Władysław Bończa-Uzdowski
Wladyslaw Boncza-Uzdowski (August 23, 1887 – March 21, 1957) was a General brygady of the Polish Army and sports activist, general manager of the Polish Football Association.
Władysław Bończa-Uzdowski | |
|---|---|
 General Władysław Bończa-Uzdowski | |
| Born | 23 August 1887 Podborcze, Russian Empire |
| Died | 21 March 1957 (aged 69) Warsaw, Polish People's Republic |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungary Poland |
| Service | Austro-Hungarian Army Polish Legions Polish Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank |  Generał brygady (Brigadier general) |
| Commands | Commander of the 28th Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | World War I Polish–Soviet War World War II |
| Awards | () |
Boncza-Uzdowski was born in the village of Podborcze near Chełm, Russian-controlled Congress Poland. In 1910, he joined Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party, he was also a member of the Union of Active Struggle and Riflemen's Association. In 1914, Boncza-Uzdowski joined Polish Legions in World War I, and after the Oath crisis of 1917, he was imprisoned in Beniaminow.
Boncza-Uzdowski fought in the Polish–Soviet War, as commandant of the 8th Legions Infantry Regiment. In 1926, he was named commander of infantry at the 3rd Legions Infantry Division, located in Zamość. On March 17, 1927, he was named commander of the 28th Infantry Division, located in Warsaw, and remained there until 1939. Furthermore, from January 15, 1928, until February 20, 1937, he was general manager of Polish Football Association.
On January 1, 1928, President Ignacy Mościcki promoted Boncza-Uzdowski to the rank of General brygady.
During the 1939 Invasion of Poland, the 28th Infantry Division, commanded by Boncza-Uzdowski, belonged to Łódź Army. On September 7, General Wiktor Thommee ordered Boncza-Uzdowski to take command of the 2nd Legions Infantry Division. On the next day, at app. 5 p.m., Boncza-Uzdowski appointed his deputy, Colonel Stefan Broniowski, new commander of the two divisions, and together with his chief of staff Albin Habina, and operational officer Jan Rzezniowiecki, left his headquarters, allegedly in search of General Juliusz Rómmel. Some Polish historians described this as an act of cowardice and treason.
On his way towards Gora Kalwaria, Boncza-Uzdowski entered the territory controlled by the Wehrmacht (in the night of September 8/9, near Mszczonow). After a two-day march, he crossed the Vistula by a boat, and headed towards Warsaw, reporting to general Rommel. On September 13, he again took command of the 28th I.D., fighting in the Battle of Modlin. Captured by the Germans on September 29, Boncza-Uzdowski spent the war at Oflag VII-A Murnau.
After returning to Poland in 1945, he was again named general manager of the Polish Football Association. Boncza-Uzdowski retired in 1949, and remained in Warsaw, where he died on March 21, 1957.
Boncza-Uzdowski was harshly criticized by other generals of the Polish Army. In April 1945, Juliusz Rómmel wrote in Murnau that he was a "worthless individual, without any commanding skills, and unfit for the military". In May 1939, Stefan Rowecki wrote of Boncza-Uzdowski: "He has commanded the division for ten years, and all he has done in the last five years, has been drinking, hunting and playing cards".
Promotions
[edit]
Porucznik Legionów Polskich (First lieutenant of Polish Legions) - 1914
Kapitan Legionów Polskich (Captain of Polish Legions) - 1915
Major (Major)
Podpułkownik (Lieutenant colonel) - 1920
Pułkownik (Colonel) - 1922
Generał brygady (Brigadier general) - 1928
Awards and decorations
[edit]
Silver Cross of Virtuti Militari (1921)[1]
Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (8 November 1930)[2]
Cross of Independence with Swords (20 January 1931)[3]
Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (9 November 1926)[4]
Cross of Valour (four times)
Gold Cross of Merit[5]
Commemorative Medal for the War of 1918–1921
Medal of the 10th Anniversary of Regained Independence
Order of Lāčplēsis, 3rd Class (Latvia, 1922)[6]
_4r_BAR.svg){kind=small}
_BAR.svg){kind=small}
Sources
[edit]- M. Bielski, Grupa Operacyjna „Piotrków" 1939, Wydawnictwo Bellona, Warszawa 1991
- T. Kryska-Karski, S. Żurakowski, Generałowie Polski Niepodległej, Editions Spotkania, Warszawa 1991
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- ^ Decree of the Commander-in-Chief L. 2980 from 17 May 1921 r. Personal journal from 1921 r. Nr 21, pos. 820
- ^ M.P. z 1930 r. Nr 260, poz. 351 "For merits in the field of organization and training of the army”.
- ^ M.P. z 1931 r. Nr 18, poz. 31 "For work in regaining independence”.
- ^ M.P. z 1926 r. nr 259, poz. 728 "For merits in the field of army organization and soldier training".
- ^ M.P. z 1931 r. Nr 64, poz. 101
- ^ Vilius Kavaliauskas (2020). Symbols of Baltic Freedom 1918–1940. Warsaw: Museum in Łazienki Park. p. 41. ISBN 9788364178887.
- Combat Organization of the Polish Socialist Party members
- Polish Military Organisation members
- World War II prisoners of war held by Germany
- Recipients of the Cross of Independence with Swords
- Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland)
- Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland)
- Burials at Powązki Military Cemetery
- Polish people of the Polish–Soviet War
- 1887 births
- 1957 deaths