Jan Gabryś (English)

Z Historia Wisły

Jan Rudolf Gabryś was born on January 1, 1891, in Kraków, the son of Paweł and Marcela (née Odziomek). During World War I, he initially served in the Austro-Hungarian army, where he completed an infantry officer training course. From November 1918, he became a soldier in the Polish Army, participating in the 1918–1920 wars for Polish independence, including the Polish–Soviet War. As a captain (promoted in 1919), he commanded the 13th Infantry Regiment from August 29 to September 18. He was a career military officer.

After the war, he served in the 13th Infantry Regiment from 1921 to 1922, while also attending an advanced training course at the Higher War School in Warsaw. In 1922, he was promoted to major. From 1922 to 1926, he served as chief of training at the Headquarters of the 5th Corps District in Kraków. On August 15, 1924, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1926, he transferred to the General Organizational Bureau of the Ministry of Military Affairs in Warsaw, while also being assigned to the Infantry Officers Cadre.

In 1928, he was transferred to the 32nd Infantry Regiment in Modlin, first as deputy commander, then as regimental commander.

On April 1, 1932, he was appointed commander of the County Recruitment Command in Jarocin. From 1934, he served as head of the District Office of Physical Education and Military Training at the 5th Corps District Headquarters in Kraków, and later held the same position at the 4th Corps District Headquarters in Łódź until September 4, 1937.

From 1938, he commanded the “Cieszyn” National Defense Battalion of the Silesian-Cieszyn National Defense Half-Brigade, participating in the annexation of Zaolzie.

On July 11, 1939, he was appointed commander of the 52nd Border Rifle Regiment, which, during the September Campaign, was part of the 12th Infantry Division under Brigadier General Gustaw Paszkiewicz, within Army Prusy. He took part in the Battle of Iłża on September 8, 1939.

He managed to escape German encirclement but was later captured by the Soviets while attempting to reach the East. He was imprisoned in the Starobilsk camp.

Jan Gabryś was murdered by the NKVD in April 1940 in Kharkiv.

In 2007, by decision of the President of Poland, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Other Roles Second Vice President of the Wisła Sports Society Board in the mid-1920s.