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This is a chronological list of wars in which Poland or its predecessor states of took an active part, extending from the reign of Mieszko I (960–992) to the present. This list does not include peacekeeping operations (such as UNPROFOR, UNTAES or UNMOP), humanitarian missions or training missions supported by the Polish Armed Forces.

The list gives the name, the date, the Polish allies and enemies, and the result of these conflicts following this legend:

  Polish victory
  Polish defeat
  Another result
  Internal conflict
  Ongoing conflict

Piast Poland (960–1138)

During the Middle Ages, Poland sought to incorporate other fellow West Slavic peoples under the rule of the Polan dukes, such as Mieszko I, Boleslaw I Chrobry and their descendants, and then defend the lands acquired in the west from the Holy Roman Empire. In the east and south it struggled with Ruthenia, Bohemia and Tatar raiders. In the north-east, it encountered intermittent Lithuanian and Prussian raids.
Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
963 Otto I's raid on Poland[citation needed] Duchy of Poland Holy Roman Empire Defeat
963–

967

Polish-Veletian War Duchy of Poland
Duchy of Bohemia (967)
Veleti
Wolinians (967)
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
972 Fights of Mieszko I in Western Pomerania Duchy of Poland Sorbian March Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
979 Otto II's raid on Poland Duchy of Poland Holy Roman Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
981 Polish raid on Pomerelia[citation needed] Duchy of Poland Pomerelia Victory
981 Rus raid on Cherven Cities[citation needed] Duchy of Poland Kievan Rus' Defeat
985 Polish-Saxon invasion of Veleti[citation needed] Duchy of Poland

Holy Roman Empire

Veleti Victory
988–

990

Polish-Bohemian War Duchy of Poland
Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
992 Polish-German invasion of Veleti[citation needed] Duchy of Poland

Holy Roman Empire

Veleti Victory
990–

993

Eric the Victorius invasion of Denmark[citation needed] Duchy of Poland

Sweden

Denmark Victory
995 Polish-German invasion of Obotrites[citation needed] Duchy of Poland

Holy Roman Empire

Obotrites Victory
1002–

1005

German-Polish War Duchy of Poland Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Bohemia

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1007–

1013

German-Polish War Duchy of Poland Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Bohemia

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1015–

1018

German-Polish War Duchy of Poland Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Bohemia

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1015–

1019

Kyivan succession crisis[citation needed] Kyivan Rus' loyal to Svyatopolk I

Duchy of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

Kyivan Rus' loyal to Yaroslav I Commanders: Indecisive
1018 Bolesław I's invasion of Kievan Rus Duchy of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

Pechenegs

Kyivan Rus' loyal to Yaroslav I Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1028–

1031

German-Polish War Kingdom of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia

Kievan Rus'

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1031 Rus' expedition against Poland Duchy of Poland Kievan Rus' Defeat
1031–

1032

Pagan reaction in Poland Duchy of Poland Pagans and magnates Commanders: Internal conflict
1037–

1038

Popular Uprising in Poland Duchy of Poland Peasants Commanders: Victory
1038–

1047

Miecław's Rebellion Duchy of Poland Miecław's State

Duchy of Pomerelia

Yotvingians

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1038–

1039

Bretislav's invasion Duchy of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Victory
1042 Casimir I's raid on Lesser Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1047 Casimir I's raid on Silesia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1050 Casimir I's raid on Silesia Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1051 Polish-German invasion of Hungary Kingdom of Poland

Holy Roman Empire

Kingdom of Hungary Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1060 Bolesław II's raid on Bohemia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1060 Fights for the Hungarian throne[1]: 86–87 [failed verification] Kingdom of Poland

Béla I

Andrew I Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1063 Bolesław II's raid on Pomerelia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Pomerelia Commanders: Victory
1064 Pomeranian raid on Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Pomeranians Victory
1069-

1071

Bolesław II the Bold's expedition to Kiev Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus'

Pechenegs

Varangians

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1072 Bolesław II's raid on Bohemia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1073 Bolesław II's raid on Rus[1]: 123–124 [failed verification] Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus' Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1074 Civil war between Solomon and Geza I[citation needed] Geza I

Kingdom of Poland

Solomon

Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Bohemia

Commanders: Victory
1076-

1077

Bolesław II the Bold's expedition to Kiev Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus' Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1076 Bolesław II's raid on Bohemia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1077 Bolesław II's raid on Hungary Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Commanders: Victory
1077–

1079

Civil War in Poland Kingdom of Poland Rebels and magnats Commanders: Internal conflict
1090–

1092

Four raids on Western Pomerania[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Western Pomerania Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1092 Ruthenian-Cuman raid on Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus'

Cumans

Defeat
1093–

1100

Civil War in Poland Władysław I Herman

Sieciech

Duchy of Bohemia

Zbigniew of Poland

Bolesław III Wrymouth

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1099 Władysław I's raid on Halych[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Principality of Halych Commanders: Indecisive
1099 Polish-Pomeranian War Kingdom of Poland Western Pomerania Battles: Victory
1000 Pomeranian raid on Poland[1]: 239–240  Kingdom of Poland Western Pomerania Victory
1101 Cuman raid on Poland Kingdom of Poland Cumans Victory
1103 Bohemian raid on Poland[1]: 248–251  Bolesław III Wrymouth Zbigniew of Poland

Duchy of Bohemia

Commanders: Defeat
1103–

1123

Fourteen Bolesław Wrymouth's raids on Pomerania Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Denmark
Pomeranians Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1103–

1108

Civil War in Poland[1]: 248–284  Bolesław III Wrymouth

Kingdom of Hungary

Kievan Rus'

Zbigniew of Poland

Duchy of Bohemia

Commanders: Victory
1108 Bolesław III's raid on Old Prussians Kingdom of Poland Old Prussians Commanders: Victory
1108–

1109

Three Pomeranians raids on Poland[1]: 286–290  Kingdom of Poland Western Pomerania Commanders: Victory
1108 Moravian raid on Silesia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1108 Bolesław III's raid on Bohemia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Victory
1109 Polish-German War Kingdom of Poland Holy Roman Empire

