The Battle of the Bzura (9th – 22nd September 1939)

The Battle of the Bzura was the biggest clash, which took place during the Poland’s defensive war in the year 1939. Polish side consisted of “Poznań” and “Pomerania” (Pomorze) armies (altogether counting more than 150 thousands of soldiers), both under the command of Division Gen. Tadeusz Kutrzeba. Upon the command of the Commander-in-Chief these armies retreated towards Warsaw, not sensing greater pressure on the side of enemy. However, on the 7th and 8th September their ways were cut off. Polish detachments met German units of General Johannes Blaskowitz’s 8th army, which was also approaching Warsaw. However, German significantly overtook Polish forces on the way.

In order to defeat the enemy and win the freedom of manoeuvre to attack Warsaw, General T. Kutrzeba suggested to the Commander-in-Chief that they counterattack the left wing of the 8th German army. On the 8th September the General Staff agreed that both armies should perform the attack. These events constituted the starting point of a big, lasting nearly two weeks battle, which took place along the Bzura River from Łęczyca until its estuary into the Vistula as well as on the area of Kampinos Forest.

The German side of the battle consisted of the 8th and the 10th armies from the group of “South” (Południe) army, units from the group of “North” (Północ) army as well as air forces from the 1st and the 4th Air Fleet.

The battle consisted of 3 phases, which differed in character and involvement of forces. The first phase (9th – 12th September: Polish attack on Ozorków, Stryków, Łowicz) and the second phase (13th – 15th phase: “Pomerania” army’s attack on Skierniewice through Łowicz) had an aggressive character. It was only then when Polish Armed Forces gained operational initiative. The third phase (16th – 22nd September) consisted of defensive fights in encirclement and retreat of the remaining forces through Kampinos Forest towards Warsaw.

The battle started off with the attack of Brigade General Edmund Knoll-Kownacki’s Operational Group from Kutno – Krośniewice region towards Southern direction. It aimed at defeating German infantry division (24th and 30th) stretched in march between Łęczyca and Łowicz.



The attack was conducted with forces of three infantry divisions (14th, 17th and 25th) with support of Podolska and Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade located on the wings. Due to surprise as well as achieved majority of people and weapon, Polish detachments caused great losses on the side of their enemy. Apart from conquering Łęczyca and Piątek, Polish detachments moved about 20 km towards South. Continuing the attacks General Knoll’s detachments fought several victorious skirmishes (St. Małgorzta’s Mountain, Walewice, Bielawy, Mąkolice, Celestynów).

Since the 11th September the left wing was supported by the Operational Group “East” (Wschód) commanded by Brigade General Mikołaj Bołtuć, who conquered Sobota, region of Głowno and Łowicz. The rest of the “Pomerania” army secured the attack in Włocławek – Brześć Kujawski region, suppressing significant enemy’s forces.

Although on the 12th September Poles reached the line Stryków – Ozorków, the attack’s impact considerably weakened, encountering stronger German resistance. In that situation General Kutrzeba terminated the offensive and ordered to attack Skierniewice forests through Łowicz. The attack was performed by “Pomerania” army under the command of division gen. Władysław Bortnowski. In the morning its detachments (4th, 16th, 26th PD) re-conquered Łowicz and reached Łowicz – Głowno road.

General Bortnowski terminated the offensive after the report about incoming danger of armoured units and withdrew Polish forces to the Bzura again. As a result of this decision Poles lost the operational initiative.

The 15th and the 16th September saw detachments of “Pomerania” army occupying defensive positions on Bzura and Słudwia line. The cavalry group of Brigade General Stanisław Grzmot – Skonticki occupied positions between Kutno and Żychlin. Furthermore the detachments of Operational Group of Brigade General Michał Karaszew – Tokarzewaki fought heavily in the region of Gąbin. The forces of “Poznań” army moved towards Sochaczew and prepared to attack Warsaw directly.

After concentrating the forces and partly encircling Polish detachments, on the 16th September Germans went on to counterattack with massive armoured and air forces. As a result of these events the 14th and the 25th PD suffered heavy losses, suppressing the attack of the 16th Panzer Corps in the region of Kozłów Szlachecki, Adamowa Góra and Ruszk with great difficulty.

The attack of “Poznań” army’s main forces, started on the night of 16th/17th September between Witkowice and Sochaczew, encountered strong German resistance. Although forces of the 15th and the 25th PD managed to get across the Bzura River, other Polish detachments were suppressed. Forces of “Pomerania” army moved towards Osmolin – Kiernozia – Osiek – Iłów to get across the Bzura River.

The 17th September saw Germans beginning a concentric attack by both sides of the Bzura River. This offensive was supported by huge activity of air forces in number of about 300 planes. It was the biggest concentration of German air forces in the whole Polish campaign. Bombing of area filled with crowded and encircled “Poznań” and “Pomerania” armies brought great losses in people and equipment. German pilots set fire to every village and settlement, destroyed passages on the Bzura River, defeated columns of soldiers and escaping people as well as destroyed transports. German offensive resulted in encirclement of Polish forces on the Western bank of the Bzura River. This place saw the end of encircled Polish divisions. Despite desperate attempts to regain freedom, the majority of soldiers were taken captive. Only a few units managed to go through Kampinos Forest to Warsaw and Modlin.



Despite the fact that the battle of Bzura ended with destruction of “Poznań” and “Pomerania” armies, Polish counterattack fulfilled important operational and strategic tasks. The fact of suppressing significant German forces for a longer time delayed capital’s capitulation, enabled withdrawal of Polish detachments behind the Vistula and their later use in battles on Lubelszczyzna region.

The Battle of Bzura went down in our history as the biggest battle of Polish arms, covering its participants with immortal fame. The battle field saw the death of about 17 thousands of Polish soldiers, including three generals (Franciszek Wład, Stanisław Grzmot Skotnicki and Mikołaj Bołtuć). Twice as many soldiers were wounded.