Legiony - The Charge of Rokitna: 13 June 1915 [1]

The Charge of Rokitna (Polish: Szarża pod Rokitną) was a charge of a cavalry squadron of the 2nd Brigade of Polish Legions, fighting for the Austro-Hungarian Army. It took place on June 13, 1915 near the village of Rokytne, which at that time was part of Bessarabia Governorate (Russian Empire). A Polish squadron of 70 uhlans, led by Rittmeister Zbigniew Dunin-Wasowicz, attacked positions of the Imperial Russian Army. The battle resulted in a Polish pyrrhic victory: out of 70 soldiers, Poles lost 17 KIA and 23 wounded. Russian losses are unknown. On June 12, 1915, the 2nd Brigade operated in the area of the villages Ridkivtsi, Austrian Bukovina and Rokytne, Russian Bessarabia. On both sides of it were units of the Austro-Hungarian Army: all forces initiated a joint attack on Russian positions. Despite heavy fighting, Polish and Austrian regiments failed to achieve their objectives. On June 13 in early afternoon, the Russians began their advance from positions in the area of Rokitna. In