39th Lviv Rifle Regiment
39 Pułk Piechoty Strzelców Lwowskich
Soldier's badge of the 39th Lviv Rifle Regiment
Active	November 25, 1918–September 20, 1939
Country	Poland
Allegiance	24th Infantry Division
Garrison/HQ	Jarosław,Lubaczów
Anniversaries	April 29
Engagements	Polish–Ukrainian War Polish–Soviet War Invasion of Poland
Commanders
First commander	Lieutenant ColonelRyszard Hausner [pl]
Last commander	Lieutenant ColonelRoman Szymański [pl]

39th Lviv Rifle Regiment was a Polish infantry unit of thePolish Armed Forces. It was formed from thedefenders of Lviv in November 1918.

The regiment participated in thefights for the borders in 1919 and in thePolish–Soviet War of 1920. During the interwar period, it was part of the24th Infantry Division.^[1] It was stationed in theJarosław garrison,^[2] with the 1st Battalion located inLubaczów.^[1]

In theSeptember Campaign, it followed a combat route starting from Wojnicz, fighting in Zgłobice, Zbylitowska Góra, Jawornik Ruski, Boguszówka, Boratycze, Husaków, Mużyłowice Kolonia, Rzęsna Ruska, and Holosko, eventually breaking through to the besieged Lviv, where it was severely depleted on 20 September 1939.

The 39th Lviv Rifle Regiment was formed from units defendingLviv against Ukrainian forces, who, on 1 November 1918, after the collapse of Austria-Hungary, seizedEastern Lesser Poland, including Lviv.^[3] Spontaneously, Polish combat groups began to form and fight in the city. Street battles lasted for three weeks. On 20 November 1918, reinforcements arrived, including the4th and5th Legions' Infantry Regiments. By 22 November, Lviv was recaptured by the Poles.^[3]

On 25 November 1918, three Lviv infantry regiments were organized. One of these was the 2nd Lviv Rifle Regiment, formed by the Lviv Command from various units.^[3] The First Battalion was composed of personnel from the Podzamcze–Rzęsna Polska sector, while the Second Battalion was formed from defenders of themain railway station. On 20 December, the 3rd Lviv Rifle Regiment was integrated into the unit as the Third Battalion.^[3]

On 25 January 1919, the regiment's reserve battalion was relocated toJarosław.^[3]

By the General Staff Order No. 98 of 8 March 1919, the unit was renamed the 39th Infantry Regiment.^[3]

On 4 April 1919, the Minister of Military Affairs, Lieutenant GeneralJózef Leśniewski [pl], awarded the regiment the honorary name "Lviv Rifle Regiment".^[4]

In December 1919, the regiment's reserve battalion was stationed in Jarosław.^[4]

In February 1920, the regiment captured Nowokonstantynów after four days of fighting. On 14 April 1920, along with the 38th Infantry Regiment, it advanced onVovkovyntsi, where several Soviet infantry and cavalry regiments were defeated. On 13 April, General Władysław Jędrzejewski decided to organize another raid on Vovkovyntsi with the task of breaking enemy forces, cutting the railway line near Vovkovyntsi, and partially destroying the railway station.^[6] This time, a much larger force was used. The assault force included seven companies from the 38th Infantry Regiment, five companies from the 19th Infantry Regiment, the entire 39th Infantry Regiment, the III/4th Cavalry Regiment, a platoon from the 3rd Battery of the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, and the armored trainsPionier andGen. Iwaszkiewicz.^[6][7] During the night from 13 to 14 April, the group began its march to Vovkovyntsi and struck at dawn. The surprised enemy put up little resistance and retreated in disorder. The enemy's swift retreat resulted in the capture of only about 150 prisoners, but the regiment seized four guns, 26 machine guns, the office of the 399th Rifle Regiment, and large supplies of ammunition and food.^[7]

On 4 July 1920, the forces of the Western Front, led byMikhail Tukhachevsky, launched an attack.^[7] The 39th Infantry Regiment, as part of the 9th Infantry Brigade of GeneralWładysław Jędrzejewski's group, defended positions along theAvuta river on the left wing of the brigade.^[7] In the first hours of the enemy's offensive, a crisis developed on the Polish defensive line. The 39th Infantry Regiment was pushed back to the second line of trenches. Fighting Soviet forces from the 4th Rifle Division and a combined cavalry brigade, its positions changed hands multiple times. The regiment lost approximately 50% of its rank-and-file soldiers and 40% of its officers.^[8] In the evening, the regiment retreated behind the Mniuta river and began defending the Zadorożebridgehead.^[9] On 5 July, the enemy broke through the Polish front both to the north and south of the bridgehead, with cavalry threatening to outflank the defending units. At 2:00 PM, the regiment received orders to abandon the bridgehead. Only one battalion could be formed from the surviving soldiers, under the command of Captain Stanisław Szyłejka. In the evening, the combined battalion took positions near Zaborze on both sides of the road from Zadoroże toHlybokaye. However, Soviet cavalry performed deep flanking maneuvers, preventing the maintenance of defensive positions. During the retreat, only part of the battalion managed to break through to Hlybokaye. Captain Szyłejka and his group were surrounded by cavalry and taken prisoner. In Hlybokaye, the remnants of the regiment were reinforced by soldiers from variousFirst Polish Army units and formed into a battalion to defend the Olszanka line.^[7][10]

In the following days, the regiment suffered such heavy losses that it was no longer possible to form a larger unit from its remnants. It was withdrawn from the front and sent to Jarosław for replenishment and reorganization.^[11] At the end of August, the regiment returned to the front lines and participated in battles near Kutkorz and Milatyn, where it lost over 300 men, either killed or wounded. The regiment's last battles took place while crossing theSouthern Bug river and capturing Nowokonstantynów.^[11]

During both wars, 25 officers and cadets, as well as 361 non-commissioned officers and soldiers, of the regiment were killed or died from wounds.^[11]

Additionally, 59 officers, 12 cadets, 36 non-commissioned officers, and 64 enlisted men were awarded theCross of Valour, including 7 soldiers with one clasp, 6 with two clasps, and 4 with three clasps.^[12]

In January 1921, the regiment's staff was relocated to Jarosław. The 1st Battalion was stationed inStanyslaviv, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions were inKolomyia. By July 1921, the entire regiment was moved to Jarosław, with its headquarters at the barracks on Kościuszko Street. In 1922, the 1st and 3rd Battalions were transferred to Lubaczów, stationed at the barracks named after GeneralJózef Zajączek. The 1st Battalion remained in Lubaczów until September 1939. Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion was downsized in 1930 and returned to Jarosław.^[13] The reserve battalion staff was based in Jarosław.^[14]

Organizationally, from 1921, the regiment was part of the24th Infantry Division. It comprised the headquarters, a staff battalion, three infantry battalions, and a reserve battalion staff.^[13] In 1924, the staff battalion and reserve battalion staff were dissolved and replaced by a regimental command team and two specialized platoons: pioneers and communications.^[13]

On 19 May 1927, Marshal of PolandJózef Piłsudski, Minister of Military Affairs, designated 29 April as the regiment's holiday. This date commemorated the victorious battles at Brzuchowice and Zboiska fought in 1919.^[15]

Based on the 1930 implementation order from the Ministry of Military Affairs for peacetime infantry organization (PS 10-50), the Polish Armed Forces categorized infantry regiments into three types.^[16] The 39th Infantry Regiment was classified as a Type I ("normal") regiment, annually receiving about 610 recruits. The regiment's personnel consisted of 56 officers and 1,500 non-commissioned officers and soldiers. During winter, the regiment included a senior-year battalion, a training battalion, and a downsized battalion. In summer, it fielded a senior-year battalion and two conscript battalions. The regiment trained recruits for theBorder Protection Corps.^[16] The 1930 reorganization introduced the following structure:^[13]

• Command and Quartermaster Department with an administrative company;
• Three infantry battalions (each with three rifle companies and one heavy machine gun company);
• Specialized units, including communications, pioneers, infantry artillery, and mounted reconnaissance.

