Born: April 26, 1913, Stanisławów, Poland
Died: May 16, 2004, London, Great Britain
Buried: London, Great Britain – columbarium near Saint Andrzej Bobola church
Family: parents – father Józef, mother Maria (nee Skalna)
Medals: Polish – Silver Cross of Military Virtuti Militari Order
Prewar fates:
Bronisław Nitka’s father was a soldier of the Polish Legions. The family lived before World War II in Stanisławów. In the years 1933-1937, Bronisław graduated from the Infantry Reserve Cadet School in Ostrów-Komorów.
Fates during the war:
Bronisław Nitka as a soldier of the 10th Cavalry Brigade, then commanded by Col. Stanisław Maczek, in the first days of World War II fought in the vicinity of Przemyśl, Dynów and Dubiecko. He participated in heavy fighting against the Germans in the Bieszczady Mountains and then in the defense of Lviv. On September 19, 1939, together with the entire unit, he crossed the border into Hungary. Despite internment, like many soldiers of the Brigade, he managed to join the Polish troops in France. After the failure of the French campaign, he reached Great Britain. He again joined the units commanded by General Maczek – 1st Armored Division. Participated with it throughout its’ entire battle route on the European continent. Served as the commander of the 1st rifle company of the 8th Rifle Battalion. During the fighting, he was promoted to the rank of captain and awarded the Virtuti Militari Order for bravery.
Post-war fate:
After the war, he remained in exile in Great Britain. He lived in London. Became a cutter in one of the large clothing companies. He married a girl he met in France. Active in Polish organizations – was, among others, president of the Former Inhabitants of city of Stanisławów Association in Great Britain. His parents remained in Stanisławów (then the USSR) after the war; his father died in 1962. Since Bronisław had no children and in gratitude for the help given to him in the September Campaign, he asked his inheritance after his death (in 2004) to be donated to Polish schools in the Bieszczady region (South East Poland). His request was granted in 2006.
author: Aneta Hoffmann