Warsaw 1920: Lenin's Failed Conquest of Europe [Hardcover]

Adam Zamoyski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2008

The dramatic and little-known story of how, in the summer of 1920, Lenin came within a hair's breadth of shattering the painstakingly constructed Versailles peace settlement and spreading Bolshevism to western Europe.

In 1920 the new Soviet state was a mess, following a brutal civil war, and the best way of ensuring its survival appeared to be to export the revolution to Germany, itself economically ruined by defeat in World War I and racked by internal political dissension.

Between Russia and Germany lay Poland, a nation that had only just recovered its independence after more than a century of foreign oppression. But it was economically and militarily weak and its misguided offensive to liberate the Ukraine in the spring of 1920 laid it open to attack. Egged on by Trotsky, Lenin launched a massive westward advance under the flamboyant Marshal Tukhachevsky.

All that Great Britain and France had fought for over four years now seemed at risk. By the middle of August the Russians were only a few kilometres from Warsaw, and Berlin was less than a week's march away. Then occurred the 'Miracle of the Vistula': the Polish army led by Jozef Pilsudski regrouped and achieved one of the most decisive victories in military history.

As a result, the Versailles peace settlement survived, and Lenin was forced to settle for Communism in one country. The battle for Warsaw bought Europe nearly two decades of peace, and communism remained a mainly Russian phenomenon, subsuming many of the autocratic and Byzantine characteristics of Russia's tsarist tradition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘A thorough, beautifully written account of one of the great turning-points in Europe’s hisory. Adam Zamoyski knows Polish, Russian and European archives as few others do, and writes with the dash of a Polish cavalry officer.’ Independent

‘The mark of a great military historian is not only to do the battlefield descriptions and explain the tactics, but to give the political context and bring the characters of the commanders to life. Zamoyski manages it all in this concise and thrilling account of a forgotten war.’ Daily Telegraph

‘Battle history of the best kind. The international setting and the political context are gracefully sketched in and…[the] account of the two armies is highly textured and enlivened by evocative portraits of the most important personalities.’ Sunday Times

‘Zamoyski, as a prolific popular historian, has pretty much single-handedly raised the historical profile of Poland in the West.’ The Times

‘There is no doubt that Warsaw 1920 was a significant event that deserves more attention than it has received from historians. In a brief but compelling book Zamoyski tells the story concisely and clearly, and with his customary colourful detail.’ History Today

Praise for ‘Rites of Peace’:

‘Deeply researched, elegantly written, gleaming with the political and sexual depravity of the Congress that decided the fate of Europe, Zamoyski's “Rites of Peace” is outstanding – a delicious, triumphant feast of a book.’ Daily Maily

About the Author

Adam Zamoyski was born in New York, was educated at Oxford, and lives in London. A full-time writer, he has written biographies of ‘Chopin’ (Collins 1979), ‘Paderewski’, and ‘The Last King of Poland’,‘1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March on Moscow’, which was a Sunday Times bestseller and ‘Rites of Peace: The Fall of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna’. He is married to the painter Emma Sergeant.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperPress (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007225520
• ISBN-13: 978-0007225521
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,150 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > History > Europe > Poland

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Military History March 20, 2009

By Donald J. Keck

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an excellent, brief history of the Soviet-Polish War of 1920. Let me repeat. This is a military history. Its primary concern is with the composition of armies, military leadership, strategic objectives, battlefield tactics, weapons, etc. T. Kunikov's review notwithstanding, it is not a book about the grand political objectives of the Soviet regime or a treatise on the Communist threat to western civilization (although these are taken for granted by the author).

Kunikov's review is typical of the kind of knee-jerk reaction so many Marxist apologists experience whenever they perceive the slightest criticism of Soviet (or Chinese or Cuban) Communism.

As I have said, this is essentially a book of military history which makes only occasional, oblique references to the motives and objectives of the Soviet (and Polish) leaders. The Soviet leaders' desire to spread their revolution to Germany and Western Europe is alluded to in the book's subtitle, "Lenin's Failed Invasion of the West," which, if I know anything about the publishing business, was probably dreamed up by an editor eager to give the book more pizzazz. Subsequently, it is referred to in one short paragraph on page 2, which consists almost entirely of two quotations form Lenin himself; in one sentence on page 6 about the Bolshevik's general belief in the necessity of overthrowing the "established world order;" a phrase on page 7 about "ensuring the survival of Communism in Russia" by exporting revolution to Germany; and another indefinite remark on page 9 about the Communists' expectations of the "immanent triumph of revolution throughout the world." That's it....

The rest of the book's 224 pages consist of a detailed history of military operations during the Soviet-Polish War of 1920, filled with excellent maps, easy to read and understand.

