The most well-known example of Poland "saving Europe" is the Battle of Vienna, which took place on September 12, 1683. The Ottoman Turks, under Sultan Mehmed IV, had laid siege to Vienna, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and were threatening to conquer much of central Europe.

At that time, King John III Sobieski of Poland, a skilled military leader, came to the aid of the Austrians. Sobieski led the Polish Winged Hussars, a famous cavalry force known for their strength and effectiveness in battle. The battle was a turning point in the struggle between Christian Europe and the Islamic Ottoman Empire.

The Polish army arrived just in time to break the siege, and Sobieski’s cavalry played a key role in the decisive victory, which led to the Ottoman retreat. This victory is considered one of the most important in European history because it prevented the Ottoman Empire from advancing further into Europe. If Vienna had fallen, the Ottomans could have expanded their empire into the heart of Europe, potentially changing the course of European history.