EDWARD RYDZ-ŚMIGŁY A Political and Military Biography Ryszard Mirowicz Translated and edited by Gregory P. Dziekonski The copyright over the translation has been granted to the translator by the copyright holder of the original Polish text, and I authorize the University of Washington Libraries to make the full text of the English translation available to readers worldwide. TRANSLATOR’S NOTE The original Polish version of this book was written in the 1980s under communist rule, and remained dormant in a censor’s office for over a year. The author was ordered to alter various references concerning the Teschen dispute in 1938 and the Soviet invasion of Poland in alliance with the Nazis in September, 1939. Although the author expressed satisfaction at the eventual compromise between mandated omissions and academic integrity just prior to publication, the translator has made an attempt to add a few footnotes to provide some balance to the narrative. Regarding the customary problems with geographical locations in multiple languages, most locations described in First World War battles on the eastern front in which the Legions were involved and the post-war military operations in the Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Lithuania are in Polish. Otherwise, respective languages for whichever countries in which the geographic locations happened to be situated at the time are used. English names were used for those which possess them, such as “Warsaw,” “Cracow,” “Kaunas,” etc. Numbered footnotes are mostly identical to those in the original text and are listed at the end of each respective section. Footnotes with an asterisk at the bottom of the page are citations which the translator has added. Sometimes (rarely) the translator added commentary onto a numbered footnote. The bibliography includes sources used by the translator for clarification in addition to those used by the original author. This project was a labor of love produced by the translator in his spare time, a modest attempt driven by the desire to learn more about this prominent figure in twentieth century Polish political and military history in light of a paucity of information in English. It is sincerely hoped that this is a valuable contribution to the continuing study of interwar Poland by English readers. My thanks go to Timothy Riley, Anna Cienciala, Steve Bernd, and to my mother for agreeing to read part of the text and graciously offering suggestions, even though the translator must assume all responsibility for any shortcomings. Mr. Riley’s moral support was instrumental at a point where the translator had almost decided to abandon this effort. Thanks also go to Michael Biggins at the University of Washington for helping to i facilitate publication, assisting the translator in obtaining various sources and helping the translator track down the original author in Poland. Piotr Kamienski also assisted in contacting the author in Poland. An acknowledgement must also be recognized for the late Professor Daniel S. Lev, a mentor and friend whose personal encouragement provided so much of the incentive for the translator to engage in this project, unfortunately scarred by his not having lived long enough to witness its completion. Gregory P. Dziekonski Seattle, Washington February, 2012 ii AUTHOR’S PREFACE During the interwar period, Edward Rydz-Śmigły, honored warrior for Poland‘s freedom and independence, was exceedingly popular. His military record of service in the Polish Legions and during the Polish-Soviet War of 1920 was filled with success, and his popularity grew upon his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish armed forces following Józef Piłsudski‘s death. One of the highest positions in the country, it gave its occupant the ability to influence matters dealing with the defense of the country. It was significant that as Commander-in-Chief he automatically was the top military leader in time of war. Initially Rydz-Śmigły did not surround himself with any organized political group, but over time he gave up the role of a disinterested observer of social life and began to step out publicly. His speeches increasingly took on a political hue. Having few political connections and taking advantage of the feuds within the ruling elite following Piłsudski‘s death, he gradually emerged at its pinnacle. Yet his tenure was characterized by grave domestic problems and a lack of much success in foreign policy. The ruling elite attempted to draw attention away from these problems by promoting Rydz-Śmigły as Piłsudski‘s heir and thus create a natural magnet for all of society in a wave of 1 propaganda and slogans, giving rise to the notion that his leadership would lead Poland from her adverse sociopolitical situation. From 1937 on, the increasing threat from Hitler‘s Germany further strengthened Rydz‘s stature as the ―first soldier of the Republic.