Even the concluding chapter does not discuss Soviet intentions in their invasion of Poland, except for one sentence in which the author refers to Stalin's success in 1945 in achieving "much of what Lenin had set out to do in 1920," and noting "the dark night of Communism that engulfed [Poland] for half a century" thereafter. No one but an ideologically blinded Marxist could deny the truth of that statement.

The Polish attack on the Soviet armies massing on their eastern frontier in 1920 was clearly an act of pre-emptive self defense against an immanent, well prepared Soviet plan to invade their country (similar to Israel's pre-emptive attack on Egypt and Syria in 1967). The Soviet invasion was scheduled to be launched within forty eight hours. The Poles were well aware of Soviet intentions because they had the world's most highly developed capability for decoding and reading their opponents radio messages, a talent which was to prove invaluable to the British in World War II.

I find it astonishing that certain reviewers can continue to ignore the openly declared intentions of Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin and the rest of the Soviet leadership of the time ("World Revolution" was their slogan), as well as all of the facts that have emerged from the Soviet Archives since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russian scholars like Viktor Suvorov, Dmitri Volkogonov, and Arkady Vaksburg, as well as their American and British counterparts such as Albert Weeks, Harvey Klehr, John Earl Haynes, Ronald Radosh, Richard Pipes and J. Arch Getty, have been using this material for nearly two decades now. Many of the original documents are also accessible to any interested reader in the Yale University Press "Annals of Communism" series, which consists of some twenty volumes of Soviet archival documents edited by American and Russian scholars. But, of course, one must first read the documents, then make up their mind. Read more ›

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating subject and a good read May 2, 2008

By Seth J. Frantzman HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

In this timely and important book the reader is reminded about an obscure war that had great ramifications. Coming as it did between the World Wars the Soviet-Polish war of 1919-1921 has been largely forgotten in history. But many leading historians of European history have long recognized that it was pivotal in stemming the Soviet advance into Europe and in saving the Versailles peace conference and a reconstructed Poland (White Eagle, Red Star: The Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920 and "The Miracle on the Vistula" andDevelopment of Class Structure in Eastern Europe: Poland and Her Southern Neighbors). This book is primarily a military history of this conflict and the book is accompanied by a large number of very helpful maps.

The first section of the book examines the two armies that faced eachother, the Russian Red Army which at the time was a creature of Trotsky, complete with commissars and some professional officers. It also included the Cavalry army of Semion Budionny. The Polish army was far less homogenous. It had been built from nothing by the Polish national leader Josef Pilsudski who had helped single handedly to revive Poland as a state. It included Ukrainian allies and Polish units that had fought for all sides during the First World War. For this reason the Polish army suffered terribly during the first half of 1920, watching there state, which had stretched to Kiev, shrink to almost nothing.... However during the `miracle on the Vistula' the Polish army was able, in several engagements, to destroy the Russian army that had hitherto been brilliantly commanded by Michael Tukhachevsky (the brilliant general later shot by Stalin).

Arguments that this book is biased hold little water. The premise that Lenin's decision to invade Poland presaged an invasion of Europe may be overstate on the cover to make the subject seem more pertinent, but in fact the book presents a very clear matter of fact story that is neither sensationalist nor extremist in its interpretation of events. In fact there is little room for interpretation in a book that is both short and covers mostly military affairs and the leaders on both sides.

This is a quick read about an important subject. The writing is masterful and the emphasis on military affairs is a pleasant surprise given the fact that so many books today, even ones on war, seem to concentrate entirely on social and economic matters.

Seth J. Frantzman Read more ›

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nail biting niche history October 3, 2009

By Paul Lawrence

Format:Hardcover

While other more scholarly books apparently exist out there this is the first book I've read in relation to the little known conflict between Poland and Soviet Russia as they both jostled for position rattling sabres that were more cardboard cutout than steel. But as this book shows it doesn't matter if the war you are in is sidebar stuff to world affairs, when it's your country and your life on the line then it's centre court stuff.

Starting with a bit of background this brief book was a perfect primer for me and the concise nature of the thing was one of it's appeals. Diving straight into the combat sections the author has managed to convey the brutal nature of the fighting between these age old foes and the utter despair and desperation commanders and troops on both sides went through. One wonders as they flip the pages with reckless abandon just how long a certain Polish unit can possibly hold on in the face of Russian assaults and just how far a Russian cavalry unit can possibly push both itself, it's horses and supply lines before an inevitable bloody nose is delivered. Once the scene is set the lively pace just doesn't let up even when rear echelon matters are being discussed such is the impetus implied throughout.

