Bronisław Rakowski

Bronisław Stanisław Rakowski (20 June 1895 in Szczucin – 28 December 1950 in Buenos Aires ) was a Polish general. He fought in the Polish legions during World War I. As a Colonel defending Lviv he refused entry to the Soviet Army during the Soviet invasion of Poland, instead suggesting the Soviets advance on German positions, and after the city capitulated, was later imprisoned by the Soviet NKVD. During World War II, he fought in the Anders Army and Polish Armed Forces in the West.

Career timeline

 * 1931–1936: Commanding Officer 12th Ulan Regiment
 * 1936–1939: Head of Army Historical Bureau
 * 1939–1941: Prisoner of War, Soviet Union
 * 1941–1942: General Officer Commanding 8th Division
 * 1942: General Officer Commanding 5th Division
 * 1942–1943: Chief of Staff Polish Forces in Soviet Union
 * 1943–1944: General Officer Commanding 2nd Armoured Brigade
 * 1944–1947: General Officer Commanding 2nd Armoured Division (2 Warszawska Dywizja Pancerna)

Honours and awards

 * Gold Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari (previously awarded the Silver Cross)
 * Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta
 * Cross of Independence
 * Cross of Valour - four times
 * Gold Cross of Merit with Swords
 * Officer's Cross of the Legion of Honour
 * Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)
 * Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy)