Władysław Belina-Prażmowski
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Władysław Zygmunt Belina-Prażmowski (3 May 1888 in Ruszkowiec – 13 October 1938 in Venice), was a Polish cavalryman, colonel and politician.
Władysław Belina-Prażmowski | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Władysław Belina-Prażmowski in 1936 | |
| Mayor of Kraków | |
| In office 16 July 1931 – 11 February 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Karol Rolle |
| Succeeded by | Mieczysław Kaplicki |
| Voivode of Lwów | |
| In office 31 January 1933 – 14 April 1937 | |
| Preceded by | Józef Rożniecki |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Biłyk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 May 1888 |
| Died | 13 October 1938 (aged 50) |
Awards | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Austro-Hungary Second Polish Republic |
| Branch/service | Polish Legions Polish Army |
Years of service | 1914–1938 |
| Rank |  Pułkownik (Colonel) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Polish–Ukrainian War Polish–Soviet War |
Biography
He was a member of Związek Walki Czynnej since 1909, later Związek Strzelecki. Student of Lwów Politechnic in 1919–1913.
Serving under Józef Piłsudski, he became one of the first Polish soldiers - formally under Austrian command - who entered Russian-held Polish territory during the First World War. Member of Polish Legions, organizer and commander of 1st Regiment of Polish Uhlans and later 1st Brigade of Polish Uhlans.[1]
Later he fought in the Polish-Ukrainian War (1918–1919) and Polish-Soviet War (1919–1921). In April 1919 his troops were instrumental in taking Wilno. Piłsudski would declare Belina's cavalry action a most exquisite military action carried out by Polish cavalry in this war.[2]
From 1929 he lived in Kraków and retired from the military. In 1931-1933 he was a mayor of Kraków and from 1933 to 1937, voivode of Lwów. In 1938 he retired from public work due to worsening health; he died later that year, aged fifty.[3]
Honours and awards
- Gold Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Cross of Valour - five times
- Officers' badge "Parasol"
- Order of the Cross of the Eagle, Class II (Estonia, 1935)
See also
- The Seven Lancers of Belina : a mounted reconnaissance group of the Riflemen's Association.
