The Polish 4th Infantry Division (''Polish: 4. Dywizja Piechoty'') was created following Polish independence after the end of World War I. The division participated in the

Polish–Ukrainian War The Polish–Ukrainian War, from November 1918 to July 1919, was a conflict between the Second Polish Republic and Ukrainian forces (both the West Ukrainian People's Republic and the Ukrainian People's Republic). The conflict had its roots in ...

in 1919. During World War II, the division existed as three wholly separate organizations, the original incarnation of the division as part of the pre-war

Polish Army The Land Forces () are the Army, land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currently contain some 110,000 active personnel and form many components of the European Union and NATO deployments around the world. Poland's recorded military histor ...

, the second incarnation armed and equipped by the western Allies, and another division armed and equipped and controlled by the Soviet Union. The second and third incarnations of this division existed simultaneously from 1944 until 1947.

Service to 1939

Prior to the start of World War II, the 4th Infantry Division was initially commanded by Colonel Tadeusz Lubicz-Niezabitowski, and its peacetime headquarters was located in

Toruń Toruń is a city on the Vistula River in north-central Poland and a World Heritage Sites of Poland, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its population was 196,935 as of December 2021. Previously, it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship (1975–199 ...

, with additional units stationed in

Włocławek Włocławek (; or ''Alt Lesle'', Yiddish: וולאָצלאַוועק, romanized: ''Vlatzlavek'') is a city in the Kuyavian–Pomeranian Voivodeship in central Poland along the Vistula River, bordered by the Gostynin-Włocławek Landscape Park ...

and

Brodnica Brodnica () is a town in northern Poland with 28,574 inhabitants . It is the seat of Brodnica County in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The nearby Brodnica Landscape Park, a protected area, gets its name from Brodnica. History The first r ...

. After September 4, 1939, it was commanded by Colonel Mieczysław Rawicz-Mysłowski, and then after September 12 it was commanded by Colonel Józef Werobej. The 4th Division was originally part of the

Pomorze Army The Pomeranian Army () was one of the Polish armies defending against the 1939 Invasion of Poland. It was officially created on 23 March 1939. Led by General dywizji Władysław Bortnowski, it consisted of 5 infantry divisions, 2 National Defen ...

and stationed northeast of Toruń, near the border of

East Prussia East Prussia was a Provinces of Prussia, province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1772 to 1829 and again from 1878 (with the Kingdom itself being part of the German Empire from 1871); following World War I it formed part of the Weimar Republic's ...

. From September 9, the division fought against the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

in the

Battle of the Bzura The Battle of the Bzura (or the Battle of Kutno) was both the largest battle and Polish counter-attack of the German invasion of Poland and was fought from 9 to 19 September.''The Second World War: An Illustrated History '', Putnam, 1975, Goog ...

, a Polish counterattack west of

Warsaw Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and List of cities and towns in Poland, largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula, River Vistula in east-central Poland. Its population is officially estimated at ...

in the area of the

Bzura River The Bzura is a river in central Poland. A tributary of the Vistula river (in Wyszogród), the Bzura is 173 kilometres long and has a basin area of 7,764 km2.Austrian Galicia The Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, also known as Austrian Galicia or colloquially Austrian Poland, was a constituent possession of the Habsburg monarchy in the historical region of Galicia in Eastern Europe. The crown land was established ...

. Its first commandants were officers serving in the Operation Group of General Franciszek Aleksandrowicz: Major Wlodzimierz Tyszkiewicz (chief of staff), General

Franciszek Kraliczek-Krajowski Franciszek () is a masculine given name of Polish origin (female form Franciszka). It is a cognate of Francis, Francisco, François, and Franz. People with the name include: *Edward Pfeiffer (Franciszek Edward Pfeiffer) (1895–1964), Polish gener ...

(divisional infantry) and Colonel

Adolf Engel Adolf (also spelt Adolph or Adolphe, Adolfo, and when Latinised Adolphus) is a given name with German origins. The name is a compound derived from the Old High German ''Athalwolf'' (or ''Hadulf''), a composition of ''athal'', or ''adal'', mean ...

(divisional artillery). At the beginning the division consisted of three infantry regiments (14th, 18th and 37th), three artillery regiments (3rd field artillery, 11th field artillery and 2nd heavy artillery), and eight cavalry squadrons. All units concentrated in late April 1919 near

Sadowa Wisznia Sudova Vyshnia (, ; ) is a small city in the Yavoriv Raion of the Lviv Oblast (region) of Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Sudova Vyshnia urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Its population is The town has a number of Catholi ...

