Race for Lwow

For seven days, the city of Lwów repelled German attacks. However, on Sept 19th, a Soviet rapid attack column struck the city from the east. Thus began a race between the invading armies to conquer this great Polish city, a …

1939-09-19

PoH11

For seven days, the city of Lwów repelled German attacks. However, on Sept 19th, a Soviet rapid attack column struck the city from the east. Thus began a race between the invading armies to conquer this great Polish city, a historical symbol of Polish independence and freedom. The Germans and Soviets both targeted the strategic high ground on the south-eastern outskirts of Lwów, near the village of Winniki. This high ground, overlooking Lwów, offered an excellent location for artillery spotting. The sudden appearance of the 24th Soviet Tank Brigade swept the Poles from the area. Unexpectedly, the Soviets were attacked by the German 2nd Mountain Division which also had been ordered to take the Winniki hills! This was one of the first Soviet/German engagements of WWII, where soldiers of the German 137 Mountain Rifle Regiment, 2nd Mountain Division engaged the Soviet 24th and 10th Armored Brigades. On September 19, 1939, on the hills near Lwów, were played out scenes that would repeat themselves on a much grander scale two years later. The Germans and Soviets fought furiously for control of the high ground, leaving a trail of casualties, destroyed tanks and anti-tank guns. Meanwhile, Polish patrols from Lwów also entered this battleground in order to improve their position for the city’s defense.

Lwow, Poland

The Battle of Lwów (sometimes called the Siege of Lwów) was a World War II battle for the control over the Polish city of Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine) between the Polish Army and the invading Wehrmacht and the Red Army. The city was seen as the key to the so-called Romanian Bridgehead and was defended at all cost. Initially, the city was not to be defended, as it was considered to be too deep behind the Polish lines and too important to Polish culture for warfare.[1] However, the speed of the Nazi invasion and the almost-complete disintegration of the Polish reserve Prusy Army after the Battle of Łódź resulted in the city being in danger of a German assault.

Wikipedia: Battle of Lwow (1939)

German / Russian

Polish