NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Lucjan Zeligowski

Lucjan Żeligowski (1865-1947), was a Polish general, veteran of the Great War, Polish-Bolshevik War and the World War II. He is best known as the head of a short-lived Republic of Central Lithuania. Lucjan Zeligowski File links The following pages link to this file: Lucjan Zeligowski Categories: Pre-1994 Poland images ... Lucjan Zeligowski File links The following pages link to this file: Lucjan Zeligowski Categories: Pre-1994 Poland images ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... General is a military rank, in most nations the highest rank, although some nations have the higher rank of Field Marshal. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Polish-Bolshevik War Conflict Polish-Bolshevik War Date 1919–1921 Place Central and Eastern Europe Result Polish victory The Polish-Soviet War (also known as the Polish-Bolshevik War or the Polish-Russian War) was the war (February 1919 – March 1921) that determined the borders between the Russian Soviet Federated... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Map of the region, with Central Lithuania marked in Green Central Lithuania (Polish Republika Litwy Środkowej, Lithuanian Vidurine Lietuva, Belarusian Рэспубліка Сярэдняе Літвы) was a semi-independent state, created in 1920 by allegedly rebellious soldiers of the Lithuanian-Belarusian division of the Polish Army. ...

Because of his influence on the politics in Central Europe in the interbellum, he is frequently referred to as Želigauskas in Lithuanian and as Жалігоўскі in Belarusian.

Biography

Lucjan Żeligowski was born October 17, 1865, in Nieśwież (modern Niaśviž in Belarus) to Gustaw and Władysława née Traczewska. After graduating from military officers' school, in 1885 he joined the Russian Army, where he served at various staff and command posts. He fought in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... Niasvizh (Belarusian: Нясьві́ж, Нясві́ж; Russian: Несвиж (Nesviz); Polish: Nieśwież) is a city in Belarus. ... 1885 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... In russian, word army means armed forces in general. ... The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) was a conflict that grew out of the rival imperialist ambitions of Imperial Russia and Japan in Manchuria and Korea. ... 1904 is a leap year starting on a Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

During the Great War he served as a lieutenant and commanding officer of a rifle regiment. After the February Revolution of 1917, Żeligowski became one of the organizers of the Polish Army in Russia. Initially commander of an infantry regiment in the ranks of the Polish 1st Corps, he was quickly promoted and given command over a brigade. In 1918 he started the creation of a Polish unit in the area of Kuban, which eventually became the 4th Polish Rifle Division. As part of the Polish Army, his unit fought alongside the Denikin's Whites in the Russian Civil War. In October of the same year he became the Commander in Chief of all the Polish units fighting in Russia. Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... The February Revolution of 1917 in Russia was the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Polish Army (Polish Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Kuban may refer to Kuban River, Russia. ... Anton Denikin on the day of his resignation in 1920 Anton Ivanovich Denikin (Анто́н Ива́нович Дени́кин) (December 16, 1872 - August 8, 1947) was a Russian army officer before and during World War I. Following the Russian Revolution he was part of the counter-revolutionary White Russian forces in the civil... The White movement, whose military arm is known as the White Army (Белая Армия) or White Guard (Белая Гвардия, белогвардейцы) and whose members are known as Whites (Белые, Беляки) or White Russians (a term which has other meanings) comprised some of the Russian forces, both political and military, which opposed... The Russian Civil War was fought between 1918 and 1920. ...

After the outbreak of the Polish-Bolshevik War and the defeat of Denikin, Żeligowski's unit was ordered to retreat to Romanian Bessarabia, where it took part in defence of the border against Bolshevik raids. Finally, in April of 1919, the division was withdrawn to Poland, where it was incorporated into the Polish Army and renamed to Polish 10th Infantry Division. Polish-Bolshevik War Conflict Polish-Bolshevik War Date 1919–1921 Place Central and Eastern Europe Result Polish victory The Polish-Soviet War (also known as the Polish-Bolshevik War or the Polish-Russian War) was the war (February 1919 – March 1921) that determined the borders between the Russian Soviet Federated... Old map of Bessarabia Bessarabia or Bessarabiya (Basarabia in Romanian, Besarabya in Turkish) was the name used by Russia to designate the eastern part of the territory known as Moldova (Moldavia in English), which was occupied by Russia in 1812. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

During the war against the Bolshevist Russia, Żeligowski, a personal friend of Polish C-i-C Józef Piłsudski, was quickly promoted to general and given the command over an operational group of his name, composed of his 10th division and additional units, mostly of partisan origin. As such, he soon became the commanding officer of the entire Lithuanian-Belorussian Front, operating in the area of Polesie and the Pinsk Marshes. During the Battle of Warsaw his unit was attached to the 3rd Polish Army and took part in the pursuit of fleing Red forces and the Battle of the Niemen. Polish-Bolshevik War Conflict Polish-Bolshevik War Date 1919–1921 Place Central and Eastern Europe Result Polish victory The Polish-Soviet War (also known as the Polish-Bolshevik War or the Polish-Russian War) was the war (February 1919 – March 1921) that determined the borders between the Russian Soviet Federated... Term of Office from November 14, 1918 until December 9, 1922 Profession Statesman and military commander Political Party none, see Sanacja for details First Lady Maria Piłsudska Date of Birth December 5, 1867 Place of Birth Zułów, in todays Lithuania Date of Death May 12, 1935 Place of Death... Operational Group (Polish Grupa Operacyjna, abbreviated GO) was the highest level of tactical division of the Polish Army before and during World War II and the Polish Defence War. ... Polesie (Polish spelling; Polissya, Полісся in Ukrainian, Polesye, Полесье in Russian, Palyessye or Palesse, Пале́сьсе in Belarusian, formerly also Polesia in Latin) is one of the largest European swampy areas, located in the South-Western part of the Eastern-European Lowland, within the territories of Belarus, Ukraine and Poland. ... Pinsk Marshes (Пинские болота) or Pripyat Marshes (Pripet Marshes, Припятские болота) is a vast territory of wetlands along the Pripyat River and its tributaries from Brest, Belarus (West) to Mahileu (Northeast) and Kiev (Southeast). ... Battle of Warsaw Conflict Polish-Bolshevik War Date 13 to August 25, 1920 Place near Warsaw, Poland Result Decisive Polish victory The Battle of Warsaw (sometimes referred to as the Miracle at the Vistula, Polish Cud nad Wisłą) was the decisive battle of the Polish-Bolshevik War (also known as... Battle of the Niemen Conflict Polish-Bolshevik War Date September 15-September 25, 1920 Place near Grodno, along the Niemen River Result Polish victory Battle of the Niemen River was the second largest battle of the Polish-Bolshevik War. ...

In October of 1920, Żeligowski, a native of historical lands of Lithuania, was chosen to command the so-called Lithuanian-Belarusian Infantry Division, composed mainly of P.O.W. members, volunteers and partisans from the territory of modern Belarus and Lithuania. On October 12, 1920, after a staged coup, he defected with his unit and took control over the city of Wilno (modern Vilnius, Lithuania) and its area. The following day he proclaimed independence of the said area as Republic of Central Lithuania, with Wilno as its capital. Initially a de facto military dictator, after the parliamentary elections he passed his powers to the newly-elected parliament, which in turn decided to submit the area to Poland. 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... The presumable banner of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the coat of arms, called Пагоня in Belarusian, Vytis in Lithuanian and Pogoń in Polish Another version of the Lithuanian banner The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė, Belarusian: Вялі́кае Кня́ства Літо́ўскае (ВКЛ), Ukrainian: Велике Князівство Литовське (ВКЛ... Polska Organizacja Wojskowa (POW, Polish for Polish Military Organisation) was a secret military union created by Józef Piłsudski in November of 1914, during the Great War. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... Vilnius Old Town Vilnius (sometimes Vilna; Polish Wilno, Belarusian Вільня, Russian Вильнюс, see also Cities alternative names) is the capital city of Lithuania. ... Map of the region, with Central Lithuania marked in Green Central Lithuania (Polish Republika Litwy Środkowej, Lithuanian Vidurine Lietuva, Belarusian Рэспубліка Сярэдняе Літвы) was a semi-independent state, created in 1920 by allegedly rebellious soldiers of the Lithuanian-Belarusian division of the Polish Army. ... This article is about the lower chamber of Polish parliament. ...

