The 1920 Battle of Warsaw: 24th Military Intelligence Battalion's Staff Ride

Photo By Thomas B. Hamilton III | The 24th Military Intelligence Battalion's military and civilian leaders conducted a battle staff ride from March 19-23 to study and apply significant lessons from the 1920 Battle of Warsaw. Fought during the Polish-Soviet War it is a significant historical battle, which prevented Communism from spreading into Germany and throughout Europe following World War I. (US Army photo by Capt. Matt Parmer, 24th MI Battalion/released)  

WARSAW, POLAND

03.29.2018

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

WARSAW, Poland—The 24th Military Intelligence Battalion's military and civilian leaders conducted a staff ride from March 19-23 to study and apply significant lessons from the 1920 Battle of Warsaw.

Fought during the Polish-Soviet War the battle is significant as it prevented Communism from spreading into Germany and throughout Europe following World War I. The battle offers especially relevant military lessons and cultural understanding applicable in today's operational environment.

The commander’s intent for the staff ride was to apply current military doctrine and operational understanding of the environment to Polish actions during the battle. Leaders focused on the use of intelligence, understanding allied capabilities, and studying the terrain of the campaign while applying the lessons learned to the U.S. Army Europe Commanding General's enduring principles.

The operational understanding provided by Poland’s intelligence preparation of the battlefield ensured that the operational center of gravity was identified, and a bold maneuver defense was conducted that ended up saving Warsaw. Marshall of Poland, Jozef Pilsudski, relied on his intelligence, which fused all disciplines of signals, cryptologic, imagery, human and document exploitation. It informed his decision making process, enabling him to apply maneuver, artillery and disruption at critical points. The use of, revolutionary for its time, Polish electronic warfare facilitated the combination of spoiling attacks, raids and air cover to achieve success in the defense. Polish intelligence further contributed timely information to the commander, forcing the Bolsheviks to commit to their avenue of attack and allowing a decisive counter attack led by Pilsudki himself.

Pilsudki’s execution of all principles of mission command shined through from providing a clear commander's intent, to the use of orders, creating shared understanding, exercising disciplined initiative, accepting prudent risk, and building mutual trust. There were brave acts of heroism and leadership by the Poles that were clearly inspired by their leader’s example. The unyielding tenacity of Poland, ensured the defeat of the Bolshevik forces on the banks of the Vistula River.

The curriculum of the battle staff ride was provided by Command Sgt. Maj. Solutions, facilitated by their historian, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Smales. The intelligence and combat support leaders engaged in a unique professional development opportunity by examining the execution of the battle on the terrain. They then discussed the operational and strategic implications during a series of discussions led by Lt. Col. Angela Reber, the 24th Military Intelligence Battalion commander. The discussions were especially relevant to the unit’s operations and helped build team cohesion in spite of its wide footprint.

The leaders and intelligence experts from the battalion garnered a lasting impression of the importance of providing timely and relevant intelligence, understanding an important ally and terrain and aspects of applying the human dimension. The battle highlighted the importance of effective allied liaison in the form of British and French detachments in Warsaw at the time. These detachments’ successes and failures drove home important lessons for “advise and assist” missions.

The staff ride took the participants to the Polish defensive line of battle of Warsaw, where Pilsudki, determined to maintain the initiative based on the intelligence received, stationed his hastily trained Polish troops. Augmented by a Polish-American Army unit, the 'Kosciuszko' squadron of American volunteer pilots, served valiantly on the front. Pilsudski issued his orders for a maneuver defense on August 6. By August 13, the Wkra River north of Warsaw was weakly defended by the Polish Army against a strong, swiftly moving Bolshevik attack. This attack captured the Polish town of Radzymin, only 15 miles from Warsaw, and its control of a valuable mobility corridor. After 48 hours of the town changing hands through cavalry charges and raids, the Polish Army recaptured the town on August 15, a day now celebrated as the Polish Armed Forces Day. The staff ride further evaluated the Russian advances and attacks along the line through the towns of Plonsk, Sochocin, Modlin Fortress, Ossow and Minsk Mazowiecki. The final day concluding upon the terrain where the conduct of Pilsudki's counterattack on August 15th occurred.

To better understand the magnitude of our allies’ sacrifice, the soldiers and civilians also visited Polish military cemeteries and the site of the death of the influential Father Skorupka, who charged ahead to lead his unit and was mortally wounded. Visits to the Polish Military Museum, as well as museums in Ossow and Minsk Mazowiecki, helped Soldiers visualize the evolution of the Polish military to the present day. Finally the tour concluded with a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum, commemorating the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Though it was from a different time period, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, with its portrayal of the brutal battle that decimated the city, underscored the steel of the Polish resolve.

Although almost one hundred years old, the Battle of Warsaw presents exceptionally relevant lessons to the challenges leaders in Europe face today. From integration of enablers, to freedom of maneuver, and a simple will to win this battle and its lessons won’t soon be forgot by the leaders, soldiers and civilians of the 24th Military Intelligence Battalion.

This article was written by Lt. Col. Angela Reber and Capt. Matt Parmer, Commander, C Company, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, Wiesbaden, Germany.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2018
• Date Posted: 03.29.2018 05:37
• Story ID: 271049
• Location: WARSAW, PL