Ogólnokrajowe rekwizycje koni w czasie wojny z Rosją bolszewicką 1919–1920
Nationwide Horse Requisitions during the War with Bolshevik Russia 1919–1920

Summary/Abstract: The requisitioning of horses for the army during 1919–1920 was extremely important due to the dominance of horse traction in the Polish army of that period. This appropriation constituted a part of the system of war benefits created after the regaining of independence, which played an important role during the war with the Bolsheviks. It constituted a legal framework that allowed requisitions to be carried out for the benefit of the army, through which it was possible to try to offset the army’s deficits with regards to equipment and supplies for its military units, primarily those fighting on the eastern front. For the reborn state, the priority was to act within the law, therefore the principle of payment for benefits and a two-stage appeal procedure were introduced. Due to the lack of organisational experience in applying the new law, as well as the existence of legal loopholes that needed to be removed, the conscription of horses in 1919 did not bring the expected results. This occurrence was of great importance with regards to the practice of requisitioning, which resulted in conscription taking place under completely different conditions in the following year. The immediate threat to the state resulted in maximum mobilisation on the part of the population and generosity towards the army. The experience gained over the year when applying the new requisitioning procedure, as well as the lessons learned from the failure of the previous year’s campaign, created the conditions for a more efficient conduct of conscription. However, it was not possible to avoid various abuses, which the reality of war always encourages.

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