Duchy of Bohemia

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1109–

1114

Three Bolesław III Wrymouth's raids on Bohemia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1110 Zbigniew's and Bohemian raid on Silesia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Commanders: Defeat
1110–

1111

Bolesław III's raid on Old Prussians[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Old Prussians Commanders: Victory
1117 Skarbimir's rebellion Kingdom of Poland Skarbimir Commanders: Victory
1120 Ruthenian-Cuman raid on Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus'

Cumans

Defeat
1120 Polish raid on Pomerania[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Western Pomerania Victory
1121–

1124

Fights in Rus'[1]: 351–360  Kingdom of Poland

Kievan Rus'

Duchy of Bohemia

Kingdom of Hungary

Principality of Halych Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1126 Hungarian raid on Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Defeat
1127 Polish raid on Hungary[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Victory
1131–

1134

Six Bohemian raids on Silesia[1]: 380–386  Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Bohemia Defeat
1133 Bolesław III's raid on Hungary[1]: 380–381  Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1135 Ruthenian raid on Poland Kingdom of Poland Principality of Halych Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1136 Polish raid on Kievan Rus' Kingdom of Poland Kievan Rus'

Principality of Volhynia

Commanders: Victory

Feudal fragmentation (1138–1320)

In 1138, after the death of Bolesław III Wrymouth, Poland was divided into districts ruled by local princes. This began a period of feudal fragmentation that lasted for more than 187 years during which Poland was severely weakened due to incessant internal conflicts, the turmoil in Poland was exploited by neighboring countries who systematically invaded and plundered the country. The feudal fragmentation ended in 1320 during the reign of Władyslaw I Lokietek.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1139–

1142

Fights between Duchy of Masovia and Rus'[2]: 11–14  Bolesław IV the Curly Kievan Rus' Commanders: Defeat
1144–

1146

Two Polish-Ruthenian raids on Halych[citation needed] Władysław II the Exile

Kievan Rus'

Principality of Halych Commanders: Victory
1145–

1146

Fights between Władysław II and Bolesław IV, Mieszko III[3]: 27–36  Władysław II the Exile Bolesław IV the Curly

Mieszko III the Old

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1146 Polish-German War Mieszko III the Old Holy Roman Empire
Duchy of Bohemia
Commanders: Victory
1147 Albert the Bear and Mieszko III the Old's crusade for Polabian Slavs Mieszko III the Old
Northern March
Polabian Slavs
Veleti
Commanders: Victory
1147 Bolesław IV the Curly's raid on Old Prussians[citation needed] Bolesław IV the Curly
Kievan Rus'
Old Prussians Commanders: Victory
1154–

1155

Henry of Sandomir's crusade to Palestine[4]: 59–60  Polish knights Saracen Commanders: Victory
1157 German-Polish War Bolesław IV the Curly Holy Roman Empire Commanders: Defeat
1166 Bolesław IV the Curly's raid on Old Prussians[4]: 96–97  Bolesław IV the Curly Old Prussians Commanders: Defeat
1180 Duke Wasylek's fight for Brześć[citation needed] Principality of Drohiczyn
Casimir II the Just
Kievan Rus' Commanders: Defeat
1182–

1183

War for Brest Casimir II the Just

Kievan Rus'

Peasant Revolt Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1184 Frederick I Barbarossa's raid on Poland[citation needed] Casimir II the Just Holy Roman Empire Commanders: Indecisive
1186

1187

Prince Roman's intervention in Halych[4]: 172–176  Casimir II the Just Prince Roman of Brest Vladimir II Yaroslavich Commanders: Victory
1189 Hungarian invasion of Halych[4]: 177–178  Casimir II the Just Prince Roman of Brest Kingdom of Hungary
Vladimir II Yaroslavich
Commanders: Defeat
1189–

1191

Vladimirko's invasion of lesser Poland[4]: 181–185  Casimir II the Just Vladimir II Yaroslavich Commanders: Defeat
1194 Casimir II the Just's raid on Yotvingians[citation needed] Casimir II the Just Yotvingians Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1195 Civil War in Poland[4]: 197–199  Leszek I the White

Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia

Mieszko III the Old

Mieszko IV Tanglefoot

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1199 Leszek I the White's intervention in the reconquest of Halych[4]: 211  Leszek I the White Principality of Halych Commanders: Victory
1205 Roman the Great's raid on Poland[4]: 233–239  Leszek I the White Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1207 Leszek I the White's raid on Rus'[4]: 248–250  Leszek I the White
Konrad I of Masovia
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Commanders: Defeat
1209–

1211

First War for Lebus Henry I the Bearded
Władysław III Spindleshanks
Margraviate of Brandenburg Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1212 Polish raid into Pomerania[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland  Denmark Victory
1213 Civil War in Poland[4]: 267–268  Henry I the Bearded

Henry II the Pious

Bolesław IV the Curly Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1215 Hungarian raid on Poland[citation needed] Casimir II the Just Kingdom of Hungary Commanders: Defeat
1219 Polish expedition against Vladimir-in-Volhynia[4]: 280–281  Leszek I the White Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Commanders: Defeat
1219–

1222

Three Old Prussians raids on Lesser Poland[citation needed] Leszek I the White
Kingdom of Hungary
Old Prussians Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1221 Polish-Hungarian-Ruthenian War[4]: 280–281  Konrad I of Masovia Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Commanders: Defeat
1222–

1223

Two Polish raids on Old Prussians[citation needed] Local dukes Old Prussians Victory
1225 Prussian raid on Lesser Poland[citation needed] Konrad I of Masovia Old Prussians Commanders: Defeat
1225–

1230

Second War For Lebus Henry I the Bearded Margraviate of Brandenburg Commanders: Victory
1228 Fights between Konrad of Masovia and Henry I the Bearded[4]: 305–309  Henry I the Bearded

