Jan Zygmunt Emil Berek (1896–1986) was a soldier of the

Austro-Hungarian Army The Austro-Hungarian Army (, literally "Ground Forces of the Austro-Hungarians"; , literally "Imperial and Royal Army") was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint arm ...

and Generał brygady of the

Polish Army The Land Forces () are the land forces of the Polish Armed Forces. They currently contain some 62,000 active personnel and form many components of the European Union and NATO deployments around the world. Poland's recorded military history str ...

, who fought in World War I,

Polish–Soviet War The Polish–Soviet War (Polish–Bolshevik War, Polish–Soviet War, Polish–Russian War 1919–1921) * russian: Советско-польская война (''Sovetsko-polskaya voyna'', Soviet-Polish War), Польский фронт (' ...

and the

Invasion of Poland The invasion of Poland (1 September – 6 October 1939) was a joint attack on the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union which marked the beginning of World War II. The German invasion began on 1 September 1939, one week af ...

. Born on 19 August 1896 in

Nowy Sącz Nowy Sącz (; hu, Újszandec; yi, Tzanz, צאַנז; sk, Nový Sonč; german: Neu-Sandez) is a city in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship of southern Poland. It is the district capital of Nowy Sącz County as a separate administrative unit. It ha ...

, Austrian

Galicia Galicia may refer to: Geographic regions * Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain ** Gallaecia, a Roman province ** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia ** The medieval King ...

, Berek studied medicine at the Jagiellonian University in

Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 159 ...

. In May 1918 he joined

Polish Military Organisation The Polish Military Organisation, PMO ( pl, Polska Organizacja Wojskowa, POW) was a secret military organization which formed during World War I (1914-1918). Józef Piłsudski founded the group in August 1914; it adopted the name ''POW'' in Novem ...

, and in November of the same year he fought in the Battle of Lemberg, as leader of a company in

5th Legions' Infantry Regiment 5th Legions Infantry Regiment of Józef Piłsudski (, abbreviated to 5 pp Leg.) was an infantry regiment of the Polish Army in 1918–1939. It was garrisoned in Vilnius as part of the 1st Legions Infantry Division. Formation In the final d ...

. In February 1919, Berek became company leader in the 9th Legions Infantry Regiment, stationed at

Lublin Lublin is the ninth-largest city in Poland and the second-largest city of historical Lesser Poland. It is the capital and the center of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 336,339 (December 2021). Lublin is the largest Polish city east of ...

. He remained in his post until April 1926, fighting in the Polish–Soviet War. On 1 June 1919 Berek was promoted to major. In the second half of 1926, Berek served in 83rd Infantry Regiment at

Kobryn Kobryn ( be, Кобрын; russian: Кобрин; pl, Kobryń; lt, Kobrynas; uk, Кобринь, Kobryn'; yi, קאָברין) is a city in the Brest Region of Belarus and the center of the Kobryn District. The city is located in the southwe ...

. In December 1926 he was transferred back to 9th Legions Infantry Regiment, and in the period May 1929 – September 1931, he attended

Wyższa Szkoła Wojenna The National Defence University of Warsaw ( – AON) was the civil-military highest defence academic institution in Poland, located in Warszawa–Rembertów. In 2016 it was succeeded by the War Studies University. The National Defence Universit ...

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is official ...

. After completing his officer course, he was chief of staff of the 4th Infantry Division, stationed in

Toruń )'' , image_skyline = , image_caption = , image_flag = POL Toruń flag.svg , image_shield = POL Toruń COA.svg , nickname = City of Angels, Gingerbread city, Copernicus Town , pushpin_map = Kuyavian-Pom ...

(1931–1934), and in 1934 – 36, he commanded 1st Rifle Battalion in

Chojnice Chojnice (; , or ''Chòjnice''; german: Konitz or ''Conitz'') is a town in northern Poland with 39,423 inhabitants as of December 2021, near the Tuchola Forest. It is the capital of the Chojnice County in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. History Pi ...

. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 1 January 1935, Berek served at the Polish General Staff (October 1936 – July 1939). A few weeks before the

, he was sent to

Jarosław Jarosław (; uk, Ярослав, Yaroslav, ; yi, יאַרעסלאָוו, Yareslov; german: Jaroslau) is a town in south-eastern Poland, with 38,970 inhabitants, as of 30 June 2014. Situated in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship (since 1999), previ ...

, to command

3rd Legions' Infantry Regiment Third Legions Infantry Regiment (Polish language: 3. Pulk Piechoty Legionów; 3 pp Leg.) was an infantry unit of Polish Legions in World War I, Polish Army and the Home Army. It existed in 1914–1939 and 1944–1945. The regiment was formed in th ...

. Berek remained in his post until the capitulation of

Modlin Fortress Modlin Fortress ( pl, Twierdza Modlin) is one of the largest 19th-century fortresses in Poland. It is located in the town of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki in district Modlin on the Narew river, approximately 50 kilometers north of Warsaw. It was or ...

, on 29 September 1939 (see

Battle of Modlin ] The Battle of Modlin was a battle that took place during the 1939 German invasion of Poland at the beginning of the Second World War. Modlin Fortress was initially the headquarters of the Modlin Army until its retreat eastwards. From 13 to 29 ...

). After the capitulation of Modlin, Berek was captured and spent World War II in an Oflag. Released in May 1945, he went first to Italy and then to Great Britain, settling in London. He was an active member of Polish emigree circles, in 1958 founding the ''Association of Polish

Philatelists Philately (; ) is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting or the study of postage; it is possi ...

'' in Great Britain. On 26 May 1978 Berek was named chairman of Supreme Audit Office in Exile, replacing Władysław Zaleski. On 15 May, following the decision of President in Exile Edward Raczyński, Berek became Minister of Military Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Kazimierz Sabbat. In 1983, Berek was promoted to Generał brygady. Jan Berek died on 18 June 1986 in London.

Awards

* Gold Cross of the

Virtuti Militari The War Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin: ''"For Military Virtue"'', pl, Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari) is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war. It was created in 1792 by Polish King Stan ...

, * Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari (1921), * Cavalier's Cross of the

Order of Polonia Restituta , image=Polonia Restituta - Commander's Cross pre-1939 w rib.jpg , image_size=200px , caption=Commander's Cross of Polonia Restituta , presenter = the President of Poland , country = , type=Five classes , eligibility=All , awar ...

, * Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, *

Cross of Valour (Poland) The Cross of Valour ( pl, Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valour and courage on the f ...

, * Gold

Cross of Merit (Poland) The Cross of Merit () is a Polish civil state decoration established on 23 June 1923, to recognize services to the state. History At the time of its establishment in 1923, the Cross of Merit was the highest civilian award in Poland. It was aw ...

Sources

* Tadeusz Kryska-Karski, Stanisław Żurakowski, Generałowie Polski niepodległej, Editions Spotkania, Warszawa 1991 {{DEFAULTSORT:Berek, Jan 1896 births 1986 deaths People from Nowy Sącz Military personnel of the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Polish generals Knights of the Virtuti Militari Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland) Prisoners of Oflag II-C Polish emigrants to the United Kingdom