FULL TEXT - Scientific Review of Physical Culture

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Anna Turza
Faculty of Physical Education,
University of Rzeszow (Poland)
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THE ACTIVITY ‘STRZELEC’ SHOOTERS’ ASSOCIATION (SSA), POSTAL
MILITARY TRAINING (PMT) AND RAILWAY MILITARY TRAINING
(RMT) PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS AND POLISH SCOUTING
AND GUIDING ASSOCIATION (PSGA) AND “SOKÓŁ” GYMNASTICS SOCIETY (GS) YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS IN
THE IN THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF POLAND (1918-1939)
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Based on available sources and publications, activity in the area of sports of Polish paramilitary and youth organizations of the inter-bellum (1918-1939) was described. The development of
physical culture can in the first place be contributed to such organizations as: ‘Strzelec’ (‘The
Shooter’) Shooters’ Association (SSA), “Sokół” (‘Falcon’) Gymnastics Society, Railway Military
Training (RMT), Postal Military Training (PMT) Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (PSGA).
The article focuses on the above mentioned youth and paramilitary organizations as those that contributed a lot to the development of physical culture and many sport disciplines, improved the general physical fitness of the nation, and lastly were a source of staff for various military formations
that fought in World War II. The general increase in the nation’s physical fitness can certainly be
attributed to the concept of collective defence of the country. Physical education was one of the key
elements in education in Poland in the interwar period (1918-1939). As Jerzy Gaj points out, a very
important paramilitary trend appeared in Polish physical culture as early as in the period before
World War I. The appearance of youth and paramilitary organizations resulted largely from the political situation in Europe, and Poland, at that time. Curricula and forms of teaching were developed
by academic clubs and activists of paramilitary organizations and associations. These activists were
able to gather humble means that enabled them to further development of their operations. Especially in case of a nation that had for generations fought to regain its independence. In spite of differences in opinion resulting from different attitudes towards such actions, and different understandings of the role of physical education and sport in military training “the youths belonging to various
organizations proved to be the most patriotic element in different military formations and did great
in the battlefield”1.
The newly reborn Republic of Poland was a weak country, full of political conflicts and conflicting interests. However, some degree of social integration was achieved under the auspices of
the name: “Nation in Arms”. War experiences had allowed military analysts to state that it is not
enough to only prepare an army but the whole nation ought to get involved” 2. Thus, the new war
doctrine – “Nation in Arms” – was created. It was a specifically Polish defence doctrine assimilated
into the program of organizing military reserve forces as part of compulsory military training. Not
without a coincidence would the marrying of physical education and sport with military training
J. Gaj: Paramilitaryzm w polskiej kulturze fizycznej (1912-1939), „Roczniki Naukowe AWF w Poznaniu”, vol. 41,
Poznań 1992, pp. 125-127.
2
J. Kęsik: Wojsko polskie wobec tężyzny fizycznej społeczeństwa 1918-1939, Wrocław 1996, p. 12.
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play an important role in the programme. At the same time, military authorities favoured creation of
structural and legal organizational structures they could control3.
There was a generally good socio-political climate for the development of physical education and sport, which in turn enhanced the development of sports structures within paramilitary organizations, thus helping to reinforce the defences of the country. There was a twofold goal in it
however, as, in the face of a total conflict, what was important was not only the training of the soldier but also the training of the future worker4. As a result of this state of affairs, Military Training
was introduced in schooling. For this purpose, troops were created amongst the workers of the Post,
the Polish State Railways and the National Forest Holding, etc., as well as within women’s organizations. The high importance of physical education and sport in military training is confirmed by
number of training hours devoted to them (60 out of a total of 150 hours of military training). Training was also conducted during summer camps. From the point of view of paramilitary training and
schooling, the following disciplines were taught: athletics, shooting, fencing, track and field. Also,
the introduction of the State Sports Badge played an important role5.
Shooters’ Association was one of the most noted paramilitary organizations in the Second
Republic of Poland, as it had been created in an independent Poland with strong traditions of the
Polish Legions. Amongst the people who helped to create it, were: Maciej Kuhnke, Antoni Langer,
Kazimierz Dłuski, Wacław Sieroszewski, Andrzej Strug and Wacław Tokarz6. Shooters’ Association, an organization with one of the largest memberships among paramilitary organizations in Poland, organized physical training, military training and promoted sports, especially shooting and
gymnastics. It also made great contributions in the field of culture and education as it set up and ran
libraries and reading rooms, organized courses, and published books and magazines, such as: “The
Shooter’s Review”, “The Archer’s Review” or the weekly “The Shooter” 7. In the troops of
“Strzelec” (“The Shooter”), physical education was conducted in two forms: basic physical training
compulsory for all members, and voluntary sports activities in divisions and their sports sections 8.
