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Garrison Grudziadz was a military centre that existed for more than 300 years. At different times it was under the control of different countries and armed forces. Initially, until 1919, it was occupied by the Army of the German Empire. In 1919 it was taken over by the Army of Greater Poland, and from 1920 to 1939 and in conspiracy during the Second World War it was in the hands of the Polish Army of the Second Republic. From 1939 to 1945 the garrison was occupied by the Wehrmacht, then from 1945 to 1989 by the People's Army of Poland, and after 1989 by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.

Garrison's history 1772-1920

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Grudziądz Zamek(in English Castle) at 18th century

In 1795 the reserve battalion of von Crousaz's 39th Infantry Regiment, formally part of the garrison of Grudziadz, was stationed in Chojna. It was replaced by the reserve battalion of von Hollwede's 55th Infantry Regiment from Jeziorany. The 1st battalion of von Mosch's 54th Infantry Regiment was also located in Grudziadz, together with its administration.[1] In 1795, after the signing of the peace of Basel, the 3rd musketeer battalion of von Manstein's 55th Infantry Regiment joined the garrison. Three infantry battalions from regiments 51, 54 and 55, a company of fortress artillery and a company of miners were stationed there. In 1803, the post of governor of the fortress was appointed, who became General William René de Courbière.[1] In 1806, before the war with France, the 3rd musketeer battalion of von Reinhardt's 52nd Infantry Regiment was transferred to Grudziadz.[1]

Duchy of Warsaw and Republic of Gdańsk.

After the Prussian army was defeated in the battles of Jena and Auerstedt on 14 October 1806,Grudziądz became a rallying point for the scattered troops. From 2 to 16 November 1806, the Prussian royal couple stayed in the city.[1] When French cavalry appeared near the fortress on 15 November, Governor de Courbière ordered the destruction of the bridge over the Vistula.[1] The fortress was manned by 690 infantrymen and 17 cannoneers from the 2nd infantry battalion of von Besser's 14th Infantry Regiment.[2] In 1806 the Grudziądz garrison consisted of a total of 132 officers, 10 fire-masters, 334 non-commissioned officers, 55 bombardiers, 71 musicians, 30 surgeons, 4167 infantrymen, 715 cannoneers, 100 miners, 140 riflemen and 92 hussars. The fortress artillery comprised 205 guns, including 154 cannons, 35 howitzers and 16 mortars. The gunpowder stock was 7800 cetnars.[2]In November 1806 Grudziądz had a population of around four thousand, meaning that there was only one civilian per soldier.[2] The French captured Toruń in early December 1806, isolating the Grudziądz fortress, which they blockaded until May 1807, when, after capturing Gdańsk, they began a more active siege. The blockade lasted until the Peace of Tilsit, which reduced the garrison to 2399 men, due to desertions, battle losses, deaths and dismissals. [2][3][4]

map of the blockade and siege of the fortress of Graudenz in 1807

The Grudziądz fortress remained unconquered, which was of moral but not strategic importance. After the defeat of Prussia in the 1806-1807 war, a reorganisation of the army began, including the garrison at Grudziądz.[5] In 1808, the headquarters and battalions of the 5th Infantry Regiment arrived here, as well as the headquarters and four companies of the East Prussian Artillery Brigade. In 1809, soldiers of the 1st Company of the 1st Pioneer Battalion joined.[5] In 1811, the garrison consisted of the garrison companies of the 2nd East Prussian Brigade and the 1st and 2nd West Prussian Brigades,[6] which were developed into battalions in 1813. [5]Between 1812 and 1813, various infantry battalions and garrison companies were stationed here. In 1815 these units were withdrawn and in 1816 two companies of fusiliers of the 30th Infantry Regiment arrived, which were transferred to Koblenz and Jülich in 1817. By 1820, the entire 3rd Garrison Battalion was based here.[5] From 1818, two battalions of the 33rd Infantry Regiment and several companies of artillery and pioneers were stationed in Grudziadz. In 1819 a battalion of the 4th East Prussian Infantry Regiment and a garrison company of this regiment were stationed here.[5]

