Bolesław Bronisław Duch (1896–1980) was a Polish Major General and General Inspector of the Armed Forces.

Life

Duch was born on 15 November 1896 at

Borshchiv Borshchiv (, ; ; ) is a city in Chortkiv Raion, Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine. It was previously the administrative center of the former Borshchiv Raion until 2020. Borshchiv hosts the administration of Borshchiv urban hromada, one of the hrom ...

and attended schools in

Ternopil Ternopil, known until 1944 mostly as Tarnopol, is a city in western Ukraine, located on the banks of the Seret River. Ternopil is one of the major cities of Western Ukraine and the historical regions of Galicia and Podolia. The populatio ...

before the outbreak of

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. He served during World War I, 1914–18, in the Polish Legions. After Poland regained independence, he served in the

Polish Army The Land Forces () are the Army, land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currently contain some 110,000 active personnel and form many components of the European Union and NATO deployments around the world. Poland's recorded military histor ...

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

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, the commander of the 39th Reserve Infantry Division General Bruno Olbrycht 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 Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

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

2nd Polish Corps The 2nd Polish Corps (), 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 with distinction in the Italian Ca ...

(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 () 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 responsible to the ''Sejm'' (parliament) or the gov ...

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

Promotions

1914: Second Lieutenant (Podporucznik) * PL Epolet por

1919: Lieutenant (porucznik) * PL Epolet kpt

1919: Captain (Kapitan) * PL Epolet mjr

1924: Major (Major) * PL Epolet pplk

1929: Lieutenant Colonel (Podpułkownik) * PL Epolet plk

1938: Colonel (Pułkownik) * PL Epolet gen bryg

1940: Brigadier (Generał brygady) * PL Epolet gen dyw

1945: Major General (Generał dywizji)

Decorations

Knight's Cross of the

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

(1 June 1945), * Gold Cross of the

(1940) *

Silver Cross of the

POL Polonia Restituta Komandorski ZG BAR

Commander's Cross with Star of the

Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta (, ) is a Polish state order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on foreigners for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, ...

Cross of Valour (Poland) The Cross of Valour () is a Polish military decoration. It was 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 field of battle." It may be aw ...

, 8 times *

Cross of Independence Cross of Independence () was the second highest Polish military decoration 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 classes. History The Cr ...

* Golden

Cross of Merit (Poland) A cross is a religious symbol consisting of two intersecting lines, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a saltire in ...

, with Swords * Gold Cross of Merit * Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 ribbon

Croix de Guerre The (, ''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 awarded during World ...

(France) * World War I Victory Medal ribbon

1914–1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal The 1914–1918 Inter-Allied Victory medal () was a French commemorative medal established on 20 July 1922. It was the French version of a common allied campaign medal where each allied nation issued a Victory Medal to their own nationals, all i ...

(France) * Legion Honneur Commandeur ribbon

Commander of

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

(France) * Military cross BAR

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

(United Kingdom) * Croce di guerra al valor militare BAR

War Cross of Military Valor The War Cross for Military Valor () is an Italian Order (decoration), order for military valor. Established in 1922, the cross may be awarded only in time of war. Appearance The medal is a Greek cross made of copper. Inscribed on the horizon ...

(Italy) *

Medal for Bravery (Austria-Hungary)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duch, Boleslaw Bronislaw 1885 births 1980 deaths Military personnel 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 People from Borshchiv

Life

Promotions

Decorations

See also

References