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The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

author:Sun Lei's original literary and historical translation

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

Soldiers on bicycles march on Krakow's main square, September 1938

Fighting a War on Bicycles: A Secret Polish History

Fighting on a Bicycle: A Secret History of Poland

While many have never heard of them, Poland's interwar army's bicycle units were involved in some of the most dramatic war events of the 20th century. Understanding how bicycles played a role during the Polish ---- Bolshevik War and World War II may change your understanding of the bicycle phenomenon.

A magnificent entrance

Cycling into Poland's military history is a magnificent entrance. Apparently, its first use on the battlefield took place during the Battle of Warsaw in 1920, a decisive event in the Polish ---- Bolshevik War, in which Poland won the battle and, ultimately, the entire conflict, which deeply affected the fate of the whole of Europe. As Mikhail Tukhachevsky, one of the leaders of the defeated Bolshevik side, said in 1923:

There is no doubt that if we win on the Vistula, the entire European continent will be ignited by revolution.

Almost a century after Poland's victory at the Battle of Warsaw, the country's largest cycling race commemorates the event. The 2016 Tour de Pollogne began in the town of Lazimín, just outside the capital, where most of the fighting took place. Competition director Czesław Lang had the following to say at the meeting:

The battles of 1920 were won not only by military units, but also by ordinary people, often very young people, who sacrificed their lives to protect values such as freedom and independence. Among these were cyclists, who were members of the Warsaw Cycling Association, who played an important role in military operations. With their ability to act quickly, they carry out orders, acting as messengers.

Companionship of cyclists

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

In June 1930, during the Spara military exercise, a bicycle was lined up on a telephone position

Unfortunately, little is known about the involvement of cyclists in this unforgettable battle. Most likely, their participation was completely improvised, not even well documented enough to be analyzed by the military after the fact. There also does not seem to be any other example of cyclists fighting in the Polish ---- Bolshevik war.

One really can't find any mention of bike riders who served during the Polish-Bolshevik War. However, the conflict made the Polish military realize that the next war would be based on maneuvers. Cyclists seem to be perfect for this [...]

History buff Grzegorz Kurpeta quoted this quote in a 2011 article pointing to the origins of the discussion that began in Poland after the invaders were expelled. The topic of discussion was how best to introduce bicycle units into the Polish army and unfold in the interwar military media.

From today's point of view, the whole event seems as peculiar as the idea of the soldier himself who owns the bicycle. In respected periodicals such as Przegląd Kawaleryjski or Bellona the Military Monthly, servicemen would present their ideas on how to use bicycles on the battlefield. For example, in 1923, Lieutenant Wenceław Belka wrote in Bellona:

One must be aware of what the role and purpose of cyclists is. They are a fast-riding infantry capable of intense firepower combat. Therefore, their natural purpose was to strengthen cooperation with cavalry units, since they had qualities that cavalry lacked.

Thus, it was only in the second half of the 2020s, after much debate, that the Polish military formed the first official cycling unit. The company, of about 120 men and armed with pistols and rifles, was part of a larger infantry unit, but still an experiment. Regular bicycle units did not begin to appear as a complement to cavalry units until the 30s of the 20th century---- By 1937, most cavalry regiments in Poland included a 50-man bicycle platoon (armed similar to an experimental company).

Of course, soldiers on bicycles do not want to "charge" on bicycles, nor do they engage the enemy while riding. Quiet and fast, the bike was considered by the army to be most suitable for reconnaissance missions and communication purposes. In addition, troops on bicycles have the advantage of being able to keep up with the movement speed of cavalry. Any engagement by enemy forces can only be carried out on foot, not on bicycles.

Interestingly, this point is often forgotten, just before the Second World War, similar rules were made for the use of Polish cavalry. They were destined to fight on foot, mainly using horses as a means of rapid transport. Fighting on horseback is reserved for rare and specific occasions, such as belligerent battles. Places for cyclists were also found in armored and infantry units, where they would act as scouts.

Stock and barrel

Lucnik by Władysław Skoczylas, which is the logo of the Luznik company

Although in wartime, some bikes were joined by mobilization, the Polish military did have its own official dedicated bicycle, which was used by many soldiers. Made at the state-owned weapons factory in the city of Radom, it was called Typ Wojskowy - Model 35 (Army Type - Model 35). The factory did not initially intend to produce bicycles, but to survive the Great Depression, it began using licenses from two French companies to use them for civilian use. These bikes became very popular with ---- of which about 100,000 were ridden in Poland between the two world wars. The bike's design, marked with a sign showing an archer (which is what "łucznik" stands for in Polish), is a reference to the famous painter and woodcut artist Władysław Skoczylas' 2020s watercolor Łucznik.

Eventually, the army model was designed and approved by the military in 1935. Below is an excerpt from the factory's 1936 catalog. Note that the bike is equipped with rifle mounts produced by the pre-war State Armaments Factory, which happens to be the owner of the Radom plant:

Approved by the Technical Inspection of Armoured Weapons as a military-type bicycle, model 35. (...) A very solid bike for use in all types of terrain. Frame: special, reinforced, length 640 mm. Height from the ground to the upper edge of the horizontal tube - 780 mm, holder of state weapons manufacturers: for rifles (for the butt and barrel).

