Bolesław Bronisław Duch (1885–1980) was a Polish Major General and General Inspector of the Armed Forces. Life Duch served during World War I, 1914–18, in the Polish Legions. After Poland regained independence, he served in the Polish Army. In 1935-1938 he commanded the 73rd Infantry Regiment. At the outbreak of World War II, the commander of the 39th Reserve Infantry Division General Bruno Olbrycht was ill and the division was de facto commanded by Duch. After Poland was overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in September 1939, Duch managed to evade capture and served in western Europe, becoming commander successively of the Polish 1st Grenadier Division in France (1940), 1st Rifle Brigade of the 1st Polish Corps in Scotland (1942–43), and of the 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division of the 2nd Polish Corps (1943–46). In 1947, Duch settled in London and became chairman of the Council of the World Polish Veterans' Association. He was the last General Inspector of the Armed Forces (from February 1980 until his death in October that year). Promotions 1914: Lieutenant 1919: First Lieutenant 1919: Captain 1924: Major 1929: Lieutenant Colonel 1938: Colonel 1940: Brigadier 1945: Major General Decorations Knight's Cross of the Virtuti Militari (1 June 1945), Gold Cross (1940) and Silver Cross Commander's Cross with Star of the Polonia Restituta Cross of Merit (Poland), with Swords Cross of Valour (Poland), 8 times Cross of Independence Gold Cross of Merit with Swords Gold Cross of Merit Croix de Guerre Military Cross Medal Międzysojuszniczy "Medaille Interalliée" Commandeur dans l'ordre de la Légion d'honneur ( décoré par le général Valentin Gouverneur Militaire de Metz en 1948 dans une caserne de Phalsbourg) Source: Roger Bruge "Les combattants du 18 Juin". See also List of Poles References 1885 births 1980 deaths People from Ternopil Oblast Polish generals Knights of the Virtuti Militari Commanders with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta Recipients of the Cross of Independence Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) Recipients of the Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland) Recipients of the Cross of Valour (Poland) Recipients of the Military Cross