Polish Army oaths
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of the Polish
military oath
s, both historical and contemporary.
.
Polish
Ja żołnierz Wojska Polskiego,
Przysięgam,
Służyć wiernie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,
Bronić jej niepodległości i granic,
Stać na straży Konstytucji,
Strzec honoru żołnierza polskiego,
Sztandaru wojskowego bronić,
Za sprawę mojej Ojczyzny,
W potrzebie krwi własnej ani życia nie szczędzić,
Tak mi dopomóż Bóg
English
I, as a soldier of the Polish Army,
I fully Swear,
To Serve loyally to the Republic of Poland,
Defend her independence and borders,
Stand on guard of the constitution,
Defend the honour of a Polish soldier,
Defend the military banners of the Army,
In matter of my homeland,
If needed to give my blood or life,
So help me God!
, sworn on the old town market of Kraków
on 24 March 1794, at the outbreak of the Kościuszko Uprising
.
and the highest authority of the planned Polnische Wehrmacht
military formation. He was swear the Polish Legions
with it, thus putting them under direct German command.
However, as the Polish Legions were already enraged with the German and Austro-Hungarian plans of limiting the plans for Polish independence and Józef Piłsudski, the Legions' leader, was dismissed by his Austro-Hungarian superiors. In such a political climate most of the soldiers of the Legions declined to swear allegiance to a non-existing king of Poland and foreign government, thus leading to the so-called Oath Crisis
and the Polish National Committee
in 1918. It was used by the units of the Blue Army
, that is the Polish Army formed in France
at the end of the First World War.
, formally the forces fighting in the Greater Poland Uprising formed a separate state and the armed forces were separate from the Polish Army. Hence the oath of the armed forces of Greater Poland
was different from that used by other Polish units elsewhere.
Muslims : Przysięgam Panu Bogu Jedynemu być wiernym Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, chorągwi wojskowych nigdy nie odstąpić, stać na straży Konstytucji i honoru żołnierza polskiego, prawu i Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej być uległym, rozkazy dowódców i przełożonych wiernie wykonywać, tajemnic wojskowych strzec, za sprawę Ojczyzny mej walczyć do ostatniego tchu w piersiach i w ogóle tak postępować, abym mógł żyć i umierać jak prawy żołnierz polski. Bereetjum Mine Allachivy Veresulini illeclezine a hetdeteum minel masiurkine BilWałłagi, Tałłagi, Amin.
Other denominations : Przysięgam Bogu Wszechmogącemu być wiernym Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, chorągwi wojskowych nigdy nie odstąpić, stać na Straży Konstytucji i honoru żołnierza polskiego, prawu i Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej być uległym, rozkazy dowódców i przełożonych wiernie wykonywać, tajemnic wojskowych strzec, za sprawę Ojczyzny mej walczyć do ostatniego tchu w piersiach i w ogóle tak postępować abym mógł żyć i umierać jak prawy żołnierz polski. Tak mi dopomóż Bóg. Amen.
Muslims : I swear to the Only God my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland. I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland, to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets, to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier. Bereetjum Mine Allachivy Veresulini illeclezine a hetdeteum minel masiurkine BilWałłagi, Tałłagi, Amin.
Other denominations : I swear to God Almighty my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland. I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland, to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets, to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier. So help me God! Amen.
was formed of various smaller resistance organizations, initially the words of the oath used by the Polish underground varied. The following is the text for the Christians serving in the Home Army. Other denominations used different variations of it.
at the Oka River
. It was used by the Soviet-backed military of Poland until the end of the Second World War and afterwards.
.
Przysięgam,
Służyć wiernie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,
Bronić jej niepodległości i granic,
Stać na straży Konstytucji,
Strzec honoru żołnierza polskiego,
Sztandaru wojskowego bronić,
Za sprawę mojej Ojczyzny,
W potrzebie krwi własnej ani życia nie szczędzić,
Tak mi dopomóż Bóg
I fully Swear,
To Serve loyally to Republic of Poland,
Defend her independence and borders,
Stand on guard of the constitution,
Defend the honour of a Polish soldier,
Defend the military banners of the Army,
In matter of my homeland,
If needed to give my blood or life,
So help me God!
