On 14 of may 2005 there has been held the reenacting of battle at Raszyn. The date it could be strange for the admirators of the reenacting because of the fact that the delay was nearly one month in comparison to précised anniversary of the events that had place on 19th of april 1809. The weather was favourable to the idea of the reenacting, because the day was full of sun and warm as it was 196 years ago.
Reconstruction of the events was held that before Army of Duchy of Warsaw had to face up with much more numerous and better equipped Austrian Army, that was lead by the arch-prince Ferdynand d`Estee. Original line of the fights was practically reaching Michałowice village and through Falenty, Dawidy up topresent edge of Ursynów district of Warsaw. The collision of the reenactors was organized close to famous dam, where were held before the most heavy fights.
On the place, where was shed so much of polish, austrian and hungarian blood there appeared historical reenactors groups, that performed the look and equipment of armies from that time.
In this event there took part groups from Poland and several groups from abroad. Among the troops fighting at the polish side there took part 1st Regument of Infantry of Vistula Legion, 1st Regiment of Lanciers of Vistula Legion, 2nd Regiment of Infantry of Duchy of Warsaw, 4th Regiment of Infantry of the Duchy of Warsaw, 1st Regiment of cheval Rifleman of Duchy of Warsawand Regiment of Infantry of Mińsk (Biellarussia) andgroups from Chech and Austria that reconstructed Austrian army. Attentive observer may notice, that some how misleading was the russian troop as russian army was tied up by the alliance with Napoleon and did not take part in the battle of Raszyn. Contemporary reenacting are composed also with the armies that did not take part in historical event.
On 13th of may 2005 there was set in Falenty Pallace the camp of the polish and austrian forces. It was possible to visit by the spectators, who might find out something about the life of soldiers of that important époque of polish history. In the camp the groups lead as it is usually held the bivouac type of life, visiting each other and shearing the experience of the uniforms and weapons.
In the morning there had been performed nearby the camp drill trainings in purpose of recalling the way of military art of that époque.
About the precised hour there had been performed the assembly of the troops and both armies moved towards the area of expected battle.
Area of the battle was prepared and enclosed by the authorities of the Raszyn district. Around it there were standing the security officers and firemen sothat to avoid burning the dry grass because of the performed fire of both sides. It was good decision and we could convince about it during the battle. Several times fireman were extinguished the smouldering grass after the explosions of the petards.
The battle was started with the one hour delay, but from the first moments it had live and intensive flow. First fights and small skirmishes were held by the riflemen of both armies sothat to turn into collision of main forces. Several times every troop was leading the fire supported by the roar of the polish artillery that perhaps was presented in such a numerous team, which were retreating so that to stand after several whiles in the front to lead the fire…. Several times there was fight lead by the bayonets and then leaving the position and defense before attacking enemy. most of the troops were precisely fulfilling the roleplay created by Mr. Maciej Mechliński. Some discomfort could be eliminated if the area of the battle was much more vast. Many of reenactors expressed after the battle opinion that area of battle should be four times wider and much longer. It may be enough to show in better way for the publicity the tactics of the napoleonic époque.
After the two hours lasting battle austrian army went to its camp and polish troops went to the chapelle memorizing the deadly wounded colonel Cyprian Godebski, chief of the 8th Regiment of Infantry, which had played main role in the fights of the dam of Raszyn. During the reenacting this figure was acted by the Michał Zaręba from Gdańsk, who after the battle delivered the address to polish reenacting troops.
This address was last official point of this event. Polish army moved back to the camp, where after the while of rest it was possible to extinguish the hunger by the dinner that was somehow similar to those, that had been eaten by the napoleonic soldiers. Up to the late evening hours the camp was opened for the visiting persons.

Marek Kulesza of 4th Regiment of Infantry of Duchy of Warsaw
Translation: Scout

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