Father Mieczysław. Mother Wanda née Zaleska. Sister Jadwiga. Brother Władysław. Wife Irena née Lamezan-Salins. Sons Adam and Jerzy. A graduate of the Military Academy - Franz Józef Militär Akademie in Vienna.

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General Tadeusz Bór Komorowski came from one of the oldest aristocratic Polish families and his direct ancestors, bearing the Korczak coat of arms, owned estates, among others. in the Trembowla district. We are talking about the already mentioned person, Adam Komorowski (probably the General's 6th great-grandfather), who was the owner of the estate in Łoszniów. He gifted the Carmelite order, brought to Trembowla in 1617 by the then starosta Piotr Ożga from Ossa, with a significant sum of 6000 zlotys for the construction of a church. (…)

Due to the very difficult financial situation of the family and encouraged by Rozwadowski, after graduating in 1913 junior high school in Lviv, he entered the Franz Josef Militӓr-Akademie in Vienna (in later years he graduated from the Lviv Polytechnic University). When asked by Kornel Krzeczunowicz about the reasons for the decision, he replied that he had thought it over and that in the future Poland would need "real soldiers." A surprisingly mature statement for an eighteen-year-old who likes sports. At the same time, Count Władysław studied at the Academy. Piniński. After graduating from the Academy in 1915, as a cavalry cadet, he became a second lieutenant with seniority on March 15, 1915. in the Home Defense Uhlan Regiment No. 3, renamed two years later to 3. Mounted Rifle Regiment. From 1914 r. There were military operations going on and Tadeusz took part in them on the Russian and Italian fronts. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1916. with seniority from 1. November. In 1918 when Captain Józef Dunin-Borkowski began to organize the 3rd Mounted Rifle Regiment in Dębica, soon (in February 1918) renamed the 9th Uhlan Regiment, Lieutenant Tadeusz Komorowski, who brought a group of soldiers equipped with twelve machine guns straight from the Italian front (in Grazu fought a battle with Austrian soldiers trying to take their weapons), he joined the emerging regiment and was its co-organizer. He took part in the war with the Ukrainians in 1919. and in 1920 - with the Bolsheviks. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, as a cavalry captain in the 12th Podolia Uhlan Regiment, leading the regiment into battle on August 31 during the Battle of Komarov, he was wounded, but initially treated on the battlefield, he refused to leave and only in the evening was he forcibly sent by General Rómmel to field hospital. He was verified as a captain (seniority from June 1, 1919). locomotive 69), in 1923 for participating in the war of 1918-1921 he was awarded on January 26, 1922. awarded the Order of Virtuti Militari class V (no. 3001). He remained loyal to the cavalry. After the end of combat operations and partial demobilization, Komorowski's riding talent was most likely noticed, because already at the end of November 1920 he was entrusted with teaching horse riding in the regiment. In 1921 he returned to the 9th Uhlan Regiment, taking up the position of deputy commander of the regiment, then stationed in Żółkiew. In 1922 Komorowski left the regiment after being transferred to a ten-month horse riding improvement course at the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, and at the end of that year he was entrusted with the position of a horse riding instructor at the Artillery Officers' School in Toruń, where he trained the first round of cadets. In the same year, the Regiment partially settled in Czortków (regiment headquarters, communications platoon, squadrons of the 2nd and heavy machine gun), partly in Wygnanka near the city, and the 1st and 3rd squadrons in 4. – in Trembowla (the pioneer platoon was stationed in Brzeżany in those years, and the reserve squadron – in Stanisławów). He was promoted to the rank of major in 1923. (seniority from July 1, 1923 locomotive 22), and in 1924 was moved to 8. Uhlan Regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Władysław Bzowski (ex-husband of the famous poet, Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska, daughter of the painter Wojciech Kossak). The commander's strong emphasis on cavalry training allowed Komorowski to focus on what he liked the most - special sports training. Komorowski was in his element as the commander of the 2nd Division stationed in Kobierzyn near Kraków, where good conditions for horse riding allowed him to improve his skills. A dozen or so riders from this regiment practiced sports riding, and the horses belonged to the Polish top league - so they represented Poland in international competitions. Major Tadeusz Komorowski belonged to the group of Olympic athletes. Olympic Games in Paris in 1924

(…) this is the Polish team in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition, consisting of: Lt. Col. Karol Rómmel in Krechowiak, Capt. Kazimierz Suski on Katty Lady, Lt. Kazimierz Szosland on Hela and Major Tadeusz Komorowski on Amon overcame all obstacles very well. The riders made up for the lack of quality of horses with their bravado and excellent riding technique. In order not to tire the horses too much, Polish riders led them by the bridle for miles. The commission concluded that only Poles had completed the task in full. Ultimately, they placed seventh. In the general classification of the competition, Major Tadeusz Komorowski took 26th place. It was considered that achieving better results was not possible at that time due to the quality of the horses.

