Capt. observer
Bronisław Fabjan (1892–1976) was a captain observer of the Polish Army, Knight of the Virtuti Militari Order, a participant in World War I, the Polish-Bolshevik War and an officer of the aviation of the Second Polish Republic. He was born on 3 September 1892 in Rajtarowice. After passing his matura he began law studies, which he interrupted due to the outbreak of World War I. On 15 August 1914 he joined the Eastern Legion, and was subsequently conscripted into the 30th Infantry Regiment. In 1915 he completed training at a reserve officers’ school and fought on the Eastern and Italian fronts. In 1916 he was taken prisoner by the Russians, from which he escaped in January 1918, returning to service in the 30th Infantry Regiment. After Poland regained its independence in 1918 he took part in the defence of Lwów, and then served in the 40th Infantry Regiment “Children of Lwów”. In 1919 he was assigned to the Officers’ Observer School, which he completed in 1920. He was then assigned to the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, in which he took part in the Polish-Bolshevik War. During the fighting against Semyon Budyonny’s Cavalry Army in August 1920 he carried out numerous combat flights, conducting reconnaissance and low-altitude attacks on enemy cavalry units. He served in the military aviation of the Second Polish Republic, including the 2nd Aviation Regiment. For his merits he was decorated with the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari Order. After ending his military service he settled in Great Britain, where he died on 10 April 1976 in Dartford.