In October 1820. The 2nd battalion of the 43rd Infantry Regiment was transferred from Toruń to Grudziądz, where the entire 33rd Infantry Regiment was stationed from 1821. The Landwehr was reorganised, creating two-battalion regiments, including the 1st battalion of the 21st Koszalin-Kwidzyn Landwehr Regiment.[7] In 1821, the number of foot artillery companies was reduced to three. In 1824, the staff of the 3rd Squadron of the 1st BA was formed in Grudziadz, consisting of the 3rd Horse Company and the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Infantry Companies.[7] In 1831, in connection with the November Uprising, the 33rd Infantry Regiment was sent to guard the border of the Grand Duchy of Posen. In 1832, a battalion of fusiliers of the 4th Infantry Regiment was transferred to Grudziądz, and the 33rd Infantry Regiment was withdrawn to Toruń,[8] however, posting a battalion or company to Grudziądz until 1851. In the years 1833-1839, there were rotations in the foot artillery companies.[7][8] In 1837, the fusilier battalion of the 4th Infantry Regiment was replaced by the fusilier battalion of the 5th Infantry Regiment.[8] In 1838, the garrison company of the 5th Infantry Regiment was then withdrawn and the 1st Combined Reserve Battalion was formed.[7][8]

In 1840-1841, separate companies from the 4th and 5th Infantry Regiments (pp) were stationed in Grudziadz, which were replaced in 1843 by a detachment from the 33rd pp. In the years 1841-1843 there were foot artillery companies 9, 10 and 12 in Grudziadz, and in 1844. 9, 11 and 12. From 1842 a cadre of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Landwehr Regiment of the Guard was stationed in Grudziadz, and from 1843 also a cadre of the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Landwehr Regiment.[9] In 1844 the pioneer units of the 1st Battalion were changed to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion and the artillery companies were changed. In 1846, the command of the 3rd Squadron and the artillery companies of the 9th and 12th were left in Grudziądz.[9] In 1847, the 2nd battalion of the 14th pp, with two companies in the city and two in the fortress, was transferred to Grudziądz and took part in the battles during the Spring of Nations. In 1848, the 2nd battalion of the 14th pp was withdrawn, and for a year the 2nd battalion of the 4th pp was introduced, later decommissioned to Bydgoszcz, but formally remaining in Grudziądz.[9] In 1850, it was replaced by the 2nd battalion of the 3rd pp, withdrawn in 1851, and the 2nd battalion of the 21st pp joined the garrison. The artillery units were also changed to the 3rd battery (12-pounder guns), the 4th battery (6-pounder guns) and a howitzer battery from the 3rd division. In 1851, the 1st Combined Reserve Battalion returned to the city.[9]

19th century view of the Klimek Tower, the last remaining part of the Grudziądz Castle, after its destruction by the Prussian authorities

On 11 April 1871, the 44th Infantry Regiment was sent to Grudziadz to replace the 45th Infantry Regiment, which had been posted to Metz.[10][11] In 1872 the local artillery units were renamed the 2nd Squadron of the 1st Field Artillery Regiment and the 6th Company of the 5th Infantry Artillery Regiment. On 24 June of that year, the Grudziadz fortress was classified as Class III, which meant it was excluded from investment and destined for liquidation. On 7 May 1874, the divisional artillery was transformed into the 16th Field Artillery Regiment.[12] In 1881, a company of the 5th Regiment of Foot Artillery was transferred to Poznań and the fortress command was abolished. In 1886, the 14th Infantry Regiment was brought back to Grudziądz to replace the 44th Infantry Regiment, which had been transferred to Ostróda, Ławy and Działdów.[11]

