Franciszek Kleeberg received orders from Field Marshal Edward Rydz Śmigły. He was to organize a division of infantry from the depot division. Since the time of the Napoleonic wars, a depot was the centre in which reserve soldiers and recruits were taught how to use their weapons and trained to join their divisions. Śmigły was ordered to organized defence on the line from Brześć to Pinsk. He had no problems training his troops, but he hadn't the weapons to equip them.
By September 14, General Kleeberg had organized four operation groups:
- 1 Division Infantry "Kobryń", commander Colonel Adam Epler forces: 7 battalions of infantry, division artillery, battery of anti-tank artillery.
- group "Drohiczyn Poleski", commander Undercolonel Kazimierz Gorzkowski: three battalions of infantry platoons of anti-tank artillery.
- group "Jasiodła": battalion of infantry, an unarmed labour battalion of young men, a battalion of heavy machine rifles, a company of anti-tank artillery.
- group "Brześć", Commander General Konstanty Plisowski: three infantry battalions, two guards battalions, two companies of tanks - French tanks Renault FT-17 from World War I, and a division of light artillery. Apart from these forces he had under his command three formations of 'Fleet River Pinsk', and eight anti-aircraft batteries.
Battle of Brześć and Kobryń
After fighting on the Narew river in Wizna, General Guderian moved to capture the fortress at Brześć and the towns of Kobryń and Kowel.
The German forces in the attack included the 3rd Panzer Division, the 10th Panzer Division, the 20th Division of motorized infantry, and the reserve 2nd Division of motorised infantry. The 3rd, 10th, and 20th Divisions advanced in the main attack on Brześć, and the 2nd Motorised Division advanced across Kobryń to Kowel.
Fighting in Brześć Polish forces in Brześć group "Brześć" + 2 armoured trains number 55, 53 commanders Captains Mieczysław Malinowski, Andrzej Podgórski
German forces 20th Motorised Infantry Division and 10th Armoured Division elements of 3rd Armoured Division
On September 14, there was short fighting between recognised secure formation of group "Brześć" and 2nd Battalion of 8th Regiment tanks 10th Panzer Division (about 77 tanks) and 113th Polish company of light tanks (12 tanks). After the fight, 113 Company lost all tanks. Armoured train number 53 who made a scout advance to Wysokie Litewskie was attacked by a scout patrol from 10th Panzer Division. The crew from the train opened fire with artillery. Secure formation of group "Brześć" withdrew to Brześć Citadel. 10th Panzer Division entered the town of Brześć, which wasn't defended. The 1st Scout Division and 8th Tanks Regiment with the help of artillery and air forces attacked the citadel. The German attack finished without success, under fire from Polish anti-tank artillery, 112 company of light tanks, and anti-aircraft artillery.
When General Plisowski obtained information that German scout elements from 3rd Panzer Division were seen near the railway station Żabinka, which was situated in north part of Kobryń, he sent armoured train number 55. A platoon of scout tanks left the train near Żabinka. They attacked armoured cars near a bridge on Muchawiec river. After losing three tanks the other two withdrew. An attack of an assault platoon from the train failed. After a combined attack of the assault platoon and armoured train artillery, the Germans left the area of Muchawiec bridge. When they returned, the armoured trains attacked another group of 3rd Panzer Division (scouts elements and 5th Tanks Regiment 6th Battery of 75th Regiment of light artillery). After destroying a few armoured cars, the train withdrew to Brześć Ate capturing by Germans main railway station in Brześć armoured trains drove to Kowel.
1:00 Artillery from Germany's XIX Armoured Corp. opened fire on the citadel. Their fire was also supported by air force raids. The German attack ended without success. Guderian decided to destroy the defence fortifications with artillery fire and air force raids.
After heavy losses, the 20th Motorized Division and 10th Armoured Division captured the northern part of the citadel. Meanwhile, the 3rd Armoured Division combined with the 2nd Armoured Division to form the 22nd Armoured Corp. near Włodawa. General Plisowski, who didn't have information about rest of Polish forces, knew that if he fought in the citadel, his group would be destroyed. His losses were 40% of his soldiers. He decided to withdraw in the evening. All of his forces withdrew from the citadel, except the 82nd Infantry Regiment, led by commander Captain Radziszewski who decided to fight to the end.
Fighting on Kobryń German forces, elements of 3rd Division, full 2nd Division Motorised Infantry 14 September Commander of Kobryń infantry division Colonel Epler suspected that German advance would go on Brześć, Żabinka, Kobryń. He ordered commander of 2nd Battalion 84th Infantry Regiment to make scout fighting with elements of German armoured army near Żabinka. Commander of 2nd Battalion of 83rd Infantry Regiment had to organize defence on swamp river Trościanica.
