The Polish question
First Cadre Company
A rifle unit formed by Józef Piłsudski in Kraków on 3 August 1914. On 6 August it marched into the Kingdom of Poland to start a rising against Russia; the nucleus of the Legions.
The company, known as the Kadrówka, was formed at the Oleandry in Kraków from members of the Riflemen's Association and the Polish Rifle Squads. It was about 150 strong; sources give differing figures. It was commanded by Tadeusz Kasprzycki. Early on 6 August 1914 it marched towards Miechów and at Michałowice tore down the Russian border posts, and a few days later the riflemen entered Kielce.
No rising broke out in the Kingdom, and the population received the riflemen coolly. Together with the rifle units that followed, the company became part of the I Brigade of the Polish Legions. Its march became the symbol of the first armed act for independence in the war, and its veterans later enjoyed particular prestige in the Polish Army.
Sources
In the chronicle
(03)3 articles use this term.