37th Łęczyca Infantry Regiment

After the collapse of Austria-Hungary on 28 October 1918, the Polish Liquidation Committee was formed in Kraków to organize Polish military and administrative structures in Galicia. On 1 November 1918, the Governing Council and Garrison Command were created in Przemyśl to begin organizing Polish military forces and administration. In the barracks of the former Austro-Hungarian 45th Infantry Regiment, scattered military units were gathered, forming the foundation for the 37th Infantry Regiment. By 7 November 1918, an infantry regiment was established in Przemyśl, which was renamed the 18th Rifle Regiment on November 9. The battalion commanders at that time were: 1st Battalion – Second Lieutenant Zając, 2nd Battalion – Second Lieutenant Dudziński, 3rd Battalion – Marian Doskowski. The regiment gained its first combat experience during clashes with Ukrainian forces from 9 to 11 November 1918 in the Zasań district of Przemyśl. On November 13, the regiment was renamed the 10th Infantry Regiment. In November 1918, the regiment's reserve battalion, formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian , was commanded by Captain , who was appointed as the temporary commander of the "Children of Przemyśl" 10th Infantry Regiment. On 30 November, Lieutenant Kazubski was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel as the commander of the regiment. Part of the regiment fought to open the road to the besieged Lviv as part of Colonel Michał Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz's group, while the rest engaged in combat near Nyzhankovychi, Siedliska, Medyka, and Khyriv. The regiment captured Stodółki, Uhry, Czerlany, and Velykyi Liubin. It also held Horodok and defended the Lviv-Przemyśl railway line from Ukrainian forces. On 25 February 1919, the regiment was renamed the 37th Infantry Regiment. In the spring of 1919, the regiment captured Sambir and Drohobych and participated in the conquest of Stanyslaviv. From 13 to 16 June 1919, it defended crossings over the Dniester river. From June 28, the regiment fought along the Zbruch river, and in July 1919, it was transferred to the Volhynian front, where it battled Ukrainian units. From August 5, the regiment took on a defensive role. On 3 April 1920, Major Józef Kuś became the commander of the 37th Infantry Regiment. In December 1919, the regiment's reserve battalion was stationed in Łęczyca. Regimental personnel in 1920 == Participation in the Polish–Soviet War ==

The regiment was part of the 4th Infantry Division, tasked with capturing the city of Korosten during the Polish offensive. The 37th Infantry Regiment secured the railway junction and other designated areas, then fortified its position, remaining in reserve until Kyiv was taken. and, after fierce fighting near Wierzchy, reached Stawy near the Bug river, reuniting with the 1st Battalion. The battalions soon separated again, with the 1st joining the 8th Infantry Brigade and the 3rd joining the 2nd Cavalry Brigade reserve. To prevent a potential Soviet offensive, the 4th Infantry Division, including the 37th Regiment, was transferred to the Chodorów area. On 7 September 1920, the regiment engaged in intense battles with Soviet units threatening the Lviv–Chodorów railway line, capturing Knihynicze, Nowosielce, and Okrześnice. The next day, the regiment crossed the Stryi river, aiming to secure Rohatyn, which it achieved on 9 September 1920. Over the following days, it continued defending Rohatyn from Soviet counterattacks. Reinforced with three marching companies on September 13, the regiment, as part of the 4th Infantry Division, pursued the enemy to Vyshnivets. On September 25, it was transported to Grodno as a reserve unit for the high command. Redirected by the 2nd Legion Infantry Division, the regiment moved via Grodno and Łomża to Ostrołęka on 12 November 1920. It served in border protection there until 28 April 1921, after which it returned to Kutno and Łęczyca. == Recipients of the Virtuti Militari Order ==

The regiment’s headquarters, staff, and battalions I and II were stationed in the Kutno area of Corps District IV, occupying the former Russian 4th Rifle Regiment’s barracks. The III Battalion was quartered in Łęczyca in a former monastery building. The barracks were cramped and lacked many basic facilities, including a sewage system, exercise grounds, proper storage, and a shooting range, which was only 100 meters long. A significant event in the regiment’s history was its participation in Marshal Józef Piłsudski's May Coup. Most of the regiment, commanded by Colonel Władysław Bortnowski, supported the Marshal. == Regimental symbols ==