In 1887, the 14th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Squadron of the 16th Field Artillery Regiment were stationed in Grudziadz. The Landwehr was represented by the 5th Landwehr Regiment.[11] In 1889, the 2nd Squadron of the 16th Field Artillery Regiment was transferred to Olsztyn and replaced by the 1st Squadron of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment from Kołobrzeg. In the same year it was decided to build a forebridge near Grudziądz.[11] On 1 April 1890, the command of the XVII Army Corps was established in Gdańsk, and the headquarters of the 35th Division, the LXIX Infantry Brigade and the XXXV Cavalry Brigade were established in Grudziądz, as well as the headquarters and battalions of the 141st Infantry Regiment, and the headquarters and squadrons of the 5th Cuirassier Regiment of Prince Frederick Eugene Wirtemberski. These troops were temporarily stationed in Prabuty and Susz.[11]

From 1 October 1899. Grudziądz became the garrison of the command of the 35th Field Artillery Brigade, the 1st Squadron of the 35th Field Artillery Regiment and the regimental headquarters. At that time the headquarters of Field Artillery Regiment No. 71 and the 2nd Squadron of the 35th Field Artillery Regiment were transferred to Deutsch-Eylau.[13][14] In 1900, the position of commissar of preliminary horse inspection was created in Grudziadz. In autumn 1901, the 17th squadron of horse hunters from Gdańsk was transferred to Grudziadz, and in 1903. 1st squadron of horse hunters from Königsberg.[13] On 1 April 1903, garrisons were exchanged between the 14th Infantry Regiment from Grudziądz and the 129th Infantry Regiment from Bydgoszcz.[14] In the same year the staff of the 9th Fortress Inspectorate was reorganised. On 1 October 1906, the 4th Horse Hunter Regiment was reorganised, and horse hunter squadrons Nos. 1 and 17 were transferred to this regiment. By order of 1 October 1907, the 23rd Pioneer Battalion was formed in Grudziądz, and the Pioneer Command of the XVII Army Corps (Kommando der Pioniere des XVII Armee-Korps) was transferred to the town". At that time the garrison already included three infantry regiments (129, 141 and 175), three artillery squadrons (I squadrons of the 35th and 71st Polish divisions and II squadron of the 15th infantry division) and a pioneer battalion 2 .[15][13][14]A year later, the newly formed 23rd Pioneer Battalion arrived in Grudziadz with the headquarters of the XVII Pioneer Corps command. On 1 October 1912, unit was renamed into Pioneer Command of the XX Corps.[13] In 1909. The 1st Squadron of the 35th Field Artillery Regiment was transferred to Deutsch-Eylau and the 2nd Squadron of the 71st Field Artillery Regiment from Marienwerder to Grudziadz. In 1911, a machine gun company was formed in the 129th Infantry Regiment. On 1 October 1912, the 26th Pioneer Battalion was re-formed and the headquarters of the 35th Division was moved to Toruń.[13][14]

Plan of city Grudziądz, 1913.

After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand on 28 June 1914, Europe found itself at war. Units of the Grudziądz garrison were mobilised and sent to the front. From the strongholds of Grudziadz, Chelmno and Malbork, the Grudziadz General Reserve was formed under the command of Major General Fritz von Unger.[16] The town was not completely unmanned. The headquarters of the replacement infantry and Landwehr brigades, the Inspectorate of Spare Field Artillery Squadrons of the XVII Army Corps, the spare infantry battalions, the spare squadron of the 5th Cuirassier Regiment, the 15th Landwehr Infantry Artillery Regiment, spare artillery formations, pioneers and an air base were stationed there.[16]On 11 November 1918, the Workers' and Soldiers' Council was established in Grudziadz, and on 29 November the Polish Soldiers' Council. Lieutenant Rossbach demobilised officers and soldiers, forming the Freikorps Rossbach to defend German interests. 23 January 1920 saw the farewell of the German garrison. Polish troops entered the town that day.[17]

