From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Polish Legions in World War I

Austro-Hungarian military unit

Summary

Austro-Hungarian military unit

Field	Value
unit_name	Polish Legions
native_name	Legiony Polskie
image	Emblem of the Polish Legions in World War I (2).png
image_size	200px
dates	1914
disbanded	1917
country	Austria-Hungary
(Polish National Organization)
march	We Are the First Brigade
commander1	Józef Piłsudski
commander1_label	Komendant

Polish Legions on the Eastern Front in World War I

The Polish Legions () was a name of the Polish military force (the first active Polish army in generations) established in August 1914 in Galicia soon after World War I erupted between the opposing alliances of the Triple Entente on one side (comprising the British Empire, the French Republic and the Russian Empire) and the Central Powers on the other side, comprising the German Empire and Austria-Hungary. The Legions became "a founding myth for the creation of modern Poland" in spite of their relatively short existence; they were replaced by the Polish Auxiliary Corps () formation on 20 September 1916, merged with Polish II Corps in Russia on 19 February 1918 for the Battle of Rarańcza against Austria-Hungary, and disbanded following the military defeat at the Battle of Kaniów in May 1918, against Imperial Germany. General Haller escaped to France to form the Polish army in the West against the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which granted Germany sovereignty over Polish territories.

The Legions took part in many battles against the forces of the Imperial Russia, both in Galicia and in the Carpathian Mountains. They suffered heavy casualties outnumbered three to one in the Battle of Łowczówek. They captured Kielce, and in 1915 took part in the offensive on Warsaw. In June 1916 the unit had approximately 25,000 soldiers. Both the number of troops and the composition of units changed rapidly. After the Battle of Kostiuchnówka where 2,000 Polish soldiers died delaying a Russian offensive, Józef Piłsudski demanded that the Central Powers issue a guarantee of independence for Poland and partially succeeded. The Polish Legions became the Polish Auxiliary Corps. After the Act of 5th November of 1916 which pronounced the creation of the puppet Kingdom of Poland of 1916–18, the Polish Legions were transferred under German command. However, most of the members refused to swear allegiance to the German Kaiser and were interned in Beniaminów and Szczypiorno (the Oath crisis). Approximately 3,000 of them were drafted into the Austro-Hungarian army and sent to the Italian Front while approximately 7,500 stayed in the Polish Auxiliary Corps, part of the failed German Polnische Wehrmacht.

We Are the First Brigade performed by Eugeniusz Mossakowski, 1931

History

According to Prit Buttar, "When war broke out, Piłsudski was quick to recognize that an important preliminary step in Poland's path to independence was the defeat of tsarist Russia... Piłsudski was no supporter of the Central Powers, and once Russia had been driven out of Polish territory, he believed that he and his fellow Poles would have to persuade the Germans and Austro-Hungarians to leave too, but he held secret meetings with representatives of France and Great Britain to make clear to the western members of the Entente that Polish troops would never fight against them, only against Russia."

The formation of the Legions was declared by Józef Piłsudski in his order of 22 August 1914. The Austrian government, having jurisdiction over the area, officially agreed to the formation on 27 August 1914.

The unit became an independent formation of the Austro-Hungarian Army thanks to the efforts of the KSSN and the Polish members of the Austrian parliament. Personnel came mostly from former members of various scouting organizations, including Drużyny Strzeleckie and Związek Strzelecki, as well from as volunteers from all around the Austro-Hungarian Empire.[[File:Piłsudski ze sztabem w Kielcach (poczt. M Fuks 1914).jpg|thumb|Col. [[Józef Piłsudski]] with his staff in front of the [[Cracow Bishops' Palace in Kielce|Governor's Palace]] in [[Kielce]], 1914]]Initially, the Polish Legions were composed of two legions: the Eastern and the Western Legion, both formed on 27 August. After a Russian victory in the Battle of Galicia (August–September 1914) the Eastern Polish legion refused to fight on behalf of the Austro-Hungarian side against Russia and was disbanded on 21 September. On 19 December, the Western legion was transformed into three brigades: the I Brigade of the Polish Legions under Józef Piłsudski, formed in mid-December; the II Brigade of the Polish Legions under Józef Haller

Col.]] [[Józef Piłsudski]] and his officers, 1915

de Hallenburg, formed between mid-December and March (sources vary); and the III Brigade of the Polish Legions under Zygmunt Zieliński (later Bolesław Roja), formed on 8 May 1915. All brigades had the following:

Artillery Battalions with served with I, II, and III Brigade
Cavalry Regiments: 1st served in I Brigade; 2nd served in II Brigade; 3rd served in III Brigade
Infantry Regiments: 1st, 5th, 7th served in I Brigade; 2nd, 3rd served in II Brigade; 4th served in both II and III Brigades; 5th, 6th served in III Brigade.