This book succeeds in my view because it takes a little known aspect of history and makes it both interesting from an historical and a military point of view. I devoured it in a single domestic flight.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A story of a long forgotten war June 28, 2010

By Karun Mukherji

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Poland's history is tinged in blood. For a long period the country had been battle ground for warring powers. Thrice in her tragic past Poland was partitioned among big powers. New Polish state emerged thanks to Allied powers during the end of Great War. Soon it incurred the wrath of powerful neighbours. Poland and Russia always at daggers drawn.Supreme Command of Allied powers fixed Poland's eastern frontier along river Bug which came to be called Curzon line. This did not satisfy Poland's strong man Josef Pilsudski. He sought to re establish country's frontier of 1772: the line of Dvina - Dneiper.

By this time Bolsheviks seized power in Russia. Allied intervention in the civil war in Russia made it apparent for Lenin that West intended to stifle Bolshevik revolution. Under the circumstances for Bolsheviks only hope for ensuring survival was to export revolution. To make this possible they established Third International/ Comintern. Wracked by civil strife ,political dissension, mounting unemployment Germany looked a tempting prospect. Road to Berlin lay through Poland. Above facts form background of this book.

Russians mustered overwhelming strength along the Western Front to the north of Pripet marshes. Lenin increased the number of divisions from 5 to 20. The operation was to be supported by armies of South Western Front from Ukraine. Plan of campaign was worked out by Chief of Operations Branch of Red Army General Staff Boris M. Shaposhnikov.Author shows how Poles successfully resisted the onslaught of Russian colossus.

But firstly he provides quantitative/ qualitative features of the forces of the two adversaries. Russian 'Tachanka' impressed me a lot. This weapon was a combination of mobility and firepower.... It was a machine gun mounted on a horse-drawn buggy having a crew of three. One man driving the horses and the other two manned the machine guns.It galloped towards the enemy infantry . After coming to a close range it veered around and let loose withering fire before galloping away. Author then gives a topographical analysis of zone of operations which he says resembled a triangle. Front was nearly thousand kilometres long and the wedge bisected the triangle into two halves. This was a great expanse of bogs, rivers , forests called Pripet marshes. What that meant was armies advancing from west to east or reverse would be channeled along either of the two corridors.Either of the adversary armies if advanced too far would find their flanks exposed.

Another striking thing Poles developed techniques for monitoring communications of her foes. Russian ciphers were pierced.By the beginning of 1920s she was listening every radio station in Western Russia. Russian radio security procedures were also loose which made the task easier. Poles knew Red Army massing troops along her eastern border.This made Pilsudski initiate hostilities, for he realised Russia had to knocked out quickly otherwise Poland would be swamped.
Polish army lunged into Ukraine seized Kiev but could not hold out for long. Soon dislodged by forces of Marshal Semion Budionny 's South Western Front. Simultaneously Marshal Tukhachevsky Western Front began its relentless advance which took Bolsheviks to the gates of Warsaw. Disintegration of the Polish state appeared imminent.

Front near Warsaw ran diagonally from northwest to southeast . As Tukhachevski's forces forged ahead , it came to be separated by Red Army units of South Western Front . Two fronts were loosely connected by a weak centre. Pilsudski reasoned the weak centre could be easily brushed aside by launching a strong counter offensive. Wedge can be driven between the two fronts besides turning Tukhachevski's southern flank.Further by exploiting the thrust Poles can fall behind the rear of Russian armies consequently unhinging Tukhachevski 's dispositions facing Warsaw. The manoeuvre was successfully executed which led what some historians call the 'Miracle at Vistula'. Strike resembled what Alexander executed at Arbela in 331 BC. Here it should be remembered the Macedonian pinned down the Persian right, broke through weak left centre and enveloped Persian right wing and fell upon its rear.

Russian Polish conflict was extraordinary in many ways. Unlike the positional warfare in the marshy and muddy terrain of Flanders in Great War; mobility, surprise , manoeuvre formed the hall marks of this campaign. Cavalry proved decisive. Poles while retreating made no attempt to entrench. Their commanders realised its futility. Front was wide and forces available to hold were small. Entrenchments could always be turned by superior Russian cavalry.

Russian repulse at the gates of Warsaw had far -reaching consequences upon the destiny of Poland. Later Soviet dictator took a terrible revenge when he connived with Hitler in partioning the country again. Flower of Polish officer corps was liquidated by NKVD troops in Katyn forest in Byelorussia. Poland has not regained and will never regain her old borders.She had to settle for much disliked Curzon line. Such are the eternal laws of History: For victors the fruits ,the losers the spoils.

Finally, tenor of the book is virulently anti Russian. Author has made some caustic comments and has vehemently berated Bolsheviks. Russian apologists may find this offending. Nevertheless he has done a good job by bringing into limelight a conflict which faded away from human memory . A clash which had profound impact on the course of World History. Read more ›