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Haller's Army: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Polish.jpg|thumb]] | [[Image:Polish.jpg|thumb]] | ||
=== History === | |||
=== History === | |||
Although the United States did not enter WWI until April 6, 1917, in 1915 the Polish Falcons, headquartered in Philadelphia began recruiting Poles willing to serve in what might result at last in the freeing of their Polish Fatherland. These recruits were sent to Toronto where they were to be trained and would be considered part of the Canadian Army. | Although the United States did not enter WWI until April 6, 1917, in 1915 the Polish Falcons, headquartered in Philadelphia began recruiting Poles willing to serve in what might result at last in the freeing of their Polish Fatherland. These recruits were sent to Toronto where they were to be trained and would be considered part of the Canadian Army. | ||
In June of 1917 France decided to organize a Polish army. Initially it drew on its own Polish population as well as Poles who had managed to escape or were freed from prisoner of war camps. In October the United States, which had now joined the war and was actively forming an army of its own, authorized Poles whose citizenship status made them ineligible for the draft, to join the Polish Army in France. Eventually some | In June of 1917 France decided to organize a Polish army. Initially it drew on its own Polish population as well as Poles who had managed to escape or were freed from prisoner of war camps. In October the United States, which had now joined the war and was actively forming an army of its own, authorized Poles whose citizenship status made them ineligible for the draft, to join the Polish Army in France. Eventually some 25,000 men joined this group that followed the earlier Falcon groups first to Canada and then to France. | ||
In Europe, General Haller, a Pole who had been serving in the Austrian army, joined the Allied forces and was sent to France. As the highest-ranking officer, he was given command of the army in October 1918, which now became known as “Haller’s Army. Six months later the war ended. | In Europe, General Haller, a Pole who had been serving in the Austrian army, joined the Allied forces and was sent to France. As the highest-ranking officer, he was given command of the army in October 1918, which now became known as “Haller’s Army. Six months later the war ended. | ||
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The following ship manifests provide listings of returning Haller's Army soldiers to the US in the 1920s.<br> SS Antigone (from Danzig - April 18, 1920) <br> SS Latvia (August 17, 1922) <br> SS Pochontas (from Danzig - June 16, 1920) <br> SS Princess Matokia (from Danzig - May 23, 1920) | The following ship manifests provide listings of returning Haller's Army soldiers to the US in the 1920s.<br> SS Antigone (from Danzig - April 18, 1920) <br> SS Latvia (August 17, 1922) <br> SS Pochontas (from Danzig - June 16, 1920) <br> SS Princess Matokia (from Danzig - May 23, 1920) | ||
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=== PGSA, PMA and the Haller’s Army Records === | |||
=== PGSA, PMA and the Haller’s Army Records === | |||
According to Jan Lorys, Curator of the Polish Museum of America (PMA), it is possible that the Haller’s Army records have been in PMA’s possession since the 1920s or 30s. Since the records covered 65,000 recruits and that originally there were 3 forms generated for each individual, it is estimated that the collection represents between 130,000 and 160,000 documents. | According to Jan Lorys, Curator of the Polish Museum of America (PMA), it is possible that the Haller’s Army records have been in PMA’s possession since the 1920s or 30s. Since the records covered 65,000 recruits and that originally there were 3 forms generated for each individual, it is estimated that the collection represents between 130,000 and 160,000 documents. | ||
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For a number of years now, the Haller’s index has been available on the PGSA website. The index enables individuals to determine the existence of a file and then visit the library and request a copy or order one by mail. Even though the forms are relatively simple, a translation guide is also available on the PGSA website by searching “Haller’s Army translations”. PGSA welcomes you to visit the website and look for family members who may have been a part of Haller’s Army. | For a number of years now, the Haller’s index has been available on the PGSA website. The index enables individuals to determine the existence of a file and then visit the library and request a copy or order one by mail. Even though the forms are relatively simple, a translation guide is also available on the PGSA website by searching “Haller’s Army translations”. PGSA welcomes you to visit the website and look for family members who may have been a part of Haller’s Army. | ||
<br>The Family History Library has filmed this collection and it is now available [https://www.familysearch.org/s/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.familysearch.org%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F761933&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D at this link] | |||
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For more information regarding Haller's Army please see this site: [http://www.pgsa.org/haller.php Haller's Army] | For more information regarding Haller's Army please see this site: [http://www.pgsa.org/haller.php Haller's Army] | ||
[[Category:Poland]] | [[Category:Poland]] | ||