Kąkolewo

Kakolewo is a village in the southern part of Greater Poland Voivodeship (since 1999), formerly in Leszno Voivodeship (1975–1998), in Poland. The village has 2500 inhabitants (2003).

Also the village was the site of a brutal three-day battle in WWII where the USSR and Nazi Germany fought bitterly whilst the Polish Resistance caused trouble for both as they had no interest in invasion by either. The USSR won a rare victory there but the resistance did not get its wish of freedom as soon after the USSR occupied the village.

In the 17th century when Poland was at the height of power a separatist group beseiged Kakolewo but after three days a relief force of three hundred men attacked the rebels' rear. Whilst the rebels were distracted the small garrison in the village helped by locals attacked them.

In the 14th century when Poland went to war with Hungary (March–May 1302) the village sent out five hundred men who fought in many battles. But tragically only one hundred and eleven men returned.