Officer's patent of J. Wasilewski

Officer's commission no. 573/33, printed on paper, designed by J. Jastrzębowski, given to the last commander of the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment – Jerzy Wasilewski – in 1933, signed by President Ignacy Mościcki and Marshal Józef Piłsudski. The history of officer's commissions in Second Republic of Poland has started with a decree of the Regency Council of 12 October 1918. The document stated that the army, upon being sworn in, will be overseen by the Council, which would sign off on all officer appointments. The Council also approved existing appointments and promotions of officers who had fought on the various fronts of World War I. Since 11 November 1918 the military ranks of officers were given initially by the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army and later by the Head of State, issuing appropriate decrees. In subsequent years, this was done by the President of Poland and the Minister of Military Affairs. The commission confirmed the first promotion. It included the date, the number of seniors and the personnel. Commissions were drafted on parchment and later on handmade paper, richly adorned with military symbols. In the middle at the top was the title – “Officer's Commission” – and the coat of arms of Poland. At the bottom there is a round military seal and the motto “Honour and Homeland”. The content of the commission included the justification for the nomination, including the qualities of the officer, as well as their ability to fulfil the duties of the rank and readiness to sacrifice everything for the Good and Glory of the Homeland. Starting in 1936, the commissions were accompanied with certificates with a signature of the President of Poland, the Minister of Military Affairs and the Head of the Personnel Bureau. Moreover, all promotions were announced in the “Personal Journal of the Ministry of Military Affairs”. Joanna Kluz