Alojzy Wir-Konas

Alojzy Wir-Konas, also known as Antoni Konas and by the pseudonym Wir (13 May 1894 – spring 1940), was a Polish infantry colonel of the Polish Army, a recipient of the Virtuti Militari, and a victim of the Katyn massacre. During the September Campaign of 1939, he commanded the reserve 38th Infantry Division. Wounded on 17 September 1939 while attempting to reach besieged Lwów, he was later taken into Soviet captivity, imprisoned at Starobielsk, and murdered by the NKVD in Kharkiv in spring 1940. In 2007 he was posthumously promoted to brigadier general.

Biography

Captain Alojzy Wir-Konas during his service in the Polish Legions.

Wir-Konas was born on 13 May 1894 in Maków, then part of Austria-Hungary. He was the son of Antoni and Wiktoria, née Płaszczak. His brother was Edward Konas, pseudonym Mur (1895–1916), a legionary who was posthumously decorated with the Virtuti Militari and the Cross of Independence.

On 29 June 1912, he completed his education at the Imperial-Royal Real Gymnasium No. IV in Kraków. He then began studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Jagiellonian University. He was a member of the Riflemen's Association.

On 3 May 1922, his rank was verified as lieutenant colonel, with seniority from 1 June 1919 and the 102nd position in the corps of infantry officers. With effect from 1 June 1923, he was transferred to the 84th Polesie Rifle Regiment in Pinsk as regimental commander. On 16 March 1927, he was promoted to colonel, with seniority from 1 January 1927 and the 5th position in the corps of infantry officers.

Family

Wir-Konas's wife was Antonina (1896–1991). They had three sons: Tadeusz (1921–1994), Jacek (1925–2002), and Janek. Cross of Independence (4 February 1932) Cross of Valour, awarded four times; the first and second awards were for service in the Polish Military Organisation in the former Austrian Partition and the former Austrian occupation zone Commemorative Medal for the War of 1918–1921 Medal of the Tenth Anniversary of Regained Independence

On 9 May 1938, the Committee of the Cross and Medal of Independence reconsidered his application, but did not award him the Cross of Independence with Swords.