- Władysław Raginis
Infobox Military Person
name=Władysław Raginis
nickname=
caption=Captain Władysław Raginis
rank=Captain
date_of_birth=birth date|1908|6|27|mf=y
placeofbirth=Dyneburg
date_of_death=death date|1939|9|10|mf=y
placeofdeath=Wizna ,Poland
profession=
serviceyears=1930-1939
units=CO of Polish forces inWizna
battles=Battle of Wizna , Polish Defensive War
laterwork=
portrayedby=
awards=|Władysław Raginis (
June 27 1908 –September 10 1939 ) was a Polish military commander during the Polish Defensive War of 1939. He commanded the defence of Polish fortified positions in theBattle of Wizna .Raginis was born in Dyneburg in
Livonia . Soon after graduating from a gymnasium he joined the Infantry NCO School and then Infantry Officers School. After graduating onJuly 15 ,1930 , he was assigned to the 76th Infantry Regiment stationed inGrodno , where he was aplatoon commander. He was advanced to lieutenant and then to captain, and assigned to the elite Border Defence Corps (KOP) Regiment "Sarny ", where he commanded amachine gun company.In anticipation of the outbreak of the
Second World War in 1939, his unit was moved to theWizna Fortified Area where he took command over all Polish forces in the region as ofSeptember 2 . OnSeptember 7 his forces (numbering 720 men) were attacked by more than 42 000 German soldiers. To keep themorale of his men high, Captain Raginis pledged that he would not leave his post alive.The defence of Wizna against overwhelming odds lasted for three days. On
September 10 ,1939 , the bunker commanded by Raginis was the last remaining pocket of resistance. Although heavily wounded, Raginis was still commanding his troops. At noon, the German commander,Heinz Guderian , threatened that all Polish POWs would be shot if the defence of the bunker did not cease. Raginis decided to end the resistance and committed suicide by throwing himself on a grenade.His symbolic grave is located next to the ruins of the bunker he died in. The local primary school is named after him, as well as several streets in Poland. On
May 13 ,1970 , Raginis was posthumously awarded with theVirtuti Militari medal.
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