Tweets by Hoi game on 02 Apr

Snapshot Sundays continue with some more Women's History! Today's snapshot takes a look at Maria Wittek, A veteran of military and clandestine action who eventually became the first woman to achieve the rank of General in the Polish Military. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Exk82pZWgAAxt2_.jpg

She then became a member of the Women's Volunteers and fought in the battle for Lwów during the Polish-Bolshevik War. In doing so she received her first accolade - a Virtuti Militari, Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExlEjPeWUAI5zvg.jpg

Maria's life was filled with firsts. She was the first woman to study mathematics at the university of Kiev all the while training to be an NCO in a secret military organization operating in Poland under Imperial Russian rule!

During the Invasion of Poland, she served as the commanding officer for the Women's Military Assistance Battalions. Following Poland's fall she joined the ZWZ and then the Home army.

Finally she initiated the establishment of the "Commission for the History of Women" and was finally appointed Brigadier General following the collapse of communist rule. She passed away in 1997.

She fought in the Warsaw Uprising and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel for her actions. She avoided capture after the capitulation by hiding in Warsaw's ruins and escaping amongst civilians. She continued to serve in the Home Army until its dissolution in 1945. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExlDQTbWgAEPlgN.jpg

After the war, She retuned to her work at the Institute of Physical Education and Military Training following the war, heading up the Women's Division. However, she was arrested by Communist Authorities authorities and spent several months in prison.