In 1937, an anti-tank company was formed within the regiment. By 1938, this company had sevenBofors 37 mm anti-tank guns.^[17] Additionally, a reconnaissance unit was established in 1938, comprising a cyclist platoon and a mounted reconnaissance platoon.^[17]

The regiment was a mobilizing unit. According to the "W" mobilization plan, the regiment's commander was responsible for preparing and conducting the mobilization of the following units:

During the first phase of general mobilization:^[21]

• The 39th Infantry Regiment (with the 1st Battalion stationed in Lubaczów)
• Cyclist Company No. 104 (for the 36th Infantry Division)
• Independent Heavy Machine Gun and Supporting Weapons Company No. 103 (for the 24th Infantry Division)
• Independent Heavy Machine Gun and Supporting Weapons Company No. 104 (for the 36th Infantry Division)
• Assistance Company No. 198 (for the 24th Infantry Division)
• Quartermaster Park Type I No. 13
• Horse-Drawn Supply Column No. 18 (in Lubaczów, for the 24th Infantry Division)
• Horse-Drawn Supply Column No. 19 (in Lubaczów, for the 24th Infantry Division)
• Lubaczów Prisoner-of-War Camp

During the second phase of general mobilization:^[22]

• 3rd Battalion of the 154th Infantry Regiment
• March Battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment
• March Reinforcements for Independent Heavy Machine Gun and Supporting Weapons Company No. 103

For logistical mobilization purposes, the regiment's commander was subordinated to the Jarosław Regional Supplementary Command.^[22]

The first transport unloaded in Tarnów on 4 September. The 1st Battalion was bombed during this operation and suffered its first losses. A non-commissioned officer of the 2nd Company was killed, and the kitchen and supply cart were destroyed.^[23] The 2nd Battalion began unloading at noon, and although it was bombed twice, it suffered no losses. The 3rd Battalion did not unload until the morning of 5 September, and after being bombed twice, it joined the regiment the next day and remained in reserve near the area ofKoszyce.^[23]

As part of theKraków Army, the regiment was tasked with organizing the defense of the eastern bank of theDunajec river, along a section fromZgłobice toZbylitowska Góra, covering approximately 8 kilometers. The regiment prepared for a static defense, but without artillery support. The first clashes with German saboteurs occurred on the night of 5/6 September, during which two soldiers were killed.^[23]

The first encounter with units of the German 4th Light Division occurred on 6 September inWojnicz, during an attempt to capture the road bridge over the Dunajec river by a motorized reconnaissance unit of the German 4th Light Division.^[23] In the afternoon, the regiment transferred its 3rd Battalion to the 38th Infantry Regiment. At the same time, the 24th Light Artillery Regiment arrived to support the division, and its 1st Battery reinforced the regiment's artillery. Around midnight, the order to retreat towardsPlzeň was received.^[23]

The retreat began on the morning of 7 September. In the afternoon, the regiment crossed theWisłok river and took positions on the edge of the forest east of the river, south of Plzeň. During the march, the regiment suffered significant losses due to chaos on the route caused by the17th Infantry Regiment and the 38th Infantry Regiment, as well as supply columns, which were partially broken by the German 4th Light Division nearTuchów.^[24] Some lost soldiers marched towards Dębica. By the end of the 80 km march, the 3rd Battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment had only half of its personnel remaining, as it had been engaged in fighting against German reconnaissance patrols. Before dusk, the battalion repelled a German armored-motorized advance.^[24]

On 8 September, the regiment, reinforced by the 9th Battery of the 24th Field Artillery Regiment, resumed its march as the rear guard of the 24th Infantry Division. By noon, it reached Wielopole, and by evening, it had arrived at Kozłówek.^[21] During the night of 8/9 September, due to an order for further movement towards theSan river, the regiment began its march and reached the village of Węglówka by dawn. However, due to the road being blocked by the11th Infantry Division, the regiment established a temporary defense in Bonarówka and its immediate surroundings. Here, the regiment was joined by the 60th Heavy Artillery Squadron, minus two batteries.^[21]

After the road was cleared at around 4:00 PM, the 39th Infantry Regiment, with artillery support, resumed its march and reachedDomaradz at approximately 11:00 PM, where it remained overnight.^[21] On 10 September, after 2:00 AM, during the continued march towards Barycz, the regiment was halted in front of the fortified defense of the 11th Infantry Division. The regiment was not allowed to pass, so it marched along a different road to the San river through the village of Wara. Eventually, the regiment crossed the San river via field roads during the evening and night.^[21]

After a night of rest on 11 September, the 39th Infantry Regiment resumed its march from the Siedliska area, passing throughJawornik Ruski, where the regiment's marching column was ambushed by German artillery and machine guns. The ambush came from German units of the 137th Mountain Infantry Regiment and the 111th Mountain Artillery Regiment of the 2nd Mountain Division.^[21] Under fire while descending the slope, the regiment's column split into two parts. One part, consisting of the 3rd Battalion and part of the 2nd Battalion, supported by an infantry artillery platoon, established a defensive position and repelled the German assault by 11:00 AM.^[21] At 12:00 PM, this part of the column launched a counterattack against the German positions, allowing the remaining part of the regiment to withdraw eastward toward Kotów and then further to Jasienica Sufczyńska.^[21]