. Most of divisional soldiers had served in the

Austro-Hungarian Army The Austro-Hungarian Army, also known as the Imperial and Royal Army,; was the principal ground force of Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1918. It consisted of three organisations: the Common Army (, recruited from all parts of Austria-Hungary), ...

in World War I. The division was completed in early May, and by that time it had 7162 infantry plus 807 cavalry soldiers. Furthermore, it had 108 machine guns, 24 cannons and three

armoured train An armoured train (Commonwealth English) or armored train (American English) is a railway train protected with heavy metal plating and which often includes railway wagons armed with artillery, machine guns, and autocannons. Some have also h ...

s (Gromoboj, Kaniow and Odsiecz). Until late July 1919, the division fought in the

in eastern Galicia. On July 27, it was sent to

Volhynia Volhynia or Volynia ( ; see #Names and etymology, below) is a historic region in Central and Eastern Europe, between southeastern Poland, southwestern Belarus, and northwestern Ukraine. The borders of the region are not clearly defined, but in ...

, and reinforced with 10th Infantry Regiment, transferred from Operational Group of Colonel

Władysław Sikorski Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski (; 20 May 18814 July 1943) was a Polish military and political leader. Before World War I, Sikorski established and participated in several underground organizations that promoted the cause of Polish independenc ...

. At that time, and until 1921, the division was divided into two infantry brigades (7th and 8th), and 4th Artillery Brigade.

Polish–Ukrainian War

On May 15, 1919, as part of Operational Group of General Waclaw Iwaszkiewicz, the division entered the conflict. Its task was to break through Ukrainian lines in the area of Mosciska – Sambor. On May 17, it captured Sambor, on the next day

Drohobycz Drohobych ( ; ; ) is a city in the south of Lviv Oblast, Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Drohobych Raion and hosts the administration of Drohobych urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. In 1939–1941 and 1944–1959 it was ...

, and on May 20, Stryj. On May 25 the division was rushed to Stanisławów, preventing Ukrainian forces from capturing the city. At Stanisławów, the Poles seized Ukrainian cannons, guns, locomotives and stocks of food, ammunition and uniforms. In late May, 4th Division crossed the

Dniestr The Dniester ( ) is a transboundary river in Eastern Europe. It runs first through Ukraine and then through Moldova (from which it more or less separates the breakaway territory of Transnistria), finally discharging into the Black Sea on Ukr ...

, and captured other towns, including

Podhajce Pidhaitsi (, ; ; ) is a small city in Ternopil Raion, Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine. It is located approximately south of Berezhany, from Ternopil, and south-east of Lviv. In 1939, Pidhaitsi obtained the formal status of a city.Buczacz Buchach (, ; ; or ; ; ; ) is a city located on the Strypa River (a tributary of the Dniester) in Chortkiv Raion of Ternopil Oblast (province) of Western Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Buchach urban hromada, one of the hromadas of ...

. In the area of Pokucie, its elements made contact with

Romanian Army The Romanian Land Forces () is the army of Romania, and the main component of the Romanian Armed Forces. Since 2007, full professionalization and a major equipment overhaul have transformed the nature of the Land Forces. The Romanian Land Forc ...

, which was allied with Poland, and which aided the Poles in the war against

West Ukrainian People's Republic The West Ukrainian People's Republic (; West Ukrainian People's Republic#Name, see other names) was a short-lived state that controlled most of Eastern Galicia from November 1918 to July 1919. It included major cities of Lviv, Ternopil, Kolom ...

. In early June 1919, after protests of Western Allies, the Blue Army was withdrawn from Eastern Galicia, together with Operational Group of General Daniel Konarzewski. As a result of this movement, Polish forces in the area were weakened, and on June 11, when Ukrainian Army began its counteroffensive, 4th Division retreated in panic, behind the Gnila Lipa river, where it prepared defensive positions, together with 3rd Legions Infantry Division. On June 24 the Ukrainians broke through the positions of the 3rd Division, and Polish forces had to withdraw to the line of the Swirz river. After receiving reinforcements the Poles began an offensive (June 28). The division was divided into two groups, and quickly advanced, reaching

Czortków Chortkiv (, ; ; ) is a city in Chortkiv Raion, Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Chortkiv Raion, housing the district's local administration buildings. Chortkiv hosts the administration of Chortkiv urban hrom ...

and the

Zbrucz The Zbruch (; ) is a river in Western Ukraine, a left tributary of the Dniester.Збруч

Brody Brody (, ; ; ; ) is a city in Zolochiv Raion, Lviv Oblast, Zolochiv Raion, Lviv Oblast, western Ukraine. It is located in the valley of the upper Styr, Styr River, approximately northeast of the oblast capital, Lviv. Brody hosts the administrati ...

