81st Grodno Rifles Regiment


The King Stephen Báthory 81st Grodno Rifle Regiment was an infantry unit of the Self-Defence of Lithuania and Belarus and the Polish Armed Forces.
The regiment traces its origins to the military formations of the Grodno Land Self-Defense, established on 12 November 1918. During the 1920 war, as the Grodno Rifle Regiment, it was part of the 1st Lithuanian–Belarusian Division. It fought against Soviet and Lithuanian forces, including at Stolovichy, Bobruisk, in the Republic of Central Lithuania, and participated in the Battle of Warsaw and the defense of Suwałki. After the reorganization of the Polish Armed Forces, it joined the 29th Infantry Division. Before 1939, it was stationed in the.
In the September Campaign of 1939, the regiment fought within its parent division as part of the reserve Prussian Army. Due to command errors, it operated detached from the main forces. Its combat path ran from Bartkowice Mokre forest through Trzebiatów, Brzuza, Wólka Kuligowska, and Kraszków to Przysucha forest, where, on 12 September, it was overwhelmed and destroyed by superior enemy forces.

In the Grodno Land Self-Defense

The regiment's founding date is considered 12 November 1918, when the Grodno Land Self-Defense was established. Volunteers began joining the newly formed regiment from 14 command posts around Grodno. Officers were recruited from the former Russian army and the Eastern Corps, while enlisted men were exclusively volunteers from the Grodno region.
Uniforms consisted of both German and Russian attire, with some soldiers wearing civilian clothes. The distinguishing mark of Grodno units was a white-and-red armband bearing the seal of the Regency Council. Initial armament – 500 rifles with ammunition – was obtained from the Germans under an agreement with the Ober-Ost command.
Shortages in arms and equipment, coupled with German reluctance, forced Polish authorities to send some volunteers to Łapy. The unit's total strength reached 700 soldiers, including 30 cavalrymen, and was named the 1st Grodno Rifle Regiment. Major Jan Jackiewicz was appointed commander, with Major Bronisław Bohaterewicz leading the 1st Battalion.
By 10 January 1919, the formed and trained subunits were concentrated in. Major Bohaterewicz divided the 1st Battalion into three companies: 1st under Second Lieutenant Oreluk, 2nd under Second Lieutenant Romanowski, and 3rd under Second Lieutenant Piotr Daniszewski. A cavalry detachment under Lieutenant Czuczełowicz and a supply unit were also formed.
The unit's rapid growth alarmed the Germans, who decided to disarm the battalion in Kapciouka. On the night of 15–16 January 1919, German infantry surrounded the barracks. After arresting Polish negotiators, they forced the Grodno rifles to partially disperse and disarm. Only Lieutenant Czuczełowicz's cavalry escaped encirclement. On 23 January, Major Jackiewicz was arrested.
Some subunits regrouped near Grodno, where Major Bohaterewicz took command and reconstituted the 1st Battalion under Captain Waśkiewicz. On 4 February 1919, this battalion swore a solemn oath. Colonel Adam Dulewicz was appointed the new commander of the Grodno Land Self-Defense and negotiated a new agreement with the Germans, relocating the regiment to Krynki.

Within the 1st Lithuanian–Belarusian Division

The next phase of reorganization began with an order from General Wacław Iwaszkiewicz-Rudoszański to establish the staff of the Grodno Rifle Regiment within the 1st Lithuanian–Belarusian Division. Colonel Franciszek Ostrowski organized it in Vawkavysk at the division's reserve center, with Lieutenant Colonel Stanisław Kowalski as deputy commander and Lieutenant Jerzy Dąbrowski as adjutant. The self-defense regiment was to become a fully-fledged unit of the reviving Polish Armed Forces.
The first subunit to join the division was Lieutenant Czuczełowicz's half-squadron of Grodno Uhlans, comprising three officers and 52 cavalrymen. On 7 March, Major Bohaterewicz brought the self-defense infantry to Vawkavysk, transferring command to Colonel Ostrowski. At this point, the regiment numbered 17 officers and 250 enlisted men. The 1st Battalion of the Grodno Rifle Regiment was formed under Major Bohaterewicz, alongside a non-commissioned officer school led by Captain Waśkiewicz.
The 2nd Battalion was established by late May from the division's reserve battalion in Vawkavysk. Like the 1st Battalion, it consisted entirely of volunteers from the borderlands. The 3rd Battalion was formed last, joining the regiment in June 1920. It was created from the reserve battalion of the 12th Infantry Regiment from Wadowice. According to Janusz Odziemkowski, the 3rd Battalion was originally the Mobile Mounted Rifle Detachment of Second Lieutenant Stefan Felsztyński, which relinquished its horses and reformed into two infantry companies.
In December 1919, the regiment's reserve battalion was stationed in Baranavichy.

