The Chortkiv Offensive: The Most Successful Operation of the Galician Army

Alexander Diedyk

The Chortkiv offensive of June, 7–28, 1919 is a brilliant episode of Ukrainian military history. Following a series of severe defeats, despirited Galician Army was cornered in a narrow strip of the homeland, and bitter end seemed to be inevitable. However, by superhuman effort Ukrainians managed to turn the scales, and despite a bitter lack of ammunition compelled their numerically superior and better equipped enemy to retreat. Enthusiasm caused by victory at Chortkiv was compared to that of Easter. This book is a result of more than 25-year study of this phenomenon. Strategical decisions and tactical battles are examined in correlation with international politics and complex internal situation of Ukraine using numerous archival sources from Ukraine, Poland, and other countries. The book chronologically covers events from the end of May to June, 28, 1919, namely: prehistory, course and results of Chortkiv breakthrough, proclamation of Dictatorship, first steps of planned by general Hrekov large-scale reorganization of military powers of Western Area of Ukrainian People’s Republic, rise and development of plan of operation, bitter struggle for strategic initiative in the battles of Buchach and Terebovlia and its victorious conclusion by liberation of Ternopil and liquidation of hostile place of arms on the left bank of Dnister nearby Nyzhnev, covers battle of Berezhany, diploma tic collisions in Paris, Berlin, Warsaw and Lviv as well as their effect upon the battle actions in Galicia, relations between Western Region of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, Directoria and the Bolsheviks, summarizes reforms initiated by general Hrekov, and describes the final battles of Chortkiv offensive on Upper Bug plain, in Holohory, at Hnyla Lypa and Svirzh. Author also examines controversial opinions on this operation as well as its’ influence on military science.