Battle of Racibórz

The Battle of Raciborz took place in the Polish town of Raciborz, on 20 March 1241, during the Mongol invasion of Poland. It ended in the victory of a Polish army from Silesia, commanded by Duke of Opole and Raciborz, Mieszko II the Fat.

On March 20, 1241, units of the Mongol Army reached the Oder near Raciborz, and began to cross the river. Duke Mieszko II the Fat, aware of this, decided to attack the invaders while they were busy trying to get across the Oder. With an unknown number of knights, he attacked the Mongols, killed probably 400 Asiatic warriors, and defeated them. After the battle, Mieszko’s army headed towards Legnica, where Christian forces under Duke Henry II the Pious concentrated to engage the Mongols in the Battle of Legnica.