In 1926, he was entrusted with organizing the School of Professional Cavalry Non-Commissioned Officers in Lviv, and appointed commander of the School. The school's task was to standardize the training of professional cavalry non-commissioned officers from various conquering armies, increase discipline and train them. Moving the school to Jaworow, 50 km away from Lviv, allowed Komorowski to take part in competitions on the Lviv horse racing track. He used his own good half-bred horses and other horses for sports riding, which he trained himself, coming from the breeding farm of Count Tarnowski from Chorzelów. Most often he rode a bay mare, Great Granddaughter. He won many awards at races in Lviv, but he also competed successfully in indoor riding arena competitions. Sports success did not go hand in hand with a good personal life. After settling in Lviv, the family struggled with financial problems. Tadeusz Komorowski tried to help as much as he could, but he was unable to support her. The health problems of his brother and father, and the subsequent suicide of the latter, kept Tadeusz awake at night. However, he worked and trained, advancing and achieving success in equestrian sports. In November 1927, Major Tadeusz Komorowski took over the position of commander of the 9th Regiment after Lt. Col. Dipl. Janusz Pryziński, and on January 1, 1928, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel (seniority from January 1, 1928, location 18). The regiment was then stationed in Chortkiv and Trembowla.

In 1927, the Sokół-Macierza horse competition was held in Lviv. The end of the "Militari" race took place on May 17. Major Komorowski on Prawneczki won, scoring 1863 out of 2000 possible. Leon Krzeczunowicz, leading in the classification, was disqualified for avoiding an obstacle. A few days later, on May 23, Komorowski won the hunting race on his mare Ta Trzecia, winning the prize in the form of a golden cigarette case worth PLN 800, containing PLN 100. Komorowski appreciated this award very much. During this period, he met his future wife, Irena Lamezan-Salins, daughter of General Robert Lamezan-Salins. (…)

Col. Komorowski's numerous activities in the regiment did not constitute an obstacle to taking part in equestrian competitions. During this period, he planned to marry Irena Lamezan-Salins, daughter of General Robert Lamezan-Salins, in September. It was to take place in Świrz, an estate belonging to Irena's mother. During the Army Championships (later the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition), which Komorowski dreamed of winning, an accident occurred. During a cross-country race, in which he rode Granddaughter (born 1927), a mare he rode, on which he won many competitions by jumping over logs of wood, as a result of her leg catching on a log, the mare fell down, crushing the rider. He suffered a broken two ribs and a collarbone, and soon, in July, during the above-mentioned maneuvers, it suddenly swelled and ended up in the hospital. The diagnosis, considering the state of medical knowledge at that time, did not allow for optimism - a kidney was damaged during an earlier accident and the onset of uremia. Although the planned wedding was postponed, the treatment did not bring results. Only the therapy undertaken as a result of Dr. Alfred Edelmann's diagnosis in a hospital in Vienna and a several-month stay in Heluan in Egypt gave positive results. The wedding planned in Świrz took place on February 24, 1930, but far from Irena's family home, in a Polish church in Vienna. (…)

In 1933, Komorowski was promoted to the rank of colonel (with seniority from January 1, 1933). As recalled in his study by the officer of the 9th Regiment, the legendary Rtm. Edward Ksyk, "With the arrival of the new commander, a different spirit blew in the regiment." Exercises began to improve dressage riding under the supervision of the regiment commander, who practiced together with officers. At the same time, field exercises, map application exercises, combat training, drill and shooting were not neglected. Horse riding, previously practiced by a few officers, became a practice for all officer youth. We didn't have to wait long for the results - the level of riding in the squadrons significantly increased. Careful clothing began to be worn, old coats, still from American deliveries from the war, were withdrawn (they were used to repair damaged trousers), replaced by Polish coats, made in accordance with applicable regulations. The level of training was gradually improving, but Colonel Komorowski constantly increased the requirements.

Before the Olympics, a competition was held in Nice, in which the players trained by Komorowski won the cup.