‖ As war threatened, political differences abated and the defense of the country became a national priority, and Rydz‘s prominence even eclipsed that of the president. Posters bearing his image adorned public buildings and bulletin boards, as his athletic pose, and gentle smile evoked confidence. His popularity reached its zenith just before the outbreak of hostilities, including adulatory songs, poetry, and almost daily revelations about his life in the press. In September 1939 the entire ―Rydz legend‖ burst like a bubble. The Polish defeat was such a shock that it was impossible to evaluate the marshal‘s legacy objectively, creating an historiographical paradox. Until now, his fate, so much tied to critical events, did not attain a reliable evaluation. Laudatory accounts written before the Second World War served ideological ends, well demonstrated by the way they were written. In both underground and exile literature about Rydz, it is possible to discern two major points of view. One 2 presents him as a coward and even a betrayer who abandoned the Polish armed forces. The other defends the military and foreign policies of the Sanacja leaders prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Post-Second World War Polish historiography lacks a broader perspective devoted entirely to the marshal, instead focusing on other problems or issues during the period from 1935 to 1939. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the appraisals in existing literature, as well as unwritten tradition to illustrate Rydz-Śmigły as a military and political leader. ―The group of men who followed the marshal (Piłsudski) became known as the ―Sanitation,‖ or Sanacja, camp, because of their vows to cleanse the country of the evils that had prevailed during the five years from the enactment of the constitution in 1921.‖ Edward D. Wynot, Jr., Polish Politics in Transition: The Camp of National Unity and the Struggle for Power, (Athens GA, 1974), pp. 22-3. 3 Part I YOUTH, THE LEGIONS, AND THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE Childhood and School Years Little is known of Edward Rydz-Śmigły‘s early life since few sources have survived. Hagiographical references and encyclopedia entries deal with his childhood only superficially, while interwar publications present differing accounts of his youth. Rumors circulated of his being the illegitimate child of the manager of an estate in Łapszyn near Brzeżany and then taking the name of his adoptive father.1 Another version claimed he was descended from an impoverished Galician gentry family. Mention of his peasant origins appeared in the mid-1930s concurrently with the ruling elite‘s attempts to woo the peasantry for its cause. Resources in the Central Military Archives in Warsaw reveal materials for an unfinished biography which contain fragments of reliable information about his youth.2 It is notable that Rydz himself spoke very little about his youth, and never made any attempt to deal with the rumors. He once stated in an interview that a man should be judged by his deeds, not his pedigree. 4 Edward Rydz-Śmigły was born on March 11, 1886 in Brzeżany, a provincial, yet lively town in eastern Galicia. His father, Tomasz, was a platoon leader in the Austrian cavalry, who died when Rydz was two years old. His mother, born Maria Babiak, supported herself and her son by various menial work. Plagued with poor health, she turned over her son‘s upbringing to her parents when Edward was ten years old. The boy was brought up by his maternal grandparents in very modest circumstances. His grandfather, Jan Babiak, worked as a laborer in a slaughterhouse and supplemented his meager income with doing janitorial duties. Edward, having been abandoned at such an early age, would have experienced an unfortunate fate had it not been for good people, the Uranowicz family, a doctor and his wife, taking the boy under their wing and treating him as an adopted son. Rydz later credited this good fortune to two factors.3 Dr. Uranowicz consulted with the director of Saint Anne‘s Gymnasium about a study companion to attend lessons with the director‘s son. Dr. Uranowicz had known Rydz‘s grandfather, having had great respect for his role in the revolution of 1848. Thus Edward found himself in a cultural and well-connected home. With his colleague, Edmund, who was later to become a district court judge in Brzeżany, Edward completed the gymnasium program. The 5 school Rydz attended was characterized by a high level of education and gave talented individuals an educational foundation. By most accounts, Rydz was an average student, excelling primarily in history and the Polish language. His tendency to sit in the back of the classroom and his aversion to class discussions were consistent with his timid personality. However Rydz‘s diligence and conscientiousness gradually led him to the top of his class. He made friends easily thanks to an innate directness and readiness to help. Within a short time he became a favorite in some of the leading regional families, such as the Barzykowskis, Widmans, and the Schätzels.