General Stanisław Kopański (19 May 1895 – 23 March 1976) was a Polish military commander, politician, diplomat, an engineer and one of the best-educated Polish officers of the time, serving with distinction during World War II. He is best known as the creator and commander of the Polish Independent Carpathian Brigade and Polish 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division. Between 1943 and 1946, he was Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. Early life Stanisław Kopański was born on 19 May 1895 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire to Polish parents. In 1905, he enrolled in a local Polish gymnasium (high school), where he graduated upon passing his matura examinations. Afterwards, he matriculated in a local Institute of Civil Engineering, but his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. World War I and the establishment of the Second Polish Republic In 1914, Kopański was drafted into the Russian Army. He graduated from the Mikhailovskoye School of Artillery and served on the war's eastern front in the 3rd battery of the Russian 2nd Cavalry Division. After the February Revolution, he left the Russian Army and joined the Polish 1st Corps, being formed in Russia as part of the Entente forces. Demobilized after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, he left for Warsaw (then still occupied by the Central Powers), where he planned to enter the reopened Warsaw University to complete his education. Kopański was unable to realize his plans, however, as Poland regained its independence in November 1918 and immediately became engaged in the Polish–Ukrainian War. The Polish Army badly needed experienced officers, and Kopański joined the 1st Uhlans Regiment, with which he fought in the battles of Przemyśl, Gródek Jagielloński and Lwów. At the end of hostilities, Kopański remained in the army and fought in the opening stages of the Polish–Soviet War in the Lida and Wilno areas, in the forces of Colonel Władysław Belina-Prażmowski. On 20 April 1919, during the fighting in Wilno, he was badly wounded and lost his left eye. Following a brief hospitalization, he returned to active service, this time as commander of the Artillery NCO School in Warsaw. However, Kopański requested to be sent back to the front and in September 1919, became commander of the 1st Mounted Artillery Detachment. In 1920, he joined the 8th Uhlans Regiment, with which he took part in the famous battles of Komarów and