A Polish Heritage Society publication · London, 2026
Lieutenant-General Stanisław Kopański 1895–1976
Hero of Tobruk
Dr Andrzej Suchcitz
A soldier, commander and leading figure of the Polish community in exile, General Stanisław Kopański devoted his life to the service of his country.
This illustrated biography follows his career from his early years through the defence of Tobruk, his work as Chief of the General Staff, and his contribution to Polish military and public life in post-war Britain.
PDF · English · 44 pages · 1.52 MB
About the publication
Across eight chapters, Dr Suchcitz examines Kopański’s service in the armies of Tsarist Russia and independent Poland, his command of the Carpathian Brigade in North Africa, and his responsibilities at the head of the Polish General Staff during the Second World War.
The booklet also explores his work with the Polish Resettlement Corps and the Polish military authorities in exile. Historical photographs, a list of decorations, selected sources and a bibliography, and an index of names accompany the account.
About the author
Dr Andrzej Suchcitz is a historian and retired archivist. From 1989 to 2025 he was Keeper of Archives at the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London and at the Polish Underground Movement (1939–1945) Study Trust. He has written extensively in Polish and English on twentieth-century Polish military history.
16 September 2026
Recognition from the Polish Embassy in London
In a letter to Dr Andrzej Suchcitz and Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki, Rafał Wiśniewski, Chargé d’affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, thanked them for the publication and recognised the Society’s contribution to sharing Polish history with successive generations in the United Kingdom.
The Embassy highlights the publication’s value in preserving the memory of General Kopański’s courage, responsibility and service to Poland.
Read the signed Embassy letter (PDF · Polish)
English translation of the letter
Unofficial English translation. The signed Polish letter is the original document.
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London
London, 16 September 2026
Dr hab. Andrzej Suchcitz
Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki
Dear Doctors,
I would like to thank you warmly for the opportunity to read Dr Andrzej Suchcitz’s publication devoted to the life and achievements of General Stanisław Kopański, entitled Lieutenant-General Stanisław Kopański (1895–1976). Hero of Tobruk. It is a valuable source of knowledge and inspiration for everyone interested in Polish history. Thanks to this publication, and more broadly to the work of the Polish Heritage Society in Great Britain, successive generations of citizens of the United Kingdom can learn about Polish history. Your publication helps preserve the memory of the examples of courage, responsibility and dedication to the Polish State embodied by General Stanisław Kopański.
I wish you continued success in spreading knowledge of Poland’s history and in carrying out further initiatives of equal value.
Yours sincerely,
Rafał Wiśniewski
Chargé d’affaires a.i.
Original Polish text — transcribed
Ambasada Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Londynie
Londyn, 16 września 2026 r.
Dr hab. Andrzej Suchcitz
Dr Marek Stella-Sawicki
Szanowni Panowie Doktorzy,
Serdecznie dziękuję za możliwość zapoznania się z publikacją dr. Andrzeja Suchcitza poświęconą życiu i zasługom gen. Stanisława Kopańskiego, pt. „Lieutenant-General Stanisław Kopański (1895–1976). Hero of Tobruk”. Stanowi ona cenne źródło wiedzy i inspiracji dla wszystkich zainteresowanych polską historią. Dzięki tej publikacji, jak i szerzej, dzięki działalności Polish Heritage Society w Wielkiej Brytanii, możliwe staje się przybliżanie kolejnym pokoleniom obywateli Zjednoczonego Królestwa polskiej historii. Państwa publikacja przyczynia się do zachowania pamięci o wzorcach odwagi, odpowiedzialności i oddania Państwu Polskiemu, jakie symbolizuje generał Stanisław Kopański.
Życzę Panom dalszych sukcesów w szerzeniu wiedzy o historii Polski i realizacji kolejnych równie wartościowych przedsięwzięć.
Z wyrazami szacunku,
Rafał Wiśniewski
Chargé d’affaires a.i.
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