Standards A "banner committee" was formed by the residents of the Łęczyca Land, which obtained permission to name the regiment the 37th Łęczyca Infantry Regiment and funded a banner. The ceremony of its presentation took place on 23 May 1920. At that time, the regiment was in the field, so the banner was received by a delegation of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates from the hands of the Minister of Military Affairs, General . On 26 June 1933, during a ceremony at the Piaski sports field in Kutno, President Ignacy Mościcki presented the regiment with a new banner, funded by the citizens of the Łęczyca Land. The banner's godparents were the Łódź Voivode and Mrs. Maria Pajdakowa, wife of the Łęczyca County Starosta Zygmunt Pajdak. On 28 January 1938, the regimental banner began to be officially referred to as the standard. During the Battle of the Bzura, near Iłów, the standard was handed over for safekeeping to a local farmer, and its whereabouts have remained unknown since then. The insignia, measuring 43x43 mm, is in the shape of the Virtuti Militari Cross, with the arms enameled in navy blue. A shield with the coat of arms of Łęczyca Land is placed on the cross, inscribed with the initials ZŁ. The shield is topped with a crown. The arms of the cross bear the regiment’s number and initials 37 PP, as well as its formation date 3 XI 1918. The officer's insignia is two-part, made from gilded and silver-plated tombac, and enameled. == Soldiers of the regiment ==

Regimental commanders Source: • 2nd Lieutenant (approx. 7–30 November 1918) • Colonel (30 November 1918 – 1 July 1919) • Major Józef II Kuś (5 July – 18 August 1919) • Colonel Adam Jaroszewski (19 August – 9 September 1919) • Major Józef II Kuś (10 September 1919 – 2 January 1920) • Colonel Adam Jaroszewski (3 January – 19 March 1920) • Captain Karol Koziarowski (20 March – 3 April 1920) • Major Józef II Kuś (4 April – 16 May 1920) • Captain (17 May – 6 June 1920) • Major Józef II Kuś (7–13 June 1920) • Lieutenant Colonel Michał Remizowski (14 August 1920 – 16 March 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel (acting, 16 March – 3 May 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel Julian Żaba (acting, 4 May – 25 July 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel Albin Skroczyński (26 July – 9 October 1925) • Colonel Edward Nowak (10 – 30 October 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel Albin Skroczyński (acting, 16 March – 3 May 1925) • Major Stefan Lewicki (acting, 31 October – 1 December 1925) • Lieutenant Colonel Albin Skroczyński (acting, 2 – 30 December 1925) • Colonel Władysław Bortnowski (31 December 1925 – 19 June 1926) • Lieutenant Colonel Albin Skroczyński (acting, 20 June – 7 September 1926) • Colonel (8 September 1926 – 31 December 1930) • Major Jan Palewicz (acting, 1 – 15 January 1931) • Colonel (16 January 1931 – 2 September 1937) • Lieutenant Colonel Roman Umiastowski (3 September 1937 – March 1939) • Lieutenant Colonel Stanisław Ignacy Kurcz (March – 19 September 1939) Deputy commanders • Lieutenant Colonel Wiktor Łapicki (10 July 1922 – 1923) • Lieutenant Colonel Julian Żaba (1924) • Lieutenant Colonel Albin Skroczyński (January 1925 – 24 July 1928 → commander of 64th Infantry Regiment) • Lieutenant Colonel (24 July 1928 – 12 March 1929 → commander of Kutno Recruitment Area Command) • Lieutenant Colonel Józef II Kuś (12 March 1929 – 31 March 1930 → commander of Równe Recruitment Area Command) • Major Jan Palewicz (acting, 31 March 1930 • Lieutenant Colonel (23 March 1932 – 1937 → commander of Rawa Ruska Recruitment Area Command) • Lieutenant Colonel Stanisław Ignacy Kurcz (until March 1939 → commander of 37th Infantry Regiment) • Quartermaster (Second Deputy) • Major Jan Władysław Smoter Soldiers of the 37th Infantry Regiment – victims of the Katyn Massacre Sources: Further details on the soldiers' biographies can be accessed through resources provided by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Katyn Museum. == Notes ==