Henryk Szumski Explained

General
Henryk Szumski
Birth Date:6 April 1941
Birth Place:Poltulice, Poland
Death Place:Komorów, Poland
Serviceyears:1964–2000
Allegiance: Poland
Order:Chief of the Polish General Staff
Term Start:10 March 1997
Term End:29 September 2000
Successor:Czesław Piątas
Predecessor:Tadeusz Wilecki

Henryk Szumski (6 April 1941 – 30 January 2012) was a Polish general, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces between 1997 and 2000.

Life

Education

He is a graduate of the Military Academy of the Armored Forces in Poznań (1961–1964). Between 1968 and 1971 he participated in courses organised by the General Staff Academy in Rembertów. In 1980 he graduated from General Staff Academy of Soviet Armed Forces.

Military career

After graduation in 1980 he became the commander of the 12th Mechanised Division in Szczecin. In the years 1984-1986 Szumski was serving as chief of Pomeranian Military District. Subsequently, he took the position of deputy chief of General Staff of Polish Armed Forces for Operations. Between 1987-1989 he was a commander of Silesian Military District. Till 1996 Szumski held various high positions within the General Staff.[1]

From 1996 to 1997 he worked at National Security Bureau where he was i.a. responsible for conceptual works on new model of Poland’s Armed Forces.

On 10 march 1997 he was appointed by Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.[2] He held this position till 28 September 2000.[3]

In 2000 he left the army and became a member of National Security Council.

Death

He died tragically on 30 January 2012 after being attacked with a knife by his own son.[4]

On 9 February 2012 Henryk Szumski was buried with military honours at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gen. broni Henryk Szumski zmarł tragicznie 30 stycznia 2012 r.. 1 February 2012 . Klub Generałów i Admirałów RP. 9 December 2022.
  2. News: Head of military fired in dispute . 1997-03-11 . Newspapers.com . Chicago Tribune.
  3. Web site: Syn gen. Szumskiego w szpitalu. Dlaczego zabił?. 1 February 2012 . Newsweek. 9 December 2022.
  4. Web site: Generał Henryk Szumski pochowany na warszawskich Powązkach. 9 February 2012 . dziennik.pl. 9 December 2022.
  5. Web site: Uroczystości pogrzebowe śp. gen. broni Henryka Szumskiego. 9 February 2012 . BBN. 9 December 2022.