Władysław Belina-Prażmowski Explained

Władysław Belina-Prażmowski
Predecessor:Karol Rolle
Awards:
Rank: Pułkownik (Colonel)
Allegiance:Austro-Hungary
Second Polish Republic
Serviceyears:1914–1938
Battles:First World War
Polish-Ukrainian War
Polish-Soviet War
Branch:Polish Legions
Polish Army
Successor:Mieczysław Kaplicki
Office:Mayor of Kraków
Termend:11 February 1933
Termstart:16 July 1931
Office1:Voivode of Lwów
Termend1:14 April 1937
Termstart1:31 January 1933
Successor1:Alfred Biłyk
Predecessor1:Józef Rożniecki
Death Place:Venice, Kingdom of Italy
Birth Place:Ruszkowiec, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
(today Poland)
Birth Date:13 May 1988

Władysław Zygmunt Belina-Prażmowski (3 May 1888 in Ruszkowiec – 13 October 1938 in Venice), was a Polish cavalryman, colonel and politician.

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. 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.

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.

Honours and awards

See also