Obrona potoczna

[1] Its organization and funding was undertaken by prince John I Albert, later king of Poland, who at the time was charged with overseeing the defense of the south.

The need for units of this type was recognized by the middle of the fifteenth century, as Tatar raids on the southern territories of the country - mostly Red Ruthenia and Podolia - increased in frequency and the traditional pospolite ruszenie ("levee en masse") proved inadequate at protecting the borders.

[5] The soldiers recruited mostly from Podolian and Ruthenian szlachta (nobility), and while in service were stationed at Kamieniec Podolski (Kamianets-Podilskyi, now Ukraine), Trembowla (Terebovl) and the fortress of Bar.

Service in the formation provided the recruits with valuable military experience in a tough environment which made the Obrona potoczna one of the best units of the overall Polish armed forces of the time.

[1] In addition to protecting the frontier, Obrona potoczna also took part in regular military engagements, for example in the Polish victory against the Moldovans, at the Battle of Obertyn.