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
military oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s, both historical and contemporary.
Contemporary
This oath is in current use in the Polish Armed ForcesPolish Armed Forces
Siły Zbrojne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej are the national defense forces of Poland...
.
Polish
Ja żołnierz Wojska Polskiego,
Przysięgam,
Służyć wiernie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,
Bronić jej niepodległości i granic,
Stać na straży Konstytucji,
Strzec honoru żołnierza polskiego,
Sztandaru wojskowego bronić,
Za sprawę mojej Ojczyzny,
W potrzebie krwi własnej ani życia nie szczędzić,
Tak mi dopomóż Bóg
English
I, as a soldier of the Polish Army,
I fully Swear,
To Serve loyally to the Republic of Poland,
Defend her independence and borders,
Stand on guard of the constitution,
Defend the honour of a Polish soldier,
Defend the military banners of the Army,
In matter of my homeland,
If needed to give my blood or life,
So help me God!
Kościuszko's Uprising (1794)
The Oath of Tadeusz KościuszkoTadeusz Kosciuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
, sworn on the old town market of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
on 24 March 1794, at the outbreak of the Kościuszko Uprising
Kosciuszko Uprising
The Kościuszko Uprising was an uprising against Imperial Russia and the Kingdom of Prussia led by Tadeusz Kościuszko in Poland, Belarus and Lithuania in 1794...
.
Polish text
- Ja, Tadeusz Kościuszko, przysięgam w obliczu Boga całemu Narodowi Polskiemu, iż powierzonej mi władzy na niczyj prywatny ucisk nie użyję, lecz jedynie jej dla obrony całości granic, odzyskania samowładności Narodu i ugruntowania powszechnej wolności używać będę. Tak mi Panie Boże dopomóż i niewinna męka Syna Jego.
English translation
- I, Tadeusz Kościuszko, hereby swear in the face of God to the whole Polish Nation, that I shall not use the power entrusted to me for anyone's personal oppression, but only for the defence of the integrity of the borders, for retaking the sovereignty of the Nation, and for strengthening the universal freedom. So help me God and the innocent Passion of His Son!
Polish Legions in World War I
The oath was prepared by the German authorities and on July 3, 1917 presented to Gen. Hans Beseler, then the German governor of WarsawWarsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
and the highest authority of the planned Polnische Wehrmacht
Polnische Wehrmacht
Polska Siła Zbrojna, was a military formation created by Imperial Germany during World War I, as the armed forces of their puppet Kingdom of Poland. Polska Siła Zbrojna was established a part of the German Army, under German command...
military formation. He was swear the Polish Legions
Polish Legions in World War I
Polish Legions was the name of Polish armed forces created in August 1914 in Galicia. Thanks to the efforts of KSSN and the Polish members of the Austrian parliament, the unit became an independent formation of the Austro-Hungarian Army...
with it, thus putting them under direct German command.
However, as the Polish Legions were already enraged with the German and Austro-Hungarian plans of limiting the plans for Polish independence and Józef Piłsudski, the Legions' leader, was dismissed by his Austro-Hungarian superiors. In such a political climate most of the soldiers of the Legions declined to swear allegiance to a non-existing king of Poland and foreign government, thus leading to the so-called Oath Crisis
Oath crisis
The Oath crisis was a World War I political conflict between the Imperial German Army command and the Józef Piłsudski-led Polish Legions.Initially supporting the Central Powers against Imperial Russia, Piłsudski wanted to defeat one of the partitioning powers with the hands of the two remaining...
Polish text
- Przysięgam Panu Bogu Wszechmogącemu, że Ojczyźnie mojej, Polskiemu Królestwu, i memu przyszłemu Królowi na lądzie i wodzie i na każdym miejscu wiernie i uczciwie służyć będę; że w wojnie obecnej dotrzymam wiernie braterstwa broni wojskom Niemiec i Austro-Węgier oraz państw z nimi sprzymierzonych; że będę przełożonych swych i dowódców słuchał, dawane mi rozkazy i przepisy wykonywał i w ogóle tak się zachowywał, abym mógł żyć i umierać jako mężny prawy żołnierz polski. Tak mi, Boże, dopomóż!
