Henryk Minkiewicz

Henryk Minkiewicz was born of the day 19 January 1880 year in Suwałki, In the family of the tax chamber official, Kazimierz Minkiewicz. His mother, Karolina née Michałowski, She came from Rajgrod, Father from Filipów, from the bourgeois family, about the noble pedigree and patriotic traditions, playing an important role in the life of the town. Henryk, together with parents and siblings, He left Suwałki at the latest in 1888 year to Mariampola. Here he graduated from junior high school and in 1898 year he went to St. Petersburg, where he undertook nature studies and got involved in underground political activity among supporters of the Polish Socialist Party. He did not graduate and moved to 1902 year to Krakow. Here, with the same effect, after a year he finished education at the medicine of the Jagiellonian University and in 1904 year – at the School of Fine Arts. He considered himself an artist of the painter, but he did not record more serious achievements in painting.

From 1904 the year has already definitely dealt with political activities, organizing PPS cells in Lublin. W 1905 year for a fairly short period was elected to the Central Workers' Committee of this party. He was then a hot supporter and defender of the independence ideas of Józef Piłsudski, He also became his close associate. After a split in the party in 1906 year he joined the combat organization of the Polish Socialist Party – Revolutionary fraction, and in 1907 year – to the underground union of active struggle. On behalf of both organizations, he was an emissary to Ukraine, Creating there and military circles among Polish youth.

W 1909 he made a year in Rome, Together with Kazimierz Pużak, Death sentence to traitors and provocateur Edmund Taranowicz. W 1910 of the year he was the commander of the ZWC branch in Krakow and went to the Legal Strzelecki Movement. In autumn 1912 year he became the commander of the branch “Shooter” in Zakopane and he was the commander of the Podhale District of this organization. Probably against the background of the impairment of the Zakopane Branch “Shooter” There was a sharp conflict between Minkiewicz and Piłsudski, who was the main commander of the organization. The case ended with the removal of Minkiewicz with “Shooter” and the union of active struggle and to cooperate with the Union of Podhale teams.

Antagonism with Piłsudski caused, that after the outbreak of World War I, Minkiewicz did not find himself in the departments subordinate to the commandant, but at the end of September 1914 year he joined the ID of the Infantry Regiment, which later joined the 2nd Brigade of the Legions. He began his service in the Legions with the rank of lieutenant and the function of the commander of the company, and ended in the rank of lieutenant colonel and as commander of the 3rd Regiment. Day 6 July 1916 of the year, he was wounded in the battle of Kostiuchnówka and taken prisoner by the Russians. Must be admitted, that being in the 2nd brigade he proved to be good, hard, demanding, caring for soldiers, Brave commander on the battlefield, as well as an open critic of Piłsudski's moves and policy.

After a year, Minkiewicz managed to escape from captivity. After returning, in July 1917 year, He joined the Polish Armed Forces. In this formation, he served as, among others, an infantry brigade commander, He was promoted to the colonel and completed his military education.

Extremely important, Minkiewicz played an underestimated role so far in November 1918 year. Appointed commandant of the Warsaw and the surrounding area, he managed the disarming of German troops and occupying important facilities by PSZ soldiers.

In the years 1918-1920 He participated in warfare on the Eastern Front, first as a commander of operational groups, fighting against Ukrainians, later as a general (from 1 June 1919 year) At the head of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Legions against the Red Army. From 25 July 1920 of the year he was the deputy general of Warsaw and commander of the 1st Army of General Franciszek Latinik. Already in the period of peace he reached the position of deputy commander of the Corps District.

W 1924 year he was promoted to the highest level in his career: He was appointed to the commander of the Border Protection Corps and appointed a division general. From the difficult task of the organizer and commander of the Copy Minkiewicz, he fulfilled efficiently and effectively. The formation managed to eliminate or seriously reduce undesirable phenomena in the Eastern Borderlands in a relatively short time. Despite this, day 7 house 1929 year, on Piłsudski's order, Minkiewicz was released from the position of the commander in an unusual way and for unexplained reasons.

After release, Minkiewicz settled in the Jamno military settlement in the Brest Lithuanian poviat on the Bug, and in 1934 the year was retired. After the outbreak of World War II, he was captured by the Soviet and the Kozielsk camp. There he took a special position of the arbitrator among officers, Advisors and guardian of younger colleagues, Therefore, he gained their recognition and respect. Day 7 April 1940 The fourth transport of prisoners set off from Kozielsk, among others with General Minkiewicz and Major Adam Solski, whose notebook was found at the place of execution in the Katyn Forest. It follows from the last record in it, that Major Solski was murdered on the day 9 April. It is almost certain, General Minkiewicz died on the same day.

It was a character maybe not a great format, but significant and interesting, with fairly wide and various interests, Although without exceptional talents. Minkiewicz has not become a politician, He was above all a soldier, A good tactical commander, especially levels and the organizer. He probably lacked a deeper military education, Not only on the battlefield, but also civilian.

Zone, poetess, Maria Markowska, Two years older than her husband, She died in 1939 year, and their marriage remained childless.

By decision 112-48-07 President of the Republic of Poland Lech Aleksander Kaczyński of 5 October 2007 He was posthumously appointed to the rank of weapons. The promotion was announced 9 November 2007 in Warsaw, During the ceremony “We remember Katyn - let's honor the memory of the characters”.