, where it became part of Volhynian Front under General Antoni Listowski. On August 8 it began an offensive, capturing

Krzemieniec Kremenets (, ; ; ) is a city in Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Kremenets Raion, and lies north-east of the Pochaiv Lavra. The city is situated in the historic region of Volhynia and features the 12th-ce ...

and

Dubno Dubno (, ) is a List of cities in Ukraine, city and List of hromadas of Ukraine, municipality located on the Ikva River in Rivne Oblast (oblast, province) of western Ukraine. It serves as the capital city, administrative center of Dubno Raion ...

. The frontline then stalled along the

Horyn river The Horyn or Haryn (, ; , ; ; ) is a tributary of the Pripyat, which flows through Ukraine and Belarus. The Horyn is long, and has a drainage basin of .Red Army The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often shortened to the Red Army, was the army and air force of the Russian Soviet Republic and, from 1922, the Soviet Union. The army was established in January 1918 by a decree of the Council of People ...

attacked, but without any significant success. Local clashes took place along the front until late April 1920, when

Polish General Staff Polish General Staff, formally known as the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces ( Polish: ''Sztab Generalny Wojska Polskiego'') is the highest professional body within the Polish Armed Forces. Organizationally, it is an integral part of the M ...

ordered the destruction of Soviet

12th Twelfth can mean: *The Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution *The Twelfth, a Protestant celebration originating in Ireland In mathematics: * 12th, an ordinal number; as in the item in an order twelve places from the beginning, follo ...

and 14th Armies, located in Volhynia and

Podolia Podolia or Podillia is a historic region in Eastern Europe located in the west-central and southwestern parts of Ukraine and northeastern Moldova (i.e. northern Transnistria). Podolia is bordered by the Dniester River and Boh River. It features ...

. 4th Infantry Division was included in the newly created Polish 3rd Army, and ordered to destroy Soviet 7th Rifle Division, and capture

Korosten Korosten (, ), also historically known as Iskorosten (), is a historic city and a large transport hub in Zhytomyr Oblast, northern Ukraine. It is located on the Uzh (Pripyat), Uzh River. Korosten serves as the Capital city, administrative center ...

. Four assault groups were formed, and on April 25 the division attacked. On the next day, at 10 pm, Korosten was seized. In May 1920, 4th Infantry Division was transferred by rail to

Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...

Belarus Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...

, and became part of Polish 4th Army. There, the division was reorganized and divided into three groups, commanded by

Władysław Anders Władysław Albert Anders (11 August 1892 – 12 May 1970) was a Polish military officer and politician, and prominent member of the Polish government-in-exile in London. Born in Krośniewice-Błonie, then part of the Russian Empire, he serv ...

, Wladyslaw Tarwid and Stanislaw Tessar. Their task was to push the enemy back behind the

Berezyna Byerazino or Berezino is a town on the Berezina River in Minsk Region, Belarus. It is located east of the capital Minsk, and serves as the administrative center of Byerazino District. As of 2025, it has a population of 11,250. History Ea ...

river. By June 5, the task was completed. Soviet offensive in Belarus began on July 4. The division was pushed back and retreated along the line Nieswiez–

Baranowicze Baranavichy or Baranovichi is a city in the Brest Region of western Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Baranavichy District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2025, it has a population of 170,817. ...

–

Slonim Slonim is a town in Grodno Region, in western Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Slonim District. It is located at the junction of the Shchara and Isa (river), Isa rivers, southeast of Grodno. As of 2025, it has a population of ...

– Wolkowysk–

Siedlce Siedlce () ( ) is a city in the Masovian Voivodeship in eastern Poland with 77,354 inhabitants (). The city is situated between two small rivers, the Muchawka and the Helenka, and lies along the European route E30, around east of Warsaw. It is ...

–

Góra Kalwaria Góra Kalwaria (; "Calvary Mountain", , ''Ger'') is a town on the Vistula River in the Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is situated approximately southeast of Warsaw and has a population of around 12,109 (as of 2019). The town has ...

, reaching the

Vistula The Vistula (; ) is the longest river in Poland and the ninth-longest in Europe, at in length. Its drainage basin, extending into three other countries apart from Poland, covers , of which is in Poland. The Vistula rises at Barania Góra i ...

on August 11. On the next day, it was incorporated into the 2nd Army, and defended the Vistula line near

Magnuszew Magnuszew is a town in Kozienice County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Magnuszew. It located near the Vistula river and lies approximately north-west of Kozienice ...

