Battle of Studzianki
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Battle of Studzianki | |||||||
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Part of Operation Bagration of World War II | |||||||
Battle of Studzianki | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Germany |
Soviet Union Poland | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Gen.Maj. Schmalz | 2nd Lt. Świetana | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
3 divisions |
8th Soviet Army | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
At least 40 tanks, 26 guns and mortars, 9 APCs |
27 tanks |
The Battle of Studzianki was a tactical engagement between elements of the
Battle
The 2nd Tank Army was launched through the breach in the German
On the 9th, the Germans captured the village of Grabnowola before attempting to push forward to destroy the Soviet forward elements. Initially achieving some success until an attack by the Polish 3rd Tank Company pushed them back before, on the 11th, an attack from the 1st Tank Company drove them from the village of Studzianki. Fierce fighting ensued as the German attack stalled with the 1st Company being forced to fight for the village more than 7 times until, on the 15th, the majority of German forces were encircled and destroyed. Remaining elements of the German forces continued to fight for another day however, retreated by the 17th.
Aftermath
The battle had been a complete failure for the Germans. Whilst they had initially achieved some success in the battle, pushing all the way to the bridgehead itself, it had been forced back by the Polish counterattack and was costly in terms of men and material. For the Polish and Soviets, the battle had been a resounding success.
Commemoration
To commemorate the battle, in 1969 the name of the village Studzianki was changed to Studzianki Pancerne, the word pancerne meaning armoured in Polish.
There is a small museum in the town focuses on the history of the battle.[2]
References
- ISBN 978-1-4728-0447-1.
- ^ "SOUNDSCAPES :: Studzianki Pancerne - 69 years after tank battle". Radio Poland, 20.08.2013