] In the first phase (also known as the
First Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski), Polish forces, composed of
Army Lublin and
Army Krakow under general
Piskor attempted to break through the German positions around Tomaszów towards the
Romanian Bridgehead area. Both armies forces on 15 September in the area southwest of
Frampol. Their road towards south was blocked, however, by two German corps -
VIII Army Corps (around
Biłgoraj), and by XXII Panzer Corps, consisting of
2nd Panzer Division and
4th Light Division (around
Hrubieszów,
Zamość and
Tomaszów Lubelski). Polish forces, concentrated around Frampol, were surrounded by six to seven German divisions. Since neither Army Kraków, nor Army Lublin had any aircraft, general
Antoni Szylling, commander of Army Kraków, decided to risk and attack the Germans, without knowing their real strength. He knew that Panzer forces had already approached
Rawa Ruska, and hoped that their units would be stretched along the road from
Jarosław to Rawa. Polish forces included one of the largest Polish armored units of that time, the
Warsaw Armoured Motorized Brigade, and Szyling, together with general Piskor, decided that the Warsaw Brigade would make a demonstration attack on Tomaszów, drawing the attention of the Germans. Joined Polish forces were made of five infantry divisions -
3rd,
21st,
22nd,
23rd, and
55th. Furthermore, they consisted of 1st Mountain Brigade,
Kraków Cavalry Brigade, and Warsaw Armoured Motorized Brigade. However, after days of heavy fighting, Polish units were reduced to 30-50% of their original strength (except for the Armoured Brigade), lacking batteries, antitank ammunition and controllers. Furthermore, communication between separate divisions was strong, and they had no lots of support, which was a huge advantage, as they had an idea about movements and location of German forces. These plans, however, were quickly changed, after the Germans destroyed key Polish unit, 21st Mountain Division near the village of
Dzikowiec, on 15-16 September, killing general
Józef Kustroń. General Piskor, realizing that German forces were stronger than he had thought, decided to act quickly, without waiting for all his divisions to concentrate. On 17 September he ordered Warsaw Armoured Motorized Brigade to attack Tomaszów and keep the town until main forces of Army Kraków joined the brigade. Tomaszów was attacked on 18 September in the morning, and by 1 p.m. half of the town was in Polish hands. Meanwhile, however, 4th Light Division joined the battle, striking rear Polish units and forcing them to withdraw. Thus, the attempt to capture Tomaszów in a surprise attack, failed. On the night of 18-19 September Warsaw Brigade, supported by infantry of 23rd and 55th divisions, attacked Tomaszów again, but without success. Third attack took place in the night of 19-20 September but Polish units were disorganized and demoralized. After a series of chaotic skirmishes, with number of killed and wounded growing, and ammunition shrinking, general Piskor decided to surrender. Some 11,000 Polish soldiers were captured, with small groups managing to hide in forests. Meanwhile, Operational Group "Boruta" (named after General
Mieczysław Boruta-Spiechowicz), which was part of Army Kraków, separated from main Polish forces and marched towards
Narol. Surrounded by Germans, Polish units were destroyed one by one. Some managed to reach the area of Rawa Ruska, where 3,000 soldiers surrendered on 20 September, ending this phase of the battle. == Second phase ==