Battles of Nabróż

The Battles of Nabróż took place between the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the Home Army in the Lublin Voivodeship, in Nabróż and its vicinity, May 1944, resulting in UPA success.[1]

Prelude

After a number of successful UPA attacks in the Lublin Voivodeship, Polish leadership was politically divided. AK commanders were blamed for heavy losses and failing to stop insurgents. However, this divide only worsened the situation for Poles. Polish forces made attempts to appeal to the local population.[2] Despite this, insurgents continued their attacks.[3]

Battles

Initial attack 4-5 May

First Attack on Nabróż
Part of Polish–Ukrainian conflict (1939–1947)
Date4–5 May 1944
Location
Nabróż
Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Ukrainian Insurgent Army Home Army

UPA launched an attack on Nabróż, the attack was repulsed and the settlement was damaged.[4] UPA didn't make further attempts to capture Nabróż at this time, with the clashes continuing in other settlements of Tomaszów and Hrubieszów Counties instead.

Attack 17 May

Second Attack on Nabróż
Part of Polish–Ukrainian conflict (1939–1947)
Date17 May 1944
Location
Nabróż
Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Ukrainian Insurgent Army Home Army
Commanders and leaders
Maryan Lukasevych Jana Opiełkę

On May 17, 1944, five UPA hundred units attacked the village of Nabróż, which was an important defense link in the Polish defense line against Ukrainian nationalists. The attack was repelled by partisans led by, among others, by Senior Sgt. Jan Opiełka alias "Arab". Due to the threat, the majority of the Polish population was evacuated beyond the Huczwa River.[5]

Final attack 18-19 May

Third Attack on Nabróż
Part of Polish–Ukrainian conflict (1939–1947)
Date18–19 May 1944
Location
Nabróż
Result Ukrainian victory
Belligerents
Ukrainian Insurgent Army Peasant Battalions
Home Army
Commanders and leaders
Maryan Lukasevych Jana Opiełkę

UPA liquated many settlements around Nabróż. UPA renewed their attacks on this settlement. Heavy fighting took place in and outside Nabróż, which was initially developing in Polish favour. The situation was saved by insurgent reinforcements, which turned the tide of this clash.[6] Insurgents made Germans flee and Luftwaffe failed to inflict any casualties on them during this clash. The Ukrainian side estimated Polish losses at 46 killed and several captured, Polish side estimated their losses at 12–15 killed, while UPA suffered 2 killed and 11 wounded.[7] Other sources estimate that Poles lost 15 killed, while UPA suffered losses of about 30 dead and as many wounded.[5][8]

Aftermath

The first two attacks ended in a victory for the Poles, but as a result of final attack, Polish forces retreated behind the Huczwa River.[7] Fighting for Nabróż ended in Ukrainian victory.[1] Polish-Ukrainian clashes continued in other areas and reached its peak at Narol.[9]

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b Grzegorz Motyka (2022). From the Volhynian Massacre to Operation Vistula. Brill U Schoningh. p. 196. ISBN 978-3506795373.
  2. ^ Zajączkowski 2015, p. 349.
  3. ^ Zajączkowski 2015, p. 350.
  4. ^ Zajączkowski 2015, pp. 351–352.
  5. ^ a b Markiewicz, Jerzy (1980). Partyzancki kraj: Zamojszczyzna 1 I 1944 - 15 VI 1944 (Wyd. 1 ed.). Lublin: Wydaw. Lubelskie. p. 336-341. ISBN 978-83-222-0195-4.
  6. ^ Zajączkowski 2015, p. 352.
  7. ^ a b Zajączkowski 2015, p. 353.
  8. ^ Motyka, Grzegorz (1999). Tak było w Bieszczadach: walki polsko-ukraińskie 1943-1948 (in Polish). Oficyna Wydawnicza Volumen. p. 203. ISBN 978-83-7233-065-9.
  9. ^ Zajączkowski 2015, p. 354.

Bibliography

  • Zajączkowski, Mariusz (2015). Ukraińskie podziemie na Lubelszczyźnie w okresie okupacji niemieckiej 1939-1944. Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, IPN. ISBN 978-83-7629-769-9.
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