Zaolzie Campaign (WFAC)

The Zaolzie Campaign (Polish: Polsko-czechosłowackie wojna, Czech: Československo-polské válka) was a war fought from, 1938 between the Republic of Czechoslovakia and the Second Polish Republic over the disputed areas of Cieszyn Silesia (Śląsk Cieszyński/Těšínské Slezsko), Orava Territory (Orawa/Orava) and Spiš (Spisz/Spiš).

Prelude to the campaign
Interesting disccuscion abotu Polish foreign minister Beck and Czechoslovakia: - Beck wanted to create the oppostition against Germany and CCCP by "third Europe". He wanted to see Czechoslovakia there, but Czechoslovakians just as Poles wanted to be dominant power in the alliance. So Beck gave up Czechoslovakia and decided to create the alliance with Hungary and autonomical Slovakia He wanted Poland to be seen a power in Europe, just as Germany was seen then and he was makign the same demands as Hitler. But if west allies would support Czechoslovakia- then the policy would change in next 24 hours.

(but from Your story we know it didn't happend, so Poland would retake the land after the agreement with Czech goverment- gainign the Zaolzie was a part of action against Germany to change the Tiesin with Gdansk.(heh, reminded myself now the talk with Hunter about taking Eastern Poland ;P)

In the effect, gains were minimal in comparison to expectactions. the third Europe wasn't builded no longer pact of non aggresion with Germany didn't assure the status of Free City for Gdansk Too much land was taken- Spisz, Orava, Czadecki (?) area Political gains- non SLovakians disliked Poles then :) A lot of coal was now imported from Zaolzie ;)

13 September 1938 in Katowice, the Committee of Fight for Rights for Poles in Czechoslovakia was created. This were the diversion groups. In Ustron there was Zaolzie Legion, where were refugees from the mobilization in Czechoslovakia

after 17 Sepmtember voyevoda Grazynski created the plan of retaking the Zaolzie by the Polish administration

All Poles were happy in country and in Zaolzie- that's true- many remembered the treason from 1919 and the war with Czechoslovakia would be popular amongst the citzens.

Polish goverment wanted Poles to be on Zaolzie like on their own land, the leaders so they moved out the newcomed Czech citzens, which arrived there after 1920. Czechs responded with armed oppostion: Slezki Odboj

For many Czechoslovakians felt that Polish occupation was much worse than German, while for German occupation there

was no revange, Poles revanged for 1919, when Czechoslovakia betrayed Poland and took Zaolzie. Czech families become

refugees, many were moved out with the force. " It could be expected from Germans, from Slavs brothers- not"

Even if the retaking was agreed between both sides and the event was planned to be a peaceful action,

Czechoslovakians felt it was wrong. Polish, prewar actions to create the "Third Europe", alliance of Central-

Eastern European countries against Germany and Russia, were unsuccesful as Czechoslovakia also planned similiar

action with themself as a leader of the alliance. When the plans failed, Polish minister Beck decided that Czechoslovakia is lost and the alliance would be made with

Slovakian autonomy rather than with Czechs. When Germans started their demands, Beck started similiar policy. Talks

were quite succesful and at the end Czechoslovakia agreed for Polish demands. But when the Germany launched their

invasion on Czechoslovakia for their refuse, Beck carefully listend to the Czechoslovakian words. Poland was not

ready for war and Czechoslovakia already rejected German's demands. If Czechoslovakia would reject also Polish

demands, the policy would lead Poland into the war. However,the decisions were already made, Independendeny Operational Group Śląsk, was already on position and

Czechoslovakians would start fall back on 2nd October. If Czechoslovakians would pull back and Poles wouldn't move, then Germans could take the abbandonded lands. If Czechoslovakians would not pull back and Poles would start their offensive, full scale conflict could start.

On 2nd October 1938 Poles entered the abandoned lands. Minor fights happend, but nothing more.

Poland
Operational Group Śląsk under General Władysław Bortnowski: 10th (motorized) cavalry brigade (24 (motorized) Uhlans Regiment,

If any fights would happend(with Germany for the land,, with Czechsolovakia there was an agreement for retaking the lands) it would look like- 10th Cavalry Brigade retake the land immediately when Czechoslovakians pull back- before Germans would do the same. If neede,d infatry divisions arrives

16 September: KOP Regiment "Osowiec " isbeing send to the Silesia 19 September: decission to send on SIlesia 21 Infantry Division and 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade

in the Silesia, there was already 23 Infantry Division

21September- the Independed Operationalk Group Śąsk is being created with units:

21 Infantry Division, Commander: gen.bryg. J.Kustroń 23 Infantry Division,Commander: gen.bryg. J.Sadowski 4 Infantry Division, Commander: colonel.dypl. M.Bołtuć Wielkopolska Cavalryu Brigade Commander: gen.bryg. R.Abraham 10 Brygada Kawalerii Pancerno-Motorowa, supported, Commander: płk. A.Trzaska-Durski ŚląskNational Defence Brigade, Commander: colonel.dypl. J.Giza 1/2 Cieszyńska Ntional Defense brigade, Commander:ppłk.dypl. J.Gabryś Regiment KOP "Różan" Improvised tank group (based on 3 Baon from Warsaw Warszawy): 1 tank battalion, recce unit, 2 i 22 Atank divisions