Henry II the Pious

Konrad I of Masovia Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1234 Polish-Teutonic crusade on Old Prussians Local dukes
Teutonic Knights
Old Prussians Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1236–

1237

Wars between Konrad I of Masovia and Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia[citation needed] Konrad I of Masovia Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1238–

1240

Third War for Lebus Henry I the Bearded Margraviate of Brandenburg Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1241 First Mongol invasion of Poland Local dukes
Military orders
Mongol Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1243–

1246

Fights between Bolesław V the Chaste and Konrad of Masovia[5]: 44–52  Bolesław V the Chaste Konrad I of Masovia Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1247–

1252

Przemysł I's fight against Brandenburg[5]: 88–91  Przemysł I Margraviate of Brandenburg Commanders: Victory
1248–

1255

Three raids on Yotvingians[citation needed] Bolesław V the Chaste
Siemowit I of Masovia
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia
Yotvingians Commanders: Victory
1259 Fights between Bolesław the Pious and Casimir I of Kuyavia[5]: 150–151  Bolesław the Pious Casimir I of Kuyavia Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1259–

1260

Second Mongol invasion of Poland Bolesław V the Chaste Mongol Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1260 Bohemian-Hungarian War[6]: 158–159  Kingdom of Bohemia
Duchy of Silesia
Duchy of Austria
Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Poland
Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1262 Lithuanian raid on Lesser Poland[6]: 167–168  Siemowit I of Masovia Grand Duchy of Lithuania Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1264 Fights against Yotvingians[6]: 173–176  Bolesław V the Chaste Yotvingians Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1265 Fights against Ruthenians[6]: 180–181  Bolesław V the Chaste Grand Duchy of Lithuania Commanders: Victory
1265–

1278

Fights against Brandenburg[6]: 204–206, 250–251  Bolesław V the Chaste
Przemysł II
Margraviate of Brandenburg Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1273–

1274

Civil War in Poland[6]: 226–228  Bolesław V the Chaste Vladislaus I of Opole Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1277 Silesian Civil War[6]: 243–247  Henry V of Legnica

Bolesław II the Horned

Przemysł II

Henry III of Głogów

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1278 Fights for Bohemian throne[6]: 254–255  Ottokar II of Bohemia
Bolesław V the Chaste
Przemysł II
Henryk IV Probus
Rudolph I of Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1280 War between Leszek II the Black and Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia[6]: 263–265  Leszek II the Black Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1281 Masovian-Prussians fights[6]: 269  Bolesław II of Masovia Old Prussians Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1282–

1283

Three Lithuanian-Yotvingian raids on Poland[6]: 272–278  Leszek II the Black Yotvingians
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1285 Fights between Leszek II the Black and Konrad II of Masovia[6]: 294–297  Leszek II the Black Konrad II of Masovia Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1287–

1288

Third Mongol invasion of Poland Leszek II the Black Mongol Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1288–

1290

War for Lesser Poland Władysław I the Elbow-high

Casimir II of Łęczyca

Bolesław II of Masovia

Konrad II of Masovia

Henry III of Głogów

Przemko of Ścinawa

Bolko I of Opole

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1291–

1306

Six Vytenis's raids on Lesser Poland[citation needed] Local dukes Grand Duchy of Lithuania Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1296 Brandenburgian raid on Rogoźno[citation needed] Przemysł II Margraviate of Brandenburg Commanders: Defeat
1308 Brandenburgian raid on Gdańsk[citation needed] Władysław I the Elbow-high Margraviate of Brandenburg Commanders: Defeat
1308 Capture of Gdańsk by the Teutonic Knights Władysław I the Elbow-high Teutonic Knights Commanders: Defeat
1309 Capture of Świecie by the Teutonic Knights[citation needed] Władysław I the Elbow-high Teutonic Knights Commanders: Defeat
1311–

1312

Rebellion of mayor Albert Władysław I the Elbow-high Albert
Burghers of Kraków
Commanders: Victory
1313 Rebellion of Knights in Greater Poland[citation needed] Local dukes Rebells Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1316 Polish-Brandenburgian fights in Greater Poland[citation needed] Władysław I the Elbow-high Margraviate of Brandenburg Commanders: Victory

Reunited Kingdom of Poland (1320–1385)

In 1320, after the end of the feudal fragmentation, during the reign of Władyslaw I Łokietek and his son Casimir III the Great, Poland experienced a period of strong economic development, this period also increased migration to Poland especially of Germans and Jews. The period ended after the death of Casimir the Great and the assumption of the Polish throne by Louis I.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1323 Polish-Hungarian raid on Ruthenia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia Victory
1323 Władysław I's raid on Płock[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Płock Commanders: Victory
1326–

1329

Polish-Brandenburgian fights[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Margraviate of Brandenburg Victory
1326–

1332

Polish-Teutonic War Kingdom of Poland

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Kingdom of Hungary

Duchy of Płock

Teutonic Knights

Kingdom of Bohemia

Duchy of Masovia

Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1332 Casimir III's raid on Głogów[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Głogów Commanders: Victory
1340–

1392

Galicia-Volhynia Wars Kingdom of Poland

Duchy of Masovia

Kingdom of Hungary

Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Crimean Khanate

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1343 Fights for Wschowa[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Głogów Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1345–

1348

Polish-Czech War Kingdom of Poland

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Kingdom of Hungary

Kingdom of Bohemia Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1352–

1358

Maćko Borkowic's confederation[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Maćko Borkowic

Margraviate of Brandenburg

Commanders: Victory
1355 Teutonic raid on Masovia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland

Duchy of Masovia

Teutonic Knights Defeat
1359 Casimir III's raid on Moldavia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Commanders: Defeat
1368 Casimir III's raid on Moldavia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Commanders: Defeat
1370 Brandenburgian raid on Santok and Drezdenko[7]: 205–206  Kingdom of Poland Margraviate of Brandenburg Defeat
1370 Fights for Płock[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Masovia Internal conflict
1373–

1377

Władysław the White's rebellion Kingdom of Poland Władysław the White

Duchy of Gniewkowo

Philip the Bold

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1375–

1377

Hungarian-Ottoman War Kingdom of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

