Voluntary Legion of Women (Polish: Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet (OLK)) was a voluntary Polish paramilitary organization, created by women in Lviv in late 1918. At that time possession of the city was contested by the Poles and Ukrainians, and women decided to assist the Polish soldiers in all possible ways, including fighting on the front line.
Creation of the Legion, as this was original name of the organization, is attributed to Major Aleksandra Zagórska, who was the commander of female couriers during the Polish–Ukrainian War. During the fighting, Zagórska lost her teenage son, 14-year-old Jerzy Bitschan, who was killed by Ukrainian shells on the Lychakiv Cemetery, and about whom several songs were later written. Altogether, 66 Polish women died fighting in Lviv in late 1918.
During the Polish–Soviet War of 1919–1921, Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet, which grew to 2,500 members, helped the Polish Army in such places as Warsaw and Vilnius (from May 1919). In Vilnius, in mid-1920, Polish women under Wanda Gertz defended the city, facing the Mounted Corps of Gai Khan.
After the war, in 1923, the organization was dissolved. Five years later, members of the OLK created the organization Przysposobienie Wojskowe Kobiet (Women's Military Training").
ReferencesEdit
Marcinkiewicz-Gołaś Anna, "Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet: 1918-1922" ("Voluntary Legion of Women: 1918-1922"), Warsaw, PAT, 2006, ISBN9788392188148(in Polish)
Leinwand, Artur (2008). "Obrona Lwowa w Listopadzie 1918 Roku ("The defence of Lviv, November 1918")". Instytut Lwowski (in Polish). Retrieved 25 April 2012.
Kulesza-Kurowska, Janina (2005). . w.icm.edu.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
August 30, 2023
voluntary, legion, women, polish, ochotnicza, legia, kobiet, voluntary, polish, paramilitary, organization, created, women, lviv, late, 1918, that, time, possession, city, contested, poles, ukrainians, women, decided, assist, polish, soldiers, possible, ways, . Voluntary Legion of Women Polish Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet OLK was a voluntary Polish paramilitary organization created by women in Lviv in late 1918 At that time possession of the city was contested by the Poles and Ukrainians and women decided to assist the Polish soldiers in all possible ways including fighting on the front line Ochotnicza Legia KobietActive1918 1923Country PolandBranchPolish ArmyTypeAuxiliary InfantrySize2 500EngagementsPolish Ukrainian WarPolish Soviet WarCommandersNotablecommandersAleksandra Zagorska Creation of the Legion as this was original name of the organization is attributed to Major Aleksandra Zagorska who was the commander of female couriers during the Polish Ukrainian War During the fighting Zagorska lost her teenage son 14 year old Jerzy Bitschan who was killed by Ukrainian shells on the Lychakiv Cemetery and about whom several songs were later written Altogether 66 Polish women died fighting in Lviv in late 1918 During the Polish Soviet War of 1919 1921 Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet which grew to 2 500 members helped the Polish Army in such places as Warsaw and Vilnius from May 1919 In Vilnius in mid 1920 Polish women under Wanda Gertz defended the city facing the Mounted Corps of Gai Khan After the war in 1923 the organization was dissolved Five years later members of the OLK created the organization Przysposobienie Wojskowe Kobiet Women s Military Training References EditMarcinkiewicz Golas Anna Ochotnicza Legia Kobiet 1918 1922 Voluntary Legion of Women 1918 1922 Warsaw PAT 2006 ISBN 9788392188148 in Polish Leinwand Artur 2008 Obrona Lwowa w Listopadzie 1918 Roku The defence of Lviv November 1918 Instytut Lwowski in Polish Retrieved 25 April 2012 Kulesza Kurowska Janina 2005 Kobieta zolnierz w sluzbie Ojczyzny 1939 1947 Women soldiers in the service of their homeland 1939 1947 w icm edu pl in Polish Archived from the original on 29 September 2011 Retrieved 25 April 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Voluntary Legion of Women amp oldid 1016197856, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