In addition to being reinforced and equipped with a rifle mount, the bike was distinguished from civilian models in other ways. For example, it comes in a covert khaki color and is equipped with a special military shelf with a leather strap. Imagine seeing something like this in a catalog of modern bikes ---- war bikes with rifle mounts. You might pinch yourself to see if you're not dreaming. However, this is the reality of pre-war Europe.

Real combat

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

The logo of the Łucznik company, which manufactures bicycles for the army

When World War II broke out, as Curpeta said, the bicycle units were:

A new weapon, but it already has no place on the battlefield, like its almost inseparable companion - cavalry.

In fact, in the new highly motorized conflict, bicycles and horses must have looked like relics. Although there are some exceptions, it seems unsurprising that it is difficult to find information about the use of bicycle installations for serious military purposes after World War II. Still, the Polish army was not the only one with cavalry and cyclists in 1939. When Germany invaded Poland, many soldiers used bicycles for transportation. At the same time, the armies of Italy, France and the United States all included cavalry units.

The impracticality of the bicycle installation can be seen in a description by World War II veteran Anatol Trusow. In his 1981 text Wojna na Rowerach w 1939 r. (edited translation: The War on Bicycles of 1939), Trusso wrote about his time as leader of an infantry bicycle company fighting the invading Germans.

The story – like many war stories, a rather sad one – leaves a strong impression of confusion on the reader. Ideas that look so good in those interwar journals don't necessarily apply to actual combat:

The company advanced on the road to the town of Strikov, with the 1st platoon as an advance force. In front of the advance troops, we have scouts. After riding about 1 km, we suddenly received heavy MMG fire from the direction of Stlikov. The advance party came down, but there were casualties ---- reserve corporal Jan Tzmir was killed. [...] I ordered the company to attack to the left of the road. However, attempts to boost the company without a firepower backup did not bear fruit.

It should be said that the bicycle unit, despite its obsolescence, really managed to help the Polish army. For example, when you read about the success of the Podrasi Cavalry Brigade in the early days of the war, you can find many examples of cyclists involved.

In addition, in the famous Battle of Krasnobrod, cyclists from the 25th Lanulan Regiment (a cavalry unit) proved their keen military value by gaining significant positions due to heavy casualties. Here is Jan Brasinski

(Jan Błasiński) excerpt from Z Dziejów Kawalerii II Rzeczypospolitej : Losy 25 PułkuUłanów Wielkopolskich (History of the 2nd Commonwealth Cavalry: The Fate of the 25th Lanulan Regiment), published in 1999. It reveals the role played by soldiers on bicycles in that battle on September 23, 1939:

The cyclists' platoon changed to an extension line and began to the monastery village (Podklasztor), from which Uhlans had just retreated. The village was controlled by the Germans. Drain them to expel them. A fierce battle began. 2nd Lieutenant Shirutka was killed. Command was taken over by his deputy, platoon commander Misionko. When the cannons began firing, the strong resistance of the German army gradually disappeared. Under pressure from cyclists, the Germans retreated.

That's good, it's obvious

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

In August 1932, a relay team of cyclists prepared to compete in the Legion Rally

If you ask most Poles about cyclists in the Polish army, you'll probably see someone raising an eyebrow ---- their story isn't exactly common sense. Some accounts even describe them as "forgotten". Over time, military bicycle units seem to be more and more curious. You don't have to be a military expert to understand that in today's high-tech battlefield, in a world overseen by drones and satellites, the use of bicycles will be very, very limited.

That being said, you can actually stumble upon some whispers that the bikes are quiet and portable and are being used by some modern special forces – but that's hard to verify, as these units are naturally quite secretive.

What is certain today, however, is that fanatics recreated the participation of cyclists in Poland's 20th-century army. For example, a few years ago, the rebuilt bicycle squadron of the 2nd Hussars Regiment took part in a reenactment of the Battle of Vomiyanki in 1939. Enthusiasts from this unit, about ten of them, rode their self-assembled bikes that resembled the old Model 35 as much as possible. They even wore uniforms sewn to 1936 standards.

Also a few years ago, at the International Vintage Bike Rally in Poznan, the Polish Military Technical Association showed the real thing: they showed a military-style bicycle produced for the army between the two world wars, which aroused the interest of the participants. Also at the rally, visitors from Germany showed off their bikes from the Old Japanese War, which Witold Rybczyński, the coordinator of the event, described as "beautiful and admirable". Today, it is definitely a good thing that we can host such a friendly and nostalgic event, attended by cycling enthusiasts from Poland and Germany---- which is a clear sign of peaceful relations between the two countries. Like army technology itself, things have changed.

The Secret History of Poland: Fighting on a Bicycle

Written by Marek Kępa

Marek is a journalist and musician from Warsaw who has been working in Culture.pl for many years, first as a translator and later as a writer. His voracious appetite for all things Polish led him to write about painting, folk art, customs, history, literature and music. Marek is also a blues guitarist and singer who performs under the stage name of Mr. Marulin.

Sun Lei English translation

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Revised Thursday, March 9, 2023

Translated from culture.pl

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