YOUTH EXTRACTED – YOUTH POLISH CONTUNATORS
– SEARCH SHERIES
YOUTH NON-COMPLIANCE
CONSPIRATIVE YOUTH ORGANISATIONS
The participation of young people in the conflict for freedom during the partitions, during planet War II, in the underground of the 1940s and anti-communist opposition from the last decade of the existence of the Polish People's Republic is an integral part of the memory of the collective society. They are known for: Grey Serials, ZWZ-AK, NSZ, DSZ, Association “WiN”, KWP, “Ruch”, KOR, ROPCiO, KPN, NSZ “Solidarity” or FMW. These were youth formations or were a crucial proportion of their members. It is besides remembered that representatives of this generation have been active in all collective efforts to at least grow freedom – in June 1956, March 1968, December 1970, June 1976 and the martial law. Young people prevailed among the protesters. At the same time, they accounted for the highest percent among the fatalities of these events (from about 62 to 80 percent killed). However, there is simply a gap in this memory continuum. In the historical consciousness of the society there are no underground organizations created spontaneously and independently by young people in 1944/1945–1956. At the time, according to the authors of the "Underground Atlas 1944–1956 (Warsaw–Lublin 2007), there were at least 972 underground youth unions, with about 11,000 members. They were founded in all regions by students, students, young workers and peasants aged 14–21 [...]. They had the same goals: convincing society to proceed to defy and defend their own strategy of values. However, the primary task was to regain independence, understood as a condition for restitution of individual freedom.
Some historians considered 1947 to be a caesura setting the time of the breakdown of the alleged adult underground. His legacy was adopted by people up to the age of 21, setting up their own secret organizations. The gross of these (about 66 percent) was created after 1948, during the implementation of the totalitarian project. As I mentioned in full between 1944 and 1956, there were at least 972 underground youth groups in Poland, with about 11,000 members.
These relationships, most frequently created by students, usually counted from 3 to 10 members (about 60 percent of all of them). They seldom had extended structures, operating in respective towns. The groups operating in respective voivodships were, for example, Free Youth (Kieleckie and Warsaw), the Conspiracy Union of Polish Patriots (Poznańskie, Warsaw, Łódź and Kielce). The period of activity of youth organisations seldom exceeded 1 year. Most often, after a fewer months of insurgency, they were broken up by safety staff. Exceptions were, for example, the Łódź Youth Organization of the National Army, active for 10 years
– until 1959 or the existing almost sixteen years of Youth Poland / School Youth Organization from Niska ( 1945/1946 – 1961).
ANTI-NOVY AND ANTI-COMMUNISM
An crucial reason for anti-system activities undertaken by young people was the submission of the country to the russian Union: “Because the winning Russian star is flying over our Eagle, the members of the Justice Club of Sosnowiec justified their opposition – due to the fact that the russian flag is wielded by Stalin’s servant Bolesław Bierut, due to the fact that our homeland is directed by the student of the Kacapsk school Konstantin Rokossowski. It was considered that Poland was under a fresh occupation" "Now in the 4th year after the pseudo-liberation", wrote members of the Spirkowo – Combat Scouting Organization from Łódź – virtually speaking after the change of the occupier.
The government of that time, treated as hostile, was besides rejected. Its overthrow – alongside defeating the USSR – was a condition for regaining independence: “We will remove all traces of communism, and the Polish Government will sit in a hard rock” ( leaflet of the Wielkopolska Underground Army).
The negation of the political strategy and its associated ideology can be seen, for example, in the names of the organizations: the Anti-Communist Society YES (Łódź), the League of Young to Fight Communism (Transvorsk), the Secret Organization for Combating Communism "Avenger" (Warsaw), the Union of Young Enemies of Communism (Złotoryja and Rokitnica), the Union for Combating Communism (Kaliski and Wolski districts), Youth Fighting Communism
(Dębno), Niszcz Communism (Rogoźno), or the squad of Nationals Avoiding Communism ( Szczecin).
TRADITION OF THE FIGHT FOR INCOME
Young people besides referred to the conspiracy tradition: “The fallors – they defined themselves Boy Scouts from the Warsaw Orląts – after the fallen in conflict with the Tatars, after the fallen in the conflict of Dubienka and Maciejowice, after the fallen in Spain and Italy, heirs to the fallen Insurgents, our Scout brothers.” Therefore, many groups have assumed the name of the National Army, Freedom and independency (Independence), NSZ, the Underworld Organization of National organization (Warsaw), the National Army Reserve (Lodz), or the National Youth Army (independently in Świętochłowice and Dzierżoniów).
