In the face of war... Polish army in Lwow's preparations for the effects of armed conflict (autumn 1938 - summer 1939)

Польська армія міжвоєнного періоду, крім завдань, характерних для армії кожної країни, повинна була розвивати і підтримувати постійну співпрацю з цивільними властями та населенням в районі дислокації. Ця співпраця в основному стосувалася сфери збільшення загального стану оборони. Посилилися дії, спрямовані на підготовку населення або підготовку території до наслідків війни. Основною проблемою даного дослідження є роль Польської армії у процесі підготовки Львова та її мешканців в період з осені 1938 до літа 1939 року у разі спалаху війни. У статті показано напрямки вжитих дій та, на скільки це було можливо, їх наслідки. Джерелами до даного дослідження є матеріали з архівів Польщі, Великої Британії та України, а також статті та щоденна преса.

Ключові слова: Польська Армія, Львів, Східна Малопольща, війна, безпека, оборона.

(стаття друкується мовою оригіналу)

In recent years, the issue of state and public preparation for war has been investigated unevenly. At a time when questions concerning the western and central parts of the Second Polish Republicwere quite well covered, the studies about the eastern territory of the republic were considered very superficially, and most often in the works of emigration. 1990 opened up new opportunities for historians, which in turn led to the solution of this problem. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that the question of preparing the locality and the population of Eastern Malopolska before the war was fully and comprehensively discussed, although publications on this issue already exist. The most common studies are of a general nature, but there are no such that relate to individual cities. This article should fill this gap.

The purpose of this study is to illustrate actions that from a security point of view in case of war received military power in cooperation with public authorities in Lwow in the last year before the war, that is, from autumn 1938 to August 1939.

The source of this work are archival materials stored in Polish, Ukrainian and English archives. An important role is also played by scientific research in the form of monographs and articles. Memories of soldiers who participated in various preparatory work, as well as those who coordinated further areas of joint activity, also had great importance. Reports in the press that appeared on the pages of Lwow newspapers were also a valuable cognitive source, although it was necessary to exercise critical thinking, taking into account this source.

The geopolitical situation that arose in Europe in the fall of 1938 threatened European security. Nazi Germany, not intending to concede in matters relating to the annexation of the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia), was ready, if not peacefully, then through an armed conflict to receive these territories. The Munich Agreement of September 30, 1938, on the basis of which an agreement was reached, only seemed to save Europe from the start of the war. One can even say that the signing of the agreement eliminated only in time what was inevitable - it was a pan-European war, the sprouts of which fell in different parts of the continent almost throughout the interwar period. However, it should be recognized that by the autumn of 1938 it seemed to politicians of most countries that Europe was not facing another large-scale war. Only thanks to the aforementioned events in Munich, was it possible to understand the aggressive face and intentions of Hitler, and only then many politicians understood the gravity of the situation [35; 42].

It is worth remembering that the political situation at that time was also used by the Polish authorities. Polish authorities decided to use the situation for their own purposes. The existing dispute between Poland and Czechoslovakia concerning the Zaolzie region (now the Lublin province), when the authorities of Prague took advantage of the complicated geopolitical situation in Poland with the requirement to obtain this region, found its solution on the eve of the war. On September 30, 1938, after the announcement of the provisions of the Munich Conference, Poland demanded that the Czechoslovak government correct the Polish-Czechoslovak border at Zaolzie on the basis of ethnic demarcation. After the consent of the Czechoslovak government, Poland received this territory on October 2, 1938 [30, s. 105; 34, s. 35-40; 35, s. 344-345, 371-372, 375-376, 409-410, 425426, 437-439, 474, 478, 487-490, 496-499; 42, s. 252-253, 256-257]. Polish society fully contributed to the actions of the authorities and the army, which was reflected in a large number of manifestos for the purpose of support - including also, Eastern Malopolska (especially in Lwow, Stanislawow and Tarnopol) [4, s. 1-2; 5, s. 2; 16, s. 6; 17, s. 5-6; 19, s. 1; 20, s. 2]. However, the political success of Poland at that time was only partial. Soon it was Poland that became the object of expansionist German politics.

