Polskie ochotnicze formacje wojskowe podczas pierwszej wojny światowej i w okresie następnych dwóch lat (1914–1920)

Abstract

The first Polish voluntary military formations could be found in the territory of the Central Powers already at the beginning of August 1914. These were Józef Piłsudski’s rifle divisions, soon to be incorporated into the Polish Legions. After the oath’s crisis of July 1917 there were two Polish formations of legionary roots: the Polish Auxiliary Corps and the Polnische Wehrmacht. Polish voluntary formations were also created on the Russian side. Originally they were small legions formed in October 1914. Then, in September 1915, the Brigade (since 1917 Division) of Polish Riflemen was established. Subsequently, larger tactical units were formed: the I Polish Corps, under organization since August 1917; the II and the III Polish Corps, forming since December 1917. In 1918–1919 in Ukraine and Siberia the 4. and the 5. Rifle Divisions were also functioning. All the activities aiming at the formation of Polish military forces on the western powers’ side should also be highly evaluated. They resulted in the for- mation of the Polish Army in France. In November 1918 it counted 17 thousand soldiers, yet in 1919 it exceeded 68 thousand people.