In the fight for borders

In the Polish-Bolshevik War

1919 campaign

The first subunit of the Grodno Regiment to engage in combat was the half-squadron of Grodno Uhlans under Lieutenant Stanisław Czuczełowicz, tasked with reconnaissance duties. On the night of 9–10 March 1919, this unit participated in an operation to expel Soviet forces that had temporarily occupied Slonim.
On 19 March 1919, the Grodno Rifle Regiment arrived in Slonim by transport, beginning its frontline service. It occupied a sector along the Shchara river from Mironim to Żyrowice. While conducting patrols, the regiment trained and reinforced its ranks.
In the operation to capture Vilnius, the regiment operated within Colonel group, tasked first with seizing Baranavichy. The battle for Baranavichy began on 15 April. Unable to take the town directly, on 17 April, a "northern group" was formed under Colonel Ostrowski to outflank from the north and strike the Soviet northern flank. This group included the Grodno Regiment, the 3rd and 6th Companies of the Białystok Regiment, the 8th People's Militia Battalion, and a section of the 7th Field Artillery Regiment. On 19 April, after a day-long battle with the Soviet, the Grodno Regiment captured Stolovichy, suffering three killed and seven wounded, capturing 40 prisoners, and seizing four machine guns, seven horses, and significant amounts of ammunition and equipment. The action at Stolovichy is considered the regiment's baptism of fire as a cohesive fighting unit.
On 4 November, subunits of the regiment participated in the battle for Lyepyel, capturing it and successfully defending it against attacks by the Soviet 52nd Rifle Division. The regiment lost over 20% of its personnel in these engagements, with some companies reduced to about 40 men. During the winter, the regiment was reorganized: the 3rd Battalion was disbanded, and its personnel were used to reinforce the remaining subunits. The monotony of the winter campaign was broken by frequent raids on enemy positions.

In Żeligowski's group in the Republic of Central Lithuania

Still part of the 1st Lithuanian–Belarusian Division, the regiment participated in Żeligowski's Mutiny. On 7 October 1920, it began its march "on Vilnius". Leading the 2nd Brigade, it advanced toward Wielka Czernica–Kudonino, capturing Ogrodniki in a direct assault. After seizing Vilnius, it secured the city from the north.

Combat summary

From 1918 to 1920, 196 officers and enlisted men were killed in combat. Additionally, 90 died on the front. Numerical records indicate losses of 260 killed, about 800 wounded, and approximately 300 missing.

Recipients of the Virtuti Militari

For bravery in combat, the regimental colors and 40 soldiers were awarded the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari, while 170 received the Cross of Valour. 96 soldiers were decorated with the Cross of Merit of the Central Lithuanian Army.

Regiment in peacetime

From 1923 to 1939, the regiment was stationed in Grodno, within the III Corps District.
Under the 1930 peacetime infantry organization, the Polish Armed Forces classified infantry regiments into three types. The 81st Regiment was designated a Type II regiment. It received about 845 recruits annually, with a peacetime strength of 68 officers and 1,900 non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. It was slated for the first mobilization wave in wartime. In winter, it had two battalions of older recruits and a training battalion; in summer, three rifle battalions. Its strength exceeded that of a "normal" regiment by 400–700 soldiers. A machine gun company was also added, increasing its strength by 4 officers, 13 non-commissioned officers, 1,200 enlisted men, and 12 machine guns.
The regiment experimentally established a reserve officer cadet company, comprising three rifle platoons and a machine gun platoon. This company reported to the division commander for organization and training and to the regiment commander for administration.

Defensive war of 1939

In September 1939, the regiment fought within its parent division in the reserve Prussian Army.
Initially, the division was planned for the main defensive effort under Łódź Army. However, in the summer of 1939, Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły reassigned the 29th Division to General Stefan Dąb-Biernacki's Prussian Army.

