Commanding Officers of LWP

ZYGMUNT HENRYK BERLING (1896-1980)

Born in Southern Poland in Limanowa near Krakow. In September 1914 he joined Polish Legions under Pilsudski initially in 2nd regiment later transferred to 4th regiment. He was platoon commander and later became a company commander. From May 1918 till November 1918 he was in Austro-Hungarian army in 32nd infantry regiment. In November 1918 he joined Polish army as a lieutenant in new 4th infantry regiment. During Polish-Bolshevik war he was commander of march company and later battalion in defense of Lwow. He was awarded Silver cross of Virtuti Militari (highest Polish military award) for bravery. In 1920 he was promoted to captain and in 1923 to major.

Inter war period he spent being attached to HQ of 15 infantry division, V Corps in Krakow, ministry of defense in 1930 he was promoted to colonel. He was in command of 6th infantry regiment and later 4th infantry regiment. He was retired in July of 1939. During Campaign of 1939 he remained inactive in his house in Wilno. After the city was overrun by Soviets he was arrested by NKVD and was imprisoned in Starobielsk (7.500 Polish officers from that camp "mysteriously" disappeared in 1940) During his imprisonment he offered his services to Soviets and probably saved his life. He was later moved to special camp for Polish officers who were sympathetic for communist cause. In 1941 after German invasion of Soviet Union and after signing Polish-Soviet treaty (so called Sikorsky-Mayski treaty) Berling was attached to Gen. Anders HQ as chef of stuff in 5th infantry division and later of military camp in Krasnowodsk.

Gen. Zygmunt Berling among soldiers of LWP spring of 1944

After the evacuation of Polish Army to Iran he remained in Soviet Union (technically he was a deserter!!!) During 1942-1943 he remained in Soviet Union working closely with Polish communists. In 1943 he volunteered to organize 1st Polish infantry division "Tadeusz Kosciuszko" in Soviet Union. Later the division was expanded to Corps and then to Army size. In 1944 he entered Lublin with Communist Polish Army. On 22 July 1944 he became second in charge of Polish Army. He was relieved of his command after unsuccessful attempt to cross Wisla River to help Warsaw's London backed insurgents. Due to political situation all attempts by LWP were doomed from the start. Stalin had no intention of helping "London Poles" liberating Warsaw.

After being relieved of command he was send to Moscow to enter Military School (It was sort of punishment for front line officer like Berling) He returned from Moscow to Poland in 1947. He was nominated to become a commander an officer's college and he retired in 1953. He joined Polish communist party in 1963!!!

Many officers who worked with him before 1939 consider him to be a person without character, easy to bribe and without any military talents. Some even called him a scumbag!!!

WOJCIECH BEWZIUK (1902-????)

Born in small Ukrainian village Okladnoje near city Bar. He received his military training in Soviet Union starting 1924. He was never in Poland and unlike Berling he was not polish officer. Bewziuk began his military career as draftee in 2nd Caucasian infantry regiment putting down Gorgian anti Bolshevik revolt. As an officer of artillery he was attached to many units during the "Great Patriotic War". Finally in 1943 colonel Bewziuk arrived to Sidlce camp and became an artillery commander of 1st Infantry Division. From November 20, 1943 till September 27 1945 he was commander of 1st Inf Div. After the war he stayed in Poland and for some time he was commander of Lublin Military district, later he was transferred to Artillery department of ministry of Defense. Where he remained till 1956 when he left Poland and returned to Soviet Union.

Bewziuk was considered to be an averaged commander, good enough as a divisional commander but not beyond. He was prompted to General of Brigade in 1944 and General of Division in 1945.

ANDRZEJ CZARTOSYZSKI (1902-????)

Born in Jampol (Russia) In red Army since 1920 he participated in Russian Civil War. During his career in Red Army he passed trough all steps of command starting as a private he rose to colonel by 1943. During 1942-43 he was commanding brigade and later division, however he never commanded division in the front line!
Sent to LWP on September 15, 1944 from that date till April 14, 1945 he was in command of 10th infantry division. From April 20, 1945 till August 10, 1945 he was commander of 11 inf div.

On September 5, 1946 he was sent back to Soviet Union because of his criminal activities in Poland. He was engaged in looting ex German private property for his own profit.

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