A new unfavorable situation in which Poland found itself meant that the Polish authorities, both military and public, in the last year of pre-war peace realized that it was necessary to quickly change the internal policy of preparing the state and the population for the consequences of the inevitable future war. For this, a number of activities were initiated - plans were organized to evacuate large cities, air defense was organized for cities and large industrial enterprises, trainings and exercises were conducted in the field of air defense (AD) and gas defense (GD)for the population. Instructions and regulations were issued to regulate the activities of the army, civilian authorities and people in the event of war.

This was especially noticeable in large cities, and therefore in Lwow. The city was an important point on the then map of Poland. Being the third most populous city in Poland (officially almost 319 thousand inhabitants in 1939), Lwow was the most important urban center of all of Eastern Malopolska- a key railway and automobile junction, as well as an important center of industry and trade. Here were located: Provincional Office, Command of Corps District No.VI (CCD), Army Inspectorate No., Regional State Railway Administration, Provincional Headquarters of the State Police, Regional Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs, Court of Appeal, District Court, Labor Court, EasternMalopolskaBorder Guard Inspectorate, State Administrations Forest, High Mining Service, TaxChamber, Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Crafts, Lwow School District. In the city, its representation in the form of consulates had 13 states, which testified to the great role of Lwow as a huge economic center in south-eastern Poland. It was here that every year in September, starting in 1921 and ending in 1939, the International Oriental Fair was held - the most famous economic event in this part of Poland after the Poznan International Fair [33, s. 11-42; 37, s. 94-95; 40].

It should also be remembered that in the event of war, the Eastern Malopolska should have become the territory ensuring the defense of the army. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Polish authorities attached great importance to the proper preparation of the region and the city in the event of a possible armed conflict.

The Czechoslovak crisis, and the imminent threat of war, showed large gaps in the preparation of air defense and gas defense in the city and the whole region. The possible beginning of an armed conflict, of which Poland would become a part, would have found the cities and the population not ready for defense activities. Major deficiencies in this matter were particularly acutely noted by General Wladyslaw Langner- the commander of CCD VI. Back in February 1938, he noted the need to start training with the public in air defense [46]. General guidelines for self-defense in the field of air defense and gas defense were drawn up by the commander of air defense of CCD VI - Colonel Leon D^bski already in September 1937, but they were not properly implemented until the autumn of 1938 [51; 36, s. 180].

The intensification of the cooperation of the military authorities with the territorial administration, as well as with the defense and public organizations began in early September and October 1938. The winter period was mainly aimed at finalizing the work plan for spring. However, this does not mean that field operations have been completely canceled. At the beginning of the 1938/1939 school year, trainings of air and gas defense were conducted among teachers so that they could start implementing an eight-hour course for schoolchildren [47].

The first of the implemented recommendations was to be joining the construction of air defense channels [50]. The arrival of spring led to the beginning of work. The Ministry of Military and Internal Affairs has introduced systematic monitoring of individual activities. On this basis, it is known that lower-level local governments (mainly municipalities) often showed slowness in executing instructions. Residents of small towns for various reasons often declined to join the intended work. The situation was much better in large cities, including Lwow, where the population was more willing to cooperate in this area [45].

During the winter period, the staff of the CCD VI in Lwow also intensified work on the preparation of an updated reference manual for air defense, which was to serve as a training tool. The prepared instructions by Colonel D^bski headquarters were approved on March 28, 1939 by General Langner. It contained 16 points, among which were the rules for warning the air-raid alarm, ways of announcing and canceling the alarm, gas and fire alarm questions, and the sound signal type specification to distinguish the type of alarm and the activity of individual units in the event of a specific alarm [56].

In the first half of 1939. Further exercises were started with air defense and gas defenses with the population. Already at the beginning of the year, General Langner established a correspondence with individual governors representing the scope of cooperation and the possibility of assistance from the army in this regard. Thus, on February 13-15, the Lwow Air Defense Center was trained and the simultaneous launch of a whole observation network in the OK VI territory (that is, the Tarnopol and Stanislawow provinces, as well as the eastern part of the Lwow voivodship) [13, s. 2; 14, s. 2; 15, s. 2; 44].

