PL/EN
Honorary Patron: Metropolitan Archbishop of Białystok, Dr. Józef Guzdek
(Field Bishop of the Polish Army 2010-2021)
Sponsor:
Guardian: Mikołaj Rey, KJ Szarża im. 8 Pułku Ułanów ks. Józefa Poniatowskiego
A silver medallist of Olympic Games in Berlin 1936 (on Bambino). A knight of Polish Cross of Valour. The 7th Regiment of Mounted Riflemen of Great Poland. Murdered in Katyn.
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Zdzisław Szczęsny Gozdawa Kawecki was born in Husiatyn at Podolia on 21 May 1902, in the gentry. He was a son of Stanisław and Jadwiga from Gończakowcy’s family. He was shot in Katyn by officers of the NKVD Regional Directorate in April 1940. He is buried in the area of the present Polish War Cemetery in Katyn.
His parents had an estate in Kosowski District. He finished a primary school in his mother town and a classical grammar-school in Kolomyia. He passed his high school finals at a high school in Stanisławów in 1921.
When he was a student, he joined up Polish Military Organisation (hereinafter referred to as PMO) on 01 November 1918. He participated in battles with Ukrainians at Pokucie and in Kolomyia defence (24-27 May 1919). On 01 June 1919, he volunteered to 6th Regiment of Kaniowscy Uhlans from where he was seconded to Infantry Cadet School in Warsaw (1919-1920) and, upon its graduation, to Cavalry Cadet School in Przemyśl (1920). On 01 May 1920, he received an assignment to18th Uhlan Regiment in Grudziądz and promotion as an officer cadet (07 May 1920). (…)
Read more… (click to go to Polish Digital Equestrian Library)
Author: Renata Urban
Fragments of the book entitled ‘Jeźdźcy-olimpijczycy Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej’
Zdzisław Kawecki was shot in Katyn by the officers of the NKVD District Board in April 1940. He is buried in the area of the present Polish War Cemetery in Katyn.
Polish Digital Equestrian Library:
Click the links below to go to the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (will open in a new tab):
„Polscy jeźdźcy olimpijscy okresu międzywojennego część II” (2019) – Hanna Łysakowska
„Polscy jeźdźcy olimpijscy okresu międzywojennego część I” (2018) – Hanna Łysakowska
„Berlin 1936, czyli o słynnym polskim olimpijskim konkursie WKKW” [link] (2012)
„Jeźdźcy-Olimpijczycy Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej” (2012) – Renata Urban
„Jeźdźcy-Olimpijczycy Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej” [fragmenty] (2012) – Renata Urban
„Jeźdźcy olimpijscy” (2000) – Hanna Łysakowska
„Olimpiada w Berlinie w 1936 r.” (1982) – Witold Pruski
„Sport jeździecki w broniach konnych II Rzeczypospolitej” (1974) – Zygmunt Bielecki
„Jury d`appel olimpijskie odebrało Polsce srebrny medal w konkursie Militari” (1936)
„Ciężko wywalczony – srebrny medal olimpijski” (1936) – Tadeusz Grabowski
See related articles:

XI Summer Olympic Games – Berlin 1936
Polish team consisting of: Capt. Z. Kawecki / Bambino; Major S. Kulesza / Tośka; rtm. H. Roycewicz-Leliwa / Arlekin III – won the silver medal.
Gallery:

Photo from the NAC collection

Photo from the NAC collection

Photo from the NAC collection