15 September Battalions from 3rd Armoured Division destroyed a column of reserve light artillery depot number 9 on crossroads Włodawa-Kobryń, Brześć-Kowel. Few officers and several privates were killed. The Luftwaffe scouted and bombarded position of division "Kobryń".
16 September The 2nd Battalion of 84th Infantry Regiment attacked the Germans who were supported by a battery of artillery. The Germans were forced to withdraw and the Polish battalion withdrew too.
17 September At dawn scouts formations from the 2nd Motorised Infantry Division fought with the scouts formations of infantry division "Kobryń". Polish formations withdrew behind a position which was settled by 2nd Battalion of the 83rd Infantry Regiment. Some scouts elements made ambush on Cementry in Chwedkowice. Polish forces got support from battery of 100mm howitzer. All attacks of scout guard 2nd Motorised Infantry Division failed. The commander of the scout guard decided to break off fighting contact. Except losses of soldiers Germans lost 3 or 4 armoured cars.
In this day a brigade of cavalry from Podlasie entered Białowieza forests, under command of Colonel Tadeusz Falewicz- commander of a regiment of mounted riflemen. The commander of the brigade General Ludwik Kmicic Skrzyński with his chief of staff major Julian Szychiewicz went to Volkowysk where they got phone contact with General Kleeberg. The commander of the brigade decided to join forces of General Kleeberg. Red Army forces crossed the Polish border.
Supplied 16th Motorised Infantry Regiment with the help of artillery and Luftwaffe began attack on position of 83rd Polish Infantry Regiment. They captured some Polish positions 17 hour beginning of Polish counter attack. Polish forces recaptured positions.
After getting order from commander of army Warsaw general Rommel, Kleeberg begun with his forces withdrawal to Romania and Hungary.
19- 20 concentration of Polish forces on north of town Kowel. At the time of march formation of group Polesie was attacked by fifth column and enemy air forces. During march to the place of concentration groups of Polish soldiers joins formation of Group Polesie.
After battle with Red Army forces general Kleeberg decided to march on relief Warsaw. He planned that in first part captured places on Bug River in which his forces could use to cross river. Place of concentration would be area near Włodawa. Formations of group fought only with Germans. They could fight with Red Army but only if formations of Red Army tried to attack group.
22-25 September Formations of group Polesie during march to Włodawa was attacked by German air forces. 25 September General Kleeberg got information that Włodawa is captured by unknown Polish formations. This formation were organized by Colonel Brzoza-Brzezina Most of soldiers are soldiers from destroyed Polish formations who weren't caught by Germans and were looking for commanders and formations which fought. Forces 5 battalions of infantry, two howitzer battery 75 mm, tabor, field hospital. scout squadron- 1 plane PSW two RWD-8. His forces began organising defence of bridgehead in Włodawa.
17-26 September Formations of Group Polesie crossed Bug river and entered area near Włodawa. 27 IX After getting information about surrender of Warsaw General Kleberg asked his commanders about their opinion. On first point he told about political and military situation, he asked General Podhorski commander of cavalry division "Zaza"- two brigade of cavalry "Plis", "Edward", two infantry battalions "Olek" and "Wilk", division artillery- that he shall join his division to his forces. Podhorski agreed, after that they decided that at first they went to Stawy near Dęblin- in these place were situated main arsenal of Polish army- then went to Holy Cross Mountains and mowed to guerilla war.
Reorganization of independent group Polesie. One of the decisions of Kleeberg was new organisation of his group. He ordered that division Kobryń would get little supplies with people and weapons and would be named as 60th Infantry Division. After joining groups "Brzoza" and "Drohiczyn" colonel Brzoza-Brzezina would organize 50th Infantry Division.
60th Infantry Division- commander Colonel Adam Epler, forces- three infantry regiments, division of artillery, motorised company of anti-tank artillery 37 mm, seven independent under formations.
50th Infantry Division- commander Colonel Ottokar Brzoza-Brzezina, forces- three infantry regiments, division of artillery.
Under his command general Klebeerg had 4 tactical formation and some independent formations- eighteen thousand soldiers.
28 September Beginning of march Polish divisions on south to line Parczew- Wojcieszków. Division of cavalry Zaza has to secure this march. 1 Uhlans regiment from cavalry brigade "Edward" successfully crossed Wieprz river and captured Spiczyn, another cavalry regiments from division Zaza captured after fighting Jawidz and Wymysłów. Germans received heavy losses.
