Arcelin Charge of 1920

The charge of the First Light Cavalry Regiment of Józef Piłsudski took place on August 17, 1920 at Arcelin, during the Battle of Warsaw. The attack made history during the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1920.
The First Light Cavalry Regiment was 450 men strong and specially selected. While coming out of a semi siege, it rescued the nearby 201st Light Cavalry Regiment from the Bolshevik strike and charged on the infantry of the 18th Soviet Riflemen Division that was attacking Płońsk. At 5pm, the First Regiment started the mounted attack with all force, using swords and lances. The unit covered 2 kilometers of open terrain, first trotting and then in full gallop, coming under heavy, but ineffective, Soviet shelling from machine guns and artillery. In the end, 200 Russians were killed and 800 detained. The First Regiment also gained possession of 2 heavy machine guns and 2 cannons. Some sources list 1600 prisoners, plus 63 machine guns and 4 cannons captured. The losses of the First Regiment were 25 dead and wounded (some cite 40 dead and wounded).

The successful battle to defend Płońsk, prevented the Bolsheviks from gaining access to the rear flanks of the Polish 5th Army. This was achieved to some extent by the daring cavalry charge.
As recognition for bravery during the Arcelin charge, five cavalrymen were awarded the Cross of Virtuti Militari by the commander of the 5th Army, Władysław Sikorski. Among them was the commander of the First Regiment, major Jerzy Grobicki.

Since 2012, there has been a celebration and a historical reenactment that takes place during the Arcelin charge anniversary. The participants in the 2018 event included cavalrymen from the 1st Light Cavalry Regiment in Warsaw, named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski; the Horsemen Squadron of the Polish Republic; Association of the 1 st Krechowce Uhlan Regiment from Warsaw, named after Colonel Bolesław Mościcki; 22nd Uhlan Regiment from Garbatka; 11th Uhlan Regiment from Radom; historical reenactment group GRH Gregor from Puławy, as well as local Polish youth acting as infantry of the 201st Light Cavalry Regiment. Safety measures during arranged explosions were provided by the 2nd Regiment of Minesweepers from Kazuń.
Permanent elements of the celebration include a field mass, laying of flowers by the monument commemorating the heroes of the battle of Arcelin and demonstrations of military equipment.

Location: Arcelin, Płońsk municipality
Date: August
Organizers: Municipality of Płońsk, town of Płońsk, District Authority Office in Płońsk
Contact: Płońsk Local Government Office, ph. 23 662 5635; www.gminaplonsk.pl