. Following the

Battle of Dęblin and Minsk Mazowiecki A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force co ...

, the division was transferred to the 5th Army under General Władysław Sikorski, and on August 17 entered

Zakroczym Zakroczym (; ''Zakrotshin'') is a town in the Masovian Voivodeship, Poland. The Vistula River flows through the town. Zakroczym has a long and rich history: in the Kingdom of Poland and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, it was the capital of a ...

. By late August, the division cleared northern

Mazovia Mazovia or Masovia ( ) is a historical region in mid-north-eastern Poland. It spans the North European Plain, roughly between Łódź and Białystok, with Warsaw being the largest city and Płock being the capital of the region . Throughout the ...

from Soviet elements. In early September 1920, 4th Infantry Division was transported back to Eastern Galicia, to the area of

Lwów Lviv ( or ; ; ; see #Names and symbols, below for other names) is the largest city in western Ukraine, as well as the List of cities in Ukraine, fifth-largest city in Ukraine, with a population of It serves as the administrative centre of ...

, as reserve force of the 6th Army. On September 6, divisional 8th Brigade detrained near Chodorow, and was immediately involved in fighting the enemy. At the same time, 7th Brigade fought

1st Cavalry Army __NOTOC__ The 1st Cavalry Army (), or ''Konarmia'' (Кона́рмия, "Horsearmy"), was a prominent Red Army military formation that served in the Russian Civil War and Polish–Soviet War, Polish-Soviet War. History Formation On 17 Novem ...

near Zolkiew. In mid-September the division concentrated near

Przemyslany Peremyshliany (, ; ; , ''Premishlan'') is a small city in Lviv Raion, Lviv Oblast (region) of Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Peremyshliany urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population: Przemyślany, as the town is called i ...

and advanced eastwards. On September 17 it captured Pomorzany, then Zborow and Troscianiec. Its advance was halted on September 20, near Wisniowiec. In late September 1920, 4th Infantry Division was once again transported to the north, to

Grodno Grodno, or Hrodna, is a city in western Belarus. It is one of the oldest cities in Belarus. The city is located on the Neman, Neman River, from Minsk, about from the Belarus–Poland border, border with Poland, and from the Belarus–Lithua ...

, and was incorporated into 2nd Army. By early October, it covered Polish–Lithuanian demarcation line near Druskienniki. After Polish–Lithuanian truce was declared on October 5, the division was transferred to the rear, and in early November replaced by 2nd Legions Infantry Division

Second Polish Republic

On November 11, 1920, the division began its march from Druskienniki to Mazovia. Its headquarters was at first located in

Łomża Łomża () is a city in north-eastern Poland, approximately to the north-east of Warsaw and west of Białystok. It is situated alongside the Narew river as part of the Podlaskie Voivodeship. It is the capital of Łomża County and has been the se ...

, with 7th Brigade stationed in

Zambrów Zambrów is a town in northeastern Poland with 21,166 inhabitants (2020). It is the capital of Zambrów County. Situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Łomża Voivodeship (1975–1998). History The name of the town co ...

, and 8th Brigade in

Ostrołęka Ostrołęka (; ) is a small city in northeastern Poland on the Narew river, about northeast of Warsaw, with a population of 51,012 (2021) and an area of . It is the capital of both Ostrołęka County and Ostrołęka City County in the Masovian V ...

. The unit was then reorganized, with help from French officers. In April 1921, the headquarters with 14th Infantry Regiment and 7th Brigade were moved to

. 8th Brigade with 10th Regiment were stationed in

Konin Konin () is a city in central Poland, on the Warta River. It is the capital of Konin County and is located within the Greater Poland Voivodeship. In 2021 the population of the city was 71,427, making it the fourth-largest city in Greater Poland af ...

, and 37th Regiment in

Kutno Kutno is a city in central Poland with 42,704 inhabitants (2021) and an area of . It is the capital of Kutno County in the Łódź Voivodeship. Founded in the medieval period, Kutno was a local center of crafts and trade, owing its growth to i ...

. In November of that year, the division was reorganized: its 10th, 18th and 37th Infantry Regiments were transferred to the newly created 26th Infantry Division, garrisoned at

Skierniewice Skierniewice () is a city in central Poland with 45,184 inhabitants (2023), situated in the Łódź Voivodeship. It is the capital of Skierniewice County. Through the town runs the small river Łupia, also called Skierniewka. Located in the hist ...

