REFLECTION OF POLAND (April - November 1920)

Before arrival Tuhachevskiy on front, commander of East Front Gittis has developed the plan of operations with offensive of the main impact on Minsk. Tuhachevskiy, having familiarized with this plan, has seen its weakness- frontal impact in a direction on Minsk, absence means for speeding up the Berizina river. Tuhachevskiy has offered to put one powerful impact on the First Polish Army by the right flank of front, rout it, to break in flank and rear to Pilsudskiy frces, which are in Byelorussia. And from here, from flank, drive it in bogs and destroy. The plan was authorized, but for it performance, was required not less than ten divisions. May 14, not waiting of a complete concentration of necessary forces (four divisions instead of ten), army of Western Front take the offensive. That was complete unexpectedness for Polish and has brought success to Tuhachevskiy forces. They have advanced five days prior to 100-130 kilometers and have rejected the enemy up to the border. But the successful actions of the right flank of front were not maintained by actions of 16th Soviet Army (commander Sologub), which worked on Minsk direction. For seven days 16th Army could not advance on Minsk. Having thrown the reserves from Ukraine, the Polish troops has put counterattack by the broken formations of Tuhachevskiy. The May Offensive of Tuhachevskiy was finished by destruction of a ledge of Polotsk - Lepel.    

Kiev operation 1920, 26.5-17.6        

                                                [ back ]