Exact training results are unknown. It is only known that part of the residents of the residential sectors in Lwow did not fulfill the orders of the leadership and reluctantly accepted the functions assigned to it. In connection with the above, the command of the CCD VI offered assistance in the preparation of civil air defense platoons. On May 20, 1939, cadets began training at industrial facilities in the city, and from June 26, training of civilian groups began. In Lwow, a civil center of air defense was created, its work was led by the government which fully coordinated its activities with the military authorities. In August 1939, the creation of a military air defense center was started, next to which the civilian center was to perform a supporting function [25; 28; 49; 48].

Meanwhile, on May 1, 1939, the Ministry of Military Affairs struck out all the voluntary organizations of the Polish Red Cross on mobilization lists, transferring them to the command of the air defense. This necessitated their inclusion in field planning. In this regard, the air defense authorities of CCDVI adopted 20 rescue and sanitary sections of the Polish Red Cross. This increased the ability to assist victims of potential bomb or gas attacks [27].

The latest security actions in Lwow and its nearby suburbs in the framework of air defense and gas defense were the announcement on August 31, 1939 of guidelines for organizing and conducting reconnaissance and analytical actions within air defense [54].

August 3l, 1939 was also put in order an ambulance air defense, which obliged all workers of institutions and drivers of motor vehicles to refrain from using sound signals (sirens). In addition, the city authorities were obliged to extinguish the neon lighting of the streets, and residents to curtain the windows in the houses in the evening [22, s. 8].

In addition to preparing the city and the population in the context of air defense and gas defense, which were carried out through the army, there was also preparation and provision of the proper mobilization course in the event of its announcement. During the period of heightened tension, the military authorities accumulated fuel reserves for automobiles. For example, on January 1, 1939, on the orders of General Langner, the sale of fuel materials at military prices was suspended for officers who have private cars throughout Lwow and the okrug. In addition, the bureau of the Commissariat in Lwow was obliged to provide, with a two-month advance, quarterly demand for fuel and lubricants, in order to make it possible to adjust production at the request of the Polimin refinery in Drohobycz. Thus, the process of saving and collecting fuel began, which was necessary not only for the effective implementation of a number of mobilization measures, but, above all, for waging war [31; 38, s. 316].

In February 1939, organizational activities were initiated related to the approaching completion of the term for studying students of 1918 births and accelerating the training of students for 1919-1921 years of birth. It is ordered, for example, that pupils pass their exams earlier and receive certificates of maturity in Lwow secondary schools. Certificates were to be issued until May 31, 1939 (this also applied to the Cadet Corps No. 1 in Lwow). In the case of public schools, it was not possible to comply with the regulations, but in the Cadet Corps on May 15-25, final exams were held, after which conscription from the District District of Lwow took place immediately after receiving certificates - on May 26 and 27 [52].

CCD VI also received permission to use school buildings throughout the district, although, as noted, in public and state interests, such activities could be carried out only when absolutely necessary [26; 32]. They tried not to apply this situation, but due to the lack of other opportunities, many units of some regiments mobilized on the premises of Lwow schools [36, s. 181].

Knowing the fact that mobilization in the city could be sabotaged by representatives of the German minority, in the spring of 1939, on the recommendation of the Independent Information Department of CCD VI, a detailed description of the representatives of this nationality was made. Particular emphasis was placed on the issues of belonging to minority organizations and assessing the degree of involvement in its work. As a result of the creation of relevant lists, especially active activists were controlled through secret control of correspondence. This, of course, led to acquaintance with the mood of this national minority. For example, it is known that in letters to families living in Germany, these citizens posted information about the attitudes and moods that had developed in Lwow and the region, pointing to the hostility of some Ukrainians towards the Poles [29; 38, s. 317].

Other initiatives have been used to ensure mobilization. On April 30, 1939, on the basis of the conclusions of the conference held in Lwow on April 12, representatives of local authorities with military authorities issued guidelines on the organization of the Civil Security Service in all of Eastern Malopolska. It was recommended to complete organizational issues in this regard by May 15, and to train members of the guard by May 31.

Instructions for the creation of the Civil Security Service provided for the establishment of its branches in each city, and therefore in Lwow. The main tasks of the organization was to control the population and help combat acts of subversion or sabotage. In addition, its members were to ensure peace and, if possible, also improve the implementation of emergency and general mobilization [43].

