History of the Scout movement in Poland
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[edit] Introduction
The facts are based on the memoirs of Scoutmaster Henryk Śniegocki. Born on January 18, 1893 in Kościan, died on December 1, 1971 in Poznań, he was commandant of the Local Scout Command and next the Headquarters of Scouts on the German Reich (territory), the participant of Greater-Poland Uprising. In free Poland the head of the Scout Troops in Greater-Poland in 1919 and Commander of the Greater-Poland Banner 1925–1927, a schoolteacher.
[edit] Youth, the background and specific pattern of Greater-Poland
Henryk Śniegocki descended from the major part of Polish community, nursing the insurgent idea of freedom fighting beside, and not contrary to positivist ideas of organic work. As most youth, he found contact with the roots of Polish secret organizations in school (TZZ – Society to the name of Tomasz Zan). Financial conditions did not allow him to continue education after finishing the middle school, so-called departmental (of nine classes). The family became poor in 1848, when his grandfather, Kazimierz Śniegocki, lost the transported organization money in a police hunt. Of course he considered a duty of conscience and honor to return it from his own possessions and soon after died in 1852. That was, why Henryk began professional training for a surveyor (measuring the grounds).
"Wielkopolska" (Latin "Polonia Maior" – Greater, or Older Poland) is usually pointed out as a province, where the sound reason surpassed the feelings, the stratedy of organic work over the violent insurgency. There is some truth in this, as with organic work the economy organization, social and cultural unity of the Poles gained an exceptional high-level in this part of Poland, annexed by the German But this never weakened the freedom and independence fighting tradition. However, the people here fought only when they had reasonable chances, selecting the right moments, therefore with better results. Two of the insurgent risings in 1806 and 1918 ended with success. In 1848 there was at first a good chance of success, but The Spring of People fall in the whole Europe caused the collapse of the revolt. Nevertheless the fighting continued, to the bitter end intense and with a greater, as elsewhere determination. Besides, from the Kościuszko Uprising, when the guerrilla in Greater-Poland caused retreat of the Prussian King troops from the siege of Warsaw, the youth here always shared as one body in the freedom fighting. So it happened in the 1830 and again it the 1863 risings, in the provinces incorporated to Russia. In the year 1863 the five Kazimierz' sons, went to revolt, among them Tadeusz, Antoni, Stanisław, Tomasz as well as the future father of Henryk, Josef (Not mentioning the oldest son Michał, who was taking active part in freedom fighting earlier and now lived as an exile in Turkey). The example of the five brothers from one family, who together went in the field for their country, made a deep impression. Their picture appeared on postcards in patriotic circles (as we say today, violating the basics of conspiracy).
The excellent inner organization of the Polish community by forming legal organizations set up an extension of freedom plot, building an informal self-government, quasi-local state within the German state. This became necessary, because from 1849, increased the pressure for Germanization of Poles and after 1871 began persecution of the Polish population by exceptional laws. At the same time, Germans detached huge sums of money for the Colonization Commission, the statutory task being to reduce the area of estates and farms in Polish possession. But in result of a legal defensive action of the Polish society, the German in their own reports admitted, wasting hundreds of millions Mark thrown in for cutting out of Poles. The German earth possessions decreased, instead of growing larger.
Contemporary with the legal organizations they were the secret ones, often acting in close cooperation. These ventures in Greater-Poland linked and changed. Sometimes the secret organizations created legal branches, and sometimes the legal, within their frames, added a secret part.
[edit] Falcons Association, beginning of the Scout movement
The most important of the legally acting, dedicated to independence organizations in Greater-Poland and next in the whole German territory became (Polish: Polskie Towarzystwo Gimnastyczne "Sokół", Polish Gymnastic Society "Falcon"). Assumed to develop fitness, both physically and mentally, with a motto “mens sana in corpore sano” (a fit spirit in a fit body), at the same time, by each occasion, stressed the national feelings. Sure, “The Falcons” never acted like a paramilitary organization, never had anything to do with weapons or army training, only pure gymnastic exercises and next also the sport. However, nobody had any doubt, what kind of a task this fit body and spirit may be necessary for. In many homes in Greater-Poland, clocks could be found with an unfinished sentence: "O, when the Hour shall strike" (or: "the expected hour").