 Ottoman Empire Commanders: Victory
1376 Lithuanian raid on Poland Kingdom of Poland Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Duchy of Belz

Defeat
  • 23,000 people abducted
1381–

1385

Greater Poland Civil War Grzymała Nałęcz Internal conflict
1382–

1385

Siemowit IV's fight for Polish throne[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

Duchy of Masovia Commanders: Victory

Jagiellon Poland (1385–1569)

For much of its early history as a Christian state, Poland had to contend with Pomeranians, Prussians, Lithuanians and other Baltic peoples in continuous border wars without clear results or end in sight. After the Teutonic Order conquered and assimilated the Prussians, it began incursions into both Polish and Lithuanian territories. This represented a far greater threat to both Poland and Lithuania, and the two countries united in a defensive alliance by the crowning of the Lithuanian Duke Jogaila as King of Poland (as Władysław II) which led to a major confrontation at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and subsequent wars until 1525, when the Order became a vassal to the Polish Crown.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1387 Jadwiga's raid on Red Ruthenia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Commanders: Victory
1387 Polish conquest of Moldavia Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Commanders: Victory
1390–

1392

Lithuanian Civil War Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Kingdom of Poland
Samogitia
Teutonic Knights
Rus' principalities
Commanders: Victory
1391 Fights against Konrad II for Wchowa[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Oels Commanders: Victory
1391–

1401

War against Władysław Opolczyk[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Opole Commanders: Victory
1399 Fights against Golden Horde[citation needed] Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Kingdom of Poland
Teutonic Knights
Principality of Moldavia
Golden Horde Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1409–

1411

Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Teutonic Knights Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1414 Hunger War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Teutonic Knights Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1415–

1419

Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary

Kingdom of Poland

 Ottoman Empire Victory
1422 Golub War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Principality of Moldavia
Teutonic Knights Commanders: Victory
1431 Moldavian raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Victory
1431–

1435

Lithuanian Civil War Grand Duchy of Lithuania (pro-Roman Catholic)

Kingdom of Poland

Hussites

Grand Duchy of Lithuania (pro-Eastern Orthodox)

Teutonic Knights

Livonian Order

Golden Horde

Principality of Moldavia

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1431–

1435

Polish-Teutonic War Hussites
Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Žygimantas Kęstutaitis)
Teutonic Knights
Grand Duchy of Lithuania(Švitrigaila)
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1435 Odrowąż intervention in Moldavia Kingdom of Poland

Iliaș

Stephen II Battles: Victory
1437-

1442

Hungarian–Ottoman War Kingdom of Hungary

Kingdom of Poland

 Ottoman Empire Commanders: Victory
1438 Polish-Bohemian fights for Silesia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of Hungary
Battles: Defeat
1438 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Defeat
1439 Spytek of Melsztyn's confederation[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Spytek of Melsztyn Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1440–

1444

Lithuanian-Masovian war for Podlasie[citation needed] Duchy of Masovia Grand Duchy of Lithuania Indecisive
1440–

1442

Civil War in Hungary[citation needed] Władysław III of Poland
Kingdom of Poland
Elizabeth of Luxembourg Victory
1443 Battle of Nish Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Serbian Despotate
 Ottoman Empire Commanders: Victory
1443–

1444

Crusade of Varna Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Serbian Despotate
 Ottoman Empire Commanders: Defeat
1444 Battle of Kunovica Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Hungary
Serbian Despotate
 Ottoman Empire Commanders: Victory
1449–

1450

Fights for Moldavian throne[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Aleksander II of Moldavia
Bogdan II of Moldavia Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1450–

1454

Fights for Land of Oświęcim[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Toszek Victory
1453 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Victory
1454–

1466

Thirteen Years' War Prussian Confederation
Kingdom of Poland
Teutonic Knights
Livonian Brothers of the Sword
Kingdom of Denmark
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1457–

1458

Rebellion of unpaid mercenaries[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Oświęcim
Mercenaries
Defeat
1469 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Defeat
1471 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Defeat
1471–

1474

Polish-Hungarian War[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Indecisive
1474 Polish-Bohemian raid on Silesia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Kingdom of Bohemia
Kingdom of Hungary Defeat
1475 Polish-Ottoman War[citation needed]  Moldavia

Kingdom of Poland

Kingdom of Hungary

 Ottoman Empire Battles: Victory
1476 Polish raid on Prussia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Teutonic Knights Victory
1476–

1482

War of Succession of Głogów[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Margraviate of Brandenburg Battles: Victory
1478–

1479

War of the Priests Kingdom of Poland Nicolaus von Tüngen
Teutonic Knights
Commanders: Victory
1485–

1503

Polish-Ottoman War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
 Ottoman Empire
Principality of Moldavia
Crimean Khanate
Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1490–

1492

Fights for Hungarian throne[citation needed] John I Albert Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1495 Polish raid on Płock[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Duchy of Masovia Victory
1500–

1503

Second Muscovite-Lithuanian War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Moscow Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1501 Polish raid on Prussia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Teutonic Knights Defeat
1502–

1510

Polish-Moldavian War Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia

 Ottoman Empire

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1506 Tatar raid on Poland and Lithuania[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1507–

1508

Glinski rebellion Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Moscow Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1512 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1512–

1522

Muscovite-Lithuanian War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Moscow Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1516 Tatar raid on Podolia and Ruthenia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Defeat
1519 Tatar raid on Podolia and Ruthenia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1519–

1521

Polish-Teutonic War Kingdom of Poland Teutonic Knights Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1524 Ottoman-Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland  Ottoman Empire
Crimean Khanate
Defeat
1526 Tatar raid on Poland and Lithuania[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crimean Khanate Defeat
1528 Habsburgian raid on Spisz[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Kingdom of Hungary Defeat
1528 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Victory
1530–

