 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(September 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Polish 24th Infantry Division (Polish:24. Dywizja Piechoty) was a unit of thePolish Army in theinterbellum period, which took part in thePolish September Campaign. The Division was created in 1921, and its first commandants were: General Jan Hempel (until 1926), GeneralWacław Scaevola-Wieczorkiewicz, Colonel Boleslaw Maria Krzyzanowski (until September 9, 1939), and Colonel Boleslaw Schwarzenberg-Czerny (in the final days of the September 1939 campaign). The 24th Division's headquarters were located inJarosław, with some regiments stationed in nearby cities ofRzeszów andPrzemyśl. It consisted of:
The 24th Division, commanded by Colonel Boleslaw Maria Krzyzanowski, remained in the first days of the war in reserve. On September 3 transported to the area ofTarnów andDębica, where it was supposed to man the linePilzno -Szynwald -Tuchów. Attached to theKarpaty Army, on September 6 it was engaged in heavy fighting with advancing 4th Light Division of theWehrmacht. In the evening of that day, GeneralKazimierz Fabrycy ordered the Division to withdraw towards theWisłoka and defend the main west–east route fromKraków toLwów.
On September 7, marching Polish units were ambushed by the Germans near Tuchów, who managed to destroy several battalions. After the attack, Colonel Boleslaw Maria Krzyzanowski lost his ability to command the Division and was replaced by Colonel Boleslaw Schwarzenberg-Czerny. Contrary to orders of General Fabrycy, the Division retreated further eastwards, towards theSan.
Between September 11 and 12, 1939, the Poles were engaged in heavy fighting withGerman Second Mountain Division nearBircza. The Germans managed to break Polish positions in the evening of September 12, therefore southern wing of defence of Przemyśl was opened. Retreating towards Lwów, the 24th kept on repulsing German attacks, reachingMosciska on September 15. Two days later, GeneralKazimierz Sosnkowski, who commanded Polish troops in the area, ordered all units to break to Lwów. First groups of Polish soldiers reached the besieged city on September 17 in the evening.
On September 18, when news ofSoviet attack oneastern Poland reached General Sosnkowski, he decided to change plans. Instead of breaking to Lwów, Sosnkowski ordered the soldiers to form small groups and try to reach Hungary. Heavy equipment and vehicles were destroyed, and those soldiers who did not wish to fight any more, were let go. Meanwhile, units of the 24th were fighting5th Panzer Division in the area of Rzesna Ruska. Soon afterwards, Soviet tanks appeared around Lwów, and General Sosnkowski decided to dismiss the Division, which ceased to exist.
The 24th Infantry Division was recreated in the summer of 1944, during theOperation Tempest, as part of theHome Army.
