May CoupWorld War II 17th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment of King Bolesław Chrobry (Polish: 17 Pułk Ułanów Wielkopolskich im.

The regiment, whose patron was King Bolesław Chrobry (since May 6, 1939), fought in the Polish–Soviet War and the 1939 Invasion of Poland, as part of Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade.

The 3rd Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment, as it was called at first, was formed in late 1918 in Gniezno (Gnesen), where local Poles, following the example set by Poznań, decided to take control of the town, and push out Prussian authorities.

Following a quick action, the Poles captured the barracks, and disarmed the soldiers, who were then loaded on trains and headed back to their homes.

On March 12, Colonel Witold Zychlinski was named its commandant, and after a two-week training, the unit was transported to the frontline along the Berezina river.

For the remaining part of May and in early June, the regiment patrolled the Dniepr river line, but after Soviet counteroffensive it was forced to retreat, together with whole VII Cavalry Brigade.

After losing 40% of soldiers and 50% of horses, the 17th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment was on September 10 loaded on a train in Chodorow, to be transported back to Gniezno.

Older soldiers were released, new uniforms were accepted, and in 1922, the regiment was moved to its new, peacetime garrison, located in Leszno, close to the German border.

During the May Coup in 1926, the regiment was ordered to come to aid the government of President Stanislaw Wojciechowski, and, together with whole VII Cavalry Brigade, was transported by rail to Mszczonow near Warsaw.

In late September 1938, the regiment became part of the so-called Independent Operational Group Silesia, and participated in the capture of the region of Trans-Olza.

On August 24, 1939, the regiment was mobilized, as part of Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade (General Roman Abraham).

The Greater Poland uhlans were ordered to cross the Bzura river near the village of Sobota, and then to capture Głowno.