In the defence of Faith
Religious considerations besides played an crucial function in deciding to start underground activities. In particular, the anti-ecclesiastical policy of the rulers was reacted: “Brothers Poles! Communism fights religion, wants to bargain from us the soul of God, directing religion in all schools like Russian. He wants to bring about the godlessness that prevails in Russia" (a street of the Polish Revival Home Army from Żar). The names of the organization besides featured the terms “Catholic” or “Christian” e.g. the Union of Catholic Underworld Youth “Warta” (Torun), Christian – Democratic Underground Movement (Bialystok), or Jesus – Youth Army of Liberty (Suwalki).
VIEW OF HARCERT
The root origin of the youth underground was the elimination of the independency of the Polish Scouting Union and its submission to the Communist Union of Polish Youth (1949). Scouting – as the Scouting Organization (since 1951) – became like a russian pioneer kid union. There was besides the rejection of the Scout tradition and the removal of many scouts. Many scouts decided to proceed their activities in the underground, following the Grey Lines. Thus, after 1949, about 72 percent of all secret scout groups were formed. Waldemar Pobudkiewicz and Tadeusz Klukowski then founded the Conspiracy Scouts' Organization (Zwierzyniec); Broislaw Kruczek and Stanisław Zalot – The Native Land (Brzozow). Mieczysław Jaworski, Alfred Wojtyra and Józef Myśliński (Skarżysko – Kamienna) – the organization of the Stone.
ACTIVITIES
The objectives and activities of the conspirators can be arranged, referring to the concept of the Grey Series, for tasks to be carried out "today" (current activity), "tomorrow" (the conflict for liberation) and "the day after" (the imagination of the free state).
‘TODAY’
These actions afraid preparations for the anticipated outbreak of the 3rd War and the collapse of the system. These included military training, weapons accumulation and educational action. These forms did not happen simultaneously in the work of all youth organisations. The educational action was directed to both members, me and the society, which should have been encouraged to keep their identity, not to ease authoritative propaganda and to resist. These appels were placed in flyers and underground newspapers: “One thought and 1 common goal – the liberation and independency of Poland from the influence of alleged “soccers” with Stalin at the head, which has already been imposed by Poland by the seemingly democratic government and inactive wants to tame us(...). So let us consider the policy of the current Polish government led by the USSR, and let us not delay, but let us take an example from scouts, who have frequently devoted their lives, fighting against the German occupier, sabotage, propaganda, even armedly, especially during the Warsaw Uprising (...). Let us not fall asleep, but let us begin a akin fight against communism and Stalin’s followers... Let us not let communism to penetrate the Polish nation, especially the youth. ”
Conspirators besides issued underground newspapers, e.g. “Acts” of the Scouting Organization “Iskry” ( Olsztyn ). “Zarzewie” of the Łódź White Tarcza Union, “Iskra” of the Łódź Young Poland, “Zew Young” of the Chorzów Grey Serials, “Głos Wolny” of the Kraków Polish Liberation Movement, “Podzika” of the Orląt from the Rzeszowski Voivodeship, “Głos Podrzemia” and “Porzem” of the Gdynia “National Army – Syrena” or “Gazetta of the Pluton of the Secret Scouting National Freedom Series”.
The educational action among members took the form of lectures on Polish history, especially the function of the Underground during the Second planet War.
"They were the most active group of the Home Army – they were characterized by the Scouting act of Włodzimierz Zygier from the Łódź “Young Poland/Fighting Poland” – and we did not stand with 'arms at our feet' – we fought all the time. This can be demonstrated by the losses of almost completely destroyed Scout Battalions “Zośka”, “Parasol”, “Wigry” and others”.
Part of the educational work was to inform people active in building the system. organization activists, Zetempo activists, and UB and MO officers were sent anonymys to halt their activities: “Dear Mate! We believe that you are not a child, it is time to realize the intent of your life, we realize that the young head is frequently reckless, and so we want to lead him on the right path. We advise you to finish your work for ideas in paternity, present and fences have eyes” (a letter sent to the ZMP activist by members of the United National organization of Ostrołęka).
The tiny sabotage action was to destruct decorations located in public places (especially in schools). This protested against the indoctrination and propriety of the ruling public space.
Students from the Underground Słupsk Organization ripped off e.g. posters suspended in connection with the company to the Sejm in 1952. Scouts from the Toruń Union of Black Scouts demolished the school's propaganda publications exhibition (they burned Stalin's "works" among others). They besides left the inscription, “We want more spiritual books than Communist books.”
