James Baquet

The Miracle of the Vistula is more commonly (and more prosaically) called “The Battle of Warsaw,” a Russian defeat in the Polish-Soviet War. It took place from Aug. 12 to 25, 1920.

After World War I, Poland regained its independence after over a century of partition between Russia, Germany (then known as Prussia), and Austria-Hungary. This Second Polish Republic was also called “interwar Poland,” as that status lasted only from 1918 to 1939, when Hitler invaded.

But in 1919, Russia under Lenin was eyeing Poland as a “bridge” by which Soviet Communism could reach western Europe. So when Poland tried to “liberate” Ukraine, it was Russia who pushed back. In 1920 the Russians forced a Polish retreat from Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, and made a largely successful push toward Warsaw, the Polish capital.

The Polish leader Jozef Pilsudski devised a plan in which various units faced the Russians on a multitude of fronts. The most important force, though, comprised of 22,000 men, fought directly under Pilsudski. This “Shock Army” would attack the Russians between their western and southwestern fronts, throwing them into chaos. The timing of this desperate move would be crucial, and many of Pilsudski’s advisers opposed it. If it failed, Warsaw — and therefore, Poland — would be lost. The plan was so bad that, when the Russians intercepted a copy, they thought it was a poor attempt at deceiving them regarding the Poles’ plans!

Although not decisive, the plan was effective enough to foil the Russians’ plans. Warsaw was safe, and the Russians eventually withdrew. Further minor battles followed, and a ceasefire was declared in October.

Lenin called the battle “an enormous defeat.” Russian casualties included around 15,000 killed; 500 missing; 10,000 wounded; and 65,000 captured. The Poles lost only 4,500 dead; 22,000 wounded; and 10,000 missing.

One of Pilsudski’s political rivals derisively called the battle “The Miracle of the Vistula (the river where much of the encounter took place).” But the irony was lost on the people, and they took up the name as an accurate description of the affair.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. looking at; considering

2. made up (of)

3. mostly

4. hopeless; dangerous

5. confusion; disorganization

6. got back; recovered

7. in an unimaginative way

8. mockingly; in a way that makes fun

9. enemies

10. in reference to; about