Organizacja i rys działalności sądów polowych Naczelnego Dowództwa WP w przełomowym okresie wojny z Rosją sowiecką latem 1920 roku (część 2)

Abstract

The article is a two-part law and historical sketch that presents the organization and outline of the activity of the field judiciary during the decisive events in the war with Soviet Russia in the summer of 1920. In this part of the article the author presents an outline of the organization and the activity of the field judiciary since the beginning of its existence to the beginning of July 1920. The justice service of the Polish army came into being as an integral part of the armed forces alongside with the creation of different departments and services of the Ministry of Military Affairs and the General Staff of the Polish Army in the autumn of 1918. The military courts were created since the first days of November 1918 in Cracow, Lublin, Warsaw and Cieszyn, while in Przemyśl and Lviv – since the end of November. In January 1919 the field courts were created at the commands of the great units of the Lithauanian-Belarusan Front. As a separate structure, the field judiciary came into being in spring 1919 and was part of the High Command of the Polish Army. Until September 1920, at the commands of large units and operation formations (divisions, brigades, operation groups, armies and fronts), as well as commands, garrisons and strongholds, about 60–70 field courts and several judicial and legal departments were created. Field courts played a subordinate, although remarkable role in the command system of large units and operation formations, and in keeping the discipline and internal cohesion of the army.