Battle of Zborov
Near Zboriv, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine
What happened
The Czechoslovak Brigade, volunteers fighting for Russia, with Russian forces, fought the Austro-Hungarian army. Czech and Slovak volunteers had joined the Russian army to fight Austria-Hungary, hoping to win their own country. In a Russian offensive in July 1917, the poorly equipped Czechoslovak Brigade attacked the Austro-Hungarian trenches near Zborov. By the afternoon it had broken through the entire enemy trench line and taken thousands of prisoners.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The battle had little effect on the wider war, but it made the Czechoslovak Legion famous. Russia then allowed more Czech and Slovak units to be formed, and news of the victory spread among Czechs at home.
What came next
The story was later celebrated in a 1938 film, then suppressed under German occupation and again after 1948.
Did you know?
The victory was so surprising that some Austrian politicians demanded an investigation into whether Czech units in their own army had committed treason.
Timeline
- 1-2 July 1917The Czechoslovak Brigade wins at Zborov.
- 1938The film 'Zborov' is released.
- 1948The story is suppressed after the communist takeover.