Artillery: 18 DAC, Motorized Division of the heaviest artillery (220 Skoda??), 1st battery of Howitzers (from 23 ID) Engeeer battalion

Armoured trai Airfleet: 5 fighter squadrons( 111,112,121 131 esk. ), 2 squadrons of light b ombers (21, 22 ), 1 eskadra recce, 5 platoons of support

In total: 35 966 oficerów,men 8371 koni, 267 personal cars,  707 trucks 459 motorcycles, 103 tanks, 9 armoured cars, 1012 LMG, 445 HMG, 117 cannons,  117 AT guns, 103 planes.

Units weren't mobilized, peace time limits. the same with artillery, lacked of 8 artillery divisions. as for the polish army- many tanks

Details of the Campaign
before arriving of major forces: - volounteers, -border guards -police

after arriving main force:

Bogumin 6th September.

Polish command got the information about Czechoslovakian-German skirmish on the area, which was not yet taken by

Poles. Czechoslovakians suggested earlier entrance of Polish units. Polish 10th Motorized Brigade was alerted and on

8th October reached the town, already meeting the battle between remaining Czech defenders and German invadors. Polish delegation to German forces didn't reached the area, moved back under fire. With this situation, and Bogumin as important railway junktion, Polish commander decided to support

Czechoslovakians in defensive action with the 24th Uhlan Regiment and the 16th Motorized Artillery Bttn while the

10th Mounted Rifle Regiment and the 121st Light Tank Company and the 101st Recce Tank Company would be positioned

on the flank of the German assault and would launch counterattack if Germans won't stop their assault. During the night of 9/10 October, Germans started their major assault on the town. However, thanks to the

informations of local citizens, Polish- Czechoslovakian forces knew of German plans and succesfuly defended against

assault and German diversion of 5th Column inside the city.

When assault failed, delegation of Polish and German forces meet on the bridge, German Major Hohennau met with

Colonel Dworak. The assaults were described as the mistake and Germans excused for the attacks, which were made by

German deserter from Czechoslovakian army and Grentzschutz. Regular German units halted the assaults. Situation was

stabilized.

10/11 October fights for Gruszow, German attacks on railway station were pull back.

After the battle, no more incidents or fights happend between Poland and Germany

Poles retaked Zaolzie and few more lands. Czechoslovakians already fought with Germans.

Czechoslovakians on the main front already regained for a while control of the initiative. Following succesful

counterattacks, Czechoslovakian generals decided to start similiar counteroffensives against Poles and Hungarians

using the local units and supports from Slovakia.

Czaca- major Polish-Czechoslovakian battle 25th November Initial clash was between 1st Regiment from Polish side and 41 Regiment, mountain artillery division and battalion

SOS "Zlina"

Major fights for the railwaystation.

Surprisingly, for such heavy fights, losses were very small

This was the last regular battle between Poles and Czechoslovakians. Poland already taken the lands where lived Poles and saw the growing power of Germany with increasing afraid.

The completely annexation of Czechoslovakia into Germany would be a disaster for Poland, for being surrounded from 3

sides by aggrtesive neighbour. Minister Beck knew that non German country must remain on south border. As Poland already participate in annexation

of Czechoslovakia, it was impossible to start talks with Western powers to support Czechoslovakia. Instead of Czechoslovakia, Beck started talks for agreement for Slovakians indenpendence and border moved to the

west as much as possible. The idea of "Third Europe" alliance once again become possible. However, Western Powers were unwilling to do the talks and saw Slovakians as just a smaller Czechoslovakia who

disagreed for their "peace saving decisions". While Czechoslovakia was cut of from the support from any other country Romania, Poland decided to give material

support for fighting Czechoslovakians to prepare for any aggresions from Germany as long as possible. Talks started

on late December and first transports with supplies and medicaments for Czechoslovakians would start in the middle

of January. In exchange, Czechoslovakia would pay back with gold reserves and after the war- with excellent AT tank

guns and cannons.

However, the support was not big enough and some of the military equipment send to Czechoslovakia by Poland was

obsolete.

Since 3rd March 1939, Slovakian units started crossing the border with Poland. At first, the waves of civilians

mixed with reserve units and badly hit veteran units, later, when Germans made rapid advance, the whole units.

Since 8th March, Czechoslovakian units gathered in camps in southern Poland started to creation Czechoslovakian

Legion in Poland. During the Czechoslovakian exodus to Poland, Czechoslovakians moved many important technology and valuable

equippment. Remaining Czechoslovakian airfleet waS stationed in Dęblin airfiled, by the flying school.