Battle of Warsaw 12-15.08.1920 – 100th anniversary
Update 15.08.2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eq9k-XWjso
FROM THE AUTHOR:
From time to time we have on iM an history overwiev, so I decided to share some part of my country history.
The battle of Warsaw known as the the Miracle of the Vistula is classyfied as 18-th The most important battle in the history of the world. The battle itself is very important in the catolic Poland therefore the Armed Forces Day, known also as the Feast of the Polish Armed Forces was set up on this day.
If You are interested in the subject pleas find the link below:
https://muzhp.pl/en/c/1872/wojna-polsko-bolszewicka-bohaterski-narod-polski-sam-siebie-uratowal
THE BATTLE OF WARSAW:
The Battle of Warsaw, also known as the Miracle of the Vistula, was a series of battles that resulted in a decisive Polish victory in 1920 during the Polish–Soviet War. Poland, on the verge of total defeat, repulsed and defeated the Red Army in what Vladimir Lenin, the Bolshevik leader, called "an enormous defeat" for his forces.
After the Polish Kiev Offensive, Soviet forces launched a successful counterattack in summer 1920, forcing the Polish army to retreat westward in disarray. The Polish forces seemed on the verge of disintegration and observers predicted a decisive Soviet victory.
The battle of Warsaw was fought from August 12–25, 1920 as Red Army forces commanded by Mikhail Tukhachevsky approached the Polish capital of Warsaw and the nearby Modlin Fortress. On August 16, Polish forces commanded by Józef Piłsudski counterattacked from the south, disrupting the enemy's offensive, forcing the Russian forces into a disorganized withdrawal eastward and behind the Neman River. Estimated Russian losses were 10,000 killed, 500 missing, 30,000 wounded, and 66,000 taken prisoner, compared with Polish losses of some 4,500 killed, 10,000 missing, and 22,000 wounded.
In the following months, several more Polish follow-up victories secured Poland's independence and led to a peace treaty with Soviet Russia and Soviet Ukraine later that year, securing the Polish state's eastern frontiers until 1939
The politician and diplomat Edgar Vincent regards this event as one of the most important battles in history on his expanded list of most decisive battles, since THE POLISH VICTORY OVER THE SOVIETS HALTED THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM FURTHER WESTWARDS INTO EUROPE. A Soviet victory, which would have led to the creation of a pro-Soviet Communist Poland, would have put the Soviets directly on the eastern border of Germany, where considerable revolutionary ferment was present at the time.
Events like these most people seem to forget, how important that war was in 1920. Most of the world was worrying about the Spanish Flu pandemic at that time. While other serious matters were taking a back seat. Except for the Poles fighting for their lives against the Red Army. Just a chapter of history that has been forgotten setting up later when Germany rolled in Sept 1939. But what if the Soviets had won, would've they have stopped there or pushed south into Greece and Italy? And would we have allowed that in the US? What about England and their reaction? Or France. The Europeans were getting over WWi, sick with the flu, the economies were a wreck. The Soviets were ripe to try to push communism into Europe. The Poles stopped that from happening. Thus never having to answer those questions. Thanks for this reminder in how important that victory the Poles were able to achieve over a very determined Red Army. Funny my nephew is in Poland serving in the US Army, one of the units transferring from Germany. Loving the country. I told him once upon a time that was unheard of. Thanks for sharing such an important piece of Polish history. Great story.
Several decades ago I read James Michener's "Poland," and although it is historical fiction, it was a fascinating glimpse into the history of Poland. The country really is an unsung hero of struggle and independence.
Great history lesson.
Thanks for sharing this important piece or history, Lukasz. I totally agree and echo Chuck's @uscusn great comments above.
Great history lesson Lusasz, should be taught in every Western History Class. Unfortunately, here in the US we don't even teach American History anymore.
Thanks for posting Lukasz, then as now, Poland and its brave citizens are what separates us Europeans from the Russian bear and its insatiable hunger for land, influence and power. Polish fighting skill and bravery has been demonstrated in Monte Cassino, Arnheim to name just a few. We are grateful for your peoples' courage otherwise I would be likely forced to write you in Russian from here in Belgium.
Whatever your political viewpoint this is a great story of resistance to subjugation. The Poles were horribly betrayed and denied their own nation after WWII.
Thanks for Your reactions on the topic. As a youngster, I did not care about ancient times of 1920 war. It is sad that in high school you do not approach this topic much (even in Poland). Actually, I know more about the Roman Empire than the newest history events which take place in my Country. Funny thing is that currently, I am leaving next to the Marshal Józef Piłsudski home town (Sulejówek is stick to the east border of Warsaw).
Chuck (@uscusn) mentioned a few: "What if's...".
We have a few examples of how the situation could resolve after the communism idea win. To name some examples we have China, Venezuela, Kuba and almost 50 years of communism in Poland. After transforming to the democracy I can observe the communism way of thinking all the time: in my work, at university on the street. Trust me it is not a very good mindset, therefore we should remember what East can offer us and do not buy their ideas of the World.