The Falcon Idea came to Greater-Poland from the Czech country via Małopolska (Polonia Minor, the province under Austrian rule, which they called Galicia), but in the provinces taken by the Germans there never existed never any similar libert In Germany, the Falcon movement from the beginning met with police persecutions, controls, harassment and provocations. This stopped only after alternating of the statute, the nests of the Falcons had to declare themselves as political organizations, accepting constant police supervision. The bad result was, Falcons being not allowed to work with the youth. Only adults could become members.
Because of this, the Association of Falcon nests, with the president Bernard Chrzanowski and 1st Vice-president Ksawery Zakrzewski, suggested the setting up independent Youth organizations, which could for a nominal pay, rent the yards and gymnastic chambers by hours and days. (Both of these people, were members of the Polish League, next of the National Democratic Party, on a high-level, the so-called "Fraternity Circle", being in fact the top management).
For many years Bernard Chrzanowski represented Polish minority in the German Parliament, defending Polish rights and protesting against anti-Polish special laws, or at least tried to present the injustice to European and World public opinion. Besides, as top attorney, he conducted a lawyer office, taking defense in political affairs and the worst persecutions cases. The same about the Falcons, he represented them in contacts with German authorities. The first Vice, Ksawery Zakrzewski, managed the organizing work, cooperating with several others members of the Management.
Such action was possible, because Germany at the time was substantially a civilized, law-abiding state, even if some laws were bad, discriminatory to the minority, especially unjust, sometimes inhumane to the Polish people. However, there was never an all-power of the authorities, delegating this into uncontrolled charge to the police, as happened often in the parts of Poland annexed to Russia. More so, not even a comparison is possible to the future NAZI Germany or the Soviets, where the governments applied the pure, or rather dirty, terrorist tools.
In the contemporary conditions, a legal defense and judicious use of rules was of principal importance. For example, only closing the doors at the beginning a meeting or obsering some national anniversary, fundamentally changed the qualifications. Not mentioning, the police could demand opening of the doors, but could not break in by force, before getting a court of justice order. Anyway, responsibility for not opening the door limited to a monetary fine. Another example, in case of order to confiscate any publication, the police could not to carry this this, if the publisher already succeeded to mail the papers, coming in time as first to the post office. From this time, it became private correspondence.
Most important was this legal aid for many small educational institutions, including informal cells, as for example the Polish libraries, often containing beside books, Polish newspapers. The patriots did this with full engagement, working in private, which was in fact illegal. Thanks to the legal defense a high professional level, this person did not risk a hard punishment. Usually it was a pecuniary fine, for changeable for a short arrest. On the exit from prison they would be met with warm demonstrations and flowers by the Polish community, like heroes (usually they were heroines, as the education was preferably the domain of women). Attorneys, defending the persecuted Poles, met with popular respect, which was more than money, it was a bunch of them, for example the famous later Cyril Ratajski followed at the time in the footmark of Chrzanowski.
Henry Śniegocki joined the Association "Iskra" (Spark). This formally independent youth organization from 1903, like the following next "Brzask" (the Dawn) and "Ogniwo" (the Link), was in fact an attachment to Association of Falcons. One could say, breeding the Falcons nestlings.
Because of this, Police harassed and persecuted the organizations and for a time forbade any further activeness, suspecting their political character. The authorities objected, that is a test of a detour by the Falcons Society. However, attorney Chrzanowski argued, the Police has not any material proof and can present none link, neither personal, nor financial between the organizations. He conducted the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Justice in Berlin. The point was well-taken, the president of "Iskra", Kazimierz Syller, of "Brzask" Stanisław Szulc and of "Ogniwo" (The Link). Edmund Maćkowiak, nor any other adult member were not now, neither ever, members of Falcon Scoiety. In fact, they sympathized, but in spirit only. The jury cancelled the ruling about prohibition, but his caused even more harassment from the Police and attempts to penetrate the organizations by informers in strength. However, meanwhile Bernard Chrzanowski and Ksawery Zakrzewski came on a new idea to create a Scout movement in the area and this proved sure the best shot. By then, the new Scout movement already got the best of world opinion and its own striking power, influencing best way the human minds, growing quickly and so it happened next in Greater-Poland. On October 17 in the flat of Henry Śniegocki came into existence the first organization of Greater-Poland Boy Scouts, formed by Cezary Jindra, Henryk Śniegocki, Wincenty Wierzejewski, Edmund Weclawski, Leonard Skowroński and Tadeusz Wolski. The decision preceded common reading of annual set of the "Scout", the first Polish paper edited in Lvov and bought by Jindra and also extensive discussion of the subject at hand. Before, in September 1912, by effort and invitation of Ksawery Zakrzewski, from Lvov, at the time the center of Falcons and consequently also Scouts movements for all Polish earth, came Tadeusz Strumiłło along with Jerzy Grodyński, the instructors of Boy Scouts. They held lectures. (In fact, presenting slight different opinions, both patriots, but the second more pan-slavish).