Propaganda work included attempts to remove from public space monuments carrying an ideological message. In October 1952, members of the Łódź group (without a name), led by Stanisław Sergey, blew up a local monument of individual and Worker. The Red Army was destroyed as symbols of slavery. russian historians claim that in 1945 the Red Army "released" Poland. The crossing of the Red Army into the borders of the Polish business occupied by the Germans was a further continuation of the German-Soviet war, resulting in the change of the Polish occupier. The liberation did not disturb the Red Army and the NKVD in killing Poles and soldiers of the Polish Underground State. The Red Army raped the Polish women and robbed everything they could. This was the liberation of Poland by the ZSRS.
Tarnowsko-Oderický Międzymorz leaflet:
"And this monument of gratitude, this monument of wickedness, Bolshevik stooges, Biruty and dummies – should be blown up in advance".
Members of the National Army from Słupca removed a red star from specified a monument (set in place of the pre-war monument of Liberty). Scouts from the Scout Underground “Zavisz” Kozmin failed a akin statue of red paint, recalling the atrocities of the Red Army and the repressiveness of the government existing thanks to russian support.
‘JUTRO’
Organizations arose as an expression of hope for the outbreak of another conflict that would bring liberation: ” (the 3rd planet War will find the destiny of the civilization of all country. It will bring actual freedom and justice around the world. So erstwhile the war breaks out, we all move, but against Russia, against the communists, against the organization and ZMP-sheep" (a leaflet prepared by girls from Tarnovsky Military ellipse USA).
For any of the conspirators, the task to execute the “tomorrow” was to participate in the armed struggle, among others, with the Polish forces entering: “Rodacy! Remember that in the West (against allegations of propaganda) there is simply a Polish army, waiting only for a convenient moment, and already not far away, the minute at which it will go to the fight". (Studio of the Scouting Underground Organization from Gorzów Wielkopolski). The Youth opposition Movement (Tarnobrzeg) and the Slavic Union/Free Slavic Huffs/ (Kalisz, Dąbrowa Górnicza and Gdynia) planned to start the uprising. Others – Patriotic Youth Union (Sieradz), Forest Army (Kraków), Volunteer Partisanka Poland
(Katowice Voivodeship), or "Grunwald" (Trzcianka) – they wanted to make armed groups ready to fight at the time of the war.
"DAY"
The alleged overthrow of the government gave emergence to the request to build an independent state, Therefore, any of the conspirators had visions of his borders, of the political strategy and, rarely, of the global position: "(...) Now there is the power of questions. What happens after the victory? How to respond to social issues that will become highly up-to-date again" (the Bulletin of the Polish People's Association of Polish Patriots from Poznań)
In terms of borders, many conspirators were compatible. The territory of the fresh state was to connect the lands annexed after 1945 to the east ridges (recovered as a consequence of another war). Henryk Wielgus Boy Scout from Klikow (tarnowski County) called for a fight for “a powerful, free and democratic Poland from the Baltic to Carpathians with Wrocław and Szczecin with Lviv and Vilnius”
The strategy of free Poland was described little closely. In most cases
The power was likely to be exercised by representatives of the emigration government. Treatment
it as a symbol of the continuity of statehood before 1939 and the only legal body
having the right to form the state.
This meant that the Communists' legitimacy to regulation was not recognized.
It seems that the return of the Polish government in exile would be an introduction to regulation
systemic issues. The next step, that's what the Secret Scouts assumed.
National Scouting / Freedom Series/ (Lędziny) and Polish Union
Anti-communist (Poznań) – there were free elections to identify new
authorities.
Some conspirators assumed the creation of a multi-party strategy Person
related to the anti-communist organization (Pułtusk) testified that they were pursuing the system
democracy (...) so that each organization has the same capacity to have political rights and
citizen. Members of the Polish National – Catholic organization (Lublin), National
the Polish organization (Łódź) or the Union of Polish Patriots/Polish Freedom organization (Konin),
They wanted to stand up for political combat as separate parties.
According to the programming documents, the aim of young people was to build a state
is a denial known to them from the autopsy of the monocentric system. She's here.
Poland was to be democratic, warrant civilian and political freedoms
(features, views and words). Members of the Secret National Scouting/Szereg
Freedoms from Lędzin fought for a “Poland where all citizen would have full rights
regardless of party, spiritual and nationality affiliations." Simultaneously
accepted the request for social and economical refs, in particular
Agrarna.
The expectations of the conspirators were described by the Soldiers of Free Poland (Pilzno) fighting for
‘Poland free and fair, not oppressive peasants by mandatory deliveries
above their capabilities, inhumanally inexplicable laborer and trade
free and socialized, without friction between them. With free, unrepeated
craft taxes and free teaching and survey and deemed to have been made
agricultural and industrial reform, this is about nationalisation of manufacture and division among
the peasants of the area’.
