Zaolzie Campaign (WFAC)

The Zaolzie Campaign (Polish: Polsko-czechosłowackie wojna, Czech: Československo-polské válka) was a military conflict fought from October 8 to October 13, 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).

Though it is contemporaneous with the German invasion, the Polish military operation was a result of a decision of the Polish government, and both Germany and Hungary was not consulted when the operations begun.

Prelude to the campaign
After World War I, a territorial dispute between Poland and Czechoslovakia erupted over the Cieszyn Silesia area in Silesia. To calm down friction which developed, Polish Rada Narodowa Księstwa Cieszyńskiego and Czech Národní výbor pro Slezsko, regional bodies representing the two nationalities, agreed on interim borders after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That agreement was to be ratified by the central governments of the two nascent republics.

Czech side built its argumentation on historical, economic and strategic reasons, while Poland based her demand on ethnicity. The disputed area was part of the Bohemian Crown since 1339. The only railway from Czech territory to eastern Slovakia ran through this area (Košice-Bohumín Railway), and access to the railway was critical for Czechoslovakia: the newly-formed country was at war with Béla Kun's revolutionary Hungarian Soviet Republic, which was attempting to re-establish Hungarian sovereignty over Slovakia. The area is also very rich in black coal, and it was the most industrialized region of all Austria-Hungary. The important Třinec Iron and Steel Works are also located here. All these raised the strategic importance of this region to Czechoslovakia. On the other hand, majority of the population was Polish with substantial Czech and German minorities.

The Czechoslovak government in Prague requested that the Poles cease their preparations for national parliamentary elections in the area that had been designated Polish in the interim agreement as no sovereign rule was to be executed in the disputed areas. Polish government declined and the Czech side decided to stop the preparations by force. Czech troops entered area managed by Polish interim body on January 23. Czech troops gained the upper hand over the weaker Polish units. The majority of Polish forces were engaged in fighting with the West Ukrainian National Republic over eastern Galicia at that time. Czechoslovakia was forced to stop the advance by the Allies, and Czechoslovakia and Poland were compelled to sign a new demarcation line on February 3, 1919 in Paris. A final line was set up at the Spa Conference in Belgium. On July 28, 1920, the western part of the disputed territory was given to Czechoslovakia while Poland received the eastern part, thus creating a Zaolzie with a substantial Polish minority.

At the Paris Peace Conference in 1920, Poland requested northwesternmost Spiš (including the region around Javorina). What are virtually the present-day borders were set by a conference of ambassadors held at Spa (Belgium) on July 28, 1920: Edvard Beneš agreed to cede to Poland 13 villages (especially Nowa Biała, Jurgów and Niedzica; 195 km²; pop. 8747) in northwestern Spiš and 12 villages in northeastern Orava (around Jabłonka; 389 km²; pop. 16133), in matter of fact the Czechoslovak authorities officially regarded their inhabitants as exclusively Slovak, while Poles pointed out that the dialect used there belonged to Polish language. The Polish government was not satisfied with this results. The conflict was only resolved by the Council of the League of Nations (International Court of Justice) on 12 March 1924, which decided that Czechoslovakia should retain the territory of Javorina and Ždiar and which entailed (in the same year) an additional exchange of territories in Orava - the territory around Nižná Lipnica went to Poland, the territory around Suchá Hora and Hladovka went to Czechoslovakia. The new frontiers were confirmed by a Czechoslovak-Polish Treaty on April 24, 1925.

Czech-Polish tensions
Throughout the summer, Germany had been trying to increase pressure on Czechoslovakia by encouraging Czechoslovakia's other neighbours to press their own claims. As part of the pre-Munich mobilisation, the Czechoslovaks had deployed Slovak mountain troops on the Polish border, which had been in dispute since both states had been set up after the First World War.

The Polish government decided to take advantage of the political crisis between Czechoslovakia and Germany and laid pressure on Czechoslovakia on ceeding the Zaolzie territory to Poland, with no success.