After 2:00 PM, the incomplete 2nd and 3rd Battalions, under the command of Major Józef Bieniek, retreated towards Piątkowa. After reachingIskań and thenTarnawka, both battalions rested.^[21] During the fighting near Jawornik Ruski, the 39th Infantry Regiment suffered heavy losses, including the death of Captain Leopold Arendt and many wounded, including First Lieutenant Stanisław Trondowski, who was seriously injured. The regiment lost most of its supply columns and some mortars.^[21]

At dawn on 12 September, the regiment resumed its march towardBircza.^[25] Major Bieniek's group traveled along the San river, throughKrasiczyn, toKruhel Wielki. The 1st Battalion, along with the remainder of the 2nd Battalion, the 9th Company of the 3rd Battalion, and part of the special units, managed to pass throughKotów and reached the area east of Bircza by 12 September. By evening, the regiment had arrived at the division's reserve in Kruhel Wielki, where both groups reunited.^[25] After these battles, the regiment's strength was reduced to the size of two battalions. During the fighting near Jawornik Ruski and the subsequent march, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Szymański attended a meeting at the division headquarters.^[25]

On the evening of 13 September, the commander of the Lesser Poland Army, General K. Sosnkowski, ordered the 24th Infantry Division to conduct a forced march toward Lviv to defend theRomanian bridgehead along theDniester–Stryi line. In response to this order, the 39th Infantry Regiment received the directive to march to Husaków through Pikulice and Nehrybka.^[26] During a stop inPrałkowce and Kruhel Wielki, the shattered Nowy Sącz Battalion reinforced the units. The remnants of the III Battalion formed the 7th Rifle Company under the command of Lieutenant L. Zalasiński. The regimental band was also disbanded. The regiment's structure after reorganization:^[26]

• I and II Battalions with standard heavy machine gun companies;
• Reconnaissance company with two heavy machine guns;
• Four 81 mm mortars;
• Four 37 mm anti-tank guns;
• Two 75 mm artillery pieces.

On the morning of 14 September, German units from the 2nd Mountain Division attacked the defending forces of the 24th Infantry Division in the area of Tyszkowice, Boratycze, and Chodnowice.^[21] After repelling the German assault, the 155th Infantry Regiment and a battalion of the 38th Infantry Regiment counterattacked Boratycze Forest. The Germans introduced fresh battalions into the fight and, with strong artillery support, launched another assault on the positions of the 155th Infantry Regiment and the 38th Infantry Regiment battalion, pushing them from the forest edge into its interior.^[21]

By order of Colonel Bolesław Schwarzenberg-Czerny, the commander of the 24th Infantry Division, the 39th Infantry Regiment and a composite regiment of the 24th Infantry Division were directed to retake the lost positions.^[21] Advancing from Chodnowice northward, the regiment attacked a wooded hill west of Boratycze. The 1st Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Piotr Kaczała, surprised and forced the reconnaissance unit of the German 2nd Mountain Division to retreat.^[21]

In the first wave, the 6th and 7th Rifle Companies, along with the divisional 103rd Machine Gun and Armored Train Company, spearheaded the attack. The regiment then, in conjunction with the 155th Infantry Regiment, launched an assault on Boratycze Forest.^[21] After intense fighting, the Germans were forced to withdraw. At a critical moment, the regiment's standard-bearer appeared on the battlefield, boosting morale. Victory came at a heavy cost, with significant casualties, including Lieutenant Kazimierz Czabanowski. The regiment was reduced to three incomplete companies, each consisting of only a few dozen soldiers.^[21]

The fighting continued until the evening. The regiment subsequently withdrew to Husaków and, after passing through the bombed-out and burning city, marched toward Balice.^[21]

Upon reaching the Mościska region, the 39th Infantry Regiment, under divisional orders, continued its march through Tuligłowy to the Zarzecze Forest. It arrived at its destination on the afternoon of 15 September.^[21] During a stop, the regiment was joined by a marching battalion under MajorHenryk Dyduch [pl], two anti-tank guns from the III Battalion that had participated in thedefense of Przemyśl, and remnants of other subunits from the Przemyśl garrison.^[21]

