Remigiusz Kasprzycki

Plamy na honorze

Introduction

Plamy na honorze. „Plamy na honorze”: Dezercje oficerów Wojska Polskiego przed II WŚ. Kradzieże, współpraca z agentami, sprawa majora Kraussa i jego szpiegostwo. Szokujący skandal.

Abstract

HONOR DISGRACED: PRE-WORLD WAR II DESERTIONS OF POLISH ARMY OFFICERS During the Interwar period, desertions plagued the Polish Army. Many officers were counted among the thousands of rank-and-file soldiers who deserted prior to 1939. The desertion of officers was the most shocking of all peacetime abandonments, as they were supposed to be patriotic leaders of the men under their command. Officers deserted for myriad reasons, including fear of prosecution for illicit behavior, such as theft, and the discovery of cooperation or collusion with foreign agents. Of all the officer desertions during this period, the most spectacular took place in 1930 when Major Stanisław Krauss defected to Belgium and France. In 1934, a French court sentenced him to 5 years in prison for spying on French forces for Germany. The trial hit press headlines worldwide.

Review

This abstract presents a compelling and undoubtedly important topic: the desertion of Polish Army officers in the Interwar period, an aspect of military history often obscured or downplayed. The title, "Plamy na honorze" (Honor Disgraced), powerfully encapsulates the central theme, immediately drawing attention to a sensitive and potentially scandalous issue for any military institution. By focusing on officers, the proposed study promises to delve into more than just economic hardship or simple desertion, hinting at deeper structural, moral, or political vulnerabilities within the nascent Polish state's defense forces. This promises to be a valuable contribution to both Polish history and the broader study of military discipline and national security in the interwar era. The abstract effectively highlights the multi-faceted reasons behind these abandonments, ranging from fear of prosecution for illicit behavior like theft to the more alarming discovery of cooperation with foreign agents. The inclusion of the spectacular case of Major Stanisław Krauss, his defection to Belgium and France, and subsequent conviction for spying for Germany, provides a concrete and internationally resonant example that underscores the gravity of the phenomenon. While Krauss's case is compelling, the abstract could further strengthen its argument by briefly indicating the *breadth* of these desertions beyond just "many officers" and "thousands of rank-and-file soldiers." A brief mention of the frequency or different types of officer-level desertions (e.g., lower vs. higher ranks, different corps) could further underscore the "plague" analogy and the scope of the problem the paper intends to investigate. Overall, this promises to be a fascinating and necessary examination of a period of considerable national insecurity and institutional fragility. The research, by illuminating these "blots on honor," has the potential to shed light on not only the individual failings of officers but also the broader challenges faced by the interwar Polish Army in establishing discipline, loyalty, and combating espionage. Such a study would be invaluable for understanding the complex social, political, and military dynamics that shaped Poland prior to the Second World War. I anticipate this paper will offer significant insights into military ethics, intelligence counter-measures, and the very definition of patriotism in a young nation, making it a highly relevant and impactful piece of scholarship.

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