September 13, 1938 the Committee of Fight for Rights for Poles in Czechoslovakia was created in Katowice, which began infiltrating the Zaolzie territory to conduct clandestine operations against the Czechoslovak government and the soldiers stationed there. Along them members of the K-7, a nationalist organization that was strictly covert (both in Poland and abroad) and was elite rather than large-scale in nature, which proceedings were directed from Warsaw by Wiktor Tomir Drymmer and Edmund Charaszkiewicz, and on the ground by Captain Feliks Ankerstein and later Lieutenant Colonel Ludwik Zych.

Germany conspires with Poland
Meanwhile, Hitler was giving his own primary attention to the Hungarian and Polish minority claims. At Berchtesgaden he had told Chanberlain that "in the long run it would be impossible to ignore these demands," but had given no indication that he would insist on their settlement in connection with the Sudeten problem. Now, however, both he and Göring took steps to persuade the Hungarian and Polish governments of the necessity of pressing their demands immediately and forcefully, if they expected to profit by the Sudeten crisis.

The two countries were not equally bold, for Hungary was much weaker than Poland and was further inhibited by the agreements linking the Little Entente, which would have required Yugoslavia and Romania to go to the aid of Czechoslovakia if she were attacked by Hungary. On September 16, Göring invited the Hungarian Minister, Döme Sztójay, to Karinhall, and sought to allay these fears by giving his personal assurance. The Poles, on the other hand, needed no persuasion. On the same day, when Göring met with Ambassador Lipski, he found that the Pole had already informed Weizsaecker that “the Polish Government would categorically request” a solution to the Cieszyn situation. Lipski informed Warsaw that Göring was obviously “anxious to separate Slovakia from the rest of Czechoslovakia, in order thus to create a Czech state economically dependent on the Reich.” On September 19, Hitler summoned to Berchtesgaden for the following day and separately requested Lipski to come later the same day. The Hungarians were given the rough edge of the Führer’s tongue and told in to uncertain terms what to do. The Hungarians departed with the earful, and at four o’clock that afternoon Lipski was received. Unlike the Hungarian delegation, Hitler treated him with complete courtesy and there was no lecturing.

Hitler opened the interchange by declaring that, while he had no definite information about the proposals which Chamberlain would bring to Godesberg, he had reason to think that the principle of Germany’s claims would be honoured. However, there was a report that “the settlement… will be executed not by self-determination (i.e., plebiscite), but by a delineation of frontiers (i.e., cession). Hitler “declared that he preferred a plebiscite and is standing firm on it. He would of course insist on a plebiscite in order to secure votes for people who left the territory after 1918. The status of 1918 must be restored. Otherwise, it would mean acceptance of Czechisation, which has been underway since 1918.” Hitler’s real point was that a plebiscite in which Sudeten Germans who had left the area since 1918 would be included while Czechs who had since entered the area would be excluded, would establish a frontier much more favourable to Germany than a line drawn on the basis of present majorities.

Hitler then told Lipski, as he had the Hungarians, that a forceful occupation of the Sudetenland would be the best option. “Howecer,” Lipski reported, “in case his claims are recognised, it would not be possible for him not to accept them before his people, even if the rest of the Czechoslovak problem remained unsolved.” What, then, should be done about the Polish and Hungarian claims? Lipski replied by stating the geographical bounds of the claimed Cieszyn area, and declaring that Poland was prepared to use military force if necessary. He and Hitler then agreed that neither country would join in guaranteeing the new Czech borders until all the minority claims were satisfied, and the Führer added that Italy should be brought into the guarantor group in order “to counterbalance the French and British guarantees.”

The rest of the talk was desultory and inconclusive. Lipski, under instructions previously received from Warsaw, also endeavoured to raise some nagging problems of German-Polish relations, including Danzig and the Corridor, but he made little progress because “the Chancellor was very much absorbed by his approaching talk with Chamberlain.” After the interview a communiqué was issued which conformed only the fact of the meeting without revealing anything to the discussion.

