Edward Rydz-Śmigły

Edward Rydz-Śmigły (born March 11 1886 in Łapszyn near Brzeżana, Tarnopol Voivodship - died December 2 1941 in Warsaw), codenames Śmigły, Tarłowski, Adam Zawisza. Politician, Field Marshall of Poland, (since 11 November 1936) and Commander-in-Chief during the Second World War, Polish September Campaign of 1939. He is buried at the Powązki cemetery in Warsaw.

Army

Rydz-Śmigły completed studies in philosophy at Jagiellonian University and Arts Academy (Akademia Sztuk Pieknych) in Krakow. In 1910-1911 he attended reserve officers academy in Vienna. In 1912 was one of the organizers of the Polish paramilitary organization Riflemen’s Association.

Drafted into the Austrian army in July of 1914 was transferred in August to Polish Legions. Fought in the famous Polish 1st Brigade. In 1917-1918, after refusal of oath to the Austrian authorities, became the commander of Polish Military Organization

Success

During the Polish-Bolshevik War in 1920, commanded Polish Armies in several offensives. Among other victorious engagements, achieved complete annihilation of the 12th Red Army, captured Kiev, played major offensive role in the famous Vistula Battle and blocked of the escape routes for the defeated Tuchaczewski’s Army.

Promotion

After 1920 war he became the general inspector of the Polish Army in Wilno. On May 13th, 1935, in accordance with the last wishes of Józef Piłsudski, was nominated by the president and the government of Poland to serve in the capacity of the General Inspector of the Polish Armed Forces and on November 10, 1936 in the capacity of the Field Marshall of Poland. He was now the de facto ruler of Poland. The government became increasingly the authoritarian and conservative, though Rydz-Śmigły's power was balanced by the more moderate Ignacy Mościcki, who remained as President.

Rydz-Śmigły, as the Commander-In-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, took the complete responsibility for Poland’s military defeat in the September 1939 campaign. There were no excuses for this honorable Polish officer, even though Poland was attacked from both sides by the two most powerful armies (Germany and Soviet Union). On September 18, 1939 Rydz-Śmigły, after avoiding capture by the Soviet and Nazi troops, was illegally interned by Romania. Rydz-Śmigły and the Polish government’s crossing of the Romanian border saved Poland from surrender and allowed Polish soldiers to carry on their fight against Germany in France and then in England.

Underground movment

During his internment in Romania, Rydz-Śmigły initiated creation of the Polish underground military organization and during his stay in Hungary proclaimed its name, The Fighting Poland Movement – Obóz Polski Walczącej (the organization was officially created in 1942, after his death).

In October of 1941 Rydz-Śmigły, in strict secrecy, came back to Warsaw to participate in the resistance movement, as a common underground soldier. He is now buried in Warsaw under his conspiratorial name "Adam Zawisza".

Awards

Order of Virtuti Militari II and V classes, Order of the White Eagle, four times Krzyż Walecznych, Golden Cross of Merit (Złoty Krzyż Zasługi), Order of Polonia Restituta I, II and IV classes and Cross of Independence with Swords.

Legacy

Edward Rydz-Śmigły's reputation after World War II was mixed. In communist Poland and the Soviet Union, he was decried for his participation in the Polish-Soviet War in 1920, and the political repression under the military government of the late 1930s. In the West he was seen as having fled from the battlefield in 1939, with little recognition given to the circumstances of Poland's defeat by the Nazis. Today, Rydz-Śmigły is steadily returning to national consciousness in Poland, as patriot who dedicated his life in the service of his nation.

pl:Edward Rydz-Śmigły