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Vladislav AndersOla general.
Date of Birth: 11.08.1892
Country:  Poland |
Biography of Vladislav Anders
Early Life and Military Career
Vladislav Anders (1892-1970) was a Polish general who played a significant role in World War II. He was born to a noble family of Polish-German descent and received his education from the Warsaw University of Technology, Cavalry School, Academy of the General Staff, and Warsaw Command Courses. During World War I, Anders served in the Russian Army as the commander of a dragoon squadron and was promoted to the rank of captain in 1917.
After the war, Anders played a crucial role in the formation of the 1st Polish Corps under General Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki and established the 1st Uhlans Regiment. He also served as the chief of staff for the 1st Polish Division. During the Soviet-Polish War of 1919-1920, Anders commanded the 15th Poznan Uhlans Regiment and fought against the Soviet forces. He then pursued further military training in France from 1921 to 1923.
World War II
When World War II broke out, Anders commanded a brigade that was part of the "Modlin" Army during the Polish Campaign. After the defeat near Warsaw, he withdrew to Lviv and became the commander of a separate group within General Stefan Dęb-Bernaciak's forces. On September 29, 1939, Anders was severely wounded in a battle against Soviet forces and taken as a prisoner. He was held in the internal prison of the NKVD on Lubyanka.
In August 1941, Anders was released as part of a Polish amnesty and began the formation of the Polish Army in the Soviet Union. This army consisted of both volunteers and conscripts who held Polish citizenship prior to September 1939. Anders simultaneously commanded the 5th Division, which was the most combat-ready unit of the Polish Army. Despite pressure to use his forces in the Soviet-German front, Anders actively opposed it.
In March 1942, the Polish Army began its transfer to the Middle East, with approximately 114,000 personnel evacuated by September 1942. Anders became the commanding officer of the Polish Army in the East (APV), which included the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Infantry Divisions, a tank brigade, and the 12th Uhlans Regiment. The APV was later transformed into the 2nd Polish Corps under Anders' command.
Italian Campaign and Post-War Life
In December 1943, the 2nd Polish Corps was transferred to Italy, where it participated in the battles along the Gustav Line. Anders and his troops distinguished themselves during the heroic assault on the defensive positions near Cassino, where they suffered significant losses but ultimately pushed back the enemy and captured Cassino on May 19, 1944. The corps continued to participate in battles along the Adriatic coast and played a crucial role in the liberation of Bologna.
In February 1945, Anders became the commanding officer of the Polish forces in the Western Front. After the war, there were plans to use the Polish forces for garrison duty in Germany, but they were eventually disbanded. In September 1946, at the initiative of General Michał Żymierski, Anders and other members of the Auxiliary Corps were stripped of their Polish citizenship. Until his death, Anders led the Polish community in England. According to his will, he was buried at the war cemetery in Monte Cassino.