Combat operations

On 1 September, the regiment's subunits were in their designated staging areas. In the evening, the commander received orders to redeploy to Spała. The regiment marched overnight, reaching the area by the morning of 2 September and resting in the surrounding forests.
At noon, the 29th Division commander ordered another redeployment. The regiment completed a 28-kilometer daytime march to the Potok forest, remaining there until the evening of 3 September. That night, it marched 10 kilometers to occupy Dąbrowy, Józefowa, and Jaksonek.
On 4 September, officers and enlisted men surrendered their identity documents and Virtuti Militari certificates, which were sent to division headquarters. The first food supply issues, particularly bread shortages, were noted.
That day, the regiment first encountered signs of war, observing the Luftwaffe bombing of Sulejów. It also encountered stray soldiers from various units unable to justify their separation. Contact was established with the adjacent 76th Regiment.
In the afternoon, on army commander's orders, the 81st Regiment dispatched a cyclist squad from its reconnaissance company, led by Second Lieutenant Kazimierz Rzęśny with two machine guns and an anti-tank gun, to support Captain Sopoćko's 5th Company of the 76th Regiment. Tasked with securing a Pilica crossing at Przedbórz, 30 kilometers from the 81st Regiment's position, this detachment never returned.
On 5 September, around 6:00 PM, General Stefan Dąb-Biernacki personally arrived at the 81st Regiment's position and, in Colonel Ignacy Oziewicz's presence, issued an oral order for the regiment to occupy the Łodyńsko–Rozprza–Jeżów sector on the 29th Division's left flank, marching via Jaksonek–Łęczno to Rozprza.
To maintain pace, the regiment began a secured march without wagons around 8:00 PM. The 1st Battalion under Captain Marciniak, reinforced with anti-tank weapons, led as the vanguard, followed by the other battalions, with the reconnaissance company as rearguard. It reached the Pilica crossings near Kurnędz after dark. The ford was shallow but muddy, with steep banks difficult for the few ammunition carts. As the crossing took longer than planned, Colonel Banaszak ordered the vanguard and part of the main column to proceed to the designated area after crossing.
Overnight, the 29th Division's operations officer, Lieutenant Chomiuk, delivered an oral order to change the march direction to the Koło–Barkowice Mokre area. Approaching Sulejów, the vanguard's lead element, including the commander, was fired upon. Advancing directly into combat, it reached Sulejów's center, discovering the "enemy" was actually outposts of the 76th Regiment, which had previously withdrawn.
During the march from Sulejów to Barkowice Mokre forest, the regiment was strafed by enemy aircraft. The 2nd Battalion commander, Captain Krupiński, went missing during this movement.
On 6 September, around 8:00 AM, the regiment reached Barkowice Mokre forest, taking up defensive positions on its southwestern edge. Shortly after, German aircraft began bombing and strafing the assembled units from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, immobilizing the regiment and causing numerous casualties. Only patrols conducted reconnaissance, identifying German armored columns advancing on Wolbórz. Partially outflanked and behind enemy lines, the regiment lost contact with the 29th Division headquarters. That afternoon, Colonel Banaszak decided to redeploy toward Kozienice, moving covertly through forests to avoid combat. At 7:00 PM, the regiment set out for Zarzęcin. Overnight on 6–7 September, it crossed the Pilica, during which Major Bolesław Szajda's battalion and Lieutenant Dubiak's reconnaissance company separated from the main force.
By the morning of 7 September, the regiment reached Trzebiatów forest lodge for a rest. Afterward, it moved through forests to Brzustów, reuniting with its 1st Battalion. During this movement, the main column was fired upon by saboteurs multiple times but maintained cohesion.
On 8 September, the regiment headed toward the Radom highway and Odrzywół. A reconnaissance patrol reported motorized German infantry south of Odrzywół along the Drzewica–Nowe Miasto nad Pilicą road. Colonel Banaszak turned the regiment back, halting at dawn on 9 September in a forest near the Pilica at Wólka Kuligowska. On 10 September, after dark, it moved from Wólka Kuligowska to Huta forest lodge via Radnice–Kraszków.
On the morning of 11 September, the vanguard encountered a German supply column near Kraszków. In the ensuing fight, the 30-vehicle column was destroyed, eight prisoners were taken, and the regiment lost two killed and two wounded.
The battle alerted the Germans, who attacked with infantry and tanks from Rozwady. The assault was repelled using the artillery platoon, anti-tank guns, and heavy machine guns. Harassed by air attacks, the regiment reached Przysucha forest around 3:00 PM on 11 September, establishing contact with Colonel Tadeusz Pełczyński's 19th Infantry Division group.
Overnight on 11–12 September, the resting 81st Regiment in Przysucha forest endured harassing fire from German heavy artillery from Kamienna Wola. The shelling persisted nearly all night, scattering and disorienting 2nd Battalion soldiers seeking cover, with several killed and about 30 wounded.
On 12 September at 12:00 PM, Colonel Banaszak held a briefing for subunit commanders. Around 2:00 PM, during the meeting, German forces attacked Polish positions. Truck-borne infantry advanced from the west and north along roads and clearings. The battle turned against the regiment. Captain Doctor Jurkowski brought about 45 wounded to the commander's position. Seeing no alternative, Banaszak ordered Jurkowski to evacuate the wounded to the nearest German hospital with the eight Kraszków prisoners. After further German assaults, Banaszak ordered a retreat toward Warsaw.
In the Przysucha forest battle, about 20 soldiers were killed. The scattered subunits could not be rallied, and the 81st Regiment ceased to exist as a cohesive unit.