In the afternoon, the regiment moved to its starting position for a planned nighttime assault via Słomianki. On the morning of 16 September, the regiment's vanguard reached Mużyłowice Kolonia, encountering fierce resistance from remnants of the III Battalion of SS-StandarteGermania, which had been routed the previous night by the 11th Infantry Division.^[21] Lieutenant Colonel Piotr Kaczała's 1st Battalion launched an assault, while the reconnaissance company of the 39th Infantry Regiment outflanked the German defenses. The German unit was destroyed, but the Polish side suffered the loss of Lieutenant Kazimierz Bukowy.^[21] The 39th Infantry Regiment advanced to Mołoszkowice and then to theYaniv forests (northwest of Lviv), where it took defensive positions in the "Na Chmurowem" woods along the southeastern and southern edges.^[21]

At dawn on 17 September, German battle groups from the 1st Mountain Division approached the 24th Infantry Division's defensive positions.^[21] Following a heavy artillery barrage, German mountain infantry launched an assault on the 24th Infantry Division's units, including the sector held by the 39th Infantry Regiment. The 1st Battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment faced particularly heavy attacks. Despite intense fighting, all German assaults were repelled.^[21]

After nightfall, the regiment disengaged from the enemy and marched through the 336 Forest toward Kertyna. There, it joined the main forces of the 24th Infantry Division and marched with them toward Yaniv. By this time, the regiment's companies were reduced to approximately 50 soldiers each, and the reconnaissance company had ceased to exist.^[21] On the morning of 18 September, the regiment reached Yaniv. At this point, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Szymański carried out another reorganization of the 39th Infantry Regiment, forming it into a composite infantry battalion and a heavy machine gun company.^[21]

After a brief stop in Yaniv, the composite battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment marched toward Jamelnia, Kozice, and Rzęsna Ruska. The march was halted at the outskirts of Rzęsna Ruska by units of the German 1st Mountain Division.^[21] With the road to Lviv cut off for General Sosnkowski's group, an order was issued to attack Rzęsna Ruska. In addition to the 39th Infantry Regiment's composite battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Szymański was given command of composite battalions from the 38th and 17th Infantry Regiments, as well as two battalions formed from Border Protection Corps and National Defense units.^[21]

The assault was launched from the Kozice area with artillery support from the 24th Infantry Division. The 39th Infantry Regiment's battalion under Major Bieniek, the 38th Infantry Regiment's battalion led by Major Böhm, the 17th Infantry Regiment's battalion commanded by Major Weisbach, and the Border Protection Corps/National Defense battalion under Major Dembowski advanced.^[21] The 39th Infantry Regiment's battalion fought its way into the northwestern part of Rzęsna Ruska, engaging in fierce combat for individual buildings. The 38th Infantry Regiment's battalion captured the Rzęsna Ruska manor and reached the village's southwestern edge, while the other battalions were halted near the Skitniki Manor.^[21]

At 10:00 AM, upon Lieutenant Colonel Szymański's request, a composite battalion from the 1stPodhale Rifles Regiment under Major Serafiniuk was introduced. This battalion entered the forest north of the Skitniki Manor but was pushed back by a German counterattack to the manor itself, which it managed to hold.^[21] The 39th Infantry Regiment's battalion secured the western part of the village, while the 38th Infantry Regiment's battalion took the southern edge.^[21] Despite fierce fighting, the attack stalled midway through the village due to lack of support. Heavy casualties were sustained, including Major Józef Bieniek and Lieutenant Marian Żurawski, who were seriously wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Piotr Kaczała assumed command of the battalion.^[21]

By 4:00 PM, the remnants of the 155th Infantry Regiment were deployed, securing part of the forest north of Rzęsna Ruska. The 24th Infantry Division units in Rzęsna Ruska and its vicinity came under German air attacks.^[21] At 5:00 PM, further advances were halted with the arrival of tanks from the German 5th Panzer Division. These tanks attacked Lieutenant Colonel Kaczała's battalion positions but were countered by anti-tank weapons, 75mm artillery, and other divisional artillery units, suffering losses.^[21]

