Militarna rola rzek na śląskim obszarze działań wojennych. Zarys historyczny
The Military Role of Rivers in the Silesian Field of War Activities. Historical overview

Summary/Abstract: The article outlines the role of rivers in the Silesian field of war activities from the early Middle Ages up to 1945 and beyond. The significance of rivers in the parallel axis for planning and realising both defensive and offensive activities transpired as early as in numerous armed conflicts led by Bolesław I the Brave and Bolesław III Wrymouth. In those times it was very important to find fords and to locate them in the castles’ proximity. Additionally, the Thirty Years’ War emphasised the significance of waterways for transportation in the longitude axis. In the subsequent periods, rivers played important roles in the actions of Frederick II’s and Napoleon’s armies, but also in the times of long-lasting peace when they became the subjects of war studies. For the last time the Silesian rivers were crossed in 1945, constituting one of the major factors of the operation.

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