. The "new" 4th Infantry Division was transferred to

, and before the

Invasion of Poland The invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign, Polish Campaign, and Polish Defensive War of 1939 (1 September – 6 October 1939), was a joint attack on the Second Polish Republic, Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Slovak R ...

it consisted of the following units: * Headquarters and staff (Toruń), *

14th Kujavian Infantry Regiment 14th Infantry Regiment of the Land of Kujawy (Polish language: 14 Pułk Piechoty Ziemi Kujawskiej, 14 pp) was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army. It existed from 1918 until 1939. Garrisoned in Włocławek, the unit belonged to the 4th Infantr ...

(

), * 63th Toruń Infantry Regiment (Toruń), *

67th Greater Poland Infantry Regiment 67 may refer to: * 67 (number) * one of the years 67 BC, AD 67, 1967, 2067 * "67", a 1992 song by Love Battery from the album ''Between the Eyes'' * 67 (rap group), a drill music group from London * 67 Asia, a main-belt asteroid See also * 67th Re ...

(

), *

4th Kujawy Light Artillery Regiment Fourth or the fourth may refer to: * the ordinal form of the number 4 * ''Fourth'' (album), by Soft Machine, 1971 * Fourth (angle), an ancient astronomical subdivision * Fourth (music), a musical interval * ''The Fourth'', a 1972 Soviet drama ...

(

Inowrocław Inowrocław (; , ) is a city in central Poland with a total population of 68,101 (as of December 2022). It is situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is one of the largest and most historically significant cities within the historic re ...

1939 Invasion of Poland

Following

Plan West Plan West () was a military plan of the Polish Army of the Second Polish Republic, for defence against invasion from Nazi Germany. It was designed in the late 1930s. Background While Józef Piłsudski was the dictator of Poland, planning concent ...

, 4th Division, commanded by Colonel Tadeusz Lubicz-Niezabitowski, belonged to

Operational Group Operational Group (, GO) was the highest level type of tactical division of the Polish Army at various points in the 20th century, mainly during the Second World War. Polish-Bolshevik War (1919-1921) Operational groups first appeared in the Polis ...

East (General

Mikołaj Bołtuć Mikołaj Bołtuć (21 December 1893 in Saint Petersburg – 22 September 1939 near Łomianki) was a brigadier general (Poland), brigadier-general of the Polish Armed Forces (Second Polish Republic), Polish Army, commander of the 4th Infantry Divis ...

), which was part of

(General

Władysław Bortnowski Władysław Bortnowski (12 November 1891 – 21 November 1966) was a Polish historian, military commander and one of the highest ranking generals of the Polish Army, generals of the Polish Army. He is most famous for commanding the Pomorze Army ...

). Operational Group East was ordered to defend the approaches to Toruń, and shortly before the war, field fortifications had been built near Brodnica and

Jabłonowo Pomorskie Jabłonowo Pomorskie (Polish pronunciation: ; , 1903-1945: ''Goßlershausen'') is a town in the Brodnica powiat of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. As of 2018, the town had a population of 3,783. It is located in the Chełmno Land in th ...

. Alarm mobilization of the division was ordered on August 24, 1939. Four days later, together with 16th Infantry Division and Jablonowo Group, it defended the line from

Grudziądz Grudziądz (, ) is a city in northern Poland, with 92,552 inhabitants (2021). Located on the Vistula River, it lies within the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and is the fourth-largest city in its province. Grudziądz is one of the oldest citie ...

to Brodnica. The 4th Division was placed on the right wing of Polish line of defence, with

Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade Nowogródzka Cavalry Brigade (Polish: ''Nowogródzka Brygada Kawalerii'') was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937, out of the Baranowicze Cavalry Brigade. It took its name from Nowogródek tow ...

located to its right. The task of the unit was to remain in battle readiness, in order to assault the enemy advancing from its positions behind the Osa river. On September 1, 1939, the division was attacked by German XXI Corps. Since main German assault was concentrated on the 16th I.D., elements of the 4th Division were sent there as a reinforcement, and managed to halt the enemy. On September 3, 14th Infantry Regiment was attacked by the

Luftwaffe The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...

