An article by Karolina Wesołowska in “Muzealnictwo Wojskowe”
The latest issue of the journal Muzealnictwo Wojskowe features an article by Karolina Wesołowska entitled Pułkownik audytor Edward Saski (1882–1940). Działacz społeczny i niepodległościowy, sędzia i prokurator wojskowy, ofiara zbrodni katyńskiej (in English: Colonel Auditor Edward Saski (1882–1940). A Social and Independence Activist, Military Judge and Prosecutor, Victim of the Katyn Massacre) (“Muzealnictwo Wojskowe” 2026, vol. 15, pp. 268–279).
The publication presents the life and career of one of the victims of the Katyn Massacre – Colonel Auditor Edward Saski, an outstanding lawyer and officer of the Polish Army’s Military Judiciary Corps. The article by Karolina Wesołowska aims to highlight not only his military and legal career, but also his involvement in social and independence activities. Edward Saski played an important role in shaping the legal system of the reborn Polish state. As a military lawyer, he participated in the process of organising and standardising the structures of the justice system of the Second Polish Republic. A significant area of his professional activity involved criminal cases in military aviation, which he handled as a military prosecutor. In recognition of his service and commitment, he was repeatedly commended and honoured by his superiors.As a judge of the Supreme Military Court, he contributed to the reform of the Polish military justice system during the interwar period. After the Soviet aggression against Poland in September 1939 and his capture by the Soviets, he remained active even under the harsh conditions of captivity. He initiated an appeal to the Soviet authorities calling for the legal status of Polish prisoners of war to be regulated.
The article recalls the figure of an officer who combined the qualities of a lawyer, soldier and citizen devoted to public service. His biography provides important testimony to the contribution of the officers of the Polish Army’s Military Judiciary Corps to the establishment of the institutions of the Second Polish Republic, as well as to the tragic fate of Polish military elites murdered as part of the Katyn Massacre.
We encourage you to read the article, which is available in open access (OA) on the journal’s platform, “Muzealnictwo Wojskowe”.
