Mykhailo Omelianovych-Pavlenko
Encyclopedia
Mykhailo Omelianovych-Pavlenko (Ukrainian: Михайло Омелянович Павленко), December 8, 1878 - May 29, 1952, was the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Galician Army
(UHA) and of the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic. Later, he served as Defence Minister
for the Government-in-exile of the Ukrainian National Republic.
). His father, Volodymyr, was an officer in the Russian Imperial Army. His mother was of a Georgian aristocratic family. Omelianovych-Pavlenko attended the military academy in Petersburg, graduating in 1900. He had a younger brother Ivan who later was fighting along with him.
as a company commander. Later, in 1910, he graduated from the General Staff School.
In the spring of 1917, Omelianovych-Pavlenko became an active supporter of Ukrainian independence, and initiated the creation of the Odessa batalion. He also initiated Ukrainian military academies in Zhytomyr
and Kamyanets-Podilsky.
On December 10, 1918, Pavlenko assumed command of the Ukrainian Halitska Army, which he led until June 1919.
After the union of the UHA and the army of the Ukrainian National Republic, Pavlenko assumed command of the force. He served as special attache to Symon Petlura. Omelianovych-Pavlenko commanded the army of the UNR during the First Winter Campaign
(1920).
, where he headed the Alliance of Ukrainian Veterans' Organizations.
, and became the Defence minister of the Government in exile of the Ukrainian National Republic from 1945 to 1948. Pavlenko was promoted to rank of Lieutenant General
.
Ukrainian Galician Army
Ukrainian Galician Army , was the Ukrainian military of the West Ukrainian National Republic during and after the Polish-Ukrainian War. -Military equipment:...
(UHA) and of the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic. Later, he served as Defence Minister
Defence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
for the Government-in-exile of the Ukrainian National Republic.
Early life
Mykhaylo Omelianovych-Pavlenko was born in Tbilsi (present-day GeorgiaGeorgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
). His father, Volodymyr, was an officer in the Russian Imperial Army. His mother was of a Georgian aristocratic family. Omelianovych-Pavlenko attended the military academy in Petersburg, graduating in 1900. He had a younger brother Ivan who later was fighting along with him.
Early Military Service
Pavlenko participated in the Russo-Japanese warRusso-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War was "the first great war of the 20th century." It grew out of rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea...
as a company commander. Later, in 1910, he graduated from the General Staff School.
World War I
During World War I, Pavlenko served as commander of many units - including a Ukrainian brigade in Yekaterinoslav.In the spring of 1917, Omelianovych-Pavlenko became an active supporter of Ukrainian independence, and initiated the creation of the Odessa batalion. He also initiated Ukrainian military academies in Zhytomyr
Zhytomyr
Zhytomyr is a city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Zhytomyr Raion...
and Kamyanets-Podilsky.
On December 10, 1918, Pavlenko assumed command of the Ukrainian Halitska Army, which he led until June 1919.
After the union of the UHA and the army of the Ukrainian National Republic, Pavlenko assumed command of the force. He served as special attache to Symon Petlura. Omelianovych-Pavlenko commanded the army of the UNR during the First Winter Campaign
First Winter Campaign
The First Winter Campaign was a campaign between the army of the Ukrainian People's Republic and bolshevik forces in Ukraine during the Ukrainian-Soviet War...
(1920).
Inter-war Years
Pavlenko moved to PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, where he headed the Alliance of Ukrainian Veterans' Organizations.
After World War II
After World War II, Pavlenko moved to FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and became the Defence minister of the Government in exile of the Ukrainian National Republic from 1945 to 1948. Pavlenko was promoted to rank of Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
.