, and as a result, Colonel Tadeusz Lubicz-Niezabitowski ordered a general retreat of the whole division. This decision was questioned by General Mikolaj Boltuc, who dismissed Lubicz-Niezabitowski, and replaced him with Colonel Mieczyslaw Rawicz-Myslowski. Nevertheless, in the night of September 3/4, the division began its retreat, due to general situation of Polish forces. By then, 14th Infantry Regiment had lost 20% of its officers and 9% of its soldiers. On September 6 in early afternoon the division was located south of Toruń, where it was reinforced with additional infantry. In the night of September 6/7, it withdrew along the

, to the area of

, and by September 8, the division reached

Brześć Kujawski Brześć Kujawski (Polish pronunciation: ; ) is a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in central Poland. Once a royal seat of Kuyavia, the town has been the seat of one of two small duchy, duchies into which Kuyavia had been temporarily di ...

. In the night of September 9/10, the division, which was part of

of General Boltuc, was moved to the area of

. On September 10, at 1930, General Boltuc ordered 4th Infantry Division to attack from the area of

Głowno Głowno is a town and community in Poland, in Łódź Voivodeship, in Zgierz County, about 25 km northeast of Łódź. The town administratively belonged to the Łódź Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998. According to data from 2020, the city had ...

. By the morning of next day, only 63rd Infantry Regiment managed to cross the

Bzura The Bzura is a river in central Poland. A tributary of the Vistula river (in Wyszogród), the Bzura is 173 kilometres long and has a basin area of 7,764 km2.Sobota, and managed to push back the

. On September 12 the division rested, while its staff decided to carry out a joint attack on

, together with

Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade Greater Poland Cavalry Brigade (Polish: ''Wielkopolska Brygada Kawalerii'') was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army in the interbellum period. It was created on April 1, 1937 out of the Cavalry Brigade "Poznań". Its headquarters were stationed in P ...

. The assault began at 1900: the infantry advanced slowly, as it lacked artillery support. At 2130, General Bortnowski ordered the attack to halt. Divisional commandant, Colonel Mieczyslaw Rawicz-Myslowski, decided to personally inform the fighting soldiers, but his vehicle struck a mine, killing him, together with divisional chief of staff. Due to stiff German resistance, Polish units had to withdraw to the northern bank of the Bzura river. The division still existed as a fighting unit, and on September 13, Colonel

Jozef Werobej Jozef ( Creole, Dutch, Breton, and Slovak) or Józef (Polish) are variants of the masculine given name Joseph in several European languages. A selection of people with that name follows. For a comprehensive list, see and . * Józef Beck (1894–1 ...

was named its new commandant. On September 14, 4th Division attacked German positions near

Łowicz Łowicz is a town in central Poland with 27,436 inhabitants (2021). It is situated in the Łódź Voivodeship. Together with a nearby station of Bednary, Łowicz is a major rail junction of central Poland, where the line from Warsaw splits into ...

, clashing with German 10th and 24th Infantry Divisions. In a series of bloody skirmishes, it lost over 500 KIA, and was then ordered by General Boltuc to withdraw behind the Bzura, failing to seize the strategic town of Łowicz, with its railroad junction. On September 15, the division took defensive positions along the Bzura, keeping some elements on the right bank of the river. On September 16, the Germans began the attack on

Urzecze Urzecze is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Zduny, within Łowicz County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland.Zduny Zduny () is a town in west-central Poland, in Krotoszyn County in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, with 4,551 inhabitants as of 2011. Location Zduny lies in western part of Kalisz Upland, about from Krotoszyn and about from Ostrów Wielkopols ...

. On September 17, the division was attacked by the Luftwaffe, which decimated the soldiers. Tired and hungry, the unit headed to a forest near Brzeziny, where it abandoned all cannons. In the morning of September 18 the 14th Regiment was ordered to protect the wings of Armies Poznań and Pomorze, which retreated towards

, via

Kampinos Forest Kampinos Forest () is a large forest complex located in Masovian Voivodeship, west of Warsaw in Poland. It covers a part of the ancient valley of the Vistula basin, between the Vistula and the Bzura rivers. The forest began to form 14-11,000 yea ...

. A skirmish took place along the road from

Sochaczew Sochaczew () is a town in central Poland, with 33,456 inhabitants (as of 2023). In the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999), formerly in Skierniewice Voivodeship (1975–1998). It is the capital of Sochaczew County and is located approximately west ...

Wyszogród Wyszogród is a town in central Poland, in Masovian Voivodeship, in Płock County, by the Vistula River. The population of Wyszogród was 2,793 in 2004. History The settlement dates back to the 7th century, when there was a Slavic pagan temple ...

, after which the division suffered heavy losses and ceased to exist as a cohesive fighting unit. In the evening of September 19, the survivors of the battle reached

Kazuń Nowy Kazuń Nowy is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czosnów, within Nowy Dwór County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is situated approximately north-west of Czosnów, south of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, and north ...

