Battle of Daugavpils

Part of Polish-Soviet War and Latvian War of Independence

Renault FT tanks of the Polish 2nd Tank Regiment preparing for the battle

Date	3-5 Jan. 1920
Location	Daugavpils and vicinity, Latvia
Result	Decisive Polish-Latvian victory

Belligerents

Poland

Republic of Latvia

RSFSR,

Latvian SSR

Commanders and leaders

Edward Rydz-Śmigły

Jānis Puriņš

Strength

22,000 Latvians
20,000 Poles

Unknown

Casualties and losses

Unknown

Battle of Daugavpils (also known as the Battle of Dyneburg) was the final battle in the Polish-Soviet campaign of 1919. A joint Polish and Latvian force, operating under Polish Staff orders known as "Operation Winter", attacked the Red Army garrison in Dunaburg, or Daugavpils, from 3-5 Jan. 1920.

From the Polish perspective it was a part of the Polish-Bolshevik War, while in Latvia it is referred to as a part of Latvian War of Independence.

The Polish commander of the 1st Legions Infantry Division and 3rd Legions Infantry Division, general (later Marshal of Poland) Edward Rydz-Śmigły had been occupying the left bank of the Dvina since Aug. The Latvian Foreign Minister had met with Pilsudski in Vilnius (then Wilno in Polish) in Oct. 1919, and asked for assistance at Dunaburg. The Poles wanted to prevent the Soviet XVth and XVIth armies from consolidating at this juncture, and readily agreed. A final agreement was reached on 30 Dec. 1919, and a military alliance was signed between the governments of Poland and Latvia.

General Rydz-Śmigły was given the command over a small Operational Group composed of his 1st Legions Infantry Division, as well as the 3rd Legions Infantry Division and several minor Latvian auxiliary forces. In addition, the force included Renault FT tanks of the 2nd company, 1st Tank Regiment, commanded by the French Capt. Jean Dufour.

The battle for the city and its surroundings took place under harsh weather conditions, the area was covered with more than 1 metre (3.3 ft) of snow and the temperature dropped below −25 °C (−13 °F), which permitted the Poles to cross the frozen Dvina. The Polish 3rd Legionary Division stormed the Daugavpils fortress, while the 1st Infantry Division attacked from the north. The Red garrison retreated to the west where they surrendered to the Latvians. On 5 Jan. 1920, Dunaburg was turned over to the Latvian Republic.

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Wikipedia