Jerzy Bitschan

Jerzy Bitschan (1904–1918), was a Polish secondary school student, boy scout, and Lwów Eaglet.

Biography Jerzy Bitschan was born on the 29 November 1904 in Czeladz in Congress Poland He was the only son of Aleksandra Zagórska from her first marriage. He lived with his mother and stepfather, Dr Roman Zagórski, in Kulparkiw in Lviv. Where he was considered to be an intelligent pupil, he also belonged to the 2nd Lviv Scout Troop.

After the Polish defence of Lviv began in November 1918 during the Polish-Ukrainian War, Jerzy Bitschan wanted to take part in the fighting. On 17 November, shortly after recovering from tonsillitis, his mother, who was serving in another part of the city at the time, visited him at home.

A book entitled Śpiewy historyczne (Historical Songs) by Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz was left on his desk with the page:

Listen, young knights To the mournful moans of the lute May it inspire in you a desire for fame Memories of ancient valour Listen to how a famous crown Was won by a brave young man Fighting in defence of his homeland And who died a noble death.

He then reported to the Polish army in Kulparków. According to an eyewitness account by Second Lieutenant Adam Plutecki, on the night of 20/21 November 1918, the Kulparków company received orders to attack and capture Pohulanka and Snopków. (at that time, Corporal Śliwiński was fatally wounded in the head). The next day, 22 November, after the liberation of Lviv by the Poles, the boy's bloodied body which was lying in the snow and covered with chrysanthemum. When it was found it was identified by his stepfather.

Legacy

The figure of Jurek Bitschan, who fell in the battles for Lviv, has become part of legend and a symbol of the sacrifice made by young people in defence of the city. After the boy's death, the popular Ballad of Jurek Bitschan was written to lyrics by poet Anna Fischerówna, who dedicated an eight-verse poem entitled Jurek Bitschan to the boy. The music was composed by Father Józef Polit, and the song was published in the New School Songbook in Przemyśl in 1920. verses 1, 7 and 8: "Dearest Mum, stay well I'm going to battle with my brothers Your words taught me Your example taught me..." It breaks, but falls again... "Oh, mother! Don't cry, don't!... Pure Queen of Heaven! Continue to guide me!..." The living fought until dawn, Until the golden rays of the sun, But without Jurek Bitschan, Because Jurek... had already passed away... In 1991, a street was named after Jurek Bitschan in Kraków's Prądnik Czerwony district. In Lublin, near the Lublin Castle, there is a square named after him.

On 13 May 1922, by decree of the Minister of Military Affairs Kazimierz Sosnkowski, Bitschan was posthumously awarded the Cross of Valour for the defence of Lwów.

On 22 April 1938, by order of Polish President Ignacy Mościcki, Bitschan was posthumously awarded the Cross of Independence for "work towards regaining independence".

Medals