Battle of Tarnopol
The Battle of Tarnopol was a battle that occurred on 14 June 1919 between the Ukrainian Galician Army led by general Oleksandr Hrekov and the Polish army. It was one of the biggest battles of the Chortkiv offensive.
Background
After the November Uprising, the city became a part of the Ukrainian People's Republic, from 23 of November to 31 of December, the WUPR government was located in the city. From 16 to 31 of May, Tarnopol was a temporary capital of the Ukrainian People's Republic. On 1 of June, Ukrainian government left the city, it was captured by the Polish Army. On June 7th, the Ukrainian Galician Army launched the Chortkiv offensive − most successful operation of the UGA. The units of Władysław Sikorski were defeated at Yahilnytsia and Chortkiv, following this the UGA fought successful battles at Jazłowiec and Buchach, after which the Polish army was forced to retreat towards Tarnopol.
Battle
On June 14, 1919, 9th Brigade of the Ukrainian Galician Army led by Otaman Martynovych captured Skalat, 4 Polish kurens were forced to retreat to the Tarnopol. On the same day, Ukrainian 3rd Corps defeated the Polish army near Kozova on the west bank of the Strypa river and besieged Tovstobaby. At the same time, the 1st and 2nd Corps of the Ukrainian Army under the command of General Myron Tarnavsky were sent to capture Ternopil, a battle began, which turned out to be a victory of the Ukrainians. General Władysław Jędrzejewski attempted counterattack but was defeated by the soldiers from III corps of Arnold Wolf. Meanwhile, on 15th of June, soldiers of the 10th brigade entered Tarnopol and captured it.
Aftermath
Capture of the city ended the first phase of the Chortkiv offensive. On the same day after the battle, Ukrainian Galician Army captured Tovstobaby and the 1st Corps continued the offensive towards Krasne and Brody. In July 1919, the Polish army recaptured Tarnopol.