Regimental symbols

Banner

The most significant symbol of any regiment was its banner. Grodno's citizens decided early in the regiment's existence to donate a banner. However, it was only after the war, on 6 June 1921, that it was ceremonially presented in Vilnius by General Lucjan Żeligowski.
On 15 April 1922, Supreme Commander Józef Piłsudski arrived in Vilnius to take possession of the Vilnius Region on behalf of Poland. On 19 April, he decorated the banner with the Silver Cross of the Order Virtuti Militari.
From 28 January 1938, the regimental colors were officially termed a banner.

Commemorative badge

On 15 January 1929, Minister of Military Affairs, First Marshal of Poland Józef Piłsudski, approved the design and regulations for the 81st Infantry Regiment's commemorative badge. Measuring 41×26 millimeters, the badge was a cross encircled by a laurel wreath, with the Grodno Land coat of arms at the intersection. The arms bore the inscription "12 November 1918 Grodno Rifle Regiment". It was made of white metal or silver.

Special badge

In 1933, Minister of Military Affairs Józef Piłsudski named the regiment the Grodno Rifle Regiment after King Stephen Báthory. This name inspired a special badge worn on shoulder straps – "SB" with a crown. The design was finalized in 1936 by Minister Tadeusz Kasprzycki.

Grodno rifles

Regiment commanders

Source:
  • Major Infantry Jan Jackiewicz
  • Major Infantry Bronisław Bohaterewicz
  • Colonel Infantry Franciszek Ostrowski
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry
  • Major Infantry Bronisław Bohaterewicz
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Bolesław Waśkiewicz
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Mieczysław Kaleński-Jaśkiewicz
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Robert Risy
  • Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel Infantry
  • Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel Diplomat Stanisław Maczek
  • Colonel Infantry

Deputy commanders (from 1938, First Deputy Commander)

  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Władysław Wojtkiewicz
  • Lieutenant Colonel General Staff
  • Major/Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Józef Wildmann
  • Lieutenant Colonel Diplomat Infantry
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry
  • Lieutenant Colonel Infantry
  • Lieutenant Colonel Diplomat Infantry
  • Major/Lieutenant Colonel Infantry

Soldiers of the 81st Infantry Regiment – victims of the Katyn Massacre

Sources:
NameRankProfessionPre-mobilization workplaceMurdered
Bielski, StanisławLieutenant ReserveForestry engineerSieradz forest protection commissionerKatyn
Bujnowski, ZygmuntSecond Lieutenant ReserveConstruction engineerPale-Franki companyKatyn
Kunda, EdmundLieutenant ReserveTeacherGrodno Public SchoolKatyn
Marcinkowski, JerzySecond Lieutenant ReserveEngineerWarsaw Municipal AdministrationKatyn
Moser, LeopoldLieutenant RetiredKatyn
Stęplewski, JanLieutenant ReserveGK bank in WarsawKatyn
Urbański, BronisławSecond Lieutenant ReserveKatyn
Cydzik, ZygmuntSecond Lieutenant ReserveClerkKharkiv
Gajlewicz, KazimierzSecond Lieutenant ReserveKharkiv
Lange, HenrykSecond Lieutenant ReserveForestry industry technicianKharkiv
Lewandowski, JózefWarrant OfficerProfessional soldierKharkiv
Marcinek, AntoniSecond Lieutenant ReserveVeterinarianKharkiv
Markowski, StefanLieutenant ReserveClerkKharkiv
Pawłowski, RomanSecond Lieutenant ReservePhysicianKharkiv
Pluta, AdamSecond Lieutenant ReserveTeacherSchool in WysokieKharkiv
Radziszewski, TomaszCaptainProfessional soldier81st Regiment BandmasterKharkiv
Rutkowski, StanisławSecond Lieutenant ReserveClerkGrodno Municipal AdministrationKharkiv
Samek, StanisławLieutenantProfessional soldier2nd Machine Gun Company Commander, 8th Legions Infantry RegimentKharkiv
Sarnosiek, WitoldSecond Lieutenant ReserveAgricultural engineerKharkiv
Wardecki, TadeuszSecond Lieutenant ReserveKharkiv
Wolny, DobrosławLieutenant ReserveEngineerKharkiv
Wróblewski, ZygmuntSecond Lieutenant ReserveKharkiv