Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer

Who was Gustaw Orlicz-Dreszer?

Gustaw Konstanty Orlicz-Dreszer was a Polish general, and a political and social activist.

Before World War I, Orlicz-Dreszer was involved in pro-independence activities in partitioned Poland. In 1914−17 he served in the 1st Brigade of the Polish Legions. He was arrested during the Oath Crisis. From 1918 he served in the Polish Army.

During the Polish-Soviet War he commanded the 4th Cavalry Brigade and the 2nd Cavalry Division. From 1921−23 he was Cavalry Inspector. In 1923 he was promoted to Brigadier General. In 1924−26 he commanded the 2nd and then the 3rd Cavalry Division. During the May 1926 Coup d'État he supported Józef Piłsudski.

In 1930 Orlicz-Dreszer became a member of ZG Liga Morska i Kolonialna. He created and promoted a development program for the Polish merchant marine. From 1930−36 he served as Inspector of the Polish Army and in 1936 as Inspector of Air Defense.

Orlicz-Dreszer died in a plane accident, crashing in a RWD-9 plane into the Baltic Sea near Gdynia while flying excessively low.