"They fought for their family. They fought for their freedom. They fought for those who came before them. Most of all - they fought for their beloved homeland - Poland".
"They" were known by different names - - The Haller Army, the Blue Army(Błękitna Armia), and also as the Polish Legion in France. This Blue Army (they wore horizon blue French uniforms) was the Polish contribution to the forces on the western front in WWI. They initially trained and fought under the French, but they fought in the name of Poland and for the ultimate goal of Polish independence. By the war's end this force was officially recognized as the independent Polish Army and their leader was General Jozef Haller (the former leader of the 2nd Polish Legion under the Austrians).
On June 18, 1918, the first of the newly formed Polish forces finally got their chance to join in the fighting in France. The First Polish Regiment relieved the Tennessee "Wildcat" 81st Division at the front in the Champagne region. This First Polish Regiment was made up of a variety of men including former POW's from Europe, but the large majority (around 3 quarters) of the men where Polish volunteers from America.
Their fighting during this first combat won them recognition of their valor at a special military review held four days later. This event marked the first time since 1831 that an army unit flying the Polish colors had taken part in battle, a truly historic moment for Poles and their hopes of independence!
Józef Haller von Hallenburg (August 13, 1873 – June 4, 1960) was a Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, legionary in Polish Legions, harcmistrz (the highest Scouting instructor rank in Poland), the President of The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP), political and social activist, Stanisław Haller de Hallenburg's cousin.
Enlisted:
Szeregowy
Starszy Szeregowy
Non-commissioned officer:
Kapral
Starszy Kapral
Plutonowy
Sierżant
Starszy Sierżant
Młodszy Chorąży
Chorąży
Starszy chorąży
Commissioned officer
Podporucznik
Porucznik
Kapitan
Major
Podpułkownik
Pułkownik