Teaching physical education and sports was done in accordance with the military training curricula
in use. The curricula were issued by National Institute for Physical Education and Military Training
and were obligatory for troops undergoing military training. However, physical education classes in
troops not participating in military training were taught according to guidelines set out by the physical education department of Shooters’ Association Headquarters9.
Remembering the previous political situation the country had been in, the Ministry of Military Affairs was planning for a mass engagement of young people in paramilitary training. The
sources say that in 1927 there were 59 428 men below the enlistment age and 35 787 reservists training10. The Shooters were obviously always present during physical education and military training
holidays. In the first year of activity of the National Institute for Physical Education and Military
Training (1927) 2 570 shooters had earned their MT ranks, which gave them the privilege to have
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J. Chełmecki: Wkład Państwowego Urzędu Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego w modernizację programu kultury fizycznej w Polsce (1927-1939), „Zeszyty Naukowe” № 85, AWF Kraków, 2002, p. 300.
4
see: W. Osmólski: Zaniedbane drogi wychowawcze, Warszawa 1928, p. 27.
5
see: W. Jastrzębski: Wychowanie fizyczne i przysposobienie wojskowe w II Rzeczypospolitej, [in:] Polska Odrodzona
w 1919 r., Bydgoszcz 1990, bpn.
6
P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego, Warszawa 2000, p. 15.
7
see: P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego (1927-1939), Warszawa 2000, p. 16, Sprawozdanie za rok 1927, M. Fularski, Przysposobienie Woskowe w Polsce, Warszawa 1929,
p. 127.
8
CAW, ZS, sygn. I.390.I, t. 200, Wytyczne pracy na rok 1933/34, Zarząd Główny ZS, Warszawa 1933, p. 9.
9
see: A. Zakrzewska: Związek Strzelecki 1919-1939. Wychowanie obywatelskie młodzieży, Kraków 2007, p. 244.
10
J. Odziemkowski: Armia i społeczeństwo w II Rzeczypospolitej, Warszawa 1996, p. 99.
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their compulsory military service shortened. In 1927, 20 716 shooters took part in military exercises
with the army. Mobilization exercises were performed in several districts as well11.
Having the best amenities, appropriate financial means, and the best instructors and a modern system of teaching, the Gymnastics Society “Sokół” (est. 1867) was one of the largest sports
organizations since pre-World War I period12. In 1919, during a convention of “Sokół” Societies
(from Lesser Poland, Greater Poland and the Kingdom), Association of “Sokół” Gymnastics Societies was created13. It must be stressed here that in spite of the authorities’ reluctance to start introducing military training and accept help from the Ministry of Military Affairs, the “Sokół” (Polish:
Falcon) Association entered the list of military training organizations. It had in its structures a department responsible for military and educational affairs. As of 1925, about 3000 members of
“Sokół” took part in military training14. In 1927, a considerable increase in membership was observed: 6 regions (Lesser Poland, Cracow, Masovia, Greater Poland, Silesia and Pomerania), 70
districts and 901 “nests”. Out of the total membership of 80 000, the youth comprised 30 000. Most
of the “nests’ introduced military training, the number of “falcons” (members) was 14 303 in
192715. In spite of the development of military training, the authorities did not cease to prefer methods based on physical education16. This caused a noticeable division – while some members preferred military training, the other group would rather stick to physical education17.
When looking at the history of military training of the Polish youth, one must not forget
about the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (1919). Military training was seen as an indispensable part of the process of educating scouts (it was especially so in later years). The importance
of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (PSGA) and its position as one of the main and
largest organizations occupied with military training in the Second Republic of Poland were special,
because scouts played a very active role in the defence of the country, as could be seen in the tragic
events of September 1939, as well as later on during the war. The National Institute for Physical
Education and Military Training held the scouting movement in very high regard, as their classes
included: citizenship education, shooting, survival skills, acquisition of specialised skills (sports or
technical). Thanks to having received military training, scouts realised their patriotic ideals fighting
in the Gray Ranks, the Home Army and the broadly understood resistance movement18.
Another one of paramilitary organizations affiliated with professional groups and acting between 1927-1939 was the Railway Military Training. RMT was the only organization established
within Polish State Railways in order to prepare the workers for defence of the country through
physical education and professional training19. It was created within the Polish State Railways.
