Jozef Pilsudski vs Michel Ney

At the outbreak of World War I, Pilsudski formed the Polish Legions, volunteer military units fighting alongside Austria-Hungary against Russia. The Legions aimed to create a core for a future Polish army and advance the cause of Polish independence from partitioning powers.

On November 11, 1918, Pilsudski was released from German internment and returned to Warsaw. He assumed command of Polish forces and proclaimed the independence of the Second Polish Republic, becoming the nation's first Chief of State after 123 years of partition.

During the Polish-Soviet War, Pilsudski personally planned and commanded the counteroffensive at the Battle of Warsaw in August 1920. Polish forces repelled the advancing Red Army, securing Polish independence and halting the spread of Bolshevism into Central Europe.

In May 1926, Pilsudski led a military coup against the Polish government, marching loyal troops into Warsaw. After three days of fighting, President Wojciechowski resigned and Pilsudski assumed de facto dictatorial power, establishing the Sanacja regime that ruled Poland until 1939.

Pilsudski's government signed a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union on July 25, 1932. The treaty normalized relations between the two countries for ten years, though it was later broken by the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939.

Ney's corps stormed the abbey of Elchingen, capturing the Austrian bridgehead. This action trapped General Mack's army in Ulm, leading to the surrender of 30,000 Austrians. Ney was later made Duke of Elchingen for this victory.

Ney commanded the III Corps in the center, leading repeated assaults on the Russian fortifications. He was wounded but refused to leave the field. His corps suffered 50% casualties, but he held the line. This battle was the bloodiest of the Napoleonic Wars.

Ney commanded the rearguard of the Grande Arm

Ney commanded the left wing of the French army at Waterloo. He led the cavalry charges against the British squares, losing thousands of men. His failure to capture Hougoumont and his premature cavalry attacks contributed to Napoleon's defeat. This was his final battle.

After Waterloo, Ney was arrested by the Bourbon government and tried for treason for joining Napoleon during the Hundred Days. He was convicted by the Chamber of Peers and executed by firing squad in the Luxembourg Garden. His execution made him a martyr for Bonapartists.