1538

Polish-Moldavian War Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1534–

1537

Fifth Muscovite-Lithuanian War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Moscow Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1537 Chicken War Kingdom of Poland Nobility Commanders: Victory
1549 Tatar raid on Volhynia and Red Ruthenia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Crimean Khanate Defeat
1550 Moldavian raid on Bar[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Principality of Moldavia Victory
1552 Sieniawski's intervention in Moldavia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland

Alexandru Lăpușneanu

Ioan Joldea Commanders: Victory
1557 Zygmunt II's raid on Livonia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Livonian Brothers of the Sword Commanders: Victory
1557 Tatar raid on Podolia[citation needed] Kingdom of Poland Crimean Khanate Defeat
1558–

1583

Livonian War Livonian Confederation
Kingdom of Poland
Denmark–Norway
Swedish Empire
Tsardom of Russia
Kingdom of Livonia
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1561–

1570

Northern Seven Years' War Kingdom of Poland
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Denmark Denmark–Norway
Free City of Lübeck
Grand Duchy of Moscow
Sweden Kingdom of Sweden
Commanders: Indecisive

Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569–1795)

The 17th century saw fierce rivalry between the then major Eastern European powers – Sweden, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. At its heyday, the Commonwealth comprised the territories of present-day Poland, and large parts of Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia, and represented a major European power. However, by the end of the 18th century a series of internal conflicts and wars with foreign enemies led to the dissolution of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the partitioning of most of its dependent territories among other European powers.

During the 18th century, European powers (most frequently consisting of Russia, Sweden, Prussia and Saxony) fought several wars for the control of the territories of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the end of the 18th century, some Poles attempted to defend Poland from growing foreign influence in the country's internal affairs. These late attempts to preserve independence eventually failed, ultimately ending in Poland's partition and the final dissolution of the remains of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1571 Danish attack on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Denmark Kingdom of Denmark Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1572 Mikołaj Mielecki's raid on Moldavia[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Moldavia Principality of Moldavia Commanders: Defeat
1575 Tatar raid on Red Ruthenia and Podolia[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Defeat
1575 Russian invasion of Livonia[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Tsardom of Russia Defeat
1576–

1577

Danzig rebellion Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth City of Danzig Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1577 Tatar raid on Podolia, Red Ruthenia and Volhynia[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Defeat
1577–

1582

Livonian campaigns Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Principality of Transylvania

Tsardom of Russia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1578 Tatar raid on Podolia, Red Ruthenia and Volhynia[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Defeat
1587–

1588

War of the Polish Succession Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Austria Archduchy of Austria Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1589 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles: Defeat
1591–

1593

Kosiński Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1594–

1596

Nalyvaiko Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1595 Jan Zamoyski's expedition to Moldavia Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Ottoman Empire
Crimean Khanate
Moldavia Principality of Moldavia
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1598–

1599

War against Sigismund Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden Swedish Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1599–

1600

Fights against Michael the Brave[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Moldavia Ieremia Movilă

Wallachia Principality of Wallachia
Principality of Transylvania
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1600–

1611

Polish-Swedish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden Swedish Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1605–

1618

Polish-Muscovite War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

False Dmitry I

False Dmitry II

Tsardom of Russia

Don Cossacks

Sweden Swedish Empire

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1606 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1606–

1609

Zebrzydowski Rebellion Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Mikołaj Zebrzydowski Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1607 Stefan Potocki's raid on Moldavia[citation needed] Stefan Potocki Moldavia Principality of Moldavia

 Ottoman Empire

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1612 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1612 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1612 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1612 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles: Victory
1615–

1616

Samuel Korecki's expedition to Moldavia Samuel Korecki Moldavia Principality of Moldavia

 Ottoman Empire

Crimean Khanate

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1617–

1618

Polish-Swedish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden Swedish Empire Commanders: Indecisive
1618 Tatar raid on Poland[8][failed verification] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1619 Lisowczyk's intervention in the Thirty Years' War[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Principality of Transylvania Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1620–

1621

Polish-Ottoman War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Zaporozhian Cossacks

 Ottoman Empire
Crimean Khanate
Wallachia Principality of Wallachia
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 14,000 dead and wounded
1621–

1626

Polish-Swedish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden Swedish Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1623-

1624

Tatar raid on Poland[9]: 717  Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1625 Żmajło Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1626–

1629

Polish-Swedish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

 Holy Roman Empire

Sweden Swedish Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 4,080 dead
1626 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1626 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1627 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1628 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1628 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1628 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1628 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1628 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1629 Tatar raid on Poland[9]: 720  Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1629 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1629 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1629 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1629 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1630 Fedorovych Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1632–

1634

Smolensk War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Tsardom of Russia Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1633–

1634

Polish-Ottoman War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Ottoman Empire
Crimean Khanate
Wallachia Principality of Wallachia
Moldavia Principality of Moldavia

Budjak Horde

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1635 Sulima Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Commanders: Victory
1637 Pawluk Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1638 Ostrzanin Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1640 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Defeat
1643 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles: Victory
1644 Tatar raid on Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1645–

1646

Polish raid on Crimean Khanate[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Crimean Khanate Victory
1648–

1655

Khmelnytsky Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Crimean Khanate

Zaporozhian Cossacks

Crimean Khanate

Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1651 Kostka-Napierski Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Aleksander Kostka Napierski Commanders: Victory
1651 Peasants' Revolt on Cistercian Ląd's Land[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Peasants Commanders: Victory
1654–

1667

Russo-Polish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Crimean Khanate

Tsardom of Russia
Zaporozhian Cossacks
Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1655–

1660

Second Northern War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Crimean Khanate

Sweden Swedish Empire

Zaporozhian Cossacks

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1656–

1657

George II Rákóczi's invasion of Poland[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Principality of Transylvania Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1663–

1664

Austro-Turkish War League of the Rhine:

 Kingdom of France

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

 Holy Roman Empire

Savoy Piedmont-Savoy

 Kingdom of Hungary

Croatia Kingdom of Croatia

 Ottoman Empire

Crimean Khanate

 Moldavia

 Wallachia

Victory
1665–

1666

Lubomirski's Rokosz Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1666–

1671

Polish-Cossack-Tatar War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks

Crimean Khanate

 Ottoman Empire

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1669–

1670

Podhale Uprising[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Peasants Battles: Victory
1672–

