Edward Rydz-Śmigły Military person

Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły [ˈɛdvard ˈrɨdz ˈɕmiɡwɨ] (13px ) (11 March 1886 – 2 December 1941); nom de guerre Śmigły, Tarłowski, Adam Zawisza) was a Polish politician, statesman, Marshal of Poland, Commander-in-Chief of Poland's armed forces as well as a talented painter and a poet. After many earlier military successes as an army commander during the Polish-Soviet War, following Piłsudski's death, Rydz succeeded as General Inspector of the Armed Forces in 1935. He served in that capacity during the Invasion of Poland, which marked the beginning of World War II.During the interwar period, Edward Rydz-Śmigły, an honored warrior for Poland‘s freedom and independence, was exceedingly popular. His military record of service in the Polish Legions and during the Polish-Soviet War of 1920 was filled with success, and his popularity grew upon his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces following Józef Piłsudski‘s death. One of the highest positions in the country, it gave its occupant the ability to influence matters dealing with the defense of the country. It was significant that as Commander-in-Chief he automatically was the top military leader in time of war. Initially Rydz-Śmigły did not surround himself with any organized political group, but over time he gave up the role of a disinterested observer of social life and began to step out publicly. His speeches increasingly took on a political hue. Having few political connections and taking advantage of the feuds within the ruling elite following Piłsudski‘s death, he gradually emerged at its pinnacle. Yet his tenure was characterised by grave domestic problems and a lack of much success in foreign policy. The ruling elite attempted to draw attention away from these problems by promoting Rydz-Śmigły as Piłsudski‘s heir and thus create a natural magnet for all of society in a wave of propaganda and slogans, giving rise to the notion that his leadership would lead Poland from her adverse sociopolitical situation.From 1937 on, the increasing threat from Hitler's Germany further strengthened Rydz‘s stature as the "first soldier of the Republic". As war threatened, political differences abated and the defense of the country became a national priority, and Rydz‘s prominence even eclipsed that of the president. Posters bearing his image adorned public buildings and bulletin boards, as his athletic pose, and gentle smile evoked confidence. His popularity reached its zenith just before the outbreak of hostilities, including adulatory songs, poetry, and almost daily revelations about his life in the press.In September 1939, the entire "Rydz legend" diminished and died, as if it was never created: the Polish defeat was such a shock that it was impossible to evaluate the marshal‘s legacy objectively, creating a historic and graphical paradox. Until now, his fate, so much tied to critical events, did not attain a reliable evaluation. Laudatory accounts written before the Second World War served ideological ends, well-demonstrated by the way they were written. In both underground and exile literature about Rydz, it is possible to discern two major points of view. One presents him as a coward and even a betrayer who abandoned the Polish armed forces. The other defends the military and foreign policies of the Sanacja leaders prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Post-Second World War Polish historiography lacks a broader perspective devoted entirely to the marshal, instead focusing on other problems or issues during the period from 1935 to 1939. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the appraisals in existing literature, as well as unwritten tradition to illustrate Rydz-Śmigły as a military and political leader.