English translation
- I hereby swear to the God Almighty, that I shall loyally serve my Fatherland, Kingdom of Poland and my future King, both on water and on land, and in any circumstances; that during this war I shall remain a loyal brother in arm of the soldiers of Germany and Austria-Hungary and of the states allied to them; that I shall obey my superiors and commanders, fulfil the orders and generally behave so as to be able to live and die as a brave and just Polish soldier. So help me God!
Polish Army in France (1918)
Oath written by General Józef HallerJózef Haller de Hallenburg
Józef Haller de Hallenburg was a Lieutenant General of the Polish Army, legionary in Polish Legions, harcmistrz , the President of The Polish Scouting and Guiding Association , political and social activist, Stanisław Haller de Hallenburg's cousin.Haller was born in Jurczyce...
and the Polish National Committee
Polish National Committee (1917-1919)
Polish National Committee was formed in Lausanne on 15 August 1917 by Polish National Democracy politician Roman Dmowski. Its goal was to support Entente by creating the Polish Army fighting alongside of it in exchange of receiving support for independent Poland...
in 1918. It was used by the units of the Blue Army
Blue Army
The Blue Army, or Haller's Army, are informal names given to the Polish Army units formed in France during the later stages of World War I. The army was created in June 1917 as part of the Polish units allied to the Entente. After the Great War ended, the units were transferred to Poland, where...
, that is the Polish Army formed in France
France
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...
at the end of the First World War.
Polish text
- Przysięgam przed Panem Bogiem Wszechmogącym, w Trójcy Świętej Jedynym, na wierność Ojczyźnie mojej, Polsce, jednej i niepodzielnej. Przysięgam, iż gotów jestem życie oddać za świętą sprawę jej zjednoczenia i wyzwolenia, bronić sztandaru mego do ostatniej kropli krwi, dochować karności i posłuszeństwa mojej zwierzchności wojskowej, a w całym postępowaniu moim strzec honoru żołnierza polskiego. Tak mi, Panie Boże, dopomóż.
English translation
- I swear in face of God Almighty, One in the Holy Trinity, my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Poland, sole and indivisible. I swear that I'm ready to give my life for the sacred cause of her unification and liberation, I swear to defend my banner to the last drop of my blood, to remain loyal and obedient to my commanders, and that by all my deeds I will guard the honour of the Polish soldier. So help me God!
Greater Poland Uprising (1919)
To avoid an open conflict with GermanyWeimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
, formally the forces fighting in the Greater Poland Uprising formed a separate state and the armed forces were separate from the Polish Army. Hence the oath of the armed forces of Greater Poland
Greater Poland
Greater Poland or Great Poland, often known by its Polish name Wielkopolska is a historical region of west-central Poland. Its chief city is Poznań.The boundaries of Greater Poland have varied somewhat throughout history...
was different from that used by other Polish units elsewhere.
Polish text
- W obliczu Boga Wszechmogącego w Trójcy Świętej Jedynego ślubuję, że Polsce, Ojczyźnie mojej i sprawie całego Narodu Polskiego zawsze i wszędzie służyć będę, że kraju Ojczystego i dobra narodowego do ostatniej kropli krwi bronić będę, że Komisarzowi Naczelnej Rady Ludowej w Poznaniu i dowódcom, i przełożonym swoim mianowanym przez tenże Komisariat, zawsze i wszędzie posłuszny będę, że w ogóle tak zachowywać się będę, jak przystoi na mężnego i prawego żołnierza-Polaka, że po zjednoczeniu Polski złożę przysięgę żołnierską, ustanowioną przez polską zwierzchność państwową.
English translation
- In the face of God Almighty, One in the Holy Trinity, I hereby swear my everlasting allegiance to Poland, my Fatherland and to the whole Polish Nation. I swear to defend the Fatherland and the national good to the last drop of my blood. I swear loyalty and obedience to the Commissioner of the Supreme National Council in PoznańPoznanPoznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and my commanders, and to my superiors named by the Commission. I swear to always behave as a brave and valiant soldier and Pole, and that when Poland is united I shall take an oath accepted by the Polish military authority.