This team happened to start the Scouts movement in Greater-Poland and develop it further on the area of the lands annexed by Germany. (Already earlier there appeared the first group in Pomerania, a little town called Chojnice, but developed slowly). At first the roles they divided as between friends, alternating. However, with time appeared some natural leaders. Gradually, more and more authority won Wierzejewski, being not only the oldest and most experienced; he already served in the army (German) and being an educated soldier advanced to the petty officer rank. Besides, he distinguished himself with extraordinary energy and initiative. Already in 1915, advanced to an officer, he deserted from the front and Army and as first priority, made his only business the conspiracy, especially efficient thanks to his military experience and expertise. Henryk Śniegocki became with time his "alter ego", a dedicated and trusted proxy. Also the other members accepted his leadership. They gained more outstanding people, for example Jan Konkolewski, who previously collected a group of boys dedicated to diversion and sabotage of the German Arm The so called "Zouaves" or "Zhouaves" (after the French infantry from Napoleon III time) caught the hearts and imagination, but the idea was still premature and could end with disaster.
In the anniversary of the November 1830 uprising, by an evening palaver by fire in the country -sidetook the oath the first Scout patrol "Piast" took the oath. Shortly, in the next 1913, the patrol grew to a troop, including patrols named after Bolesław the Brave, Kazimierz the Great and Mieszko the First. Next the troop became a group, and the patrols increased to troops. The Zouaves took access as a patrol, next the troop, named after Władysław Jagiełło. Soon formed more patrols growing to troops, mainly as attachment of legal associations. Despite the quick, rapid growth the Scouts remained in conspiracy, acting illegally. The same happened also with two troops of Girl Guides, named after Emilia Plater and Queen Jadwiga. At the moment developed this, one could say, second generation of Falcon nestlings with an elementary force, the initiators often had to catch up later.
At first the Scout motion did not have an uniform set-up, as some of the formed groups wanted to remain independent. The close cooperation and organization progressed gradually, from one's own, free will. However, all the groups accepted similar dressing and design, the worldwide scout badge with a lily and extra letters ONC, meaning Motherland, Science (study) and Virtue (merit). The program set up of three parts, the common Scout idea, the science, especially study of national history and language with national values and basic military training, with reference to freedom insurgent traditions.
The rapid development and popularity of Boy Scouts speeded up still in 1914, yet of course was interrupted by start of WW I. However, until this time, the groups of scouts emerged not only in many places of Greater-Poland, but also in Silesia and Pomerania (Maritime) provinces, well, some early even earlier in Berlin and Westphalia, among the Polish emigrants.
[edit] World War I and the plan of uprising
During first war-period this deveopment stopped. Instead arouse a secret military organization TON (Polish: Towarzystwo Obrony Narodowej, Society for National Defense), with a directorate including Dr Ksawery Zakrzewski, Karol Rzepecki, and Antoni Wysocki from the Falcon Association and Bogdan Szeffner, Stanisław Nogaj and Józef Jęczkowiak from the Scouts.
This organization, TON, from the start took an anti-German course. They wanted to lean to the side of Coalition, trying for cooperation with Russia on the base of the anticipated Russian manifesto, declaring the task of creating a united free Poland under the constitutional rule of Tsar. This never happened, the declaration of the Commander in Chief of the Russian Army, Prince Michał Michailewitsh remained unconfirmed.
But TON organized fighting squads, which had to help the offensive of Russian Army and, in case of favorable opportunity, launch a uprising in Greater-Poland. About the November 1914, this task became recognized as premature and the organizations dissolved. However, similar views held the Greater-Poland Scouts to the 1917 and this too, remained the principal difference between the (Polish Military Organization of the Prussian Partition - PMOPP) and PMOs in other provinces.
