Polish Legions in World War I

At a meeting in Paris in 1914, Piłsudski presciently declared that in the impending war, for Poland to regain independence, Russia must be beaten by the Central Powers (the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires), and the latter powers must in their turn be beaten by France, Britain and the United States.

Soon afterward he officially established the Polish Legions, taking personal command of their First Brigade, which he would lead successfully into several victorious battles. He also secretly informed the British government in the fall of 1914 that his Legions would never fight France or Britain, only Russia

KamzuiThreads: 1 Posts: 1 Joined: Jun 24, 08	Jun 24, 08, 17:11 / #
Hi, I'm working on an extended essay (4000 words) and i'm analyzing to what extent the polish legions helped to contribute for the Central Powers' victory against Imperial Russia in 1914-1917. Can anyone advise me on any possible books in either english or german (or even polish, though I'd have a hard time translating it) for this topic? And does anyone know where I could apply for an interview with a polish historian? (I could get myself an interpreter) Thank you very much for any help. Kamzui

JukrekThreads: - Posts: 76 Joined: May 9, 08	Edited by: Jukrek Jun 24, 08, 17:48 / #
beautiful part of our history. Our hero Józef Piłsudski (Joe Pilsduski ;) ) he had plan. To have independent country we needed Russians, Germans, Austrians. On knees. Firstly we were fighting on Austrian and German side. When Russia was defeated most of soldiers rejected to continue fight. Some changed the side on western front and joined french and started to fight against Germans. After the WWI when we were marching agains Russians there was high propability that "White" forces are going to win, Lenin asked us to stop soldiers. We agreed because agains "White" Russia we wouldn't have help form France. And Denkin (leader of anti-commie forces) didn't like to listen about independent Poland. (yes we could stop communism) So we let commies win, after that we started our march on east ... and we had the war in 1920 when Poland won against whole Soviet Union. That is how Poland regained independence. going back to the first part of this story http://skleptomka.bazarek.pl/opis/195653/ii-brygada-legionow-polskich. html it is story of formation who fought against 1) Russians 2)Germans 3)Austrians in one war ;) (at the begining on the side you mentioned)

JukrekThreads: - Posts: 76 Joined: May 9, 08	Edited by: Jukrek Jun 24, 08, 19:21 / #
nice vid. I like to read about Poles durring WWI. Pilsudski was simple one of the best Polish leaders.

JukrekThreads: - Posts: 76 Joined: May 9, 08	Jun 25, 08, 07:14 / #
http://merlin.pl/Rotmistrz-Legionow-Polskich-Wspomnienia-z-lat-1914-19 19_Jan-Dunin-Brzezinski/browse/product/1,374100.html you can try this book (in Polish) as well

KamzuiThreads: 1 Posts: 1 Joined: Jun 24, 08	Jun 25, 08, 19:29 / #
alright, thanks a lot. The stuff looks pretty cool Do you know if these books were also published in english?

JukrekThreads: - Posts: 76 Joined: May 9, 08	Edited by: Jukrek Jun 25, 08, 20:06 / #
I couldn't find anything about Polish Legions in WWI (in english) but there is a lot of books about Pilsudski. he was leader of this movement (Legions) and father of this plan (regaining independence by supporting side fighting against enemies and changing sides ;) to beat Russians and Germans later organise up-rises in German emipre and march on east) (to Less.. Dmowski have done his job perfectly, but I am Pilsudski's fan) there is quite a lot of books about him on amazon.com look for positions about 1914-1920. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_1?ie=UTF8&rs=1000&keywords=pilsudski &rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Apilsudski%2Ci%3Astripbooks&page=1 you should find titles you need and all informations about legions)

JukrekThreads: - Posts: 76 Joined: May 9, 08	Edited by: Jukrek Jun 25, 08, 21:03 / #
I know it is wikipedia :/ but all members are not going to buy book ;) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Józef_Piłsudski At a meeting in Paris in 1914, Piłsudski presciently declared that in the impending war, for Poland to regain independence, Russia must be beaten by the Central Powers (the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires), and the latter powers must in their turn be beaten by France, Britain and the United States. Soon afterward he officially established the Polish Legions, taking personal command of their First Brigade, which he would lead successfully into several victorious battles. He also secretly informed the British government in the fall of 1914 that his Legions would never fight France or Britain, only Russia (...)

Mr GrunwaldThreads: 34 Posts: 2,358 Joined: Dec 16, 08	Jul 13, 09, 13:30 / #
Is there any movies or films about this legion?