Rydz-Smigly, Edward

Rydz-Śmigły or Śmigły-Rydz, Edward

(rĭts`-shmēg`lĭ), 1886–1941, Polish politician. He served under PiłsudskiPiłsudski, Joseph
, Pol. Józef Piłsudski , 1867–1935, Polish general and politician. He was exiled (1887–92) to Siberia for an alleged attempt on the life of Czar Alexander III, who ruled a large section of Poland.
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 in the Polish Legions (1914–17), in the war with Soviet Russia (1920), and in the coup of 1926. At Piłsudski's death and in accordance with his wish, Rydz-Śmigły succeeded him (1935) as inspector general of the army; in 1936 he was named "first citizen after the president" and marshal of Poland. A virtual dictator, he fostered the Ozon [Camp of National Unity], a government party that dominated parliament. When Germany and the USSR invaded Poland, he fled (Sept., 1939) to Romania.