The war between the Poles and the Bolsheviks in the Kresy (Eastern Borderlands) lasted until the end of 1918 with shifting fortunes for both sides. The Bolsheviks counted on gaining favourable positions for a European offensive. Meanwhile, the Poles weren’t fighting just to secure their eastern border. Their aim was to establish a federation of countries and nations, members of the former Republic of Poland, which would separate Poland from Russia. The Polish Army would march to war under the old slogan: “For our freedom and yours”.