Polish Legions

The Legions were formed in August 1914 on the initiative of the Galician parties united in the Supreme National Committee. Formally part of the Austro-Hungarian army, they had Polish commanders, uniforms and language of command. Their nucleus was the First Cadre Company, which marched out of Kraków into the Kingdom of Poland on 6 August. In time three brigades were formed; Piłsudski commanded the I Brigade, and the II, known as the Carpathian Brigade, was later led by Józef Haller. The legionnaires fought at Łowczówek, Rokitna and Kostiuchnówka among other places, and at their peak numbered more than 20,000 men.

In September 1916 the Legions were renamed the Polish Auxiliary Corps, and in April 1917 they were placed under the German Governor-General Beseler as the nucleus of the Polish Armed Forces. In July 1917 most soldiers of the I and III Brigades refused to swear brotherhood in arms with Germany and were interned. Though militarily modest, the Legions, their legend and the officers they trained played a major part in rebuilding the Polish Army after 1918.