RMT, established as “an association of people of good will”, was one of many active military training organizations at that time. Its operations were coordinated by the National Institute for Physical
Education and Military Training. As a paramilitary organization of railway workers, its goal was to
prepare them for operation in war conditions. The curriculum included military and railway (technical) training that prepared for work on different positions; citizenship education, raising of physi-
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See: P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego (1927-1939), Warszawa 2000, p. 16, Sprawozdanie za rok 1927, p. 137; Z. Skupiński, Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego w latach 1927-1931, Warszawa 1991, p. 18.
12
D. Dudek: Działalność wojskowa Towarzystwa Gimnastycznego „Sokół” przed I wojną światową, Nowy Sącz 1994,
p. 37.
13
M. Fularski: Przysposobienie... op.cit., p. 132.
14
P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd… op.cit., p. 17.
15
See: P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego (1927-1939), Warszawa 2000, p. 17; Z. Skupiński: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego w latach
1927-1931, Warszawa 1991, p. 18.
16
P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd…, op.cit., p. 17.
17
D. Dudek: Działalność wojskowa … op.cit., p. 37.
18
P. Rozwadowski: Państwowy Urząd…, op.cit., pp. 17, 140-141.
19
„Kolejowe Przysposobienie Wojskowe” 1934, № 5 (57), p. 20.
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cal fitness and promotion of sports; economic instruction and organization of mutual material aid.
Every worker could sign up regardless of trade union membership. In years 1933-1934 it had 80 000
members associated in 600 centres, belonging to 9 regions, which mirrored nine Regional Offices of
Polish State Railways. Membership constantly grew, up to 115 000 members (in 1938). In 1933
RMT had 96 bands, 55 choirs, several tens of drama clubs. New clubs, shooting ranges and libraries
(both traditional and mobile) were being built. There was a whole range of sports clubs, and even a
teaching travelling theatre company. Well over 10 000 members were involved in physical education and sports. They had 190 athletic grounds, several tens of rowing tracks, swimming pools and
tennis courts, and 110 small calibre shooting ranges20. RMT also trained instructors of railway and
military training (Lvov Region)21, organized courses for instructors, at which they taught methods
of work in the area of culture and education, the rules of citizenship education, and the newest
forms of workshop work22. Apart from organizing various workshops, contests and sports competitions, RMT also had a number of organizations involved in humanitarian work, as well as in cultural and educational work23. There were 19 railway trade unions in Poland in the interwar period. The
Railway Workers’ Trade Union was the most active one – they organized holidays and trips for its
members and ran sports clubs24.
Another organization that associated workers of a state firm was the Postal Military Training, in which physical education and sport also had their important place. PMT was very goaloriented and conducted in stages. Starting with strengthening organizational ties, through internal
work and establishing contacts with sports institutions, obligatory medical tests, to the National
Sports Badge. They organized courses, winter camps, invested in new football pitches and gyms. In
the schooling of a post office worker, those disciplines were preferred which were close to military
training. Within PMT, tourism was very popular, which does not mean that other forms of sport
were not popular either25.
Summing up, one can generally say that the importance of sport rose greatly in the Interbellum. Thanks to military training organizations associating both the young and old, the position of
Polish sport rose from national to international level. Polish sportsmen became one of the best at
many disciplines in Europe. It should be noted that the Polish law makers made legal provisions
that secured the development of physical education and sport. State authorities were well suited to
manage these processes form the lowest level. At the same time, they showed good capability in
directing the development of physical education and the intentional activity of the social sports
movement, which the number of clubs and organizations conducting military training can only attests to26. Apart from the rapid development of physical culture in the interwar period 27 the author
spoke of above, there was also a large increase in the number of sports games, as well as canoeing,
rowing and skiing. Because of the usefulness of athletics in military training, it was widely supported. Its popularity grew especially in schools, youth organizations and military training clubs. When
looking at the number of State Sports Badges awarded at that time, it can be seen that the state was
very supportive of young talented athletes. Moreover, the Polish Athletics Association was in receipt of state subsidies for the employment of foreign coaches. Team games grew in number in the
years 1918-1939, and skills wise remained on an average level, as recreational spectator sports, with
20
see: http://www.lps.org.pl/historia/107-kpwilowo.html [accessed on 16. 05. 2011].
„Kolejowe Przysposobienie Wojskowe”, 1934, № 3 (55), p. 6.
22
Ibid., p. 9.
23
Ibid., p. 20.
24
U. Koweska: Działalność prorządowych związków zawodowych kolejarzy w dziedzinie kultury fizycznej w II Rzeczpospolitej, „AWF we Wrocławiu – Prace naukowe”, 1997, pp. 59-66.
