11th Legions Infantry Regiment of Marshal Edward à Âmigà Ây-Rydz (Polish: 11 Puà Âk Uà Âanów Legionowych im. Marszaà Âka Edwarda à Âmigà Âego-Rydza, 11 puà Â) was a cavalry unit of the Polish Army, which existed in 1918âÂÂ1939. It fought in the PolishâÂÂSoviet War and the Invasion of Poland. In the Second Polish Republic, the regiment was garrisoned in Ciechanów, and in 1939, belonged to Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade.
In early November 1918 in Kraków, a group of officers of the dissolved 1st Legions Uhlan Regiment formed the so-called Squadron of Rotmistrz Jablonski. On November 17, the squadron, divided into three platoons, left its barracks at Rakowce near Kraków, and traveled by train to Przemyà Âl, where it merged with a local cavalry unit. The regiment then takes part in the Battle of Przemyà Âl (1918), with its elements entering Lwów
In late January 1919, the regiment was sent to Kraà Ânik for rest. In March, it was sent to Pià Âczów, where it the so-called Radom Squadron and JÃÂdrzejów Squadron were merged with it. On February 19, 1919, Polish headquarters officially tasked Mariusz Zaruski with forming the regiment. Zaruski gathered cavalry squadrons from Kraà Ânik, Pià Âczów and Kielce. All concentrated in Pià Âczów. On March 16, 1919, Rotmistrz Antoni Jablonski was named first commandant of the regiment, and on April 7, 1919, following the order of Józef Pià Âsudski, the regiment was sent by rail to Wilno.
Uhlans of the 11th regiment captured Wilno on April 20, 1919, after heavy fighting against the Red Army. Two days later, the regiment marched towards Landwarów, to cover the PolishâÂÂLithuanian demarcation line.
In August 1919, the regiment fought against the Soviets in Belarus. On August 20, together with 1st Chevau-léger Regiment, it captured Glebokie. By late August, it covered the line of the Daugava, repelling several Soviet counterattacks and remaining there until spring 1920.
In May 1920, Soviet counteroffensive in Belarus began. Outnumbered and outgunned Polish units were forced to retreat. On June 20, the regiment was loaded on a train at the rail station of Dukszty, and via Wilno-Baranowicze-Brzesc-Kowel traveled to Rowne, reaching its destination on June 21. In Volhynia, Polish uhlans faced the assault of 1st Cavalry Army, commanded by Semyon Budyonny. The regiment defended the line of the Horyn River, capturing Korzec on July 1. In mid-July it retreated westwards, fighting the enemy. On August 1, 1920, it clashed with Soviet cavalry near Mikolajow.
For the remaining part of the PolishâÂÂSoviet War, the regiment fought in eastern part of former Austrian Galicia, defending the approaches to Lwów, and Galician oil fields in the area of Drohobycz, Bobrka and Boryslaw. On September 7, 1920, as part of First Cavalry Brigade, it began to advance eastwards, fighting in Podolia. On October 22, 1920, Major Antoni Jablonski died in a hospital in Lwów.
On November 25, 1920, the regiment was sent to the barracks at Czortków, where it remained until June 1921. On June 12, 1921, the regiment was loaded on a train and headed to its new garrison in Ciechanów. Its three squadrons were sent to nearby Przasnysz, since there was not enough space at former Imperial Russian Army barracks in Ciechanów.
The regiment was mobilized on August 24, 1939, to join Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade. On September 1, it manned a defensive line between Ciechanów and Przasnysz. Forced to retreat, it fought the Wehrmacht in several locations, including the Battle of Kaà Âuszyn, in which it joined forces with 6th Legions Infantry Regiment. By September 24, it found itself near Suchowola, and its elements fought until September 27.
In 1944, the Home Army of District Siedlce â WÃÂgrów recreated the 11th Regiment for Operation Tempest.
The regiment received its flag on October 5, 1919, during a ceremony in Wilno. The flag was funded by the residents of Wilno, and it presented Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn on one side, and symbols of Poland and Lithuania on the other. On March 22, 1922, names of locations of the battles were added to the flag: Kowalewszczyzna, Nowe Kruki, PeresÃÂ awka, Szczelno, Tyszki, Perebrodzie, Rowne, Mikolajow, Ruzdwiany, Jampol, Nowa Sieniawka.
Regimental badge was in the shape of a silver cross, with dates 1809 1914 1918 1919 on its wings.
On May 28, 1937, Ministry of Military Affairs named the regiment after Marshal Edward à Âmigà Ây-Rydz.
The regiment had its own zurawiejka: "Half civilian, half military, this is the Legions eleventh regiment. They are carelessly sleeping on the border, the uhlans from Ciechanów".