In meantime, at about the end of 1914 and the beginning of the 1915, the Scout movement resumed, but now in full conspiracy. The temporary interruption caused not exactly by the imposed martial law, but mainly the absence of the mature leadership, mobilized in the German Army. The Falcons were even harder hit. Mobilization concerned almost all all physically fit members.
In January of 1915, came back from the front on a sick leave Henryk Śniegocki and managed to extend his leave by the local medical committee. A few weeks later the wounded Wierzejewski turned up for a treatment, already in officer ranks. After recovery, he decided to desert with his weapon and continuing act in conspiracy as a wanted and sought person. Other followed this example. Henry Śniegocki, who now took the command of the Scout troops after Wierzejewski, tried for a legal status of the Scouts with a pretext of care for the boys, whose fathers mobilized the Army, but naturally without success. The Police at first proposed joining a German Youth organization, next followed an interdiction with long list of punishments for the secret organizations. So officially he declared obedience, but the Scout work has to be done as before did in conspiracy, whilst arrests followed. However, thanks to tries of the Central Powers to win Poles for his side, the course became milder and the defense usually managed with loght sentences. However, at least in one case this ended fatally. Bronisław Drwęski, commanding the II Scout troop named after Kazimierz the Great, died a few days after serving a 3 months prison term, the first life lost.
The most important of the Scout work happened during the out of the town excursions which allowed the exercises in natural terrain. A clear majority of Scouts consisted of almost mature, working youth, so the trips, exercises and camping took place on Saturdays and Sundays. The best opportunity arouse, when some holidays meet close to each other (traditionally the Pentecost Holidays). Hundreds of boys participated in the activities, which included a few hours of marching, establishing a camp, favorably in a forest, stalking and similar exercises, next a common divine service and afternoon or evening talks, sometimes conference by the fire followed by common decisions. This all clearly induced more health and strength to the just only keeping soul and body together, living in the city youth. More so, this corrected the minds. People in the country being nearly all Polish, it was not necessary to mind the words and act naturally, all could speak Polish without any risk (in schools or even in public places it may be dangerous). The Scouts feel the transfer to a beautiful, friendly world, they were popular here. In such condition they integrated, the cooperation speeded up and April 2, 1916 they created MKS, the Local Scouts Command, including all troops from the city and aiding, if necessary, the troops from province.
[edit] Groundwork for uprising, arranging the Scouts troops and the attached paramilitary
This became essential, as already in November 1915 died the charismatic leader with unique authority, "spiritus movens" of all, what happened, dedicated to the idea of uprising, Henryk Zakrzewski. (Bernard Chrzanowski was too as good a patriot and outstanding person, but less determined and ready to "Action Direct", being a professional lawyer).
Wierzejewski stepped into the place of natural leader, but he just began to get recognition by the youth, for the older generation remained still unknown. More so Henryk Śniegocki, his second, who took now the command of the Scout Groups. Thanks to the aid of Józef Kostrzewski, the future famous professor of archeology, Wierzejewski arranged a secret den in the Museum of PSFAS (Poznań Society of Friends of Arts and Sciences) and lived there, concentrating full on conspirac The number of deserters grow, a large part armed, wanted and sought by the Germans. Wierzejewski fixed for them a workshop for false ID, which fabricated also by the side, false travel documents, food carts and bonds for other necessary goods.
He also took a calculated risk himself, on the strength of self-produced passport and travel document tried cross the border to Switzerland and contact the Polish Aid Committee, which later changed to Polish National Committee. It was supposed, Zakrzewski knew and held a contact with Henryk Sienkiewicz, who had a deep moral and spiritual influence on the Polish people.
Wierzejewski arrived to the border and his false passport never aroused suspicion. Alas, another man with genuine papers did and the whole group was held for confirmation. So he tried by himself go trough the mountains, but they catch him, already without any ID. He faced the term in the worst prison Spandau, but first they took him to Poznań to find out the name and recognize relations. He succeeded to run again and continued the conspirator task. Anyway, Sienkiewicz died shortly, in the middle of 1916, so the bold plan had anyway not a chance, but this shows the energy and fitness of the courier.