1676

Polish-Ottoman War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Ottoman Empire
Zaporozhian Cossacks
Crimean Khanate

Lipka Tatars

Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1672 Lipka Rebellion Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Lipka Tatars Commanders: Victory
1683–

1699

Polish-Ottoman War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Austria Archduchy of Austria

 Ottoman Empire Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Victory
1686–

1700

Russo-Turkish War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Austria Archduchy of Austria

Tsardom of Russia

 Ottoman Empire Victory
1697 François Louis's raid for Polish crown[citation needed] Augustus II the Strong François of Conti Commanders: Victory
1700–

1721

Great Northern War Augustus II the Strong (1700–04, 1709–)
Tsardom of Russia
Denmark Denmark–Norway (1700, 1709–)
 Electorate of Saxony (1700–06, 1709–)
Augustus II the Strong (1700–04, 1709–)
Cossack Hetmanate (1700–08, 1709–1721)
Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia (1715–)
Province of Hanover Electorate of Hanover (1715-)
others
Stanisław Leszczyński (1704–09)
Sweden Swedish Empire
 Ottoman Empire (1710–14)
Cossack Hetmanate (1708–09)
others
Battles:

Swedish Invasion of Poland

Treaties:

Commanders:

Indecisive
1702–

1704

Palej Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Zaporozhian Cossacks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1715–

1716

Tarnogród Confederation Szlachta Tsardom of Russia
 Electorate of Saxony
Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1733–

1735

War of the Polish Succession Stanisław Leszczyński
France Kingdom of France
Spain Kingdom of Spain
Duchy of Savoy
Augustus III of Poland
 Habsburg Monarchy
 Russian Empire
 Electorate of Saxony
Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia
Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1734 Haidamak Uprising[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Haydamaks Victory
1750 Haidamak Uprising[citation needed] Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Haydamaks Victory
1764 Civil War in Poland Hetmans' Party Familia

 Russian Empire

Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
1768–

1772

Bar Confederation Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire

Stanisław August Poniatowski

Haydamaks

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1768–

1769

Koliyvshchyna Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

 Russian Empire

Haydamaks Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 150,000–200,000 civilians dead
1769 Šiauliai revolt Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Peasants Victory
1772 First partition of Poland Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire Defeat
1792 Polish-Russian War Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire
Targowica Confederation
Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 3,000 dead and wounded
1792 Second partition of Poland Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire

 Prussia

Defeat
1794 Kościuszko Uprising Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire
 Prussia
Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Defeat
1795 Third partition of Poland Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth  Russian Empire Defeat

Napoleonic Wars (Duchy of Warsaw)

Poles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes in Napoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1797 Denisko Uprising Poland Poles

 Ottoman Empire

 France

 Great Britain

Austria Austrian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1798–

1802

War of the Second Coalition

 France

Polish Legions

 Spain

Denmark Denmark–Norway[10]

French client republics:

Second Coalition:

 Holy Roman Empire[13]

 Great Britain (until 1801)

 United Kingdom (from 1801)

 Russia (until 1799)

 Ottoman Empire

 Portugal

 Kingdom of Naples

Tuscany Grand Duchy of Tuscany

Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John (1798)

Malta (1798–1800)

Kingdom of France French Royalists

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1803–

1806

War of the Third Coalition France French Empire  Holy Roman Empire

 Russian Empire

 United Kingdom

 Kingdom of Naples

Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Kingdom of Sicily

 Sweden

Kingdom of France French royalists

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1806–

1807

War of the Fourth Coalition France French Empire  Prussia

 Russia

 United Kingdom

Saxony[14]

 Sweden

Sicily

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1806 Greater Poland Uprising Polish Legions

France French Empire

 Prussia Commanders: Victory
1808–

1814

Peninsular War France French Empire

Polish Legions

 Spain

 United Kingdom

 Portugal

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1809 War of the Fifth Coalition France French Empire Austria Austrian Empire

 United Kingdom

 Spain

Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Sicily

 Sardinia

Black Brunswickers

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1809 Austro-Polish War Duchy of Warsaw

Kingdom of Saxony

France French Empire

Austria Austrian Empire Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Victory
1812 French invasion of Russia France French Empire  Russian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1812–

1814

War of the Sixth Coalition  First French Empire Original Coalition

 Russian Empire

 Prussia

 Austrian Empire

United Kingdom United Kingdom

 Sweden

 Spain

 Portugal

 Two Sicilies

 Kingdom of Sardinia

After Battle of Leipzig

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1815 Fourth partition of Poland Duchy of Warsaw  Russian Empire

 Prussia

Defeat

Poland under partitions (1815–1918)

Poles unsuccessfully struggled to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. At first, they put their hopes in Napoleon. Later, they tried to ignite national uprisings every now and then – most of them bloodily repressed.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1830–

1831

November Uprising Kingdom of Poland  Russian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 40,000 dead and wounded,
  • 25,000–60,000 expelled to Siberia
1846 Kraków Uprising Poland Poles Austria Austrian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 1,000–2,000 dead and wounded
1846 Chochołów Uprising[citation needed] Poland Poles Austria Austrian Empire Commanders: Defeat
1846 Greater Poland Uprising Poland Poles Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1846 Galician Peasant Uprising Poland Poles Poland Poles Commanders: Internal conflict
  • 1,200–3,000 dead
1848 Greater Poland Uprising Poland Poles Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of Prussia

Austria Austrian Empire

Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 640 dead
1863–

1864

January Uprising Poles  Russian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 22,000 dead and wounded,
  • 7,000 captured,
  • 18,672–30,000 exiled to Siberia
1866 Siberian Uprising Poland Poles  Russian Empire Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 300 dead
1905–