CURRENCY
Anti-system activities of youth organisations were associated with them
detection by UB staff. They learned about their existence in different
The way. As a consequence of classified intelligence
the National Army of Revenge (Bydgoszcz), Group was liquidated
Operational Home Army (Pułtusk) or Propellent Battalion – Wicher Group
(Gorzów Wielkopolski). Sometimes information was provided by ZMP activists treating
cooperation with UB as an obligation.
This is how the Blood Hand (Ripin) was detected, among others,
Indian Reserve (Industrial) or Krakow Wilcze Nests/Polish Organization
Young “Wolf Nest”/Legion of White Eagle and Avengers (both revealed the same
Activist). As a consequence of alleged civilian reports (subscribed by colleagues for example,
relatives, school principals, or interview witnesses) officers have detected, among others:
National Underground Army (Chojnice); National Youth Army; Liberation Army
Polish (Ełcki County) or Proletariat (Wroclaw).
Citizens' reports were besides made by persons recruited to the organisation or their members. In this way: Polish Secret Organisation/ The Union of the White Shield (Bydgoszcz); the Grey Ranges (Chorzów); the Youth Secret Underground Organization (Volomin), or the Secret Union of Polish Scouting – the First Trawn Scouting Team.
An unfortunate coincidence combined with non-compliance with conspiracy rules became the origin of the liquidation of the Łódź Anti-communist Society “Yes” (one of the members fell leaflets); the Gdańsk Combat and Diversification Organization (the beginning of its end was left under the bench with the statutes of the organization and the list of pseudonyms) whether the Lublin defender and Freedom and independency (the MMO organization considered a suspicious gathering of a group of young people in a city park), members of the Freedom defender – Polish National Army with Turbi (the Rzeszow Province); Vultures (Olsztyn); the Union of Liberation conflict (Olsztyn), or Free Poland (Szczecin) were found as a consequence of graphic expertise (the evidence was anonymous letters and handwritten leaflets). The detection of any organizations occurred after the acquisition of letters written by their members: e.g. the Polish Underground independency Organisation (Krakow Voivodeship); the Young defender (Lublin); the Polish Non-Partnered ellipse (Ełk), or the Armed Organisation “Sokol”
(Wroclaw and Olsztyn).
The circumstances of the investigation have not exhausted all cases. The aim was to show different situations in which UB employees learned about the existence of underground youth unions.
PROCEDURES AND JUDGMENTS
The consequence of belonging to the underworld was the trials before the Military territory Courts (until the end of 1954). Conspirators were most frequently accused of attempting to overthrow the government with force (Articles 86-88 of the Polish Military Penal Code), for which there was a threat of punishment from 5 years in prison to death punishment inclusive. The amount of penalties imposed in the case of underground youth members was usually
5 – 10 years imprisonment – about 40 percent of all sentences.
The provision of Article 86, par. 2 of the NDP was applied, among others, in the case of the Łódź White Union
Shields, sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. For they were found guilty that “on
Łódź tried to violently change the strategy of Poland, due to the fact that they belonged to illegal
an organisation (...) whose aim was to edit and distribute illegal
leaflets, fight against youth progressive organisations and further plans
Through all kinds of military diversions, make a violent change in the system
Poland’.
The trials of young conspirators sometimes ended with death sentences. Accurate
The number of penalties imposed on this dimension is unknown. You can estimate
At least 63 specified persons were executed – 24 were executed. The age of the convicts didn't count. Founder
The Secret Association of Polish Scouting – the First Trawn Scouting Team, Mieczysław Smalec was seventeen years old on the date of transportation of the conviction (a punishment converted to 15 years in prison), Alojzy Piaskowski of the Conspiracy Association of Polish Scouting (New Salt)+ at the time of his execution did not finish eighteen years of age (1946), Edward Markosik of the Organization of the Underground National organization (Warsaw) was executed in a fewer months after his nineteenth birthday.
SUMMARY
The underground activity, especially in the face of repression, was an highly crucial experience for young people. They consciously made decisions to belong to a secret group, based on patriotism and the request to defend essential values. Conspirators took their actions not only for themselves, but for the benefit of society as a whole. They can be regarded as a kind of altruistic rebellion conducted due to the extra-personal welfare of the individual: “We will proudly perish for the cause, we will proudly perish, so that you and others may be better off surviving in peace” (part of the appeal) Warsaw Workers arranged by members of the Young defender against the Communists. People belonging to the White Shield Union (Łódź) opposed their altruism to ruling egoism, which “are costly their own interests” (part of the leaflet – the consequence “To all who is simply a dog of freedom” ).
It can besides be pointed out that teens followed Gen. Leopold Okulicki's orders of 14 January 1945 to lead the work in the spirit of regaining full independency of the state and protecting the population from destruction.
Source:
"Information Bulletin of the Institute of National Memory" No. 3 March 2019.
Jacek Wołoszyn