By the end of 1916 the integration progressed further, resulting in constituting a secret Headquarter of Scouts on the German Reich (territory). Occasionally it turned out, that it contains 83 troops with about 2600 members, already more as in 1914, still growning. The work included 1/ the Scout education, general education with secret schools and orgazized "Pedagogic Body" and 3 military training, now seriously increased. Majority of members were still boys, but wit the war lasting and lasting, in fact much too long, many of them took part in the uprising, which they hoped with all their hearts.
The time came to unite the deserters and the Scouts of age, in the PMOPP (and pile up the weapons). It was founded on February 15, 1918 in the mentioned Museum by the PSFAS, commanded by Wincenty Wierzejewski. From this time, started the speedy, mass growing of this former loose, up to now detached bunch.
After the TON in 1914, the Scouts with created by them PMOPP was the only organization, thus preparing the uprising. The primary initiator of the task was Dr. Xavier Zakrzewski from the Falcon Association, a great loss, he lived not long enough. With his authority behind the further way would be smooth and more efficient. Without this, clear majority of the older generation still respected the leaders calling against the freedom fighting, despite obvious loss of Germany power. The secret People Council banned any armed tries (but accepted the existence of PMOPP).
However, PMOPP with luck succeed in tree well-judged initiatives. The first consisted in opening the recruiting Offices, where the returning home soldiers, directed by Scouts messengers, could register as members of the PMOPP. Already in first days of the cease-fire, Henryk Śniegocki took oath from about 500 volunteers, and the other members of the PMOPP Council worked too in haste and sweat. All in all, volunteered several thousands of soldiers.
The next matter was something like test of power. Without any serious clash, it resulted in a change of the new German, Soldiers and Workers Council (SaWC), a new organ formed by the German Revolution. This agency of self-government had a top power in the whole Province, supervising all Military Commands (including the City) and all civil authorit November 13 the members of PMOPP and new volunteers, respecting the unexpected decision of Polish People Council (PC), resigned from arranged armed action. Instead the already collected men, without weapons, went to the Old Market, by [[the Town Hall. The delegates of the demonstration went to the sitting and demanded from the (SaWC) a fair representation for the Poles, claiming, the number of coming back soldiers with Polish roots grows rapidly and the workers are anyway mostly Poles. The German Marines, the protection guard of the SaWC shoot in the sky a warning and clearly some of the people, despite received orders, took some weapons anyway and they shoot in the sky too, with clear overweigh. The guards gave way and the delegates went into negotiations and closed a deal. Four German soldiers, who wanted to return near their homes, resigned and their places took four from the six delegates, two from PMOPP and two from the Polish PC. Later, the delegates calmed the crowd.
Anyway, the leadership of the PC, astonished by the result but annoyed, wanted not antagonize the Germans and the existence of Polish secret army considered a bad risk. For this ground, they created in the PC an army department, headed by M. Paluch. The aim was to take the command of military organizations and quietly dispose of them. However, Paluch chose a better, more rational wa
The early success had a far-reaching result, because from the time, they applied a parity pattern of Germans with Poles in all offices, civilian and militar. More so, Polish people took overhand in the Executive Department of the Soldiers and Workers Council, because they acted united when the Germans remained badly divided. Owning to this, they managed the most crucial point, getting a legal status for the Polish volunteers. When from the Berlin government came an instruction, about the fixing a new formation, called "The companies of Guards and Surety", PMOPP swiftly presented his registers of volunteers. They consisted of the soldiers sworn from the day of November 12, but selectively picked, with similar to German names. This way formed the first four Companies, next five more with mixed names, some part German-like and a great part of Polish.
They became the uniformed and quartered in barracks cadre of the future uprising. Besides, the PC decided to appoint Popular Guard for common order duty in the cit They accepted all people, without nationality limits. Nevertheless in a city with a polish majority so it happened, that for this work registered mostly Poles, some Jews, but few Germans. A good deal of them were the former Falcons, gradually they divided in the most fit, with good fighting ability and the elderly for stationary service. Besides, as before existed the not uniformed and without barracks, but active troops of PMOPP, called executive-reconnaissance units, busy with a take-over with any dubious method, more weapons and munitions. In all, it became a serious force, but the town garrison remained several times stronger. In middle of November, the number of soldiers was about 14 thousands. However, it decreased with demobilization and the Germans had enough of fighting and the Poles contrary, had a strong motivation.
