Battle of Gnojno

Battle of Gnojno
Part of the Polish–Ukrainian conflict and Eastern Front of World War II
Date18–19 January 1944
Location
Gnojno, Volyn Oblast
Result Ukrainian victory
Belligerents
Ukrainian Insurgent Army Home Army
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Jerzy Krasowski
Units involved
Unspecified

27th Volhynian Infantry Division

  • "Piotrusia" unit
  • "Jarosława" unit
  • "Lecha" unit
Strength
500[1] 3 companies[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown 1–5 killed
3 wounded

The Battle of Gnojno or Attack on Gnojno took place as part of the attempts to capture Włodzimierz after German withdrawal, with the main attack occurring on UPA base in Gnojno organised by AK. On 18–19 January, 1944.[2][3]

Prelude

During January 10–15, 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army wasn't fully formed yet, but was already involved in operations. "Osnowa" unit engaged in skirmishes with UPA in the north of Włodzimierz Wołyński.[2] Large number of UPA forces was located in Gnojno.[4] UPA forces stationed there posed a threat to AK forces from the Eastern direction.[5] Concerning activities were reported regarding Germans and UPA partisans near Włodzimierz Wołyński.[3] AK intended to capture Włodzimierz Wołyński and eliminate UPA base in Gnojno.[2] "Piotrusia", "Jarosława" and "Lecha" units took part in the assault.[6]

Battle

On January 18, AK received the news of German troops abandoning Włodzimierz Wołyński. AK troops headed to Włodzimierz Wołyński with intention of capturing it. However, Lt. "Bogoria" decided not to strike the city for unknown reason. On January 19, AK learnt from captured UPA partisans about planned UPA attack on Bielin, which was going to be launched from their base in Gnojno. Lt. "Bogoria" decided to disrupt planned UPA assault by attacking their base there. AK clashed with one of UPA units in Ludmipol settlement and made them retreat.[7]

AK forces were 1.5 km away from the settlement, but with all the fighting they alerted the main UPA force in Gnojno and lost the element of surprise. UPA was given time to react and repel AK assaults.[7] First AK attack on Gnojno was met with organised UPA fire from well-fortified positions, which paralyzed the AK attack. This occurred in outskirts of the settlement, AK troops hidden from UPA fire for 3 hours before being forced to retreat.[8] Other AK attacks were also repelled and UPA defense held firmly.[7] Polish forces retreated to Bielin and Siedlisko after these failed attacks.[2]

Aftermath

AK operation in Gnojno was unsuccessful.[2][9] AK losses were 1 killed and 3 wounded.[9][10] Other sources estimate AK losses at 5 killed.[11] UPA losses couldn't be estimated.[9]

On January 25, UPA attacked Bielin in response to previous AK attacks. UPA attack was repelled, but insurgents still managed to cause destruction in several Polish settlements.[1][2] On 29 January, AK units attacked Babie and Szczu settlements, which only achieved limited success with devastation of these settlements.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Filar 2011, p. 55.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Michał Klimecki . Combat involvement of Poland’s 27th Infantry Division of the Volhynia Home Army against the UPA in the light of the 27th’s entire combat trail. p. 5.
  3. ^ a b Turowski 1990, p. 165.
  4. ^ Filar 2011, p. 51.
  5. ^ Filar 2011, p. 52.
  6. ^ a b Damian Markowski (2013). Wołyńskie powstanie : epopeja 27 Wołyńskiej Dywizji Piechoty AK (styczeń-kwiecień 1944 r.) (in Polish). p. 146.
  7. ^ a b c Filar 2011, p. 54.
  8. ^ Turowski 1990, p. 166.
  9. ^ a b c Turowski 1990, p. 167.
  10. ^ "1944-01-19". muzeum-ak.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  11. ^ Witold Józef Kowalów (2010). Kalendarz 2010 "WOŁANIA Z WOŁYNIA" T. 68 (PDF) (in Polish). p. 19 stycznia 1944 r. ISBN 978-83-88863-45-5. 19 stycznia 1944 r. - we wsi Gnojno, pow. Włodzimierz Wołyński, w walce z UPA zginęło 5 partyzantów AK. [January 19, 1944 - in the village of Gnojno, Włodzimierz Wołyński district, 5 AK partisans died in a fight with the UPA.]

Bibliography

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