Due to lack of reserves, the attack was abandoned. On General Sosnkowski's orders, the units withdrew to the Brzuchowice Forest. Vehicles, remaining artillery, heavy equipment, and transport were destroyed.^[27] Remaining soldiers regrouped and reorganized into two heavy machine gun companies and two rifle companies, numbering around 200 soldiers in total.^[27]

At 10:00 PM, the regiment began a night march to Brzuchowice. By midnight, General Sosnkowski reestablished contact with the commander of the 11th Carpathian Infantry Division and rescinded the previous order to disband the units and destroy heavy equipment.^[27] Unfortunately, the regiment had already destroyed its mortars and two infantry artillery sections. However, it retained 20 heavy machine guns, five anti-tank guns, four anti-tank rifles, and most light machine guns.^[27] The remnants of the 39th Infantry Regiment, along with elements of the 38th Infantry Regiment, the 155th Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Podhale Rifles Regiment, were reorganized into a composite battalion under Major Józef Böhm. On 19 September, these remnants engaged in the Brzuchowice Forest battles.^[27]

Fierce fighting to break through to Lviv began on the afternoon of 19 September near Hołosków Mały and continued uninterrupted until the evening of 20 September. By then, approximately 400 soldiers, four anti-tank guns, and eight heavy machine guns remained from the composite battalion.^[27] Around 8:00 PM, an attempt was made to break through to Lviv via a ravine leading from a military shooting range to Zboiska, but the German lines could not be breached.^[27]

On the night of 20/21 September, a final group of 300–400 soldiers, including several dozen from the 39th Infantry Regiment, attempted to break through to Dublany and the Hungarian border under Lieutenant Colonel Szymański, Captain Domiter, and General Sosnkowski. Upon encountering German defenses, Lieutenant Colonel Szymański ordered the group and regiment disbanded. Soldiers were instructed to reach the border or return home in small groups.^[27] On 21 September 1939, the Jarosław-based 39th Lviv Rifle Regiment ceased to exist.^[27]

On 9 May 1923, the President of Poland,Stanisław Wojciechowski, approved the design of the banner for the 39th Infantry Regiment.^[1] On 29 April 1924, GeneralLucjan Żeligowski, on behalf of the President, presented the banner to the then-regimental commander, Colonel Edward Kańczucki. The banner was funded by the Polish diaspora inDetroit.^[1]

The color motif on both sides of the cloth featured a redMaltese cross on a white background. In the center of the right side was a laurel wreath with an embroidered silver eagle. Between the arms of the cross, also within the laurel wreath, were the regiment's numbers: 39.^[1] The center of the left side displayed a laurel wreath with the motto of the Polish Army,Honor i Ojczyzna (Honor and Homeland). In the corners were the coats of arms of Lviv and Jarosław, as well as an image of the Virgin Mary. On the arms of the cross were the names of places and dates significant to the regiment's combat traditions:^[1]

• Victory at Brzuchowice and Zboiska on 29 April 1919
• Occupation of Hłuboczek and Tarnopol on 1 June 1919
• Capture of Nowokonstantynów on 24 February 1920
• Battle on the Avuta river on 4 July 1920

The staff was topped with a silver finial featuring an eagle facing left, with spread wings, sitting on a base with the regiment's number. Below the eagle's base, a white-and-red ribbon cockade was affixed to the staff.^[1]

In September 1939, as the regiment left for the front, the banner was not left at the Regimental Reserve Depot. Instead, it accompanied the regiment to the front in the chaplain's staff vehicle and followed the entire combat route.^[1] On 14 September, during the battle at Boratycze and Husaków, when German forces broke through the defenses, the banner's guard took it onto the battlefield, helping to restore order and suppress panic.^[25] On the night of 18 September, it was buried near a forester's lodge in the Brzuchowice Forest. It subsequently went missing, and its fate remains unknown. However, the eagle finial from the banner, bearing the number 39 on its base, was later discovered in the Museum of the Army in Paris.^[30]

On 23 April 1929, the Minister of Military Affairs, Marshal of PolandJózef Piłsudski, approved the design and regulations for the commemorative badge of the 39th Infantry Regiment. The badge, measuring 40×28 mm, has the shape of an octagonal shield surrounded by a stylized laurel wreath.^[2] The wreath bears the date "22 XI 1918" – marking the battles in defense of and for the liberation of Lviv. Inside the wreath is an octagon with a double border, bearing the regiment's number and initials: "39 P.P.S.L.". Above the octagon is the coat of arms of Jarosław, and below it is the coat of arms of Lviv. The officer's badge was embossed in silver and partially enamelled. The octagonal field was navy blue, with a yellow border.^[2] This color scheme was closely associated with the dark blue uniforms and yellow facings of the Polish infantry from the Napoleonic era and the November Uprising. The soldiers' badge was embossed in brass and was not enamelled.^[2]