Second Polish Republic (1924)
Between the World Wars the unified Polish Army introduced three oaths, each for different denomination. It was passed by the Basic Duties of a Soldier Act of 18 July 1924 and confirmed by the order of the Ministry of Military Affairs of 15 July 1927.Polish text
Christians : Przysięgam Panu Bogu Wszechmogącemu, w Trójcy Świętej Jedynemu być wiernym Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Chorągwi wojskowych nigdy nie odstąpić. Stać na straży konstytucji i honoru żołnierza polskiego. Prawu i Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej być uległym. Rozkazy dowódców i przełożonych wiernie wykonywać. Tajemnic wojskowych strzec. Za sprawę Ojczyzny mej walczyć do ostatniego tchu w piersiach. I w ogóle tak postępować, aby mógł żyć i umierać jak prawy żołnierz polski. Tak mi dopomóż Bóg i święta Syna jego męka. Amen.Muslims : Przysięgam Panu Bogu Jedynemu być wiernym Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, chorągwi wojskowych nigdy nie odstąpić, stać na straży Konstytucji i honoru żołnierza polskiego, prawu i Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej być uległym, rozkazy dowódców i przełożonych wiernie wykonywać, tajemnic wojskowych strzec, za sprawę Ojczyzny mej walczyć do ostatniego tchu w piersiach i w ogóle tak postępować, abym mógł żyć i umierać jak prawy żołnierz polski. Bereetjum Mine Allachivy Veresulini illeclezine a hetdeteum minel masiurkine BilWałłagi, Tałłagi, Amin.
Other denominations : Przysięgam Bogu Wszechmogącemu być wiernym Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, chorągwi wojskowych nigdy nie odstąpić, stać na Straży Konstytucji i honoru żołnierza polskiego, prawu i Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej być uległym, rozkazy dowódców i przełożonych wiernie wykonywać, tajemnic wojskowych strzec, za sprawę Ojczyzny mej walczyć do ostatniego tchu w piersiach i w ogóle tak postępować abym mógł żyć i umierać jak prawy żołnierz polski. Tak mi dopomóż Bóg. Amen.
English translation
Christians : I swear to God Almighty, One in Holy Trinity, my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland. I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland, to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets, to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier. So help me God and the sacred Passion of His Son! Amen.Muslims : I swear to the Only God my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland. I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland, to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets, to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier. Bereetjum Mine Allachivy Veresulini illeclezine a hetdeteum minel masiurkine BilWałłagi, Tałłagi, Amin.
Other denominations : I swear to God Almighty my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland. I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland, to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets, to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier. So help me God! Amen.
Armia Krajowa (WWII)
Since the Armia KrajowaArmia Krajowa
The Armia Krajowa , or Home Army, was the dominant Polish resistance movement in World War II German-occupied Poland. It was formed in February 1942 from the Związek Walki Zbrojnej . Over the next two years, it absorbed most other Polish underground forces...
was formed of various smaller resistance organizations, initially the words of the oath used by the Polish underground varied. The following is the text for the Christians serving in the Home Army. Other denominations used different variations of it.
Polish text
- W obliczu Boga Wszechmogącego i Najświętszej Maryi Panny, Królowej Korony Polskiej, przysięgam być wierny Ojczyźnie mej, Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Stać nieugięcie na straży jej honoru, o wyzwolenie z niewoli walczyć ze wszystkich sił, aż do ofiary mego życia. Prezydentowi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Naczelnemu Wodzowi i wyznaczonemu przezeń Dowódcy Armii Krajowej będę bezwzględnie posłuszny a tajemnicy niezłomnie dochowam, cokolwiek by mnie spotkać miało. Tak mi dopomóż Bóg.
