17th Infantry Regiment (Poland)

Last updated August 26, 2024

17th Infantry Regiment (Polish language: 17 Pulk Piechoty, 17 pp) was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from late 1918 until September 1939. Garrisoned in Rzeszow, the unit belonged to the 24th Infantry Division from Jaroslaw.

Early history

On November 1, 1918, ethnic Polish soldiers, serving in Austro-Hungarian Army garrison at Rzeszow, decided to form their own unit. Reinforced with soldiers of the former Austrian 40th Infantry Regiment, and with volunteers from local population, the first battalion of the regiment was sent on November 17 to Lwow (see Battle of Lemberg (1918)). The second battalion, formed in late November, was sent in December 1918 to Przemysl, (see Battle of Przemysl (1918)).

In late December 1918, the regiment was reorganized. Two new units were formed out of it: they were named the 17th and the 18th Infantry Regiments.

In early 1919, the first battalion was sent to Volhynia, where in the night of January 22/23, it attacked Ukrainian positions in Wlodzimierz Wolynski. In May 1919, the Ukrainians began a large offensive. After heavy fighting, the Poles counterattacked, managing to push the enemy back. Due to heavy losses, the battalion was in August 1919 transferred to the former Duchy of Cieszyn, where it guarded Polish-Czechoslovak demarcation line (see Polish-Czechoslovak War). In the autumn 1919, the regiment was sent to Wilno, and in early 1920, it joined the 6th Infantry Division near Minsk.

Second Polish Republic

Following the Polish-Soviet War, the regiment returned to Rzeszow (December 26, 1920). It took former Austrian barracks of King Jan III Sobieski, and was included into the 24th Infantry Division. Most of its officers had previously served either in Austrian or Russian Army. The regiment celebrated its holiday on June 4, the anniversary of the 1920 Battle of the Berezina river.

1939 Invasion of Poland

The regiment began its mobilization on August 30, 1939, and on September 3, it was transported to Gromnik, tasked with preparing defensive positions. On September 6 in the evening, the regiment for the first time clashed with the advancing Wehrmacht (4th Light Division), near Wroblowice. By midnight of that day, it was ordered to retreat towards Tuchow, and then behind the Wisloka.

By the evening of September 9, the regiment reached Zyznow, and on the next day in the morning, it crossed the San river. It was then ordered to provide rear guard for the units of the 24th Infantry Division, marching towards Bircza. On September 12, the regiment reached the village of Borownica. Since it had already been captured by the enemy, Colonel Beniamin Kotarba decided to assault the Germans. After a bloody clash during which the Poles were unable to push back the enemy, the regiment was dispersed and its soldiers were ordered to try to reach Polish positions near Lwow. Colonel Kotarba himself was killed in action.

Commandants

Colonel Bronislaw Wilusz (1918),
Colonel Maciej Puchalak (30 XII 1918 - VII 1920),
Colonel Ignacy Oziewicz (1921 – 1925),
Colonel Emanuel Jakubiczka (1925 – 1927),
Colonel Wojciech Piasecki (1927 – 1929),
Colonel Rudolf Kalenski (1929 – 1933),
Colonel Stanislaw Siuda (1933 – 1939),
Colonel Beniamin Kotarba (10 III – 12 IX 1939).

Symbols

The flag of the regiment, which featured a Silver Eagle and the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, was handed to its soldiers on October 19, 1924, by General Stanislaw Haller. It was funded by the residents of the counties of Rzeszow, Mielec, Pilzno and Ropczyce.

The flag was buried in September 1939 by the soldiers of the regiment. In the summer 1944, it was found and handed over to the 17th I.R. of the Polish People's Army.

Sources

Kazimierz Satora: Opowieści wrześniowych sztandarów. Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy Pax, 1990
Zdzisław Jagiełło: Piechota Wojska Polskiego 1918-1939. Warszawa: Bellona, 2007

Related Research Articles

Polish 6th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which fought in the Polish–Ukrainian War, Polish–Soviet War and Polish September Campaign. It was formed on May 9, 1919, in the area around Kraków, its first commandant was Colonel Ignacy Pick. Between 1919 and 1920, the unit fought Ukrainian troops in eastern part of former Galicia. Then, it participated in the Polish–Soviet War, halting the advance of the Soviet 1st Cavalry Army led by General Semyon Budyonny. Several soldiers were after the conflict awarded with various orders, including the Virtuti Militari. In 1921, when hostilities ended, the division returned to its bases – headquarters and most regiments were stationed in Kraków, some other regiments were garrisoned in Tarnów and Wadowice.

Polish 3rd Legions Infantry Division was a tactical unit of the Polish Army between the World Wars. Formed in 1919, as a third unit composed significantly of veterans of the Polish Legions in World War I, it saw extensive action during the Polish-Bolshevik War and the Invasion of Poland. In the interbellum period, the headquarters of the division was stationed in Zamość, while its regiments were garrisoned in Chelm, Lublin, Zamosc and other locations.

