Mikołaj Bołtuć

Mikołaj Bołtuć (born 21 December 1893 in Petersburg, killed in battle 22 September 1939 near Łomianki) was a brigadier-general of the Polish Army, commanded the IV Polish infantry Division during World War II. he was the son of Ignacy Bołtuć, Russian General of Polish descent, coat of arms Dołęga and Anna Bołtuciowa, de domo Łabuńska, of Rzeczyca.

History

Joined the Russian Kadet officers school in Omsk at age seven. Participated in the Russian-Finnish war (of 1917) with distinction; socially circulated close to the court of Nicholas II. As a captain of the (white) Russian army fought the revolutionary forces, till evacuation of Odessa where he commanded the last leaving vessel. Joined the Polish military, commanding units near Kamieniec Podolski and elsewhere. During the Soviet-Polish war of 1920 commanded Strzelcy Kaniowscy. Against the orders of Gen. Haller (and with support of Gen. Kuliński and the head of French advisors Gen. Mourreau) Bołtuć, still as a captain, took Wyszków (18-20.08), the location of the puppet government organized by the Bolsheviks. Also commanded the defense of Zamość (25.08 - 02.09.1920). Between the wars worked for the General Command, later command functions in Wilno and Toruń. His nominations to the general rank were held for several years, in part due to his anti-religious attitude and reservations towards Poland's military spending patterns. Known for clarity of judgment and leadership skills, also under enemy fire. During World War II commanded an Operation Group (a unit short of an army) within the Army Pomorze. The only Polish unit that, for two days, entered the territory of East Prussia during World War II, withstanding attacks of much larger German forces. Due to the danger of being flanked Boltuc had to withdraw to Modlin. When the Modlin Stronghold was not able to accept his soldiers, only the officers, he let his soldiers demobilize, which most did not do. He also encouraged volunteers to go with him and try to sneak through the German siege of Warsaw. According to written family records, leaving home before World War II he said "This is not the war we are going to win and I am not the kind of a soldier who would surrender". In the morning of 22 September died in battle, with over 2000 soldiers, on the battle field near Łomianki, under the sniper fire. Most of his soldiers are at the Łomianki cemetery near Warsaw. Gen. Boltuc's tomb, in a form of a field stone, is at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.