The surrender of Germany, followed by the November Revolution was the best opportunity for a quick take-over. However the PC, renamed now for the People Main Council (PMC), still banned any military action. As mentioned, they did neither trust the PMOPP, nor the Scouts, that is why the Military Commission headed by Mieczysław Paluch with a Staff, formed. PMC demanded all armed troops shall obey the orders; PMOPP wanted not respect the pressure. The tension grew and the PMC members left, banging the doors. However, Paluch decided quietly to accept PMOPP arguments and full collaboration. He already met Wierzejewski, was in his and the volunteers company in Old Market with the demonstration, followed by the coup d'Etat. More, he took one of the places, allowed free to the Polish soldiers in the SaWC. Impressed, he recognized the results, potential and opportunity On one side there were ready troops without professional officers, on the other the military commission with Staff and trained Officers, but without soldiers, it would remain only a sofa bunch.
Paluch, instead of catching command and liquidating the organization, proposed working jointly and held his word, all the wa The role secured by PC had primary moral importance, but his work in SaWC, started on November 13, thanks to the backing by the volunteers and Scouts developed. In frame of their Executive Department he became a decernent in the Town Command. The decernents being equal to matching German officials, they held the same responsibility and shared the authorization; it was the agreed equality of German and Polish members' o the SaWC. Nearly, under his care came the new created troops. Besides, PMOPP fixed his decernens too in the others, fewer important posts, with time Poles had his men everywhere. The Staff, headed by Paluch second in command, Hulewicz, prepared a plan of uprising just in case, if the Germans change the pacifistic course. “Si vis pacem, para bellum” (hope for the best outcome, but prepare for the worst), both the supporters of peace negotiations as these opting for uprising accepted this is a reasonable course. And according to a proper staff practice, Paluch prepared also an alarm plan.
[edit] Evolution of power and at least, the successful uprising
Meantime followed a public election, resulting in creation of the Sejm (Parliament or Diet) of the Province. This legalized the institution, there was not a way but to obe The leaders of the former PMC remained on the top and opinionate, never an uprising, despite the favorable conditions here and heavy fighting in Berlin. The whole Province could be taken with bare hands, without one-shot, the German Army disarmed without resistance, but in the second half of December the crisis passed. Yet on every proposition the Polish leaders answered unchanging, they made an agreement with the Germans an as long the Germans respect this, the Poles shall too.
The arrival of Polish virtuoso pianist, compositor and politician Ignacy Paderewski, with English Commission Officers headed by Colonel H. H. Wade, journalists and reporters was an occasion for celebration. There happened a great national manifestation. Similar happened before, the Polish people have more heart for shows, than for any serious business, but this time, with many newspapers from the whole world present, the hard core Germans could not tolerate this. They did not wait quietly, as before, but decided to react ostentatiousl They took army from barracks on the streets; to be exact, the 6-thy Grenadier regiment, lately arrived there with an opinion of harsh and brave soldiers, not putting in to fatigue and unfriendly to the Poles. The marching infantry with arms ready, followed a mob of clerks and German civic officials, destroying Polish and Coalition flags (hated after the lost war) and the houses décor. The German participants forced their way into private houses. But when they invaded also building of Bank of Working Companies, a Polish institution with merit of successfully opposing the German colonization and next approached The Bazar, containing Paderewski, started a tumult. The people, accompanying Paderewski, felt endangered. This automatically started the alarm plan, elaborated by the Staff directed by Paluch and Hulewicz, according to the best tradition of German General Staff, where trained the Poles.
From this moment each troop and man assigned, did the expected to him task. Nobody could stop this, because nobody was in command, anyway to the second da All was prescribed in advance. Astonishing that despite stubborn and violent shooting, the strongholds and town became taken with few victims, a small number of wounded and only a few killed. Probably both sides wanted not do much wrong to the opponents. The Sejm and PMC tried to silence the emotions, but the uprising spontaneously diffused on the country around. However, in the province they events took a bloody and often cruel course, with the mercenaries troops, calling themselves “Heimschutz” and “Gretzschutz”, the losses soared on both sides.
Poles delayed too long, if the uprising started earlier, there would be fewer victims on both sides. On the other side, if the Germans waited a few weeks longer and realized recruiting mercenaries in full, the may drown the uprising in blood. The uprising finished with almost full success. The insurgents freed and held almost all of Greater-Poland, despite the German counterstroke. Only small fragment remained in Germany, when the border settled not according to history and people wish, but to the current line of front, or if locally the population became already in majority German.
