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Bolesław Chocha (born August 6, 1923; died May 2, 1987) was a Polish military commander, publicist, and military theorist. Bolesław held the rank of divisional general in the Polish People's Army and also served as Chief of the General Staff of the Army. In addition to his military career, he was a political and social activist. He was born in Grodno and passed away in Józefów.
Biography
editBy the time World War Two had initiated, Bolesław had completed four grades at the state gymnasium and high school named after Adam Mickiewicz in Grodno. Due to his father—Konstanty—constantly engaging in battles with the Red Army, the NKVD deported him and his family to Kazakhstan in February 1940 in retaliation. During his time in Kazakhstan, he worked as a blacksmith and carpenter.[1]
In May 1943, Bolesław joined the Red Army, volunteering for the 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division; he was later promoted to the rank of ensign. He fought as a platoon commander in the machine gun company of the 3rd battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment [pl]. In the beginning of 1944, he became the deputy commander of the 8th company; later, he completed a battalion command course at the Officers' Infantry School in Ryazan and, as a distinguished graduate, remained in its staff—even after the school was relocated to Lublin—as the head of the head of the scientific department of the heavy machine gun battalion. In September that same year, he was transferred to Staff of the Military District Command No. VII in Lublin, serving there as the inspector of combat training in the department. From March to May 1947, he participated in operations against the Ukrainian Insurgent Army as part of the Vistula Operational Group [pl].[1]
From 1948 to 1951, he studied at the General Staff Academy as a senior lecturer in general tactics. From August 1953, he was the deputy head of the Department of General Tactics and Staff Services, from September 1954, the deputy head of the Department of General Tactics, and from October 1956, the deputy head of the Department of General Tactics and Operational Art for general tactics.[1]
In December 1957, he was awarded the title of Paratrooper of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of the Polish People's Republic. On July 13, 1960, by virtue of a resolution of the Council of State of the Polish People's Republic, he promoted to the rank of brigadier general, later being elevated to the rank of division general by July 30.[1]