Ignacy Oziewicz

Ignacy Oziewicz

Ignacy Oziewicz (Polish pronunciation: [iɡˈnatsɨ ɔˈʑɛvʲitʂ]; pseudonyms: Czesław, Czesławski, Netta, Jenczewski; 7 May 1887 – 10 January 1966) was a Polish military colonel. During the First World War, he served in the Russian Tsarist army in various NCO and officers' posts. In 1919, he joined the Polish Army.

Oziewicz was born on 7 May 1887 in the village of Lygniany, near Swieciany, Russian Empire (current Lithuania). After graduation from a Wilno high school (1907), he voluntarily joined the Imperial Russian Army. In 1911, he graduated from a Military School in Vilna, and during World War I was an officer of the 103rd Infantry Regiment, part of 26th Infantry Division. Between April and October 1917, he served in 193 I.D., leaving Russian army after the October Revolution. Between October 1917 and late 1918, Oziewicz managed a real estate in Podolia.

In February 1919, Oziewicz joined Polish Army’s. In October of that year, he was named commandant of 41st Infantry Regiment, and on August 20, 1920, he became commandant of 17th Infantry Regiment. In October 1925, he was named commandant of 76th Lida Infantry Regiment, stationed at Grodno. On 16 March 1927 President Ignacy Moscicki, upon a request of Minister of Military Affairs Jozef Pilsudski, promoted him to Colonel. In 1935, Oziewicz was transferred to 16th Pomeranian Infantry Division, stationed in Grudziadz, where he commanded infantry. On 25 October 1938 he was appointed commandant of 29th Grodno Infantry Division, stationed at Grodno. With this unit, he fought in the Invasion of Poland. After its defeat, he was interned in Lithuania. Later, he managed to escape from a camp and returned to Poland where he joined the underground movement.

He was the first commandant of the National Armed Forces (NSZ). From 2 December 1942 he was negotiating the union of the NSZ with the Home Army (AK). Oziewicz was arrested by the Germans on 9 June 1943 and sent to Auschwitz and Flossenburg concentration camps; nevertheless he survived the war. In 1958, Oziewicz returned to Poland. He died in Gdynia on 10 January 1966 and was buried at the Witomino Cemetery.

Honours and awards

• Virtuti Militari, Silver Cross
• Cross of Valour, 4 times
• Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta
• Gold Cross of Merit

Sources

• Tadeusz Jurga: Obrona Polski 1939. Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, 1990. ISBN 83-211-1096-7.