| Racibórz Conflict | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of thePolish–Czechoslovak border conflicts | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Czechoslovakia |  Poland | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Bohumil Boček[1] Vladimír Janko | Michał Rola-Żymierski[2] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | Possibly 1 killed[3] | ||||||
Racibórz Conflict was a border conflict betweenCzechoslovakia andPoland that almost resulted in a military conflict between both countries.[4]
Border conflicts betweenPoland andCzechoslovakia began in 1918 between theSecond Polish Republic andFirst Czechoslovak Republic, both freshly created states. The conflicts centered on the disputed areas ofCieszyn Silesia,Orava Territory andSpiš.
AfterWorld War II they broadened to include areas around the cities ofKłodzko andRacibórz, which until 1945 had belonged toGermany. Czechoslovakia believed that these territories should become part ofCzechoslovakia as it was historically part of Czech lands and there was a strongCzech minority.[5] According to international agreements these territories were to become part of Poland.[3]
Conflict started on 10 June 1945 when Deputy Chief of the General Staff Bohumil Boček ordered 1 Czechoslovak tank brigade to advance into Racibórz area. Czechoslovak units were ordered to avoid direct conflict with Polish troops.[5] Czechoslovak soldiers occupied 14 towns and ceased their advance 5 kilometres fromRacibórz.[6] There were no larger military incidents. Only inBieńkowice two policemen were disarmed by Czechoslovak soldiers.[7][2]According to Polish sources 1 Polish army officer was killed during the operation.[1][5]
On 12 June 1945 Polish side sent protest note to Czechoslovak embassy and demanded reatreat of Czechoslovak units giving 48 hour ultimatum. Larger Polish units were sent to the area by order of Minister of National DefenceRola-Żymierski. Polish units were ordered to disarm and transport Czechoslovak units to the border if they refuse to reatreat.[7][8]Soviet Union decided to interfere diplomatically to avoid direct military confrontation between both countries and mediated negotiations.[5] On 15 June 1945Czechoslovak units retreated fromKłodzko andRacibórz butarmed train was sent fromBroumov toŚcinawka Średnia where it remained until 20 June 1945.[9]
Poland was preparing to send troopsZaolzie areas held byCzechoslovakia but were ordered by Soviet side to drop the plans.[7] Situation on Polish-Czechoslovak border was still tense. On 28 June 1945 Czechoslovak units were shooting at Polish soldiers in Sněžník which was called an incident.[2]
On 10 March 1947, a treaty of friendship and mutual assistance was signed between Czechoslovakia and Poland. This treaty calmed the situation, but mutual tensions persisted.
On 13 June 1958, inWarsaw, the two countries signed a treaty confirming the border at the line of 1 January 1938 (that is, returning to the situation before theNazi-imposedMunich Agreement transferred territory from Czechoslovakia to Poland), and since then there have been noconflicts regarding this matter.