View of the city between 1914 and 1918

The composition of the Grudziądz garrison was dynamic, especially with regard to artillery companies, which were often moved between Grudziądz and Toruń.[17] It was customary for regiments to change garrison after the end of a war campaign, as happened, for example, with the 33rd Infantry Regiment after guarding the border during the November Uprising and with the 45th Infantry Regiment after the war with France in 1870-1871.[17] Often individual battalions of these regiments were directed to different cities. These changes refute the view that units were stationed in garrison for long periods. Only some units, such as the 129th Infantry Regiment or the 4th Mounted Rifle Regiment, spent enough time in Grudziadz to become familiar and inextricably associated with the city.[17]

Garrison's history 1920-1939

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Monument of a Polish Soldier by Stanisław Jackowski at the Market Square in Grudziądz, Poland

In the interwar period Grudziądz was one of the largest military centres in Poland. The city's numbers and developed infrastructure, which had not suffered during the First World War, attracted the attention of the military. The city had solid brick buildings, cobbled streets, its own gasworks, power station, water supply and sewage system. In 1910. Grudziadz had a population of 40,325. After the departure of the optants in 1921, the population dropped to 33,516, but it grew steadily thereafter, reaching 59,200 in 1939. The town was conveniently connected, lying at the crossroads of several important railway lines and had a river port and several bus lines.

The decision to locate a strong Polish Army garrison in Grudziądz was supported by the existing military infrastructure, capable of housing around 10,000 soldiers and providing them with training. This infrastructure included a ring of modern forts with a citadel in the centre, barracks, stables, warehouses, shooting ranges and lazarets. In 1911 it was envisaged that the fortress garrison should comprise 12 infantry battalions, 2 cavalry squadrons, 4 field artillery batteries, 18 foot artillery batteries, 4 pioneer companies and ammunition columns. The fortress artillery was to have 138 guns.

The 1912 fortress expansion plan envisaged an increase in the number of defence units to 18 infantry battalions, 4 cavalry squadrons, 6 field artillery batteries, 19 foot artillery batteries and 8 pioneer companies. The artillery was to number 176 guns, including 106 heavy and medium guns. In peacetime, the Grudziądz garrison was administered by the Governor and Commandant of the Fortress. The garrison comprised the headquarters of the LXIX Infantry Brigade, the XXXV Cavalry Brigade, the XXXV Field Artillery Brigade and the Landwehr and Fortress Inspections. Three infantry regiments, fortress machine gun units, a regiment of mounted riflemen, a field artillery regiment, an infantry artillery squadron, pioneer battalions and a fortress communications company were stationed here.

For field training, a training ground was established at troop on the left bank of the Vistula, where a permanent military camp with brick barracks was built between 1905 and 1908. Although the Grudziadz fortress and its role in defence are well documented, the garrison and its changes are less researched. Most of the information comes from articles by Jarosław Centsek and Tomasz Duchnowski and the work of Jerzy Krzys. Clarifying these issues is important for assessing the military potential of the 1919 uprising in Pomerania, similar to the Greater Poland uprising of December 1918.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Centek, Toruń, p. 33.
  2. ^ a b c d Centek, Toruń, p.34.
  3. ^ Gaston, 1908, p. 385.
  4. ^ Fischer, 1907, p. 54.
  5. ^ a b c d e Centek, Toruń, p.35.
  6. ^ Krzyś, 2002, p. 122.
  7. ^ a b c d Centek, Toruń, p.36.
  8. ^ a b c d Abydel, 1926, s.84
  9. ^ a b c d Centek, Toruń, p.37.
  10. ^ Toeppen, 1885, s.324
  11. ^ a b c d e Centek, toruń, p.39
  12. ^ Abydel, 1926, s.85
  13. ^ a b c d e Abydel, 1926, s.86
  14. ^ a b c d Centek, toruń, pp. 40-41.
  15. ^ Neues Adreßbuch, 1905, pp.2-4
  16. ^ a b Centek, toruń, p.43
  17. ^ a b c d Centek, toruń, p.44

Bibliography

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