English translation
- Before God Almighty and Mary the Blessed Virgin, Queen of the Polish Crown, I pledge allegiance to my Fatherland, the Republic of Poland. I pledge to steadfastly guard Her honour, and to fight for Her liberation with all my strength, even to the extent of sacrificing my own life if that is needed. I pledge unconditional obedience to the President of Poland, the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Poland, and the Home Army Commander whom be appointed. I pledge to resolutely keep secret whatever may happen to me. So help me God!
1st Polish Army (1943)
First taken on 15 July 1943 in SielceSielce
Sielce is a neighborhood in Mokotów district of Warsaw, Poland.It has an administrative status of osiedle within the city.Sielce is roughly bounded on the North by Podchorążych Street, the East by Czerniakowska Street, the South by Beethhovena Street, and the West by Sobieskiego Street...
at the Oka River
Oka River
Oka is a river in central Russia, the largest right tributary of the Volga. It flows through the regions of Oryol, Tula, Kaluga, Moscow, Ryazan, Vladimir, and Nizhny Novgorod and is navigable over a large part of its total length, as far upstream as to the town of Kaluga. Its length exceeds...
. It was used by the Soviet-backed military of Poland until the end of the Second World War and afterwards.
Polish text
- Składam uroczystą przysięgę ziemi polskiej, broczącej we krwi, narodowi polskiemu, umęczonemu w niemieckim jarzmie, że nie skalam imienia Polaka, że wiernie będę służył Ojczyźnie.
- Przysięgam ziemi polskiej i narodowi polskiemu rzetelnie pełnić obowiązki żołnierza w obozie, w pochodzie, w boju, w każdej chwili i na każdym miejscu, strzec wojskowej tajemnicy, wypełniać wiernie rozkazy oficerów i dowódców.
- Przysięgam dochować wierności sojuszniczej Związkowi Radzieckiemu, który dał mi do ręki broń do walki z wspólnym wrogiem, przysięgam dochować braterstwa broni sojuszniczej Czerwonej Armii.
- Przysięgam ziemi polskiej i narodowi polskiemu, że do ostatniej kropli krwi, do ostatniego tchu nienawidzieć będę wroga - Niemca, który zniszczył Polskę, do ostatniej kropli krwi, do ostatniego tchu walczyć będę o wyzwolenie Ojczyzny, abym mógł żyć i umierać jako prawy i uczciwy żołnierz Polski.
- Tak mi dopomóż Bóg!
English translation
- I hereby swear to the blood-rinsed Polish land, to the Polish nation tormented by German yoke, that I will not desecrate the name of a Pole and that I will courageously serve my Fatherland.
- I swear to the Polish land and to the Polish people that I will honestly serve the duties of a soldier, in march and in battle, in the camp and at any other moment I will guard the secrets and fulfil the orders of my officers and commanders.
- I swear to be a loyal ally of the allied Soviet Union, which gave me the arms to fight our common enemy, and I swear I will preserve the brotherhood of arms with the allied Red Army.
- I swear to the Polish land and to the Polish nation that to the last drop of blood, to the last breath shall I hate the enemy - the German who destroyed Poland; to the last drop of blood, to the last breath shall I fight for the liberation of my Fatherland, so that I could live and die as a rightful and honest soldier of Poland.
- So help me God!
Modern oath
Following the establishment of the Third Polish Republic in 1989, the oath was again changed and significantly shortened. There is only one oath for all denominations, although each soldier has the option to omit the reference to GodGod
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
.
Polish
Ja żołnierz Wojska Polskiego,Przysięgam,
Służyć wiernie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,
Bronić jej niepodległości i granic,
Stać na straży Konstytucji,
Strzec honoru żołnierza polskiego,
Sztandaru wojskowego bronić,
Za sprawę mojej Ojczyzny,
W potrzebie krwi własnej ani życia nie szczędzić,
Tak mi dopomóż Bóg
English
I, as a soldier of the Polish Army,I fully Swear,
To Serve loyally to Republic of Poland,
Defend her independence and borders,
Stand on guard of the constitution,
Defend the honour of a Polish soldier,
Defend the military banners of the Army,
In matter of my homeland,
If needed to give my blood or life,
So help me God!