5th Lwów Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, with headquarters stationed in Lwów. It was created on May 20, 1919, during the Polish–Ukrainian War in Eastern Galicia. Originally, it consisted of three infantry regiments, but later it was strengthened with additional two. During Polish September Campaign it was commanded by General Juliusz Zulauf. The Division consisted in September 1939 of these regiments:

Polish 24th Infantry Division was a unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period, which took part in the Polish September Campaign. The Division was created in 1921, and its first commandants were: General Jan Hempel, General Wacław Scaevola-Wieczorkiewicz, Colonel Boleslaw Maria Krzyzanowski, and Colonel Boleslaw Schwarzenberg-Czerny. The 24th Division's headquarters were located in Jarosław, with some regiments stationed in nearby cities of Rzeszów and Przemyśl. It consisted of:

The Battle of Boratycze took place on September 14, 1939, during the Invasion of Poland. Polish 24th Infantry Division, commanded by General Kazimierz Fabrycy, and supported by units of Border Protection Corps, clashed with German 2nd Mountain Division. The battle took place near the village of Boratycze, located between Przemysl and Lwów in the Second Polish Republic.

Stanisław Eugeniusz Skwarczyński (1888–1981) was a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Army, officer of Polish Legions in World War I, and General brygady of the Polish Army. He fought in several conflicts, including World War I, Polish-Czechoslovak War, Polish-Ukrainian War, Polish-Soviet War and the Invasion of Poland. Furthermore, Skwarczynski was a freemason, member of a Masonic Lodge in Wilno.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment</span> Calvalry regiment of the Polish Army

The 9th Lesser Poland Uhlan Regiment was a cavalry regiment of the Polish Army, formed on November 21, 1918. Its first commandant was Rittmeister (Rotmistrz) Józef Dunin-Borkowski. The regiment fought in the Polish–Ukrainian War, Polish–Soviet War and the Invasion of Poland. In the Second Polish Republic, it was garrisoned in the towns of Czortków and Trembowla, and in 1939, it was part of Podolska Cavalry Brigade. The 9th Regiment was named after historic Polish province of Lesser Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Legions' Infantry Regiment</span>

3rd Legions' Infantry Regiment was an infantry unit of Polish Legions in World War I, Polish Army and the Home Army. It existed in 1914–1939 and 1944–1945.

4th Niemen Uhlan Regiment was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the Second Polish Republic. It was garrisoned in the city of Vilnius, and it celebrated its day on 9 July, the anniversary of the 1920 Charge of Hrebionka.

11th Legions Infantry Regiment of Marshal Edward Śmigły-Rydz was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army, which existed in 1918–1939. It fought in the Polish–Soviet War and the Invasion of Poland. In the Second Polish Republic, the regiment was garrisoned in Ciechanów, and in 1939, belonged to Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade.

14th Jazłowiec Uhlan Regiment was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the Second Polish Republic, also a unit of Polish Armed Forces in the West and the Home Army. During the interbellum, the regiment garrisoned Lwów. It was named after the village of Yazlovets (Jazłowiec), where on July 11–13, 1919, one of the battles of the Polish–Ukrainian War took place.

24th Uhlan Regiment of Crown Hetman Stanislaw Zolkiewski was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the Second Polish Republic. Formed in June 1920, it fought both in the Polish–Soviet War and the 1939 Invasion of Poland. The regiment was garrisoned in the town of Kraśnik, and belonged to the elite 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Legions' Infantry Regiment</span> Full history of the Fourth Polish legions infantry regiment

Fourth Legions Infantry Regiment (Poland) was an infantry regiment of the Polish Legions in World War I (1915–1917) and the Polish Army in 1918–1939. During the interbellum period, it was garrisoned in the city of Kielce, and was part of the 2nd Legions Infantry Division.

5th Legions Infantry Regiment of Józef Piłsudski was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army in 1918–1939. It was garrisoned in Vilnius as part of the 1st Legions Infantry Division.

6th Legions Infantry Regiment of Józef Piłsudski was an infantry regiment of the Polish Legions and the Polish Army. It existed from 1915 until 1939. Garrisoned in the city of Wilno, it was part of the 1st Legions Infantry Division.

8th Legions Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from 1918 until 1939. Garrisoned in Lublin, and belonged to the 3rd Legions Infantry Division from Zamość. The regiment traced its traditions back to the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Duchy of Warsaw, commanded by Colonel Cyprian Godebski.

11th Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from 1918 until 1939. Garrisoned in Tarnowskie Góry, the unit belonged to the 23rd Infantry Division from Tarnowskie Góry. Due to its location in Polish Upper Silesia, the regiment was called Upper Silesian.

14th Infantry Regiment of the Land of Kujawy was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from 1918 until 1939. Garrisoned in Włocławek, the unit belonged to the 4th Infantry Division from Toruń.

15th Wolves Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from January 1919 until September 1939. Garrisoned first in Bochnia and Ostrow Mazowiecka, and finally in Dęblin (1921–1939), the unit belonged to the 28th Infantry Division from Warsaw.

19th Relief of Lwów Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from April 1919 until September 1939. Garrisoned in Lwów, the unit belonged to the 5th Lwów Infantry Division from Lwów. Its reserve battalion was stationed in Brzeżany. During the 1939 Invasion of Poland, the regiment, together with its division, belonged to Pomorze Army.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.