The regiment was formed in the autumn of 1914, out of soldiers of Legion Wschodni (Eastern Legion), which was dissolved on September 21, 1914, after most its soldiers had refused to swear allegiance and obedience to the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Reinforced with additional volunteers from Austrian Silesia and Austrian Galicia, it took part in the Battle of Galicia as early as October 1914. The regiment fought in several important battles, such as the Battle of Rafajlowa, Battle of Mołotków, Battle of Kostiuchnówka, Battle of Rarańcza and the Battle of Kaniów. Disarmed by the Germans after the Battle of Kaniów (May 1918) the regiment was recreated by Polish authorities in early 1919. It fought in Polish–Ukrainian War (1918–19) and Polish–Soviet War of 1920.