Poland / Polsko-Bolshevist war (1918-1921). Budyonny, Denikin, Petlyura - events by eyes of the Polish historians
Date: 17 January 2009
Polsko-Bolshevist war of 1919-1921 of (in the Russian history it is called "as the Soviet-Polish war 1919") Poland conducted for the independence, in its course should be defined also a state eastern frontier.
Operation Vistula After capitulation of Germany the Soviet government has cancelled conditions of the Brest world and the beginning the armed operation under the name "Vistula". The Soviet armies should bring revolution to Europe, and supply a communism victory. Actually, military operation has been directed, first of all, against independence of the Belarus National and Lithuanian republics.
In December 1918 Soviet armies have taken Minsk, in January 1919 - Vilno and Kovno. On February, 27th 1919 has been declared creation of the Litovsko-Belarus Socialist Republic of Advices. Grab of the Belarus-Lithuanian earths by Red Army was interfered by the Polish people, and in general all population of Catholic creed of the Western Belarus and Vilensky edge, organizujushchee self-defence committees.
Education of the polsko-Soviet front The Polish government, aspiring to delay a march of the Soviet armies on the east, has managed to agree on February, 5th 1919 with German army (keeping occupied territories according to decisions of the Versailles peace treaty of 1919) about the admission of parts of the Polish army through the territories taken by Germans. On February, 9th-14 1919 Polish armies have taken items on a line: Kobrin, Pruzhany, along the rivers Zelva and Neman. In some days to the items taken by Poles the Red Army has reached, and the polsko-Soviet front in territory of Lithuania and Belarus has been formed.
In the beginning of March, 1919 Poles have begun approach. Group of armies of the general S. Sheptytsky (S. Szeptycki) has taken Slomin and the group of the general A. Listovsky (A has created strengthenings on northern coast of Neman. Listowski) has taken Pinsk and has passed the river Jaseldu and the channel Oginsky. As a result of the next blow, in April 1919, Poles have taken possession Novogrudkom, Baranovichi, Lido and Vilno (after 1939 city Vilnius is called), this last city was taken by 1 Division of Legions of general E. Rydza-Shmiglego (E.Rydza-Smigly) number of 2,5 thousand persons, and group of a cavalry of the lieutenant colonel of a century Beliny-Prazhmovsky (W. Beliny-Prazmowski) in number of 800 people During the period from the beginning of May to first half of July the front line was stabilised.
The Belarus-Lithuanian front Parts of the Polish army have created the Belarus-Lithuanian front under command of the general S. Shcheptytsky (S. Szeptycki). After Belovezhsky negotiations (June-August, 1919) have terminated in failure, the Polish party, having begun approach, has taken Minsk (on August, 8th, 1919), has passed Berezina and has taken Bobruisk (on August, 29th, 1919).
Polsko-Bolshevist war in Ukraine has begun in July 1919, already after the termination of the polsko-Ukrainian fights and employment of East Galicia by the Polish army on the river Zbruch. In September the Polish party has concluded the agreement from S.Petljuroj, the head of the Ukrainian National Republic, about joint struggle against Red Army. J.Pilsudsky has broken off the union with general A.I.Denikinym (aspiring to restore Russia in the borders existing before I world war, and refusing to recognise independence of the Polish state) what not to support approach unfriendly to Poland White Guards.
The Polish party has begun, proceeding since October till December, 1919, peace talks with Bolsheviks in Moscow and Mikashevichah to Polesye. Thanks to stay of approach by the Pole of army the Red Army could liberate a part of forces that has allowed it to break A.I.Denikin and S.Petljuru. By the end 1919 under the Polish control there were territories to the West from a line: the river Zbruch, Ploskirov, the river Sluch, Zvjahel, the river Ubort, Bobruisk, the river Berezina, Borisov, Lepel, Polotsk, Dvinsk (sovr. Daugavpils).
