Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Nowy SÄ…cz, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland
About Jan Berek
- Jan Berek (1896 - 1986) was a soldier of the Austro-Hungarian Army and General brygady of the Polish Army, who fought in World War One, Polish–Soviet War and the Invasion of Poland.
- Born on August 19, 1896 in Nowy Sacz, Austrian Galicia, Berek studied medicine at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków.
- In May 1918 he joined Polish Military Organisation, and in November of the same year he fought in the Battle of Lemberg, as leader of a company in 5th Legions' Infantry Regiment.
- In February 1919, Berek became company leader in the 9th Legions Infantry Regiment, stationed at Lublin.
- He remained in his post until April 1926, fighting in the Polish–Soviet War.
- On June 1, 1919, Berek was promoted to major.
- In the second half of 1926, Berek served in 83rd Infantry Regiment at Kobryn.
- In December 1926 he was transferred back to 9th Legions Infantry Regiment, and in the period May 1929 - September 1931, he attended Wyzsza Szkola Wojenna in Warsaw.
- After completing his officer course, he was chief of staff of the 4th Infantry Division, stationed in Torun (1931 - 1934), and in 1934 - 36, he commanded 1st Rifle Battalion in Chojnice.
- Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on January 1, 1935, Berek served at the Polish General Staff (October 1936 - July 1939).
- A few weeks before the Invasion of Poland, he was sent to Jaroslaw, to command 3rd Legions' Infantry Regiment.
- Berek remained in his post until the capitulation of Modlin Fortress, on September 29, 1939 (see Battle of Modlin).
- After the capitulation of Modlin, Berek was captured and spent World War II in an Oflag.
- Released in May 1945, he went first to Italy and then to Great Britain, settling in London.
- He was an active member of Polish emigree circles, in 1958 founding the Association of Polish Philatelists in Great Britain.
- On May 26, 1978, Berek was named chairman of Supreme Audit Office in Exile, replacing Wladyslaw Zaleski.
- On May 15, following the decision of President in Exile Edward Raczynski, Berek became Minister of Military Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Kazimierz Sabbat.
- In 1983, Berek was promoted to General brygady.
- Jan Berek died on June 18, 1986 in London.
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