| Franciszek Ksawery Latinik | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 17, 1864 Tarnów, Austrian Empire |
| Died | August 29, 1949 (aged 85) Kraków, Poland |
| Ethnicity | Polish |
| Citizenship | Austrian, Polish |
| Occupation | Military officer |
Franciszek Ksawery Latinik (17 July 1864 in Tarnów - 29 August 1949 in Kraków) was a Polish general.
He graduated from the cadets school in Kraków and since 1882 served in the Austro-Hungarian Army. In 1891 he graduated from the Academy of the General Staff in Vienna.
During World War I he commanded the 100th Infantry Division with which he fought for example in the battle of Gorlice 2-4 May 1915. In the same year he received the rank of Colonel and fought on the Eastern Front in Russia and Romania. In 1916 commanded the Infantry Brigade on the Italian Front where he was seriously wounded.
After Poland gained the independence, he joined the Polish Army. From November 1918 he commanded the military district in Cieszyn. He commanded Polish defence during the invasion of Cieszyn Silesia in January 1919 by Czech forces. He was in active service also during Polish-Soviet War. He was a military governor of Warsaw during the Battle of Warsaw and commanded the 1st Polish Army.
Latinik retired from active service in March 1925. In 1934 he published his memoirs from the conflict over Cieszyn Silesia, named Walka o Śląsk Cieszyński w r. 1919.
Latinik was awarded with following military awards: Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari, Commander's Cross of the Polonia Restituta and the Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych), twice.