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Kaetan OlshevskyMajor General
Date of Birth: 07.08.1858
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Major General Kajetan Bolesław Olszewski
- Military Career
- World War I
- Post-World War I Career
- Retirement and Later Life
Major General Kajetan Bolesław Olszewski
Early Life and EducationKajetan Bolesław Olszewski was born on August 7, 1858 in Kolno, Poland. He received his education at the Classical Gymnasium in Suwałki, the Non-Commissioned Officer School in Warsaw, and the Shooting School for Staff Officers in Saint Petersburg.
Military Career
In 1877, Olszewski was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served in the 40th Infantry Regiment in Warsaw. Due to his open expression of Polish nationalism, he was transferred to Samara on the Volga.
During the Russo-Japanese War, Olszewski served as acting commander of the 98th and 97th Infantry Regiments. He was promoted to Colonel in 1906 and commanded the 185th Infantry Regiment in Samara from 1910.
World War I
With the outbreak of World War I, Olszewski's regiment participated in the war. In December 1914, after the battles of Lublin and Krasnik, he was promoted to Major General. He went on to command a brigade of the 1st Grenadier Division and, in 1915, became its commander.
In September 1916, Olszewski was appointed commander of the Independent Polish Rifle Brigade, which was later reorganized into a division. In March 1917, he took command of the 153rd Infantry Division. In July of that year, he was wounded during the offensive in Galicia and evacuated to Saratov.
Post-World War I Career
In April 1918, Olszewski was arrested by the Soviet authorities but managed to escape and reach Warsaw. In October 1918, he joined the Polish Army and was appointed commander of the local inspectorate in Lublin. He later led the general districts of Kielce and Łódź.
During the Polish-Soviet War, Olszewski was involved in organizing the defense of Vistula River crossings. In January 1921, he was appointed chairman of the Central Control Commission of the Polish Army.
Retirement and Later Life
Due to his advanced age, Olszewski retired from active service on February 14, 1921. In November 1923, he was promoted to the rank of titular General of the Armoured Forces (full general). He served as the Voivode of Volhynia from 1924 to 1925.
Kajetan Bolesław Olszewski passed away on August 20, 1944, during the Warsaw Uprising.
