Bolesław Bronisław Duch (1885–1980) was a Polish

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

and General Inspector of the Armed Forces.

Life

Duch served during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, 1914–18, in the Polish Legions. After Poland regained independence, he served in the

Polish Army The Land Forces () are the land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currently contain some 62,000 active personnel and form many components of the European Union and NATO deployments around the world. Poland's recorded military history stret ...

. In 1935-1938 he commanded the 73rd Infantry Regiment. At the outbreak of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, the commander of the 39th Reserve Infantry Division General

Bruno Olbrycht Bruno Olbrycht ( nom de guerre: Olza; 6 October 1895 – 23 March 1951) was a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Army and officer (later general) of the Polish Army both in the Second Polish Republic and postwar Poland. Born on 6 October 1895 in Sa ...

was ill and the division was ''de facto'' commanded by Duch. After Poland was overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in September 1939, Duch managed to evade capture and served in western Europe, becoming commander successively of the Polish 1st Grenadier Division in France (1940), 1st Rifle Brigade of the 1st Polish Corps in

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

(1942–43), and of the 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division of the

2nd Polish Corps The Polish II Corps ( pl, Drugi Korpus Wojska Polskiego), 1943–1947, was a major tactical and operational unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. It was commanded by Lieutenant General Władysław Anders and fought wit ...

(1943–46). In 1947, Duch settled in London and became chairman of the Council of the World Polish Veterans' Association. He was the last

General Inspector of the Armed Forces General Inspector of the Armed Forces ( pl, Generalny Inspektor Sił Zbrojnych; GISZ) was an office created in the Second Polish Republic in 1926, after the May Coup. The General Inspector reported directly to the President, and was not respons ...

(from February 1980 until his death in October that year).

Promotions

* 1914: Lieutenant * 1919: First Lieutenant * 1919: Captain * 1924: Major * 1929: Lieutenant Colonel * 1938: Colonel * 1940: Brigadier * 1945: Major General

Decorations

* Knight's Cross of the

Virtuti Militari The War Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin: ''"For Military Virtue"'', pl, Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari) is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. It was created in 1792 by Polish King Stan ...

(1 June 1945), Gold Cross (1940) and Silver Cross * Commander's Cross with Star of the

Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta ( pl, Order Odrodzenia Polski, en, Order of Restored Poland) is a Polish state order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on foreigners for outstanding achievement ...

Cross of Merit (Poland) The Cross of Merit () is a Polish civil state decoration established on 23 June 1923, to recognize services to the state. History At the time of its establishment in 1923, the Cross of Merit was the highest civilian award in Poland. It was awa ...

, with Swords *

Cross of Valour (Poland) The Cross of Valour ( pl, Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valour and courage on the fi ...

, 8 times *

Cross of Independence Cross of Independence ( pl, Krzyż Niepodległości) was second highest Polish military decorations between World Wars I and II. It was awarded to individuals who had fought actively for the independence of Poland, and was released in three cl ...

* Gold Cross of Merit with Swords *

Gold Cross of Merit The Cross of Merit () is a Polish civil state decoration established on 23 June 1923, to recognize services to the state. History At the time of its establishment in 1923, the Cross of Merit was the highest civilian award in Poland. It was awa ...

Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...

Military Cross The Military Cross (MC) is the third-level (second-level pre-1993) military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993) other ranks of the British Armed Forces, and formerly awarded to officers of other Commonwealth countries. The MC i ...

* Medal Międzysojuszniczy "Medaille Interalliée" *Commandeur dans l'ordre de la Légion d'honneur ( décoré par le général Valentin Gouverneur Militaire de Metz en 1948 dans une caserne de Phalsbourg) Source: Roger Bruge "Les combattants du 18 Juin".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duch, Boleslaw Bronislaw 1885 births 1980 deaths People from Ternopil Oblast Polish generals Knights of the Virtuti Militari Commanders with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta Recipients of the Cross of Independence Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) Recipients of the Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland) Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland) Recipients of the Military Cross

Life

Promotions

Decorations

See also

References