31 July 2000. Silesia, Poland.

The Convoy attack members waited at the rendezvous point for Maks and Wojciech. It was worrisome. They’d heard explosions in the distance, in the direction of the Soviet camp.

On their way to the rendezvous, they’d avoided a Soviet supply dump just west of the main camp. Its purpose was unknown.

In the early hours of the morning, Maks and Wojciech arrived at the rendezvous on foot – wounded – but alive. Elated and united, the party decided to drive to Pyskowice at sunrise.

nun on bicycleOn the way, they encountered a nun on a bicycle, who introduced herself as Sister Basia. She had come from Kalisz, where her convent (along with much of the city) was damaged in the recent fighting. She’d been sent to the south, looking for help in rebuilding. First on her list was Raciborz, the Silesian capital, then eventually on to Krakow.

She caught a ride to Pyskowice with the party, her bicycle tied to the back of the UAZ. She was dropped off at the local sisters’ house, and then Maks had a note sent to Capt. Lisowski, telling of urgent news.

It wasn’t long before the Baron was alerted to the Soviet war plan, including a mysterious Spetsnaz attack on the capital. The war plan seemed confident that Raciborz would be neutralized by this attack, whatever form it may take.

Silesia map

Pyskowice called up its militia, and area patrols were doubled.

The Baron radioed the capital in code. The city’s defenses were augmented, visitors were scrutinized, and the perimeter watched closely. The other cities in Silesia were on alert as well.

The date for the attack came and went. No Soviet advance, no Spetsnaz assault.

5 August 2000. Disintegration of the 129th MRD.

B Troop, the American cavalry unit garrisoned at Dobrodzien reported that a party had been sent by the 129th MRD, and spoke with Lt. Ramos.

The Soviets were being vague, but their claim was astounding: The Division was pulling up stakes and heading home. Their route would take them past Dobrodzien, and they wanted to assure no hostilities would break out with the American cavalry unit.

It was tense, but over a period of two days, the 129th MRD filed past, vehicles, horses, and soldiers on foot headed east. The forces of Silesia didn’t relax for some time, worried that this could be some Soviet deception.

Silesian cavalry followed the migration eastward. The long Soviet column plodded along, with no break from the monotony.

At the ruins of Kielce however, a large marauder group ambushed the division’s lead element, thinking it a lone Soviet convoy. Instead the marauders were confronted by seemingly infinite reinforcements, and the bandits were wiped out to the last man.

The Silesian cavalry finally broke off their covert pursuit just west of Stalowa Wola. Maks monitored angry radio communications from 2nd Western Army Command at Legnica, which soon went ignored by the departing 129th.

Silesian elation, and the possibilities of extending the infant polity to the northwest are somewhat muted. The 129th had gone, but not all of it. A battalion or two of Soviet troops remained loyal, and in many cases were garrisons of smaller cities left behind by the division’s abrupt departure. But the division remnants are now but a shadow of its former strength.

Olesno, Opole, Pokoj, and Kluczbork were abandoned by the Soviets, with those personnel augmenting the garrisons of Namyslow and Brzeg. The Markiz hurried to send emissaries to the naked towns to encourage them to join Silesia, and make Barons of their leaders.

With the emergency over, Maks and team were invited to meet the Markiz at the capital to receive his gratitude. And they were joined by Sister Basia on her quest to rebuild her convent.