[edit] Fate of the mentioned people, after the task succeeded
The true leader of insurgents, commander of PMOPP Wierzejewski and his trusted junior colleague and proxy, in fact aide, both did seek neither personal advantage nor any profits. Wierzejewski remained in the army, but without advancement, to the WW II in the rank a captain (like Piotr Wysocki, after the 1830 rising). Only in the WW II he achieved the rank of full colonel, next remained in exile and died in Scotland. Just on December 28, leading a Scouts company, he took by surprise attack the Grolman Bastion with Artillery Park in the center of city, not included in the alarm plan as inaccessible and hard to conquer. Two artillery pieces the enthusiastic but no battling onlookers extracted and placed before the Bazaar, probably as decoration for photos, there was no way to stop them before closing the gate. A few days after, the scout company took part in conquest of airfield and military aviation base of great strategic importance Ławica, some distance behind town border. Śniegocki led on a machinegun section. At first, they met a strong resistance, but the artillery fire broke the impasse. In this and further fighting, the company acted under command placed by the Military Commission by MPC, which as before reserved distance from the PMOPP and Scouts, from now too from M. Paluch.
Śniegocki became the Chief of Scouts troop in the Directorate of Greater-Poland Scout Troops (with Anna Krysiewicz, commanding the Girl Guides). In July 1919 he was one of three delegates for the meeting, resulting in merger of Greater-Poland Scouts with the ZHP. However, in 1920 he volunteered, as already experienced organizer to the plebiscite of the Mazurs and next, fought in the II and III Silesia uprising. In the free Poland, he became a teacher in the primary school, at the same time continuing the Scout work. A few years, he again commanded the Greater-Poland Banner, but not for long. With the ruling Sanacja unfriendly, he became transferred away from Poznań and had to resign from the honorable Scout role. He appealed to the court justice, won several times, but only to be sent again and again a longer distance, in "interest of the school" behind the Pińsk, where he could understand not yet the children local slang. Finally won the case and came back to Poznań, but after years. Yet this maybe, allowed him to outlive the first occupation, imprisoned and displaced, he survived in Częstochowa. Then came back to Poznań and again, after short work, became deposited of by the communist Government, both from the Scouts as well from school. The rest of life he fought for the truth in the history commissions.
The scientific achievements of Professor from the Poznań University, Kostrzewski diminished his share in the freedom and independence movement, which was eminent. However, it deserves memory and he continued this task. At the University, he became one of initiators and caretakers of the Academickie Koło Harcerskie (Academician Scout Circle – of instructors). This was the bunch, which formed people, leading in the WW II the famous "Szare Szeregi" (Gray Lines) the secret Scout organization. Another's created the secret organization “Ojczyzna” (The Motherland), a cadre for longtime task, which after bloody liquidation of almost all secret societies in Greater-Poland represented the province in the Underground State and continued the basic works. In the following second occupation, they managed to create The Western Institute. The communist Government in the second occupation, tolerated documenting the first, German Occupation for his own profit, but this happened an opportunity to save many outstanding people and edit an independent, if only limited, History Periodic.
Alas, Zakrzewski, as mentioned, lasted not long enough, a great loss to the cause. Probably, a great leader of big authority with the older generation, he may conduct better the affairs, start the rising at an earlier, more convenient date. Chrzanowski became next the Education Curator of the Province and the President of the Falcon Society for the whole Poland. However, he resigned for the good of the Organization, to a person with more influence, of high standing. But the Falcons did not benefit, they developed not; with the government preferring another organizations of paramilitary character, they only lasted quietl
Allowing for a short comment of the person writing: I met a few of the old Falcons after the WW II, already under the second occupation and could see, astonished, their moral and spiritual qualit Formidable people, despite age, fit bodily and mentall They would be necessary in great number, especially for the bad times coming. A big damage and shame, that at the twenty years of interwar period, when they could spread the wings without police persecution, they did not breed more of the formidable men and women, founded not more nests. The Polish country, the whole world, would profit. To tell straight, I could not believe and am flabbergasted, how the obvious simple gymnastic may develop the spirit and mind to such a special value.
[edit] References
- The abstract from: The Memoirs of Scoutmaster Henryk Śniegocki, Poznań, Poland, 1971.
- See too: The secret History of WW II straight from the horse mouth by Andrzej_Anonimus
