Franciszek Latinik

Franciszek Ksawery Latinik (17 July 1864 in Tarnów - 29 August 1949 in Kraków) was a Polish military officer, Colonel of Austro-Hungarian Army and Divisional General of Polish Army.

Biography
He graduated from the Cadets School in Łobzów (currently a part of Kraków) and since he 1882 served in the Austro-Hungarian Army. In 1891 he graduated from the Academy of the General Staff in Vienna.

During World War I he commanded the 100th Infantry Division, with which he fought in the battle of Gorlice 2–4 May 1915. In the same year he received the rank of Colonel and fought on the Eastern Front in Russia and Romania. In 1916 commanded the Infantry Brigade on the Italian Front where he was seriously wounded.

After Poland gained the independence, he joined the Polish Army. From November 1918 he commanded the military district in Cieszyn. He commanded Polish defence during the invasion of Cieszyn Silesia in January 1919 by Czech forces. He was in active service also during Polish-Soviet War. He was a military governor of Warsaw during the Battle of Warsaw and commanded the 1st Polish Army.

Latinik retired from active service since March 1925, after being conflicted with some former members of Polish Legions. In 1934 he published his memoirs from the conflict over Cieszyn Silesia, named Walka o Śląsk Cieszyński w r. 1919. He was also an author of publications titled Żołnierz polski pod Gorlicami 1915 (Przemyśl, 1923) and ''Bój o Warszawę. Rola wojskowego gubernatora i 1-ej armii w bitwie pod Warszawą w 1920 r.'' (Bydgoszcz, 1931). He wrote one chapter for the book about general Tadeusz Rozwadowski, which was published in Kraków in 1929. He died in 1949. He was buried at the Rakowicki Cemetery, in the family tomb.

In 1902 he married Helena Stiasny-Strzelbicka. They had three daughters: Anna (1902–1969, married to Kazimierz Popiel), Irena (1904–1974, married to Adam Vetulani) and Antonina (1906–1989, married to Andrzej Rieger). Latinik's grandsons are Andrzej Popiel, Janusz Rieger and Jerzy Vetulani.

Latinik was awarded with following military and civil awards: Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari, Commander's Cross of the Polonia Restituta, Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych, twice), Legion of Honour Officier, Order of the Crown (Romania), Military Merit Cross (Austria-Hungary), Order of Franz Joseph and Iron Cross (1st and 2nd class).