Battle of Kobryń (1920)

The Battle of Kobryn took place on September 11–23, 1920, during the Polish-Soviet War. Polish Fourth Army, commanded by General Leondard Skierski defeated Soviet forces in the area of Kobryn (current Belarus).

After the Battle of Warsaw (1920), Fourth Army was in early September 1920 transported eastwards, to guard the front along the rail line Bialystok - Brzesc nad Bugiem - Wlodawa. The Army consisted of the following units: 15th Infantry Division, 14th Infantry Division, 11th Infantry Division, and 16th Infantry Division.

Facing them was newly created Soviet Fourth Army, consisting of two rifle divisions (48th and 57th), and 17th Cavalry Division. These units were supported by 19th and 55th Rifle Divisions, which had completed their concentration in the first half of September. After additional reinforcements brought from Russia, the Soviets had a numerical advantage along the frontline.

General Skierski, aware of Soviet plans, decided to forestall their advance, and ordered 14th I.D. to capture Zhabinka (Sept. 8). In the night of September 10/11, Polish 11th I.D. destroyed Soviet forces near Malaryta, and after this victory, Skierski ordered an assault on Kobryn, which was defended by Soviet 57th Rifle Division. Poles entered the town in the morning of September 12, but the Soviets concentrated three divisions (55th, 57th and 19th), and in the night of September 15/16, attacked a gap between Polish 14th and 16th I.D. The enemy captured a bridge over the Mukhavets River, and then attacked Polish 57th Infantry Regiment. Heavy fighting ensued, but despite Soviet superiority, the Poles kept their ground.

On September 16, regiments of Polish 16th I.D. were forced to retreat, but on the next day, after reinforcements had been brought, Polish soldiers recaptured the lost territory. In two days of fighting (September 16 and 17), Poles lost 500 soldiers dead and wounded, and to draw the Soviets away from Kobryn, General Skierski created Operational Group of General Michal Milewski to carry out a raid on Pruzhany (Pruzana). The town was captured in the night of September 18/19, but fighting there continued until Sept. 22.

Fighting over Kobryn and Pruzana tied whole Soviet Fourth Army, which removed the threat of the capture of Brest Fortress, and allowed Polish Army headquarters to prepare operational plan for the Battle of the Niemen River. Furthermore, Soviet 12th Army, fighting in Volhynia, had to retreat, as its wing was under Polish pressure.

The Battle of Kobryn is commemorated on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Warsaw, with the inscription "KOBRYN 14 - 15 IX 1920".