At the turn of 1935/36, Komorowski was assigned to the Cavalry Training Center in Grudziądz, and he was entrusted with the function of head of the equestrian team that was to represent Poland in 1936 at the XNUMXth Olympics in Berlin. The very fact of choosing a person who did not frequent Warsaw salons, but worked somewhere on the outskirts (Borderlands) of the Republic of Poland, and did not seek honors, positions and prestigious functions, proves that he was appreciated as a rider, organizer and diplomat. It is worth mentioning, however, that the level of training and the quality of horses of the Polish team did not promise success. (…)

As it turned out, Komorowski was able to inspire the competitors with such a willingness to fight that in the Comprehensive Riding Horse Competition, despite the fall of the captain. Kawecki, resulting in a painful cracked rib, willpower and dedication gave great results - a silver medal in this difficult competition. Winning the gold medal would have been possible if the Polish side had protested against the medal given to the winner, German lieutenant Konrad von Wangenheim, who, as a result of a fall, broken collarbone and fractured humerus, finished the race thanks to the help of his friend. (…)

The course of the Olympics aroused many protests due to the falsification of the results by the majority of German judges. When Polish competitors were unfairly given penalty points during one of the pre-race competitions, Komorowski protested so strongly that the unfair decision was eventually withdrawn. The Polish team consisted of: rtm. Zdzisław Kawecki, captain Seweryn Kulesza, captain Henryk Roycewicz-Leliwa took second place in the Multilateral Riding Horse Competition, scoring 911,7 points. (…)

Komorowski stayed in Grudziądz and already on the second day of the war, which began on September 1, 1939, with the Germans bombing Wieluń, he managed the evacuation of the Center to Garwolin and then headed the reserve center in Garwolin, including the Cavalry Training Center and the reserve centers of the Masovian and Pomeranian Cavalry Brigades. . Then, on September 3, Komorowski was entrusted with managing the defense of the section of the Vistula from Góra Kalwaria to Dęblin. The heroic fight for every piece of Polish land, for every village, grove, meadow, did not bring success. (…)

He began serving as commander of the Western Area in the fall of 1941. His wife followed him to Warsaw. In Warsaw, he used false documents in the name of Jerzy Korabski. The couple lived separately, in full conspiracy (her surname was Malinowska). Komorowski, in addition to his military duties, was tasked by Grot-Rowecki with maintaining contact with the government delegate, Cyryl Ratajski. In February 1942, the ZWZ was renamed the Home Army, whose command body was the Main Headquarters. (…)

The Uprising was taking place when the Soviet army stood on the other bank of the Vistula. Together with the Soviets, subordinated to them, Poles who joined the ranks of the Kosciuszko members to fight for Poland. One of them, a former officer of the 9th Małopolska Uhlan Regiment, Lt. Col. Edward Pisula, tried to cross the Vistula River at the head of his 3rd Uhlan Regiment of the Polish People's Army (he had previously practiced such operations on the Dniester with the 9th Regiment) to help the insurgents. Forcibly detained, he was imprisoned in Italy, where he was murdered. The faithful sons of the Republic of Poland were shaped this way by their commanders, such as General Komorowski, and this is how they saw service for Her, making the highest sacrifice. During the Uprising, Komorowski was ill; In addition to his poor physical and mental condition, he suffered from sinusitis. The symptoms worsened when he was injured. Finally, after 63 days of fighting, the actions were stopped and the "Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Warsaw" was signed in Ożarów Mazowiecki at the headquarters of Obergruppenführer Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski. General Tadeusz "Bór" Komorowski was captured by the Germans. (…)

After the intervention of the Swiss envoy Feldscher, he was released from captivity. It was liberated near Innsbruck by American soldiers of the 103rd Infantry Division. After a short stay in the Polish Military Center (former Oflag VIIA Murnau) and Paris, a few days after the capitulation of Germany, he arrived in London on May 12, 1945.

Despite so many achievements and decorations, the General did not receive any salary from the British government after the war; he and his wife received only small amounts from the Home Army, which was not enough to support themselves. Irena ran an upholstery company where they both worked. During this period, Komorowski made several trips related to his function to the USA, where he participated in the anniversary celebrations of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising. He received job offers as a consultant but did not accept them. He did not forget about his subordinates, Home Army soldiers, still in prisoner of war camps in Germany. He sought permission from the English to emigrate from Germany to England. In the face of strong opposition, he demanded permission to go to Germany to the POW camp where they were staying.

General Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski died suddenly of a heart attack while hunting near Bletchley.

The greatness of the General, his outstanding personality and the character traits of this steadfast Pole-Patriot are so intimidating that choosing the right words to express admiration and respect is extremely difficult. However, it is worth quoting a few statements of those people who characterized the General's character. (…)

Author: Barbara Seidel
Source: General Tadeusz Bór Komorowski (2024)