The Polish ultimatum
As the crisis between Czechoslovakia and Germany continued, skirmishes with Polish irregular infiltrators ensued, with casualties on both sides.

The news of the refusal of the Czechoslovak government to abide by the dictates made at Munich between Hitler and Chamberlain, Mussolini and Daladier on September 30 hit the world as a bomb shell, including the Poles. Most countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Poland were in shock, Adolf Hitler was furious by the Czech refusal and the Soviets applauded the Czechs refusal to capitulate to the fascists.

However, shortly after the refusal, Foreign Minister Józef Beck delivered a speech in the Polish Sejm the same day, saying that "Czechoslovakia must cede the territories of Zaolzie, Orawa and Spisz which they stole from their native homeland Poland, or else they would take them by force.

On October 1, 1938, at 04:40, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) began bombing the Czechoslovak capital Prague, and at 08:00, the German troops of the Second, Eight, Tenth and Fourteenth armies, still without a formal declaration of war issued, crossed the Czech-German frontier. While most countries condemned the German attack or declared their neutrality in the conflict, Poland, on the other hand, continued demanding that the Czechoslovak government should cede Cieszyn and the three other territories in northern Slovakia. When the news of the invasion reached Poland, Polish government presented an ultimatum to Czechoslovakia through the Polish embassy in Prague:


 * Cede the areas of Těšín (Cieszyn) of Moravia, the Orava Territory (Orawa/Orava), Spiš (Spisz/Spiš) and a third area of Slovakia, which contained a group known as the Gorals, of intermediate Polish/Slovak culture, to Poland.
 * Withdraw all Czechoslovak military personnel and equipment from the ceded territories.
 * Demilitarise an area running 25 km from the newly established frontier.
 * This has to be done within September 7.

Busy with the newly developed situation with Germany, the ultimatum was rejected immediately, much to Beck's dismayal. Shortly after the refusal Prime Minister Felicjan Składkowski ordered Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły to mobilise the Operational Group Śląsk to war time strength. A week later, on October 7, the Czechs had still not complied by the Polish ultimatum. At 10:00 AM Prime Minister Składkowski ordered Marshal Rydz-Śmigły to begin military operations against Czechoslovakia the following morning.

Poland
On September 7, 1938, the Polish High Command created the Operational Group Śląsk under the command of General Władysław Bortnowski.

An Operational Group (Polish: Grupa Operacyjna, abbreviated GO) was the highest level of tactical division of the Polish Army before and the Invasion of Poland. It was corps-sized, although various Operational Groups varied in size. They first appeared in Polish tactical scheme during the Polish-Bolshevik War, most probably under the influence of French Military Mission to Poland. After the war they were dissolved.

Originally the Operational Group Śląsk consisted of the following units:
 * 10th (Motorized) Cavalry Brigade
 * 24th (Motorized) Uhlan Regiment

In case there would be clashes with the Germans over the Zaolzie/Cieszyn area, the 10th Cavalry Brigade retake the land immediately after the Czechoslovaks had withdrawn from the area, before the Germans could do the same. If needed, the brigade would be reinforced with two infantry divisions.

On September 16, the KOP Regiment "Osowiec " was sent to Silesia, and on September 19 it was decided to send the 21st Infantry Division (21. Dywizja Piechoty) and 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade to the region close to the Polish-Czech frontier. There the GO merged with the 23rd Infantry Division (23. Dywizja Piechoty).

