Stefan Hanka-Kulesza

Stefan Hanka-Kulesza, also known as Kulesza-Hanka, born Stefan Kulesza until 1937 (30 August 1892, Holendernia, near Włodawa – 5 June 1964, London), was a Polish independence activist, engineer, and colonel in the cavalry of the Polish Armed Forces. He was a recipient of the Order of Virtuti Militari for his service between 1914 and 1921.

While studying engineering at the Ghent University, he joined the Union of Associations of Polish Independence Youth and the Riflemen's Association. At the outbreak of World War I, he was in Kraków attending an officer training course and joined the Seven Lancers of Belina, the first Polish military unit to cross the border from the Austrian Partition into the Russian Partition. He later served in the 1st Uhlans Regiment of Polish Legions, becoming a second lieutenant and deputy squadron commander. Following the Oath crisis in 1917, he was arrested and interned in Beniaminów.

In November 1918, he joined the Polish Army as a major. During the Polish–Soviet War, he commanded the newly formed 3rd Mazovian Chevau-léger Regiment. He distinguished himself in combat, particularly during the Battle of Warsaw, where he was severely wounded leading a bayonet charge on 17 August. In the interwar period, he commanded the 3rd Chevau-léger Regiment but was removed in 1930 due to irregularities. He later led the 17th Cavalry Brigade and, from August 1939, the Kresowa Cavalry Brigade. During the Invasion of Poland, he was relieved of command early in the campaign but later led the improvised Dubno Group, fighting Ukrainian insurgents, the Red Army, and the Wehrmacht. He surrendered on 25 September 1939 and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, he lived in exile in London.