, where they rested. By September 21, Operational Group of General Boltuc shrank to 1000 soldiers. The group was tasked with defending ammunition depot at

Palmiry Palmiry () is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czosnów, within Nowy Dwór County, Masovian Voivodeship, Nowy Dwór County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is located at the edge of the Kampinos Forest, approxima ...

, but it failed to reach the village. Harassed by the Wehrmacht, most of the soldiers were KIA, including General Boltuc himself, who was killed near

Łomianki Łomianki is a town in Warsaw West County, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland. It had a population of 16,374 in 2008, and 24,270 in 2020. It is part of the Warsaw metropolitan area. History It was the site of the Battle of Łomianki between Polish an ...

Order of Battle of the 4th Infantry Division in September 1939

* Headquarters and Staff. Divisional commandants: Colonel Tadeusz Lubicz-Niezabitowski (September 1–4 and 12–13, 1939), Colonel Mieczyslaw Rawicz-Myslowski (September 4–12, KIA on September 12 near

), Colonel

(September 13–18, captured by the Germans on September 18, 1939), General

(September 19–21, KIA in the night of September 21/22 near

). * 14th Kujawy Infantry Regiment, *

63rd Toruń Infantry Regiment 63rd may refer to: ;Metro stations *Ashland/63rd (CTA station), on the Green Line *East 63rd-Cottage Grove (CTA), on the Green Line *63rd (CTA Red Line), on the Red Line *63rd Street station (SEPTA Market–Frankford Line) on the Market-Frankford L ...

, *

, * other units, such as 4th Sapper Battalion, 4th Regiment of Heavy Artillery, cavalry squadron, 81st Machine Gun Company, 81st Company of Cyclists, military police, Field Hospital Nr. 801.

Divisional Commandants

* General Franciszek Aleksandrowicz (16 IV – 19 IX 1919), * General

Franciszek Krajowski Franciszek Krajowski (; 30 September 1861 in Velešín – 22 November 1932 in Brest) was a Czech-Polish military officer and a General of the Polish Army The Land Forces () are the Army, land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currentl ...

(19 IX – 20 XII 1919), * General

Leonard Skierski Leonard Wilhelm Skierski (26 April 1866 – spring 1940) was a Polish military officer. He was a general of the Imperial Russian Army and then served in the Polish Army. He fought in World War I and in the Polish–Soviet War. He is a victim o ...

(1 I – 21 V 1920), * Colonel

Stanislaw Zygmunt Kaliszek Stanislav and variants may refer to: People *Stanislav (given name), a Slavic given name with many spelling variations (Stanislaus, Stanislas, Stanisław, etc.) Places * Stanislav, Kherson Oblast, a coastal village in Ukraine * Stanislaus County, ...

(21 V – 21 VIII 1920) * Colonel

Ferdynand Zarzycki Ferdynand Zarzycki (22 December 1888, in Tarnów – 10 October 1958, in Chicago, Illinois) was a Polish general and politician. He fought in the Polish Legions in World War I. From 1933 to 1934, he was a Minister of Trade and Industry in the Polis ...

(22 VIII – 24 IX 1920) * Colonel Wlodzimierz Ostoja-Zagorski (25 IX – 23 XI 1920) * Colonel

Franciszek Sikorski Franciszek Józef Sikorski (4 October 1889 Lwów – spring 1940 Kharkov) was a Polish engineer, Brigadier general of the Polish Army and a murdered victim of the Katyn Massacre. Life Sikorski was born in Lemberg, Austrian Galicia, and graduated ...

(24 XI 1920 – I 1921), * General

Henryk Minkiewicz Henryk Minkiewicz (19 January 1880 – 9 April 1940) was a Polish socialist politician and a general of the Polish Army. Former commander of the Border Defence Corps, he was among the Polish officers murdered in the Katyń massacre.; ; ; ; ; ; ...

(IV 1921 – 1 V 1922), * General Franciszek Zielinski (6 VI 1922 – 19 X 1924) * General

(3 XII 1924 – VII 1927) * General Wlodzimierz Maxymowicz-Raczynski (31 VII 1927 – 28 IV 1937), * General

(28 IV 1937 – VIII 1939), * Colonel Mieczyslaw Rawicz-Myslowski (VIII – 1 IX 1939), * Colonel Tadeusz Lubicz-Niezabitowski (1-4 and 12-13 IX 1939) * Colonel Mieczyslaw Rawicz-Myslowski (4-12 IX 1939) * Colonel

(13-18 IX 1939) * General

(19-21 IX 1939).

