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Władysław Anders

Surname Anders Given Name Władysław Born 11 Aug 1892 Died 12 May 1970 Country Poland Category Military-Ground Gender Male

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseWładysław Anders was born in the village of Krośniewice-Blonie, near Kutno in Poland, which was then part of the Russian Empire. His father, Albert Anders, was of German ethnicity from the Baltic states region; his mother's name was Elizabeth. He studied at the Riga Technical University, and during WW1 he served as a junior officer with the Russian 1st Krechowiecki Lancers Regiment. After the Polish independence, he joined the Polish Army as a cavalry officer.

ww2dbaseWhen Germany and Russia invaded Poland in Sep 1939, Anders commanded a cavalry unit, and was wounded a number of times during the failed defensive. He was taken prisoner by Russian forces in late Sep, and was imprisoned in Lwów, Poland and then at the Lubyanka prison in Moscow, Russia. On 22 Jun 1941, he was released on the grounds that he would lead a Polish unit to fight against the Germans. Instead of fighting on the side of the Russians, however, he led his men to the Middle East to form the Polish 2nd Corps. In 1943, the 2nd Corps was sent by the Western Allies to Italy, where Anders' men were instrumental in the Battle of Monte Cassino.

ww2dbaseAfter WW2, Lieutenant General Anders chose to live in the United Kingdom instead of Poland, as Poland was now essentially a puppet state in the Soviet Union. He served as the inspector general of the Polish forces-in-exile while living in London. He passed away in 1970, and was buried at the Polish War Cemetery at Monte Cassino, where many of his men lost their lives.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Sep 2008

Władysław Anders Timeline

11 Aug 1892 Wladyslaw Anders was born. 17 Jun 1944 Wladyslaw Anders was made the Allied commander of the Adriatic sector of the Italian theater of war. 12 May 1970 Wladyslaw Anders passed away.

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