Battle of Kock (1939)

• 1. Invasion Context And Collapse

  ›

  The rapid German advance in September 1939 shattered Polish defensive plans before they could fully mobilize. Units stationed near East Prussia suffered heavy losses and were forced to retreat south and southeast. They hoped to regroup along natural barriers like the Vistula and San rivers, but communications often broke down during these chaotic withdrawals. By the time forces reached Lublin, their numbers had significantly diminished, limiting their ability to offer effective resistance. To the east, Soviet forces entered Polish territory on September 17, occupying cities such as Volodymyr-Volynskyi. This dual invasion created a pincer movement that paralyzed coordinated defense formations across the region. Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły served as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces during this campaign.

• 2. Formation Of Polesie Group

  ›

  On the 8th of September 1939, General Franciszek Kleeberg received orders from Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły to organize a division of infantry from the depot division. His forces were well-trained but lacked heavy equipment because they had previously been dispatched to front-line divisions. The newly formed Independent Operational Group Polesie included the 60th Infantry Division under Colonel Adam Epler and the Drohiczyn Poleski Group led by Lieutenant Colonel Kazimierz Gorzkowski. These units combined three battalions of infantry with an artillery unit and one anti-tank battery. Other elements included the Jasiołda Group with one infantry battalion and one machine-gun battalion. A Riverine Flotilla added several dozen small river motor boats and monitors to the mix. In total, Kleeberg commanded some 18,000 men spread across these diverse formations.

• 3. Preparatory Skirmishes And Marches

  ›

  The Podlaska Cavalry Brigade successfully evaded encirclement by withdrawing through the Białowieża Forest. General Ludwik Kmicic-Skrzyński traveled to Vawkavysk where he established telephone contact with General Kleeberg. They agreed to join their forces and move southwards towards the Romanian Bridgehead. On the 22nd of September 1939, elements of the Polesie Group were attacked by German aircraft during the march to Włodawa. Loose groups of Polish soldiers joined the group while seeking commanders who were still fighting. Between September 17 and the 26th of September 1939, formations crossed the Bug River and entered an area near Włodawa. One squadron of the 2nd Uhlan Regiment destroyed a German reconnaissance patrol defending a road. The command element of the 5th Uhlan Regiment and the Olek and Wilk infantry battalions captured the town of Kock on September 30.

• 4. The Battle Of Kock Begins

  ›

  At 08:30am on October 2, a column of half-tracks and truck-mounted infantry came under fire from a guard platoon of No. 2 company of the Wilk battalion. After a protracted engagement, the German troops withdrew. At approximately 11:00, the German lead elements launched an attack on Polish positions reinforced with two battalions. Despite supporting artillery fire, the attack failed. At dusk, German motorcyclists appeared near the church in Kock and began firing before withdrawing upon return fire. A company of motorized infantry entered the village of Serokomla leading to chaotic action between Germans and Uhlans from the Pils Cavalry Brigade. An artillery unit from the same brigade supported the Poles. Casualties included 300, 400 killed or wounded for the Germans while five officers and 180 NCOs and privates were briefly captured by the Poles.

• 5. Tactical Maneuvers And Counterattacks

  ›

  On October 3, General Gustav Anton von Wietersheim ordered all his forces for an assault to split Polish forces in two and destroy them. The 33rd Motorized Infantry Regiment attacked Annopol, Pieńki, and Talczyn while the 93rd Motorized Infantry Regiment was ordered to capture Serokomla then Hordzież. Between 07:50am and 09:30am, two regiments of the 50th Infantry Division attacked but were halted and forced onto the defensive. The cavalry attack by the Uhlans was also stopped and forced to withdraw west of Wola Gułowska. At 10:30am, German artillery began to fire on Polish cavalry positions inflicting heavy losses. By noon, part of the 66th Motorized Infantry Regiment had captured Zakępie and advanced on Adamów where they were halted by the 1st Battalion of the 180th Infantry Regiment. Ground was lost and regained repeatedly until an attack enabled the Polish to dig in.

• 6. Surrender And Aftermath

  ›

  General von Wietersheim decided to use two of his divisions to attempt to encircle and destroy the Polish forces on October 4. The 13th Motorized Infantry Division advanced on Bystrzyca and Adamów while the 29th Motorized Division advanced on Radoryż Kościelny and Nowa Wróblina. Fighting continued through Wojcieszków, Gułów and Adamów with intense exchanges of fire. At 16:30, General Kleeberg gave his last order in Hordzieżka before returning to his headquarters in Krzywda. At 20:40, Lieutenant Colonels Kazimierz Gorzkowski and Tadeusz Śmigielski left to establish contact with the command staff of the 13th Motorized Infantry Division. They made contact near Adamów and agreed to a ceasefire lasting until the 6th of October at 06:00. Independent Operational Group Polesie surrendered on the 6th of October at 10:00 after being surrounded and depleted of ammunition and food.