Jan Wasiewicz
Encyclopedia
Jan Karol Wasiewicz was an interwar Polish
soccer player. Wasiewicz was a midfielder both in Pogoń Lwów
(one of the best teams of interwar Poland), and the Polish National Team.
His career started in 1926 in another Lwów team - RKS. Then he moved to Lechia Lwów
and in 1933 to Pogoń. In the last team, he played in the Polish Soccer League in the years 1933-1939, representing Pogoń in 102 games and scoring 3 goals. In the Polish National Team, Wasiewicz took part in 11 games, scoring 3 goals. He was a reserve team player during the 1938 FIFA World Cup
, but did not go to France. Most probably, he would have played in the legendary game Poland - Brazil
5-6 (June 5, 1938, Strasbourg
, France), had it not been for an injury. At the last minute, Wasiewicz was replaced by Ewald Dytko
.
Wasiewicz fought in the Invasion of Poland
. After Poland's defeat, he escaped to Hungary
. From there, moved to France and then to England, where he fought in General Stanisław Maczek's First Polish Armoured Division. In late 1944 and early 1945, he fought in France, Belgium
and Netherlands
, in a famous 1st Polish Infantry Battalion "Bloody Shirts". In recognition of extraordinary service, Wasiewicz was honored with highest orders, including the Belgian Order of Léopold
.
Until 1946, he served in the occupation forces in Germany. Then he moved to England, and in 1949 to Argentina, where he died.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
soccer player. Wasiewicz was a midfielder both in Pogoń Lwów
Pogon Lwów
LKS Pogoń Lwów is a former Polish professional sports club which was located in Lwów , and existed from 1904 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. It was the second oldest Polish football club behind other teams from Lwów - Czarni and Lechia...
(one of the best teams of interwar Poland), and the Polish National Team.
His career started in 1926 in another Lwów team - RKS. Then he moved to Lechia Lwów
Lechia Lwów
Lechia Lwów was the first Polish professional football club, founded on summer 1903 in Lwów....
and in 1933 to Pogoń. In the last team, he played in the Polish Soccer League in the years 1933-1939, representing Pogoń in 102 games and scoring 3 goals. In the Polish National Team, Wasiewicz took part in 11 games, scoring 3 goals. He was a reserve team player during the 1938 FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
, but did not go to France. Most probably, he would have played in the legendary game Poland - Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
5-6 (June 5, 1938, Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France), had it not been for an injury. At the last minute, Wasiewicz was replaced by Ewald Dytko
Ewald Dytko
Edward Jan Dytko was a German-born Upper Silesian soccer player, who, when his home country became Poland by Treaty of Versailles represented the no longer existing team of Dąb Katowice, also in 1935-39 he played in the Polish National Team.He was born in Zalenze and since early childhood played...
.
Wasiewicz fought in the Invasion of Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
. After Poland's defeat, he escaped to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. From there, moved to France and then to England, where he fought in General Stanisław Maczek's First Polish Armoured Division. In late 1944 and early 1945, he fought in France, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, in a famous 1st Polish Infantry Battalion "Bloody Shirts". In recognition of extraordinary service, Wasiewicz was honored with highest orders, including the Belgian Order of Léopold
Order of Léopold
The Order of Leopold is one of the three Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the highest order of Belgium and is named in honour of King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civilian division...
.
Until 1946, he served in the occupation forces in Germany. Then he moved to England, and in 1949 to Argentina, where he died.
Sources
See also
- Polish Roster in World Cup Soccer France 1938