After the incorporation of Central Lithuania to Poland, Żeligowski continued his service in the Polish Army. Promoted to generał broni (three star general) in 1923, he served as an army inspector, or a commander of a military district of Warsaw. In 1925 he also became the Polish Minister of Military Affairs. Ousted by Piłsudski's coup d'état (the May Coup), he was soon returned to the post. He retired the following year and settled in his family manor in Andrzejewo near Wilno. 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa, see also other names, in full The Capital City of Warsaw, Polish: Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa) is the capital of Poland and its largest city. ... 1925 was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... A defence minister (Commonwealth English) or defense minister (American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... May Coup ( Polish: Przewrót majowy or zamach majowy) was a coup detat successfully carried out during the Second Polish Republic by Józef Piłsudski, May 12 – May 14, 1926. ...

In 1930 he published a book containing his memoirs of the Polish-Bolshevik War named War of 1920: Memories and thoughts (Wojna w roku 1920. Wspomnienia i rozważania). He also wrote numerous articles on the conflicts of early 20th century for a variety of Polish newspapers. In 1935 he was elected a member of parliament and remained in the Sejm until 1939. 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... 1935 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... This article is about the lower chamber of Polish parliament. ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

During the Polish Defence War of 1939, Żeligowski volunteered for the Polish Army, but was not accepted due to his old age (he was 74 at that time) and poor health. Nevertheless, he served as an advisor to the command of the Polish southern front. After the Polish defeat, he evaded being captured by the Germans and the Soviets and managed to reach France, where he joined the Polish Government in Exile. An active member of the Polish National Council, an advisory body, he escaped to London after the French defeat in 1940. Polish Defence War of 1939 Conflict World War II Date 1 September - 6 October 1939 Place Poland Result Decisive German and Soviet victory The Polish September Campaign (alternatively refered to as the German plan Fall Weiss) refers to the conquest of Poland by the armies of Nazi Germany and the... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Polish Army (Polish Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. ... The Government of the Polish Republic in exile maintained a continuous existence in exile from the time of the German occupation of Poland in September 1939 until the end of the Communist rule in Poland in 1990. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... In World War II, Battle of France or Case Yellow (Fall Gelb in German) was the France and the Low Countries, executed 10 May 1940 which ended the Phony War. ... 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

After the end of Second World War he declared he would return to Poland, but he suddenly died on July 9, 1947, in London. His body was returned to Poland, and Żeligowski was buried in the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Powazki Cemetery Powązki Cemetery (Polish Cmentarz powązkowski) is the oldest and most famous cemetery in Warsaw, Poland, which is situated in the western part of the city. ... Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa, see also other names, in full The Capital City of Warsaw, Polish: Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa) is the capital of Poland and its largest city. ...

Awards

Virtuti Militari - II and V Class
Polonia Restituta - Grand Cross
Cross of Independence
Cross of the Valorous - four times
Honourary citizen of Warsaw

Order of Virtuti Militari The Order of Virtuti Militari (Military Virtue) is Polands highest military decoration for valour in the face of the enemy, equivalent to the British Victoria Cross or the US Congressional Medal of Honor. ... Ribbon of the Virtuti Militari, the highest Polish military award Created by Halibutt in GIMP File links The following pages link to this file: List of military decorations Virtuti Militari Awards and decorations of the United States military Category:Recipients of Virtuti Militari Polish military awards and decorations Lucjan Zeligowski... Polonia Restituta ribbon The Order of Polonia Restituta (Polish Order Odrodzenia Polski) is a Polish Order (decoration), established on February 4, 1921. ... Polonia Restituta Ribbon File links The following pages link to this file: List of military decorations Polonia Restituta Polish military awards and decorations Lucjan Zeligowski Józef Unrug User:Halibutt/Medal gallery Bronislaw Duch Stanislaw Kopanski Stanislaw Targosz Roman Krzyzelewski Categories: GFDL images ... Cross of Independence (Krzyż Niepodległości) was one of the highest a military decorations of Poland between World War I and World War II. It was awarded to people who fought heroically for the independence of Poland. It was released in three versions. ... Cross of Independence Ribbon File links The following pages link to this file: List of military decorations Polish military awards and decorations Lucjan Zeligowski User:Halibutt/Medal gallery Categories: GFDL images ... This is an article about the Polish military decoration. ... Krzyż Walecznych Ribbon File links The following pages link to this file: List of military decorations Krzyz Walecznych Polish military awards and decorations Lucjan Zeligowski User:Halibutt/Medal gallery Bronislaw Duch Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer Categories: GFDL images ... Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa, see also other names, in full The Capital City of Warsaw, Polish: Miasto Stołeczne Warszawa) is the capital of Poland and its largest city. ...

Awards

See also