Tatar uhlans from Grodno area – soldiers of Polish Army in 1919

The commanders of the Legions were consecutively: Gen. Karol Trzaska-Durski (September 1914 – February 1916), Gen. Stanisław Puchalski (until November 1916), Col. Stanisław Szeptycki (until April 1917), and Col. Zygmunt Zieliński (until August 1917). After the war ended the officers of the Polish Legions became the backbone of the Polish Army.

The last march of the First Cadre Company, August 6th 1939

In independent Poland the Legions were celebrated as those who regained Poland's independence. Being a Legionnaire meant being part of a new elite by merit. Each year on August 6th the march of the First Cadre Company was commemorated in Kraków Oleandry Street. In the 1930s a building was built as a museum of the Legions. It stands until today. The last march of the original company took place on 6th of August 1939. After the toppling of communism these marches were revived.

Battles

Below is a list of prominent Polish battles against the Imperial Russian Army in 191416, leading to victories in most cases, with notable exceptions especially during the Brusilov Offensive of 1916.

Battle of Nowy Korczyn (23–24 September 1914)
Battle of Laski and Anielin (21–26 October 1914)
Battle of Mołotków (29 October 1914)
Battle of Krzywopłoty (17–18 November 1914)
Battle of Marcinkowice (5–6 December 1914)
Battle of Łowczówek (22–25 December 1914)
Battle of Pustki (2 May 1915)
Battle of Konary (16–25 May 1915)
Battle of Rafajłowa (23–24 January 1915)
Kirlibaba (18–22 January 1915)
Rarańcza (13 June 1915)
Battle of Rokitna (15 June 1915)
Battle of Jastków (29 July – 31 July 1915)
Battle of Kostiuchnówka (4 July – 6 July 1916)
Battle of Rarańcza (15–16 February 1918)

Notable officers who served in the Polish Legions

Following the foundation of the Second Polish Republic, many served in the Polish Army, and held political as well as elected offices.

Polish Legions' prominent members

File:Edward Rydz-Smigly.jpg|Edward Śmigły-Rydz File:Narcyz Witczak-Witaczyński - Gen. Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski (107-478-4).jpg| Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski File:Tomasz Arciszewski, foto z 1906 r..jpg|Tomasz Arciszewski File:J Beck.jpg|Józef Beck File:Witold Pilecki 1.JPG|Witold Pilecki File:Wacław Kostek - Biernacki (22-52).jpg|Wacław Kostek - Biernacki File:Tadeusz Brzeziński.jpg|Tadeusz Brzeziński File:Walerian Czuma.jpg|Walerian Czuma File:GenDabBier.jpg|Stefan Dąb-Biernacki File:Hubal-portretowe-big.jpg|Henryk Dobrzański File:GeneralDuch.jpg|Bronisław Duch File:Zygmunt Berling.jpg|Zygmunt Berling File:Gen. Karol Durski-Trzaska.jpg|Karol Durski-Trzaska File:Generał August Emil Fieldorf.jpg|Emil Fieldorf File:Jozef Haller.jpg| File:Tadeusz Rozwadowski (1918).JPG| File:Kasprzycki Tadeusz.jpg|Tadeusz Kasprzycki File:Kleeberg.jpg|Franciszek Kleeberg File:Klimecki.jpg| File:Adam Koc.jpg|Adam Koc File:Stefan Kossecki plk 1931.jpg|Stefan Kossecki File:Marian Kozielewski.jpg|Marian Kozielewski File:Julian Kulski.jpg|Julian Kulski File:Józef Kustroń.jpg|Józef Kustroń File:Kazimierz Mastalerz.jpg| File:Henryk Minkiewicz (1880-1940).jpg|Henryk Minkiewicz File:M.Norwid-Neugebauer.jpg|Mieczyslaw Norwid-Neugebauer who commanded 6th Regiment and 3rd Brigade File:Okulicki.jpg|Leopold Okulicki who served in 3rd Legions Infantry Regiment File:Gen.Orlicz-Dreszer.JPG|Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer File:Wilhelm Orlik-Rückemann.PNG|Wilhelm Orlik-Rückemann File:Antoni Pająk 1.JPG|Antoni Pająk File:Władysław Raczkiewicz 1934.jpg|Władysław Raczkiewicz (President of Poland) File:Tadeusz Piskor.jpg|Tadeusz Piskor File:Belina1914.jpg|Władysław Belina-Prażmowski File:Stanisław Puchalski.jpg|Stanisław Puchalski File:Tadeusz Różycki-Kołodziejczyk.jpg|Tadeusz Różycki-Kołodziejczyk File:Rómmel Juliusz.jpg|Juliusz Rómmel File:Stefan Rowecki - 1926.jpg|Stefan Rowecki File:Waclaw Sieroszewski ca 1915 (161980903) (cropped).jpg| File:Wladyslaw Sikorski 2.jpg|Władysław Sikorski File:Skuratowicz Piotr.jpg|Piotr Skuratowicz File:Mieczyslaw Smorawinski.jpg|Mieczysław Smorawiński File:Sosnkowski Kazimierz.jpg|Kazimierz Sosnkowski File:Julian Stachiewicz.JPG|Julian Stachiewicz File:Stachiewicz 1917.jpg|Wacław Stachiewicz in 1917, after the Oath Crisis File:Stamirowski.jpg|Kazimierz Stamirowski File:Stefan Starzyński Legiony 2.jpg|Stefan Starzyński File:Szeptycki.jpg| File:Thommee.jpg|Wiktor Thommée File:Michał Karaszewicz.JPG| File:Władysław Wejtko 2.jpg| File:Józef Olszyna-Wilczyński.PNG| File:Włodzimierz Ostoja-Zagórski.jpg| File:Gen. Józef Zając.jpg|Józef Zając File:Ferdynand Zarzycki (-1932).jpg| File:Marian Januszajtis.jpg| File:ZygmuntZieliński.jpg| File:Rola-Żymierski Michał.jpg|