1907

Revolutions in the Kingdom of Poland Polish Worker organizations  Russian Empire

Polish conservatives

Inconclusive
1905 Łódź insurrection Polish Worker organizations  Russian Empire

Polish conservatives

Internal conflict
  • 151–200 dead,
  • 150-2,000 wounded
1914–

1918

World War I  Russian Empire
 British Empire
France French Third Republic
Poland Polish Armed Forces
Allies
 German Empire
 Austria-Hungary
Poland Polish Legions
Central Powers
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 450,000–600,000 dead
1914–

1918

Occupation of Poland

(World War I)

 Poland  German Empire
 Austria-Hungary

 Russian Empire

Victory
  • 1,128,000 dead in total,
  • 800,000 resettled
1918 Finnish Civil War White Finland

 Germany

 Sweden

 Estonia

 Poland

Red Finland

 Soviet Russia

Commanders: Victory

Second Polish Republic (1918–1939)

In the turmoil of the First World War, Poles managed to regain independence and then to expand their territory in a series of local wars and uprisings; only to be occupied again during the next world war.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1918–

1919

Polish-Ukrainian War  Second Polish Republic
Romania Kingdom of Romania
Ukraine West Ukrainian People's Republic
 Ukrainian People's Republic
Battles:

Treaties:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 10,000 dead or wounded
1918–

1919

Greater Poland Uprising Second Polish Republic Poles  Weimar Republic Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 2,261 dead,
  • 6,000 wounded
1918–

1919

Polish-German skirmishes  Second Polish Republic  Weimar Republic Indecisive
1919 Polish coup attempt  Legal government Second Polish Republic National Democracy Commanders: Victory
1919 Polish-Czechoslovak War  Second Polish Republic  Czechoslovakia Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 92 dead,
  • 855 wounded,
  • 576 captured,
  • 813 missing
1919 Bender Uprising Kingdom of Romania Kingdom of Romania

Supported by:

French Third Republic France

Only police troops

 Poland

Communist Insurgents

 Ukrainian SSR

Supported by:

 Russian SFSR

 Ottoman Empire

Victory
1919–

1921

Polish-Soviet War  Second Polish Republic Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Russian SFSR
 Ukrainian SSR
 Byelorussian SSR
Polrewkom
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 47,551 dead,
  • 113,518 wounded,
  • 51,351 captured or missing
1919 Olesko Uprising[citation needed] Second Polish Republic Poles  Weimar Republic Commanders: Defeat
1919 First Silesian Uprising Second Polish Republic Poles  Weimar Republic Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1919–

1920

Polish-Lithuanian War  Second Polish Republic  Lithuania Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1920 Second Silesian Uprising Poland Poles  Weimar Republic Commanders: Victory
1921 Third Silesian Uprising Second Polish Republic Poles  Weimar Republic Battles:

Commanders:

Indecisive
  • 264 dead
1923 Kraków Riot  Second Polish Republic Workers Commanders: Victory
  • 32–44 dead,
  • 142 wounded
1926 May Coup  Legal government
Stanisław Wojciechowski
Second Polish Republic Sanation
Józef Piłsudski
Commanders: Internal conflict
  • 379 dead,
  • 920 wounded
1932 Lesko Uprising  Second Polish Republic Peasants Battles: Victory
  • 7 dead,
  • hundreds wounded,
  • 260–800 arrested
1938 Capture of Trans-Olza  Second Polish Republic  Second Czechoslovak Republic Commanders: Victory
  • 2 dead
1939 September Campaign

(World War II)

 Second Polish Republic  Nazi Germany
 Soviet Union
 Slovak Republic
Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists
Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 66,000 dead,
  • 133,700 wounded,
  • 675,000 captured

Poland during World War II (1939–1945)

The history of Poland from 1939 to 1945 encompasses primarily the period from the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to the end of World War II. Following the German–Soviet non-aggression pact, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany on 1 September 1939 and by the Soviet Union on 17 September. The campaigns ended in early October with Germany and the Soviet Union dividing and annexing the whole of Poland. After the Axis attack on the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, the entirety of Poland was occupied by Germany, which proceeded to advance its racial and genocidal policies across Poland.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1939–

1945

Polish resistance movement in World War II Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany
 Soviet Union
Victory
  • 2,000,000-3,000,000 dead
  • 1,800,000 expelled
1939–

1940

Operation Tannenberg Poland Poles  Nazi Germany Defeat
  • 20,000 dead
1939–

1940

Hubal's fight[citation needed] Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Defeat
1939–

1945

Minor sabotage Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Victory
1939–

1945

Battle of the Atlantic Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West
 United Kingdom
France France
Belgium Belgium
Netherlands Netherlands

Norway Norway

United States United States

 Nazi Germany

Kingdom of Italy Italy

Battles: Victory
1940 Norwegian campaign Norway Norway
Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West
 United Kingdom
France France
Belgium Belgium
Netherlands Netherlands
 Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
  • 533 dead and wounded
1940 Battle of France France France

Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

 Canada

 Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Defeat
1940–

1945

Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II France France

Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

 Canada

United States United States

 Nazi Germany

Kingdom of Italy Italy

Battles: Victory
1940–

1944

Battle of Britain  United Kingdom
Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 Canada

 Nazi Germany

Kingdom of Italy Italy

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1940 Czortków Uprising Poland Poles  Soviet Union Commanders: Defeat
  • 14 dead,
  • 150 captured
1941–

1944

Operation N Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
1942 Operation Wieniec Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
1942–

1943

Zamość Uprising Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany
Ukrainian Insurgent Army
Commanders: Victory
1943 Operation Most III Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
1943 Iwaniec Uprising Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
  • 2 dead,
  • 2 wounded
1943 Operation Góral Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
  • 4 dead,
  • 4 wounded
1943 Operation Fruhwirth Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Defeat None
1943 Operation Bürkl Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory None
1943 Operation Belt Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
1943 Operation Arsenal Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
  • 143 dead
1943 Operation Antyk Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Soviet Union Commanders: Indecisive
1943 1943 Pinsk Prison raid Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
  • 30 dead,
  • 1 wounded
1943 Operation Hermann Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Defeat
  • 4,400 dead
  • 21,000–25,000 deported
1943–