29 September Fighting between Division Zaza and Germans near Spiczyn. On evening division broke contact with Germans and went to forest near Czeremniki. German under formation of infantry supported by two tanks attacked without success 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment- part of 60th Infantry Division.
30 September Polish forces are situated between rivers Tyśmienica and Wieprz.
1 October Forces of Independent group Polesie settled pass Świderki colony Bystrzyca, Wola Osowińska, Bełcząc, colony Ostrówek.
Division of cavalry Zaza settled in forests near Tyśmianka river. One squadron of 2nd Uhlans Regiment who defended near road destroyed German scout patrol. Command of 5th Uhlans Regiment, battalions' infantry "Olek" and "Wilk" attacked Germans under formation in Kock and captured town.
Battle of Kock
German forces: Command of German group "South" knew a large group of Polish soldiers were between the rivers Bug and Vistula northwest from Kock. 30 September staff of 10 army got the task to destroy this group. Commander of 10th Army Walter Reichenau ordered this task commander of XIV Motorised Corp. General of infantry Gustav von Wietersheim. XIV- 29th and 13th Motorised Infantry Division and some independent formations.
The German motorised division had 16445 soldiers, 2676 cars, 1944 motorcycles, and 18 armoured cars.
After scouts' flight German commander of XIV Corp knew that Polish forces were situated in forests northwest from the town of Kock. He thought that the commander of Polish forces didn't know about capitulation of Warsaw and went with relief.
In opinion of commander of 13th Motorised Infantry Division General Paul Otto Polish forces become so demoralized that he could send only one battalion who had only to disarm soldiers and send them to prisoners of war camps. He decided that he went to see it. He ordered commander of 93rd Regiment of Motorised Infantry that he should send 3rd Battalion, 8th Battery from 13th Regiment of Light Artillery with this task. The battalion commander decided to divide his forces into two groups which were sent to Serokomla and Kock. He could count on help from 93rd Motorised Infantry Regiment with some support forces which followed him.
Kock
8:30 In the morning column of armoured tracks and heavy tracks with infantry was stopped by fire of guard platoon from 2 company of Battalion Wilk. After long fight part of German regiment withdrew. 179th Infantry Regiment alarmed and moved to defence position near Kock and in town. About 11:00 part of German regiment attack Polish position of 2 infantry battalion. All attacks of fire German forces supported with artillery failed. About dusk Germans motorcyclist show near church in Kock and begun fire, they were forced to withdrawn.
Serokomla
A company of motorised infantry entered the village of Serokomla. This led to the beginning of a chaotic fight between the Germans and Polish Uhlans and an artillery crew from the brigade of Plis - commander Colonel Plisowski. The company was forced to withdraw south of Serokomla.
Losses
German losses 300-400 killed and wounded, 5 officers, 180 NCOs and privates were caught by Polish. Polish under formations of cavalry brigade Plis lost about 200 soldiers which were killed or wounded.
General Otto was forced to use all his forces for advance. He was going to divide Polish forces into two parts and destroy them. He decided that 33rd Motorised Infantry Regiment supported with a part of division artillery would attack on Annopol, Pieńki and Talczyn. Task of regiment destroy 50 Polish infantry division. 93rd Motorised Infantry Regiment had to capture Serokomla then Hordzież and destroyed defended formation of cavalry division "Zaza". 66th Motorised Infantry Regiment entered the field of battle in the afternoon.
General Kleeberg thought that main German advance would go on position of division of cavalry "Zaza"-Serokomla Hordzież. He decided that part of the force's division of cavalry had to break German advance. The rest took a part with counterattack. 50th Infantry Division would make counter-attack on right wing and rear 13th German Motorized Infantry Division. 60th Infantry Division, Podlaska brigade of cavalry had to close eventually ways of German attacks. If counter-attack would finish with success German division would be forced to withdraw behind river Wieprz.
German advance
10:30 German artillery begun fire on Polish cavalry position. 93rd Regiment begun attack on position of battalion "Wilk"- this battalion got heavy losses. Counter attack of battalion from 50th Infantry Division stopped. 33rd Infantry Regiment began slow attack on the position of 50th Infantry Division. After heavy fight German advance was stopped. German commander decided to support 33rd Regiment with 2nd Battalion from 66th Regiment of infantry.
