Slovak invasion of Poland
On the 14th of March 1939, the Slovak State emerged as a client state of Nazi Germany. This new entity initiated the breakup of Czechoslovakia that had existed for two decades. The southern part of Slovakia contained a substantial Hungarian population before the First Vienna Award on the 2nd of November 1938 transferred it to Hungary. Political leaders in Bratislava used a small disputed area along the Poland, Slovakia border as their official pretext for invasion. Poland had appropriated this territory on the 1st of October 1938 following the Munich Agreement. Some Polish politicians supported Hungary's efforts to include areas inhabited mostly by Hungarians during that period. During secret discussions with German officials on July 20 and 21, 1939, the Slovak government agreed to participate in the planned attack. They also allowed Germany to use Slovak territory as a staging area for German troops.
Field Army Bernolák mobilized 51,306 soldiers under the command of Slovak Defence Minister Ferdinand Čatloš. Initial headquarters operated from Spišská Nová Ves until September 8 when they moved to Solivar near Prešov. Three infantry divisions formed the core structure of this force. The 1st Infantry Division Janošik led by Anton Pulanich operated in the sector between Spišská Nová Ves and Prešov. Alexander Čunderlík commanded the 2nd Infantry Division Škultéty in the Brezno to Poprad region. Augustín Malár led the 3rd Infantry Division Rázus east of the High Tatra mountains. A motorized unit Kalinčiak was created on September 5 but never reached the front before the campaign ended. Reserve forces numbered 160,000 men with 115,000 entering service until the 20th of September 1939. This army group belonged to the German Army Group South and subordinated itself to Wilhelm List's 14th Army. They supported five infantry divisions, three mountain divisions, two panzer divisions and one Luftwaffe division within that larger formation.
The attack began without a formal declaration of war at 5:00 a.m. on the 1st of September 1939. The 1st division occupied Javorina village and Zakopane town while advancing toward Nowy Targ. Their mission protected the German 2nd Mountain Division from the left flank. Fighting occurred with regular Polish Army units on September 4 and 5 against determined resistance. By September 7, the division halted its advance 30 kilometers inside Polish territory. One battalion remained until September 29 to occupy Zakopane, Jurgów and Javorina after the main force pulled back. The 2nd Division stayed in reserve for mopping-up operations supported by the Kalinčiak group. The 3rd Division defended 170 kilometers of border between Stará Lubovňa and Hungary before moving into Poland. It ended its advance on September 11 after several days of minor skirmishes. Two or three Slovak air squadrons codenamed Lily provided reconnaissance and close support for German fighters. Two Slovak planes were lost to anti-aircraft fire and an accidental crash during these operations. One Polish plane was shot down by Slovak forces.
Total Slovak losses during the campaign numbered 37 dead, 114 wounded and 11 missing men. Polish casualties remain unknown according to available records. All Slovak units withdrew from Poland by the end of September 1939. A victorious military parade took place in Poprad on the 5th of October 1939. Mobilized units gradually demobilized while Field Army Bernolák disbanded on October 7. The Slovak Army captured approximately 1,350 civilian prisoners in Poland during the invasion. In February 1940, around 1,200 of those prisoners were handed over to German authorities. Some remaining captives were transferred to Soviet custody while others stayed in a Slovak prison camp at Lešť. No formal peace treaty existed between Poland and Slovakia since the war started without declaration and no Polish prisoners remained held by Slovakia afterward.
All disputed territory whether acquired by Poland in 1920 or only from 1938 went to Slovakia. This territorial arrangement received confirmation through a Slovak parliamentary resolution on the 22nd of December 1939. The border configuration lasted until the 20th of May 1945 when it returned to its 1920 position. The Carpathian Army opposing them consisted mainly of infantry units with some light artillery support but no tanks. Most Polish forces engaged with German armies positioned further north along the southern border. The Slovak invasion met only weak resistance due to this strategic positioning. Minimal losses occurred for Slovak forces compared to other combatants in the campaign. The political pretext involving Hungarian population areas provided justification for the military action taken that September.
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Common questions
When did the Slovak State emerge as a client state of Nazi Germany?
The Slovak State emerged on the 14th of March 1939. This new entity initiated the breakup of Czechoslovakia that had existed for two decades.
Who commanded Field Army Bernolák during the invasion of Poland?
Slovak Defence Minister Ferdinand Čatloš commanded Field Army Bernolák. The force mobilized 51,306 soldiers under his leadership to attack Poland in September 1939.
What date did the Slovak attack on Poland begin without a formal declaration of war?
The attack began at 5:00 a.m. on the 1st of September 1939. Three infantry divisions formed the core structure of this force and advanced into Polish territory.
How many total casualties did Slovakia suffer during the campaign against Poland?
Total Slovak losses numbered 37 dead, 114 wounded and 11 missing men. All Slovak units withdrew from Poland by the end of September 1939.
Until what date did the border configuration last after the Slovak invasion of Poland?
The border configuration lasted until the 20th of May 1945 when it returned to its 1920 position. This territorial arrangement received confirmation through a Slovak parliamentary resolution on the 22nd of December 1939.