1945

Eastern Front  Soviet Union
Poland Poland
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia
Democratic Federal Yugoslavia Yugoslavia (from 1944)
 Romania (from 1944)
 Finland (from 1944)
Bulgaria (from 1944)
Kingdom of Hungary Hungary (from 1945)
Supported by:
 United States of America
 United Kingdom
 Free France
 Nazi Germany
 Romania (until 1944)
 Hungary (until 1945)
 Kingdom of Italy (until 1943)
Slovak Republic (1939–1945) Slovakia
 Croatia
Co-belligerents:
 Bulgaria (until 1944)
 Finland (until 1944)
 Spain (until 1943)
Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1943–

1945

Italian campaign Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West
 United Kingdom
France France
United States United States
 Nazi Germany

Kingdom of Italy Italy

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 11,000 dead and wounded
1944 Operation Bielany Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Victory None
1944 Operation Kutschera Polish Underground State Polish Underground State  Nazi Germany Commanders: Victory
  • 4 dead,
  • 2 wounded
1944 Operation "Ukrainian Committee" Polish Underground State Polish Underground State Ukrainian Central Committee Commanders: Victory None
1944 Operation Overlord France France

Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

 Canada

United States United States

 Nazi Germany

Kingdom of Italy Italy

Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • 2,097 casualties
1944 Siegfried Line campaign France France

Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

 Canada

United States United States

 Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1944 Operation Tempest Polish Underground State Polish Underground State Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1944–

1945

Liberation of Netherlands Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

 Canada

United States United States

 Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
1945 Western Allied invasion of Germany Poland Polish Armed Forces in the West

 United Kingdom

Belgium Belgium

Netherlands Netherlands

France France

United States United States

 Nazi Germany Battles:

Commanders:

Victory

Communist Poland (1945–1989)

The second half of the 20th century was more peaceful, but still tense, as Poland was involved in the Cold War on the Soviet side.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1944–

1956

Fights against Cursed soldiers Polish Underground State Cursed Soldiers Poland Polish People's Republic

 Soviet Union

Battles:

Commanders:

Internal conflict
  • 56,668 dead,
  • 79,000 arrested
1944–

1949

Fights against Ukrainian Insurgent Army  Soviet Union
Poland The Republic of Poland
 Czechoslovakia
Ukrainian Insurgent Army Battles:

Commanders:

Victory
  • About 120,000 civilians killed[15]
1944–

1949

Fights against German partisans  Soviet Union
Poland The Republic of Poland
 Czechoslovakia
Werwolf Victory
1945 Polish–Czechoslovak border conflict of Kłodzko Poland Polish People's Republic  Czechoslovakia Indecisive
1968 Invasion of Czechoslovakia Warsaw Pact:
 Soviet Union
Poland People's Republic of Poland
Hungary People's Republic of Hungary
Bulgaria People's Republic of Bulgaria
 East Germany
 Czechoslovakia Commanders: Victory 10 dead

Third Polish Republic (1989–present)

At the beginning of the 21st century Poland is involved in the War against terrorism on the NATO side.

Date Conflict Belligerents 1 Belligerents 2 Events Result Casualties
1990–

1991

Gulf War Coalition of the Gulf War:
Poland Poland
United States United States of America
France France
Iraq Iraq Victory
1994–

1995

Operation Uphold Democracy United States United States of America
Poland Poland
Argentina Argentina
Haiti Haiti Commanders: Victory
2001–

2021

War on Terror  United States of America
 United Kingdom
 Poland
others
 al-Qaeda
Taliban
others
Battles:

Commanders:

Ongoing

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 3&4 (PDF) (in Polish).
  2. ^ Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 5&6 (PDF) (in Polish).
  3. ^ Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 5&6 (PDF) (in Polish).
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 5&6 (PDF) (in Polish).
  5. ^ a b c Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 7&8 (PDF) (in Polish).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 7&8 (PDF) (in Polish).
  7. ^ Długosz, Jan. Roczniki czyli kroniki sławnego królestwa Polskiego, vol 7&8 (PDF) (in Polish).
  8. ^ Czapliński, Władysław (1963). Sprawa najazdów tatarskich na Polskę w pierwszej połowie XVII w. p. 719.
  9. ^ a b Czapliński, Władysław. Sprawa najazdów tatarskich na Polskę w pierwszej połowie XVII w. 1963.
  10. ^ Officially neutral but Danish fleet was attacked by Britain at the Battle of Copenhagen.
  11. ^ Abolished following the restoration of the neutral Papal States in 1799.
  12. ^ Short lived state that replaced the Kingdom of Naples in 1799.
  13. ^ Nominally the Holy Roman Empire, of which the Austrian Netherlands and the Duchy of Milan were under direct Austrian rule. Also encompassed many other Italian states, as well as other Habsburg states such as the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
  14. ^ a b Joined the Confederation of the Rhine on 11 December 1806.
  15. ^ "Wołyń 1943 - rozliczenie" (PDF) (in Polish). 2010. p. 20.
  • Gąsowski, Tomasz (1999). Bitwy polskie: leksykon. Kraków: Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak. ISBN 83-7006-787-5.
  • Kozłowski, Eligiusz; Wrzosek, Mieczysław (1984). Historia oręża polskiego 1795–1939. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna. ISBN 83-214-0339-5.
  • Lawson, M. K. (2004). Cnut – England's Viking King (2nd ed.). Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-2964-7.
  • Nowak, Tadeusz M.; Wimmer, Jan (1981). Historia oręża polskiego 963–1795. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna. ISBN 83-214-0133-3.
  • Reuter, Timothy (1995). The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 3, c.900–c.1024. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 891. ISBN 9780521364478. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  • Sikorski, Janusz (1972). Zarys historii wojskowości powszechnej do końca wieku XIX. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej. OCLC 20835374.
  • Winged Hussars, Radoslaw Sikora, Bartosz Musialowicz, BUM Magazine, 2016.

Further reading

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