Historical calendar: the anniversary of Polish military battles with Russian troops. Despite little experience, Poles won.
Today in our calendar, we will look at the circumstances surrounding this clash.
On May 18, 1792, the Russian army entered the borders of the Republic of Poland in the strength of 98,000 soldiers. On the same day, Ambassador Bulhakov gave the authorities in Warsaw a diplomatic note, in which the intervention was called "friendly, neighbourly assistance to defend freedom and reconstruct legal power."
The Russian army was divided into two, divided into fields of Polesia areas of activity. To the north was attacked by the corps of General Mikhail Krechetnikov (34,000 troops), and to the south by the corps Mikhail Kachowski (64,000 soldiers). The Polish army, despite fast reforms, in terms of numbers (about 60,000 soldiers), arms and training, gave way to the opponent, whose asset was additionally the fresh experience of war gained in the Turks.
Predicting the directions of possible enemy strikes, forces were divided into 2 fronts – Lithuanian and Ukrainian. The chief of the army was King Stanislaus Augustus, the Ukrainian front was led by Prince Joseph Poniatowski, and the Lithuanian, Duke Louis Wirtemberski. In view of the advantage of the enemy and the failure of Prussia to fulfil allied obligations, as a strategical goal for the Polish troops, the hold of the Russian footpath towards the capital was defined, the breach of its communication lines, and the release of a major conflict to him in the interior of the country after mobilizing the evidence.
The Russians, in turn, sought to take control of Vilnius and Warsaw as shortly as possible, where fresh authorities of Targowice could be planted.
The attack in Ukraine was led from 2 directions – Kiev and Moldova. Its goal was to circular and destruct as many troops as possible under the command of the young Prince Joseph. This failed, and the retreating Polish troops made at the favorable minute of the catchy turn and defeated any of the enemy forces in the conflict of Zielonców, which took place on 18 June.
The task of the Russians twice as much failure as their own, utilizing ungunned recruits was rather a feat. No wonder the conflict greatly increased the morale of the troops, and in her memory a discrimination was established Virtuti Militari. A retreat to the Bug line ran smoothly, and another defensive conflict was fought in July at the intersection of the Austrian border close Dubienka.
Five times weaker, but perfectly fortified by Tadeusz Kościuszko, Polish troops stopped and caused crucial losses to the main forces of the Kachowski Corps. The Polish defence was so well organized and fierce that the Russians forced Kościuszko to retreat only after the usage of the fort which consisted of bypassing the Polish positions of the Austrian territory. However, the Bug line was lost, and it was decided to defend itself on the Vistula.
Both the Lithuanian and Ukrainian fronts merged on the Vistula line, where fresh recruits and war material arrived. The failure incurred during the respective months of the run was rapidly completed. fresh regiments were besides created to support the defence and to join the general counterattack. The Russians, in addition to many killed and wounded, had to direct a large part of their forces to occupy the occupied country.
The Polish troops left behind, along with a common movement attacked Russian convoys with supplies, which further weakened the aggressor and forced him to share forces and increasingly more improvisation. any of the enemy's forces blocked the fortress left behind in Kamieniec Podolski. At the end of July, Polish troops standing on the Vistula line began to prevail in numbers over the Tsarski troops, they besides compared them with the experience gained during the campaign. The situation of Poles was not bad, and the consequence of the war was inactive uncertain.
Unfortunately, there was treason in Warsaw. King Stanislaus August Poniatowski and Hugo Kolłataj joined Targowice, who persuaded him to do so.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