Another element of the activities that were supposed to prepare the inhabitants of Lwow for the consequences of the war was radio communications. As a result of the coordination of the military and civilian authorities with the leadership of the Lwow radio broadcasting of Polish Radio, starting from August 17, 1939, every Monday and Thursday ten- minute evening programs on air defense principles were conducted [6, s. 2; 7, s. 2; 8, s. 2; 18, s. 5].

Another example of joint actions by the army and civil authorities in preparing Lwow for the consequences of the war is the plan to organize the evacuation of city residents together with the Lwow City Hall in the event of a direct threat to the city. To this end, the Public Committee of the voluntary resettlement of the population of the city of Lwow was established, whose work was carried out in a building that belonged to CCD VI on Walowa Street 16. The above-mentioned works were joined by the Flight Service of the counties and the communes of Lwow Voivodeship - «Bieszczady», which offered accommodation for the evacuees. Until June 30, 1939, a preliminary action plan was prepared, which provided for the distribution of city residents in the districts of Lwow, Bobrka, Grodek Jagiellonski and Zolkiew. It was also taken into account the routes of railway and road communication with the proviso that the state should ensure the free passage of public transport buses. In addition, it was ordered that the territory in which the population will be evacuated will be located within a radius of 10-25 km from the center of Lwow, while these regions must simultaneously contain railway and automobile roads within a radius of 5-8 km [53].

As a result of the meeting of Colonel D^bski with the deputies of the listed counties, on July 27 it turned out that Bobrkaand Grodek Jagiellonski were already reserved for civilian administration workers from the western territories of Poland. In the case of other districts, no objections were raised, so, the plan was adjusted to take into account only Lwow and Zolkiew counties [37, s. 342-343].

Work related to the preparation of the population and territory for the consequences of the war continued unabated until the end of August 1939. This is confirmed by the memoirs of General Langner and his deputy, General Maksymilian Milan-Kamski. The first of them confirms a number of tasks performed in the interests of civilian local authorities and residents of Lwow in the field of security, the second emphasizes that even before the Minister of Military Affairs, General Tadeusz Kasprzycki, took office, he ordered that special attention be paid to security issues in CCDVI, especially the city of Lwow [24; 36, s. 178-190; 41, s. 154-162]. All this, of course, happened from August 23, 1939 on the territory of cCD VI during mobilization [39, s. 205-238].

In the last days before the outbreak of war, all kinds of organizations, governments, and individual citizens indicated their willingness to help prepare for defense. Shops in Lwow provided free equipment for defense purposes, and government officials, along with residents and soldiers, dug ditches for shelter in case of air defense. In general, the attitude of the population in most cases was very good. Organized manifestos, similar to those that occurred in early September and October 1938, testified to the solidarity of the whole society around the army and faith in victory. Obviously, this was also due to the strict implementation of military orders through the population and public organizations [1, s. 3; 2, s. 1; 3, s. 7; 9, s. 2; 10, s. 2; 11, s. 4; 12, s. 2; 21, s. 12; 23, s. 8-9]. Under such circumstances, on September 1, the world stirred up the beginning of the war.

Thus, preparations for the war, which took place in Lwow, can be divided into several types. The military authorities focused primarily on preparing the population of Lwow and its district for air defense and gas defense. A series of training sessions and field exercises were conducted to verify the effects of the above actions. In addition, representatives of the army supported civilian power in the preparation of emergency instructions. In collaboration with the Lwow City Magistrate, a detailed plan was prepared for evacuating residents in the event of a direct threat of war. A proper mobilization course has been prepared and ensured - which is important for effective military operations. In addition to these events, a number of small actions were founded, which also influenced the best preparation of the city and its inhabitants to the consequences of the war.

The soldiers of the Polish Army fulfilled their duty to serve the country and its citizens well. Although the dynamics of hostilities in September 1939 meant that many concepts, adopted in 1939, remained «on paper» (such as evacuating the inhabitants of Lwow), the pre-war preparation allowed the public to prepare for a future war. Could more have been done at that time? Perhaps - yes, but it should be remembered that the Second World War was very different from those that were previously. Actions performed by the army should be assessed positively in terms of psychological advantages. Society did not feel abandoned, that grew into a higher morality and a willingness to sacrifice for the common good.

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