Career
Kustroń spent his childhood in the southern town of Nowy Sącz, where his family had settled. In 1910 he began studying law and philosophy at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, and two years later joined the paramilitary Riflemen"s Association. After the outbreak of World War I, Kustron joined the Polish Legions, and was promoted to platoon commander in the Second Infantry Regiment of the Legions.
On October 29, 1914, he was wounded during the Battle of Molotkowo and, after recuperating, was promoted to porucznik (lieutenant).
Transferred to the 4th Infantry Regiment, he fought against the Russians in the area of Lublin, and in Volhynia, and was promoted to captain. After the Oath crisis, Kustron was demoted by the Austrians, and moved to an infantry regiment of the Austro-Hungarian Army.
After Poland regained independence in late 1918, Kustroń worked for the Ministry of Military Affairs. In the inter-war period, Kustroń served in several infantry units.
He was deputy of the 42nd Infantry Regiment in Białystok, then commander of the 55th Infantry Regiment in Leszno.
During the May Coup, he supported Józef Piłsudski, and prevented his regiment from going to Warsaw to fight for the lawful president In late 1930s, he commanded the Pomeranian 16th Infantry Division from Grudziądz and, in 1935, he was appointed commander of the 21st Mountain Infantry Division from Bielsko-Biała. With this unit, he took part in the annexation of Zaolzie (Cesky Tesin) in 1938 (see Independent Operational Group Silesia) and was promoted to brigadier general in March 1939.
During the Polish September Campaign, Kustroń"s division was part of the Krakow Army, and was engaged in heavy fighting with the advancing Wehrmacht from the first day of the war.
After several battles and skirmishes, the division, retreating east, found itself near the town of Oleszyce on September 16. Trying to break through German lines and reach Lwów, the Poles fought a battle with Wehrmacht’s 45th Infantry Division.
Kustroń was killed at around 2 p.m. He was buried on the battlefield, and in 1953, his remains were moved to Nowy Sącz.
He was the first Polish general to die in the invasion, and the second general officer casualty of the campaign overall.
The first was Wilhelm Fritz von Roettig.