Counter-attack of 50th Infantry Division formations
7:50-9:30 beginning of counter-attack of 178th - except 2nd battalion- and 180th Regiment supported with fire of howitzer battery under command of Undercolonel Gorzkowski on German formations. After some success Polish counter-attack stopped.
8:00-9:30 Beginning of counter advance of formations under command of Undercolonel Gumkowski. After some success Polish advance was stopped. All Polish groups from 50th Infantry Division were forced to defend captured position.
Counter-attack of cavalry brigade "Edward"
After some success Polish Uhlans were stopped and were forced to withdraw on west from Wola Gułowska. German formations captured Wola Gułowska, but in the evening they were forced to retreat from the eastern part of the area.
Because 13th Motorised Infantry Division didn't get success commander of XIV Corp. was forced to use 29th Motorised Infantry Division. General Otto ordered that 93rd Infantry Regiment would moved from Wieprz river to Dęblin, 66th Motorised Infantry Regiment would attack on Adamów i Wola Gułowska, 33rd Infantry Regiment would clear area to north of Kock.
General Kleberg suspected that the main attack of 13th Motorised Division with the help of 29th Motorized Division would go on Adamów and Krzywda. He thought that he could destroy 13th Motorised Division because this division got heavy casualties with soldiers and weapons. Division cavalry "Zaza" and 50th Infantry Division had to defend positions. 60th Infantry Division would be used to destroy 13th Motorised Division. Podlaska Brigade of Cavalry would secure group before 29th Motorised Infantry Division.
In the morning main forces of 13 division begun attack on division cavalry Zaza and 50 infantry division. 12:00 part of 66th Infantry Regiment captured Zakępie and come to Adamów when was stopped by 1st Battalion of 180th Infantry Regiment.
About 11 hours a part of forces from 66th Regiment attacked from west and east position of battalions Olek and Wilk which defended in Czarna.They got heavy casualties from artillery fire and were forced to withdrawn to east edge of forest Adamów- battalion Wilk, and to Adamów later to Gułów- battalion Olek. Between 10-11:00 one of under formations of 66th Regiment attacked commando of cavalry from 5th Uhlans Regiment who was forced to retreat from Wola Gułowska to south east fores Adamów.
About 12:00 the same under formation attacked 2nd Squadron of 2nd Uhlans Regiment in Zarzecze who, after heavy losses in soldiers, withdrew. Commander of regiment moved 4th Squadron on south from Helenowka for secure 2nd Squadron. 3rd Squadron stopped enemy in west part of Wola Gułowska. Then 3rd and 4th Squadrons with cooperation of 10th Uhlans Regiment fought near cementry of village Turzyca B and church in Wola Gułowska which moved from hand to hand. Situation was solved after attack of 2nd Battalion 184th Infantry Regiment which with cooperation of Uhlans Squadron recaptured cementry and took defence position
Commander of XIVth Motorized Corp. decided that he used two of his divisions. They would circle and destroyed Polish forces. 13th Motorized Division made advance on Bystrzyca and Adamów then Wróblina and Stanin, 29th Motorised Division made advance on Radyryż Kościelny and Wróblina where they met troops from 13th Division.
General Kleeberg decided to destroy 13th Motorised Infantry Division by using forces of 50, 60 infantry division and Cavalry division Zaza. Podlaska Brigade of Cavalry had to defend position under Radoryż Kościelny and Wróblina.
Fighting in Wojcieszków, Adamów and Gułów.
5:30 Artillery of 13th Division began fire on position of 180th Infantry Regiment battalion in Adamów and Battalion "Olek" in grange Gułów.
8:00 Beginning of advance of the 66th Infantry Regiment.
10:00 After short fight Germans captured Adamów, then they attacked the Polish position on hill 170 and Gułów which they captured after heavy combat. The 66th Motorised Infantry Regiment took heavy losses. Then they took position on the eastern edge of the forest at Adamów. General Podhorski sent the cavalry brigade "Plis" which had to support fighting Polish formations. The brigade had to take position on the eastern edge of the forest at Adamów. After getting contact with enemy brigade, they began an attack on the Germans' position in the forest. They captured the forest because they couldn't move so they established position there.
After capturing Adamów and grange Gułów by 66th Infantry Regiment, the 33rd Motorised Infantry Regiment began to advance, they captured Wojcieszkowoe and Glinne. Polish formation 178th Infantry regiment withdrew. The commander of 178th Infantry Regiment ordered his force to recapture Wojcieszkowo and Glinne. Polish battalions recaptured them but they withdrew because they took heavy losses. Advance of 180th Infantry Regiment on Adamów failed.