Krat, Mykhailo

Krat, Mykhailo [Крат, Михайло], b 6 August 1892 in Hadiach, Poltava gubernia, d 8 August 1979 in Detroit, Michigan. Prominent Ukrainian army officer. After years of distinguished service in the Russian army, he joined the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic in 1917, where he attained the rank of colonel. In 1917–18 he held various staff appointments and in 1919 commanded the Eighth Black Sea Regiment. In the First Winter Campaign, Krat was first chief of staff of the Third Iron Rifle Division of the Army of the Ukrainian National Republic and then of the Zaporozhian Division. After the First World War he was released from Polish internment camp and lived in Poland. In 1944–5, Krat served as a staff officer of the First Division of the Ukrainian National Army (see Division Galizien). Upon surrendering to the British, the division was interned and Krat was appointed commander of the prisoner of war camps near Bellaria and Rimini, Italy. During this time he was promoted to brigadier general by the Government-in-exile of the Ukrainian National Republic. After being released by the British, he emigrated to the United States.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 2 (1988).]