In 1938, during the celebrations of thedefense of Lviv in 1918, agorget was placed on the image of Our Lady of Ostra Brama in the church dedicated to this invocation in Lviv.^[31] The gorget, created by the 39th Lviv Rifle Regiment (descended from theLwów Eaglets), featured an image of Our Lady of Ostra Brama and was presented with the inscription "To the Guardian of the City, as a lasting symbol of victory". The design was created byRudolf Mękicki [pl], and the piece was made of silver, partially gilded by Kazimierz Wojtych.^[31]

Source:^[32]

• Lieutenant Colonel JanRyszard Hausner [pl] (25 November 1918 – 20 June 1919)
• Major Czunikin Krasowiecki (23 June – 1 July 1919)
• MajorKazimierz Topoliński [pl] (2 July – 7 August 1919)
• ColonelStanisław Eulagiusz Sobolewski [pl] (8 August 1919 – 15 June 1920)
• Captain of ArtilleryKarol Battaglia [pl] (16 June – 15 July 1920)
• Colonel Stanisław Eulagiusz Sobolewski (16–28 July 1920)
• Lieutenant Colonel Franciszek Goliński (29 July – 27 August 1920)
• Major of InfantryBolesław Pytel [pl] (27 August 1920 – 23 February 1921)
• Lieutenant Colonel / Colonel of InfantryEdward Kańczucki [pl] (1 June 1921 – 31 March 1927 → Reassignment for recruitment duties at the Kalisz Military Recruitment Office)
• Lieutenant Colonel / ColonelZygmunt Durski [pl] (5 May 1927 – 22 December 1934 → Commander of Infantry for the 22nd Infantry Division)
• Lieutenant ColonelJózef Gruszka [pl] (22 December 1934 – †18 November 1937)
• Lieutenant ColonelRoman Szymański [pl] (1938 – 20 November 1939)

Source:^[32]

• Lieutenant Colonel of InfantryStefan Wyspiański [pl] (1923 – April 1924 → Deputy Commander of the 68th Infantry Regiment)
• Honorary Colonel of InfantryStanisław Palle [pl] (April 1924 – May 1925)
• Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry Tadeusz Jeziorański (1925 – 11 October 1926 → Reassigned under the regiment commander)
• Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry Konrad Witold Sieciński (11 October 1926 – 31 March 1927 → Reassignment for recruitment duties at the Jarosław Military Recruitment Office)
• Major / Lieutenant Colonel of InfantryFranciszek Szyszka [pl] (5 May 1927 – August 1932 → Retired as of 30 November 1932)
• Lieutenant Colonel of EngineersHenryk Bagiński [pl] (10 August 1932 – 8 April 1934)
• Lieutenant Colonel of InfantryStanisław Sztarejko [pl] (8 May 1934 – October 1935 → General Staff)
• Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry Stanisław Tworzydło (until August 1939 → Commander of the Reserve Center for the 24th Infantry Division)

• Major / Lieutenant Colonel of InfantryPiotr Kaczała [pl] (August 1935 – August 1939 → Commander of the 1st Battalion)^[32]

• Kubrak, Zygmunt (1999).39 Pułk Piechoty [39th Infantry Regiment] (in Polish). Pruszków: Ajaks.ISBN 978-83-87103-84-2.
• Rybka, Ryszard; Stepan, Kamil (2006).Rocznik oficerski 1939. Stan na dzień 23 marca 1939 [Officer Yearbook 1939: As of 23 March 1939] (in Polish). Kraków: Fundacja CDCN.ISBN 978-83-7188-899-1.
• Smotrecki, Henryk (1929).Zarys historji wojennej 39-go pułku strzelców Lwowskich [Outline of the War History of the 39th Lviv Rifle Regiment] (in Polish). Warsaw: Wojskowe Biuro Historyczne.

• Infantry regiments of Poland
• Military units and formations of Poland in World War II
• Infantry divisions of Poland
• Military units and formations established in 1918

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