25
„Rocznik Sportowy”, Warszawa 1934, № 12, p. 177.
26
H. Młodzianowska: Rozwój wychowania fizycznego i sportu w Polsce w latach 19141944, [in:] Z dziejów kultury
fizycznej w Polsce (materiały na Plenum GKKFiT z okazji 100-lecia sportu polskiego, Warszawa 1967, pp. 122-123.
27
L. Szymański: Przyczynek do studiów nad polityką II Rzeczpospolitej w kulturze fizycznej w latach 1918-1926 [in:]
L. Szymanski (ed.): Z najnowszej historii kultury fizycznej w Polsce, Wrocław 1993, p. 20.
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only occasional successes on European level. The best example is football, with the largest membership28.
One more characteristic thing one can notice about the interwar period is that there were a
few peculiarities to Polish sport. There were significant disproportions in certain disciplines. One
may also get the impression that there was no correlation between number of participants in a given
discipline and number of successes in it, which is only illusory. That is the reason why in disciplines like fencing, horse-riding, boxing and hockey, which had relatively small club membership,
there were large achievements. This was due to the fact that there were numerous fencing courses
organized as part of military training by CSZGiS and also by the Military Faculty of the Central
Institute of Physical Education. Horse-riding was extensively practiced in the Officer Cadet School
in Grudziądz and in the Training Centre. Many future medallists came from there. Both of these
disciplines were rather expensive to practice. Limited access to rowing and ice-hockey equipment
eliminated the less talented and less tenacious players. The best of those who persevered would become brilliant coaches29.
Youth organizations and associations gave a great example of how to promote physical education and sports. Large interest in them found an ally in the military environment, which had a
significant influence on the state authorities’ policy on promotion of physical culture in Poland in
the inter-bellum.
REFERENCES:
1. CAW, ZS, sygn. I.390.I, t. 200, Wytyczne pracy na rok 1933/34, Zarząd Główny ZS, Warszawa 1933.
nly
2. Chełmecki J.: Wkład Państwowego Urzędu Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego w
modernizację programu kultury fizycznej w Polsce (1927-1939), “Zeszyty Naukowe” № 85, AWF w Krakowie 2002.
eo
3. Dudek D.: Działalność wojskowa Towarzystwa Gimnastycznego „Sokół” przed I wojną światową, Nowy
Sącz 1994.
us
4. Fularski M.: Przysposobienie Woskowe w Polsce, Warszawa 1929.
al
5. Gaj J.: Paramilitaryzm w polskiej kulturze fizycznej (1912-1939), „Roczniki Naukowe AWF w Poznaniu”,
vol. 41, Poznań 1992.
on
6. Jastrzębski W., Wychowanie fizyczne i przysposobienie wojskowe w II Rzeczypospolitej, [in:] Polska
Odrodzona w 1919 r., Bydgoszcz 1990.
pe
rs
7. Kęsik J.: Wojsko polskie wobec tężyzny fizycznej społeczeństwa 1918-1939, Wrocław 1996.
8. „Kolejowe Przysposobienie Wojskowe”, 1934 № 3 (57), № 5 (55).
9. Koweska U.: Działalność prorządowych związków zawodowych kolejarzy w dziedzinie kultury fizycznej
w II Rzeczpospolitej, „AWF we Wrocławiu – Prace naukowe”, 1997.
y is
for
10. Młodzianowska H.: Rozwój wychowania fizycznego i sportu w Polsce w latach 1914-1944, [in:]
Z dziejów kultury fizycznej w Polsce (materiały na Plenum GKKFiT z okazji 100-lecia sportu polskiego),
Warszawa 1967.
11. Odziemkowski J.: Armia i społeczeństwo w II Rzeczypospolitej, Warszawa 1996.
op
12. Osmólski W.: Zaniedbane drogi wychowawcze, Warszawa 1928.
13. „Rocznik Sportowy”, Warszawa 1934, № 12.
is c
14. Rozwadowski P.: Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego, Warszawa
2000.
28
29
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H. Młodzianowska: Rozwój wychowania..., op.cit., pp. 122-123.
op.cit., p. 122.
38
15. Szymański L.: Przyczynek do studiów nad polityką II Rzeczpospolitej w kulturze fizycznej w latach 1918-1926 [in:] L. Szymanski (ed.): Z najnowszej historii kultury fizycznej w Polsce, Wrocław 1993.
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17. http://www.lps.org.pl/historia/107-kpwilowo.html [accessed on 16. 05. 2011].
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16. Zakrzewska A., Związek Strzelecki 1919-1939. Wychowanie obywatelskie młodzieży, Kraków 2007.
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