1st Brigade, Polish Legions

Unit of the Austro-Hungarian Army (1914–1917) thumb|200px|Memorial badge of the I Brigade thumb|200px|Operations of the Polish Legions Brigade I of the Polish Legions (pl I Brygada Legionów Polskich, de-AT Brigade I der Polnischen Legion, hu A Lengyel Légió I. Dandárja) was a unit of Austro-Hungarian Army, manned by Poles under Austrian occupation, part of the Polish Legions in World War I, existing from 1914 to 1917.The Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War I (1): 1914-16 History The First Brigade was formed on December 19, 1914, as part of the Polish Legions in World War I. Until October 1916 the First Brigade was commanded by Józef Piłsudski, thereafter by Marian Żegota-Januszajtis. The First Brigade and the Third Brigade were disbanded after the 1917 Oath Crisis. The March of the First Brigade was one of the best-known songs of the Polish Legions. Combat Major battles fought by the First Brigade included: battle of Łowczówek (December 22–25, 1914) battle of Konary (May 16–25, 1915) battle of Jastków (July 30 – August 3, 1915) battle of Kamionka (August 4–7, 1915) battle of Kostiuchnówka (July 4–6, 1916) Organization The First Brigade comprised 3 infantry regiments (the 1st, 5th and 7th), a cavalry regiment (the 1st), artillery battalions, and support units. Composition thumb|right|200px|Józef Piłsudski awarding decorations to brigade members The First Brigade consisted mostly of young soldiers of intelligentsia origin from Congress Poland. O kształt niepodległej Friszke Andrzej Andrzej Friszke 1989 Biblioteka "Więzi" Warszawa 83-7006-014-5 55 Unlike regular military units characterised by military drill, relations between First Brigade soldiers and officers were collegial. The unit was inspired by Napoleonic-era ideas and the Polish uprisings, especially the January Uprising of 1863. Another characteristic of the First Brigade was its total devotion to commander Józef Piłsudski, seen as the only military, moral and political authority by his soldiers. Many writers, painters and other personalities of cultural life, served in the First Brigade. They include Wacław Sieroszewski, Andrzej Strug, Gustaw Daniłowski cs, Włodzimierz Tetmajer or Juliusz Kaden-Bandrowski. References Category:Military units and formations established in 1914 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1917 Category:Polish Legions infantry brigades of Austria-Hungary Category:1914 establishments in Poland