On September 21, 1938 the Independent Operational Group Śąsk (Samodzielna Grupa Operacyjna Śąsk, SGO) was created, consisting of the following units:


 * 21st Infantry Division
 * CO: Brig.Gen. J. Kustroń
 * 23rd Infantry Division
 * CO: Brig.Gen. J. Sadowski
 * 4th Infantry Division
 * CO: Col.dypl. M. Bołtuć
 * Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade
 * CO: Brig.Gen. R. Abraham
 * 10 Brygada Kawalerii Pancerno-Motorowa
 * CO: Col. A. Trzaska-Durski
 * Śląsk National Defence Brigade
 * CO: Col.dypl. J. Giza
 * Half of the Cieszyńska National Defence brigade
 * CO: Lt.Col.dypl. J. Gabryś
 * Regiment KOP "Różan"
 * Improvised Tank Group (based on 3 Baon from Warsaw Warszawy)
 * 1 tank battalion
 * Reconnaissance unit
 * 2 i 22 Atank divisions
 * 18 DAC
 * Motorized Division of the heaviest artillery (220 mm Skoda howitzers)
 * 1st Battery of howitzers (from the 23rd Infantry Division)
 * Engineer battalion
 * Armoured train

The air fleet at disposal for the operation conisted of 5 fighter squadrons(among them were 111th, 112th, 121st and 131st esk.), 2 squadrons of light bombers (21st and 22nd), 1 reconnaissance squadron and 5 platoons of support aircraft.

In total the operational group amounted: 35,966 men and officers, 8,371 horses, 267 cars, 707 trucks, 459 motorcycles, 103 tanks, 9 armoured cars, 1,012 light machineguns, 445 heavy machineguns, 117 cannons, 117 anti-tank guns and 103 planes.

Units weren't fully mobilized, and thus were at peace time level. The same sitiation ruled for the artillery, which lacked 8 artillery divisions. The tank forces consisted mainly of TK-3 and TKS tankettes, with a few Vickers Mk. E light tanks.

Czechoslovakia
Unlike Poland, Czechoslovakia did not deploy large forces on the Czech-Polish frontier, as most units were deployed at the Czech-German and Czech-Hungarian frontiers, where the threat for an enemy attack was higher. As a result, only limited resources were available.

The Tesin area was defended by SOS and a few infantry units of the Hraniční pásmo XIII “Rostislav“, under the command of Div. Gen. Emil Fiala, which had its headquarters in Hranice. The Hraniční pásmo XIII was one of the corps-sized units subordinated to the II. armáda ”Jirásek”, under the command of Arm. Gen. Vojtěch Boris Luža.

The (Stráž obrany státu - State Defense Guard) was a military service established in 1936 to protect borders of Czechoslovakia. From 1918 to 1936 border of Czechoslovakia was protected by "finance guard" (finanční stráž), an armed branch of the Ministry of Finance. Their main task was to carry on customs duty, border protection was secondary. For over decade army and police leadership had suggested to set up an organisation of higher military value. Amid international tensions the new service was established in 1936.

Task of the defense guard was:


 * protect the border
 * keep order and rule of the law
 * support execution of customs duty

Members of the guard were local policemen (četníci), existing finance guards and members of state police. Later citizens loyal to Czechoslovakia were incorporated (for example many members of sports organisation Sokol or active anti-fascist Germans). Plans were created to support the guard with regular army units to handle local conflicts.

Planned size of the service were 38 battalions, but only 31 had been mustered (one of these inland, in Prague). Their equipment were pistols, rifles, light machine guns and grenades. There was not enough of time to equip the units with heavy machine guns. In case of attack the guard was to stop the enemy until main body of the army gets ready for response - more less suicidal mission. Manpower of the guard in September 1938 were 29,611 men (4,917 local policemen, 1,674 members of state police, 6,438 finance guards, 14,755 army reservists, 1,827 army members).

Further southeast, two divisions of the Reserves of the Main Headquarters were deployed:
 * 16. divize ”Jablonský”, under the command of Brig. Gen. František Marvan, was stationed in Ružomberok,
 * 22. divize ”Hviezdoslav” under the command of Brig. Gen. Josef Beránek, was stationed in Žilina.

As both divisions were part of the Reserves of the Main Headquarters, they were under the direct command of the Chief of the Army, Arm. Gen. Ludvík Krejčí.

Opening stages
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.