E.Rydza-Shmiglogo's operation in Lithuania In January 1920, at the desire of the Lithuanian government, E.Rydz-Shmigly at the head and 3 Divisions of Legions has acted under Dvinsk and supported by much weaker Lithuanian forces has taken a city and has passed its Lithuania. Using having rummaged in operations during the winter period both parties have attended to preparation for approach. The red Army collected forces in Belarus, Polish – in East Galicia.
The Soviet government, for tactical reasons, tried to continue peace talks (G.V.Tchitcherin and L.Skulskogo's note (L. Skulskiego) from December, 22nd 1919), simultaneously developing approach plans. The Polish government has responded to the note on March, 27th, 1920, having offered as a place of negotiations Borisov possessed on a front line. The offer could not be prijato the Soviet party, considering prepared approach in Belarus. In March the Polish army has taken the important strategic points for Russians: Mozyr and Kalenkovichi, that has delayed a transfer of armies on the Western Front.
The Ukrainian and Belarus approach After the conclusion of the political agreement and the military convention with S.Petljury's Ukrainian government (on April, 21st and 24, 1920), approach of the Polish army in Ukraine on April, 25th has begun. The Polish parts under E.Rydza-Shmiglogo's command, at support of the Ukrainian parts, on May, 7th 1920 have taken Kiev, and on May, 9th have taken heights on Dnepr. On May, 14th the Soviet command has begun approach to Dvina and Berezina which, however, has been stopped.
On May, 26th the Soviet armies have begun approach in Ukraine (general A.I.Egor), on June, 5th horse army S.M. Budyonny has broken through the Polish defence under samogrodkom and threatened with an environment of the Polish parts in Kiev. On June, 10th the Polish army has kept a city and with heavy fights has receded on the east. The Red army pursuing it has approached under Lvov and Zamost.
The approach of Russians begun on July, 4th in Belarus has successfully ended also. By the end of July the Soviet armies have taken Vilno, the Lead, Grodno and Bialystok. In first half of August the Red Army under M.N.Tukhachevsky's command has reached Vistula and has created threat for Warsaw. In this situation L.Skulskogo's government has sent in the resignation.
Advice of Defense of the Country New prime minister S.Grabski (S.Grabski) has passed on July, 1st all power to Advice of Defense of the Country into which structure entered: the Head of the state, the head (marshalek) a diet, the premieres, three ministers, three representatives of army and ten ambassadors. Begun by the western diplomats at the desire of S.Grabskogo's government exploratory talk has found recall from the government of the Soviet Russia. S.Grabskogo's government (S. Grabski) also has retired, centuries Vitos (W became the prime minister of a new office. Witos). On July, 28th Russians have created in Bjalostoke replacement to the Polish government - Temporary Revolutionary Committee of Poland (Tymczasowy Komitet Rewolucyjny Polski).
Miracle over Vistula The Warsaw battle played on August, 13-25th 1920 has appeared a war turning-point. Weight of defence of capital laid on army of Northern Front of general J. Hallera (J. Hallera). After the attacks of parts of the Soviet Western Front beaten off on August, 14-15th under M.N.Tuhachevskogo's command, on August, 16-21th there has passed successful attack to items 15 and 3 Russian armies over Vkroj, the spent 5 army of the general of a century of Sikorsky.
On August, 16th under Vepshem the maneuverable group as a part of five divisions of infantry and cavalry team, under J.Pilsudskogo's command has struck. The maneuverable group has broken through the Russian front under Kotsky, has taken podljashe and left in backs of armies of M.N.Tuhachevskogo. Attacked from the south and from the West the Soviet parts have been compelled to pass Prussian border, the part of armies has receded on the east. In September M.N.Tuhachevsky tried to organise defence on a line of Neman where has accepted fight, but has been broken.
The Red Army has suffered defeat also in the south of Poland. After fights under Komarovym Hrubeshovym in which Budyonny's horse army has been broken, deviation of the Soviet armies has followed. In the beginning of October the Polish army left on a line: Tarnopol, Dubno, Minsk, Drissa. On October, 12th, 1920 the decree about weapon addition is signed, on October, 18th military actions have been stopped, and the Riga peace treaty finishing war and establishing an eastern frontier of Poland on March, 18th, 1921 is signed.
