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Polish military tactics during World War I were heavily influenced by Poland's ongoing fight for independence, as Poland did not exist as an independent state at the beginning of the war. Despite being partitioned by the German, Russian, and Austro-Hungarian empires, Polish forces played a significant role in the conflict. Polish military tactics were a combination of strategies borrowed from the occupying armies and a fierce desire for national liberation. Initially, most Polish soldiers served in the armies of the empires that had partitioned Poland, especially in the Russian and Austro-Hungarian armies. As a result, their tactics were influenced by the doctrines of these armies. In the Russian army, Polish forces were accustomed to large-scale, infantry-based assaults, while the Austro-Hungarian army used more mobile cavalry and artillery. The tactics employed by Polish soldiers depended on the army they were serving in and the specific front they were deployed to. One of the most significant contributions of Polish forces during World War I was made by the Polish Legions, a military formation created to fight for Polish independence. These units, under the command of Józef Piłsudski, used a combination of guerrilla tactics and conventional warfare to achieve their objectives. Their tactics emphasized flexibility, mobility, and surprise, as the Polish Legions often operated behind enemy lines and carried out raids on enemy positions. The Polish Legions also became proficient in trench warfare, which was a primary mode of fighting during the conflict. They were involved in numerous battles on the Eastern Front, where they dug trenches, fortified their positions, and engaged in long-range artillery duels with enemy forces. Their ability to adapt to the grueling conditions of trench warfare allowed them to hold key positions against superior enemy forces. Cavalry played a significant role in the tactics of Polish forces during World War I, especially within the Polish Legions. Polish cavalry units were used for reconnaissance missions, disrupting enemy supply lines, and launching fast surprise attacks. Cavalry tactics were especially useful on the Eastern Front, where the vast open terrain enabled swift movement and flanking attacks. The speed and agility of Polish cavalry units made them a formidable force, feared by enemy soldiers who had difficulty countering their rapid assaults. IIRP Rzadka Odznaka II Zlot Harcerstwa Wilno 1932 – Sarmatia Antiques Throughout the war, Polish forces gradually integrated modern technology into their tactics, such as machine guns, artillery, and eventually, tanks. They learned to combine infantry assaults with artillery bombardments to soften enemy positions before their troops moved in. This integration of modern weaponry allowed Polish forces to fight on more equal terms with the better-equipped armies of the Central Powers and the Allies. The Polish military effort during World War I was not only about battlefield tactics but also about political maneuvering. Józef Piłsudski, leader of the Polish Legions, understood that military victories alone would not guarantee Polish independence. Piłsudski used the military capabilities of the Polish Legions as leverage in negotiations with the Central Powers and the Allies, aiming to secure favorable terms for Poland. This strategy of combining military and political action was a hallmark of Polish tactics during the war, and it helped lay the groundwork for Poland's eventual independence in 1918. PSZnZ Polski Orzeł Lotniczy wz.36 – Odlew Ołów – Sarmatia Antiques In conclusion, Polish military tactics during World War I were shaped by the complex political and military situation of the time. Polish soldiers used a variety of tactics, including guerrilla warfare, cavalry charges, trench warfare, and modern artillery tactics, to fight for independence. Although Poland was not an independent state at the start of the war, the bravery and adaptability of Polish forces, combined with astute political maneuvering, helped to secure Poland's future as an independent nation.