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.
..... Click the link for more information. 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.