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Karol Świerczewski, (callsign Walter) (22 February 1897 in Warsaw – 28 March 1947 at Jabłonki near Baligród) was a communist, military officer and a general in service of Bolshevist Russia, Soviet Union, Republican Spain and Polish post-War government.

Karol Świerczewski grew up in a poor working class family and during the First World War was evacuated to Moscow from Poland. In 1918 he joined the Bolshevik party and fought in the Russian Civil War as a soldier of the Red Army, and was awarded Order of the Red Banner. During Polish Soviet War he applied for transfer to the western front in order to fight against Poland. In 1927 Świerczewski graduated from Frunze Military Academy and in 1936 under the name General Walter came to Spain. General Walter won a reputation of a very competent military commander as he led 14th International Brigade and later 35th International Division during the Spanish Civil War. Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was first a general of the Soviet army but in 1943 became one of the generals charged with the creation of Soviet controlled 1st Polish Army. In 1944 Karol Świerczewski became one of the leaders of Polish Workers' Party and the government of People's Republic of Poland. In the winter 1944 and the spring of 1945 he led the Polish Second Army during the fights for western Poland and the Battle of Berlin. In February of 1946 Karol Świerczewski became the deputy defence minister of Poland. He was responsible for persecution of anti-Communist opposition movement in Poland and responsible for signing many death sentences as a part of establishing a Communist regime in Poland, as penalty for example for possessing a radio receiver. His controversial death in an ambush near Baligród was one of the triggers for the "Wisła" Action. It was blamed on members of Ukrainian Insurgent Army, while some historians believe that either NKVD or Communists in Poland assisted in his death. An often recalled belief is that NKVD was interested in his death, as he was witness to many murders made by Soviets during Civil War in Spain.

After 1989 when Solidarity came to power in Poland, many of his monuments were removed and street names replaced because of his role in implementing Communist regime in Poland.

On 21st May 2003, Polish organisation of former veterans and independence fighters applied to Institute of National Remembrance to investigate crimes against Polish nation committed by Karol Świerczewski. In a letter they recall that he was "one of the people who consciously worked towards enslavement of Polish nation, through enforced communist regime that was vassal towards Moscow". Among crimes that aren't subject to expiry and should be investigated by IPN are 29 death sentences on Polish soldiers and officers, which were signed by Świerczewski during his command of the Soviet controlled 2nd Polish Army. Communist officers regularly murdered former Home Army soldiers that were forced into Soviet controlled Polish forces in the East.

External links

• Template:Ru icon Пан Вальтер in "Совершенно секретно", a monthly in Russia

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