CAMPAIGNING WITH THE POLISH ARMY

HUNTING BOLSHEVIKS

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. HEADQUARTERS OF THE POLISH. EASTERN ARMY, MAY 16 (VIA WARSAW, SUNDAY).

The Polish troops are advancing on the whole of the line of the East against Bolsheviks and Ukrainians. The latest operation included the capture of Swieciany, an important town. I took an active part in this operation. On May 11 it was decided to move the Polish firing line farther from Vilna, and on the 12th I arrived at Podbrodzie, the most advanced point of the Polish army. The commanding officer of this section is Colonel Tokarzewsk, who brought me from Vilna in his motor-car. Immediately on my arrival troops were despatched in various directions, and told to proceed in such a manner as not to draw the attention of the enemy spies. About eight in the evening Major Biernacki, who was entrusted with carrying out the operation, Captain Mond, myself, and three orderlies mounted horses and quietly left Podbrodzie. We reached Kabaczek without any mishap, and my presence as a civilian amongst officers gave to our journey the appearance of a pleasure excursion, rather than a part of a military operation.

On our arrival we went to a peasant cottage, where we had to wait for other officers. The maps were placed on the table, and, as one by one the officers arrived, the details of the campaign were discussed. Major Biernacki explained the plan. It was decided to take the Bolsheviks by surprise. In New Swieciany the exact disposition of the enemy was known to us. We know, also, that they were expecting a frontal attack. We decided, therefore, to perform a flanking movement and to attack from the rear. This necessitated a forced march under circumstances that would give no clue to the enemy scouts. We mapped out our route through wild forests in order to avoid both villages and Bolshevik outposts. I was sceptical as to the possibility of dragging artillery across the country, through thick woods and across swamps, but the soldiers knew better. It was decided to start two hours before dawn. Straw was laid for us on the floor, and we fell asleep.

A DIFFICULT ROUTE

On the outskirts of the village the next morning we joined the Legioners Infantry Regiment, with machine-guns, a battery of field artillery, and cavalry supports. We formed a long column, and at the head I rode with the commanding officers, led by our peasant guide through that dense Lithuanian forest. The road was very difficult, and soon it was necessary to dismount and proceed on foot. The field kitchens and Red Cross transports lagged behind, and in one place the guide lost his way and scouts had to be sent in all directions to investigate. At last, two frightened men and a woman, local inhabitants, were discovered, and by their help we were able to take our bearings. Later in the afternoon we gained the open country, dismissed our guide, and took our first rest and, what was even more important, a good meal. Fires were strictly forbidden, and food was cooked only in the field kitchen. The men, tired and footsore, lay down on the ground, row upon row, as far as the eye could see. I brought some peasants to the camp; they were all excited at seeing the Polish troops, being ready to give us all possible information. We learned that about three miles to the north were the Bolshevik patrols, and that a small bridge a short distance up the river had been destroyed that very day by the enemy, who had seen our scouts. This information was most important, as Major Biernacki was very anxious to prevent the Bolsheviks taking the news of our advance to Swieciany.

We held a council of war. Lieutenant Peszek, the head of a company, was ordered to cross the river by a ford east of Podliprze. He was instructed to take the enemy by surprise at any cost. Some of the peasants guided Lieutenant Peszek’s contingent, others remained.

We commenced the march. After about an hour we reached Podliprze, and I, with Captain Mond and three soldiers, decided to go to the village and reconnoitre before our army was allowed to advance. It was already twilight, and I felt excited at the prospect of approaching the enemy. We cautiously crossed the low-lying plain for about a mile, but there was no sign of life. In a quarter of an hour we came to the bridge and found it utterly destroyed. We investigated the depth of the water, and found that, although it would be impossible for cavalry, artillery, and wagons to effect a crossing, it would be hard for infantry to get wet more than waist deep. Suddenly Captain Mond put his hand on my arm. “Hush,” he said, “I hear voices.” He looked at the other side of the river, and at that moment saw a head in a Russian fur cap disappear in a trench. Immediately bullets began to whistle round our ears; we only had time to jump, first behind a beech-tree, and then into a trench. Next to us were our three soldiers, but they received strict orders not to fire. We anticipated that Lieutenant Peszek would succeed in outflanking the Bolsheviks, and had we fired our bullets might have hit our men.

A WAIT UNDER FIRE

The enemy were in force, and but for the river they would have attacked us with the bayonet. We quietly smoked cigarettes and waited for Peszek to attack. Unfortunately, our main forces thought the Bolsheviks were engaging the lieutenant, and began to move from the forest, to the alarm of the enemy, who fled in disorder. At that moment Peszek’s company appeared in the rear, and some of the Bolsheviks fell in our hands, the rest escaping into the woods. Major Biernacki was furious when we arrived at headquarters, a small cottage. He was swearing at everybody. The Bolsheviks would reach New Swieciany and alarm their main forces. All our plans to fall upon them unexpectedly seemed spoiled.

Meanwhile, the Bolshevik prisoners were brought before us. The men were frightened, but stood quite at their ease. They all complained at the rule of the Bolsheviks.

The Major was still grumbling. He told me that a military operation is usually unsuccessful when a Press correspondent is present. We decided to build a bridge across the river and push on. In about two hours the bridge was completed, and at midnight our march began. It being fairly certain that the news of our approach had already reached the enemy, it was no longer necessary to observe our previous precautions. The weather was extremely cold, it was pitch dark, and the snow was falling heavily. I was offered a horse, but it was too cold to ride, so once more I trudged along at the head of the column, fairly certain now of a sudden attack and that I should be shot.

FORESTS IN FLAMES

To the eastward I saw a sudden blaze in the sky, and realised immediately that the forests were on fire. The Bolsheviks had set light to the woods. The road, however, was broad enough to enable us to escape danger, and we decided to go along through the heart of the burning wood, glad to warm ourselves. In half an hour we left the forest and fire behind, but the road was worse than ever. I do not think we made more than three miles an hour. I pushed forward with Captain Mond, the guide, and a few soldiers, and knocked at the door of a house, demanding admission. A frightened woman answered, and on learning that we were not Bolsheviks, but Polish soldiers, readily gave us admission. There were no men in the house, but several women, who told us that the Bolsheviks had left Baranovo some two hours before. The men slept where they fell, in water and mud, but they were determined to march on and on. We were approaching New Swieciany from the west, and our guide suddenly told us that in half an hour at most we should see our goal. Our movements became more cautious. Captain Mond and I left the column and ran on, our guide being as eager to behold New Swieciany as were the Crusaders to see the walls of Jerusalem. Dawn had already broken.