Polish Legions' Emblems

File:Sztandar Legionów ofiarowany przez Węgrów.jpg|{{center|1914 Polish Legions' banner donated by the Hungarians File:Marek z chorągwią ofiarowaną przez Węgrów, 1914.jpg|{{center|1914 Standard-bearer Marek with a banner donated by the Hungarians. File:Sztandar ufundowany przez Komitet Obrony Narodowej w Ameryce (22-187).jpg|{{center|1915 Polish Legion banner embroidered by Polish women from Chicago, funded by the National Defense Committee in America and brought by Aleksander Dębski. File:Oficerowie chorągwi 3 pp LP, 1917.jpg|{{center|1917 banner officers by the highlander delegation of the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legions. File:Defilada 4 pułku piechoty LP.jpg|{{center|4th Infantry Regiment Polish Legion File:Chorągiew 4 Pułku Piechoty (Legiony Polskie).jpg|{{center|Banner of the 4th Infantry Regiment (Polish Legions) File:Sztandar ofiarowany Armii Polskiej we Francji przez mieszkańców Filadelfii NAC 1-H-292.jpg|{{center|1918 Banner donated to the Polish Army in France by the citizens of Philadelphia. File:Odznaka II Brygady Legionów Polskich.jpg|{{center|Badge of the 2nd Brigade of the Polish Legions. File:Odznaka szkoły podchorążych LP.jpg|{{center|Badge of the Polish Legions cadet school. File:Odznaka 1 Kompanii Kadrowej.JPG|{{center|Badge of the 1st Cadre Company File:Odznaka 1pułleg.jpg|{{center|1st Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion File:Odznaka 2 pułku uł LP.jpg|{{center|2nd Uhlan Regiment of the Polish Legions File:Odznaka 3pp LP.jpg|{{center|3rd Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion File:4 Pułk Piechoty-odznaka.jpg|{{center|4th Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion File:Odznaka 5 pułku piechoty Legionów.jpg|{{center|5th Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion File:Odznaka 6pp LP.jpg|{{center|6th Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion File:Odznaka 15 pp.jpg|{{center|15th Infantry Regiment of the Polish Legion

File:Odznaka uczestnictwa w szarży pod Rokitną.jpg|{{center|Badge of participation in the charge of Rokitna

References

M.B.B. Biskupski. (2012). "Independence Day: Myth, Symbol, and the Creation of Modern Poland". OUP Oxford.
Willmott, H.P.. (2003). "World War I". Dorling Kindersley.
[[WIEM Encyklopedia]] (2015), [http://portalwiedzy.onet.pl/43664,,,,polski_korpus_posilkowy,haslo.html Polski Korpus Posiłkowy] at PortalWiedzy.[[onet.pl]] {{in lang. pl
Spencer Tucker. (1996). "The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia". Taylor & Francis.
Urbankowski, Bohdan. (1997). "Józef Piłsudski: Marzyciel i strateg (Józef Piłsudski: Dreamer and Strategist)". Wydawnictwo ALFA.
(2017). "Russia's Last Gasp: The Eastern Front 1916-17". Osprey Publishing.
Piotr Galik, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120212135548/http://fakty.interia.pl/news/chwalebna-zdrada-rarancza-1918,1113387 Chwalebna zdrada: Rarańcza 1918.]'' Fakty.Interia.pl at Internet Archive. {{in lang. pl ''See also:'' Mieczysław Wrzosek, ''Polski czyn zbrojny podczas pierwszej wojny światowej 1914-1918'', Państwowe Wydawnictwo "Wiedza Powszechna", Warszawa 1990.

Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

polish-legions-in-world-war-i military-units-and-formations-of-austria-hungary-in-world-war-i military-units-and-formations-established-in-1914 1914-establishments-in-poland józef-piłsudski

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Polish Legions in World War I — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report