Petro Dyachenko
Petro Dyachenko Петро́ Дяче́нко | |
|---|---|
| File:Diachenko.jpg | |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 191?-1945 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | First World War World War II |
| Awards | Iron Cross 1st Class |
Petro Dyachenko (Ukrainian: Петро́ Дяче́нко, Polish: Petro Diaczenko)—born January 30 1895 in Berezova Luka, Poltava area (presently Ukraine); died April 23 1965 in Philadelphia, USA—was an Ukrainian military commander who served in the UNR army, the Polish army (1938-1939), the Schutzmannschaft (Schuma), the U.V.V, the 104th Panzergrenadier brigade Vilna Ukraina and the UNA.
In the First World War Dyachenko was the commander of the Russian 333. Infantry Regiment. He joined the Ukrainian National Republic in its struggle against both White and Red Russian forces. In February 23 1918 he was successively in command of the of the 2, Zaporozhian Rifle Regiment, 1. Zap. Rifle Div, UNR army, as battalion commander. After the reorganization of the army in July 23 1918, he command of the Independent Zaporozhian Rifle Regiment (formed from his battalion). After the failed Kiev and the collapse of the Ukrainian state, he was interned in Poland together with the remaining Ukrainian soldiers. In July 20 1928 he joined the Polish Army. In 1928 was company commander in the 1. Polish Chevauleger Regiment.
In January 1 1934 was deputy commander of the 3. Polish Mazovian Chevauleger Regiment. As a major he fought in the Polish Army in September 1939. After capitulation, as an officer of the Polish army, was captured and sent to a German POW Camp.
In July 25 Dyachenko was the member of the Ukrainian Central Committee (UCC) formed in Krakow on the German side. Dyachenko was the staff of Polisskaja Sich (later joined the Ukrainian Insurgent Army) in 1941-1944. In March 1944 took part in organizing the 31. Schutzmannschafts Battalion (Ukrainian Legion of self-defense in Holms) on the German side. In August 1944 commander of the 31. Schutzmannschafts-Bataillon der SD. After the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, Dyachenko was ordered to organize a military unit out of Battalion. From August 1944 Dyachenko's group took part in fighting in the Wola area on the German side. For his actions during the Warsaw Uprising Dyachenko was awarded on 1944, the First Class to his Iron Cross. In January 30 1945 commander of the 3. U.V.V Regiment. In February 1945 commander of the Panzerjagd-Brigade Freie Ukraine (Vilna Ukraina). In April 1945 commander of the 2. UNA Division. In 1945, remnants of the Vilna Ukraine were attached to general Pavlo Shandruk's army, forming the Ukrainian National Army. In May 7 1945 Dyachenko was promoted to the rank of general by General Pavlo Shandruk (2nd. UNA).
In May 1945 he and the remnants of the 2nd UNA Division surrendered to the US forces in Austria. Later on, he lived in Germany and the USA.