4th Division organized by the western Allies

Following the Polish defeat in 1939, the 4th Infantry Division was reconstituted in France, under the command of Stanisław Franciszek Sosabowski. The 4th was assigned to a training camp in

Parthenay Parthenay (; Poitevin: ''Partenaes'') is an ancient fortified town and ''commune'' in the Deux-Sèvres department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in western France. It is sited on a rocky spur that is surrounded on two sides by the Ri ...

, in western France. The French high command was reluctant to give the 4th Infantry Division weapons sorely need at the front, so the 4th was forced to train with pre-World War I weapons. By the time of the German invasion of France, only around 3,500 men, out of 11,000, of the 4th Division had been armed. When the impending French defeat became apparent, Sosabowski ordered his forces to retreat to the Atlantic coast. 6,000 Polish soldiers were evacuated from

La Pallice La Pallice (also known as ''grand port maritime de La Rochelle'') is the commercial deep-water port of La Rochelle, France. During the Fall of France, on 19 June 1940, approximately 6,000 Polish soldiers in exile under the command of Stanisła ...

, a harbor near

La Rochelle La Rochelle (, , ; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''La Rochéle'') is a city on the west coast of France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime Departments of France, department. Wi ...

, France. In June they were evacuated for England, and the 4th Infantry Division was again reconstituted in Scotland, under the Polish I Corps, along with the Polish 1st Armored Division, the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, and the 16th Independent Armored Brigade. The 4th Division was charged with coastal defense of eastern Scotland, against the threat of a German invasion from Norway. This western incarnation of the 4th Division saw no combat after the defeat of France in 1940, and was inactivated in 1947.

4th Division organized by the Soviet Union

In 1944, the Soviet Union also stood up a Polish 4th Infantry Division within the so-called Polish First Army, part of the

1st Belorussian Front The 1st Belorussian Front (, ''Pervyy Belorusskiy front'', also romanized " Byelorussian"), known without a numeral as the Belorussian Front between October 1943 and February 1944, was a major formation of the Red Army during World War II, bein ...

. The division’s overall personnel consisted primarily of Poles deported to the

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until it dissolved in 1991. During its existence, it was the largest country by are ...

after the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939, although most of the officers and

commissar Commissar (or sometimes ''Kommissar'') is an English transliteration of the Russian (''komissar''), which means ' commissary'. In English, the transliteration ''commissar'' often refers specifically to the political commissars of Soviet and ...

s were from the USSR. As part of the First Army, this eastern incarnation of the 4th Division fought in Poland near Warsaw, at Kolberg, and north of Berlin in Germany during 1944–45. Following the end of the war, the Soviet-organized 4th Division was incorporated into the army of the

Polish People's Republic The Polish People's Republic (1952–1989), formerly the Republic of Poland (1947–1952), and also often simply known as Poland, was a country in Central Europe that existed as the predecessor of the modern-day democratic Republic of Poland. ...

. By a Resolution of the Provisional Government of May 26, 1945, the division's personnel and equipment (with the exception of artillery and the sanitary battalion) served as a nucleus to form the staff and some branches of the

Internal Security Corps The Internal Security Corps (, KBW) was a special-purpose military formation in Poland under History of Poland (1945–1989)#Stalinist era (1948–1956), communist government, established on 24 May 1945. History The KBW consisted of 10 new ca ...

(KBW). The division commander became the first commander of the Internal Security Corps. Following reformation from two reserve infantry regiments, the division was stationed in the town of

Krosno Odrzańskie Krosno Odrzańskie () is a town in Lubusz Voivodeship in western Poland, on the east bank of Oder River, at the confluence with the Bóbr. With 11,319 inhabitants (2019) it is the capital of Krosno County, Lubusz Voivodeship, Krosno County. His ...

as part of the

Silesian Military District Silesian Military District () was one of three military districts in Poland, the other two being the Pomeranian Military District and the Warsaw Military District. All three were disbanded by the end of 2011 due to the restructuring of the Poli ...

. During the

Cold War The Cold War was a period of global Geopolitics, geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc and communist Eastern Bloc, which lasted from 1947 unt ...

, the division became mechanized on the organizational lines of Soviet motor rifle divisions. The 4th Division also participated in the suppression of protests in Poznań in 1956. The 4th Mechanized Division was inactivated in 1998.

References

{{reflist 04 Military units and formations established in 1919 4 Military units and formations disestablished in 1998 Polish–Ukrainian War Toruń in World War II