Polish students in Breslau – the “Silesia Superior” society of Upper Silesian academics (1924–1939)

One important aspect of “Silesia Superior’s” activities with regard to relations between the local authorities and the students was the formal hearing of 1926. Maximilian Kośny and Paweł Kwoczek were summoned before the spokesman of the University of Breslau, judge Schoch. As Maksymilian Kośny recalls:

“Shortly before judge Schoch took action, we had sent letters from the board of ‘Silesia Superior’ to several students from Polish families who were studying in Breslau, asking them to join our organisation. This invitation included my name as the author of the letter and that of Paweł Kwoczek as chair of the organisation. Incidentally, nothing came of this type of attempt at recruiting new members. Judge Schoch had a copy of this invitation in his files. His activities had one clearly defined aim: to intimidate us. Among other things, he threatened to expel us from the university. If we had met his demands to register our organisation and present a list of members, the less steadfast and more nervous members would certainly have left ‘Silesia’. Even though we refused to register ourselves and did not disclose any lists of members, judge Schoch’s actions achieved the desired result. Soon afterwards, two colleagues left our organisation. The others refused to allow themselves to be intimidated.” (M. Kośny, Wspomnienia działacza…, p. 143)

With regard to the activities of the society, it should be noted that the members of “Silesia” played an active role in the social and cultural life of the region. Polish songs were sung at meetings and annual gatherings. To mark the 11th anniversary of the founding of the society (in 1935), a special booklet was published containing three texts: the “Silesia Superior” society hymn, “Let us Brothers Stand Together” (Stańmy bracia wraz), and “Watch over the Oder” (Straż nad Odrą). A verse from the latter song contains the following words:

Oh, our holy land,
We shall not let you fall,
A watch stands over the Oder!
Either victory or death.

(O święty kraju nasz,
nie damy cię na łup,
nad Odrą czuwa straż!
Zwycięstwo albo grób.)

The society members also went on trips together. Group outings to the seaside were organised (such as to the area around Rozewie) and regular visits to Poland were made possible thanks to financial support from the Organisation for the Defence of the Western Border Territories (Związek Obrony Kresów Zachodnich). For example, in March 1925, the members of “Silesia” travelled to Poznań for a month; in 1926, they visited Kraków and Zakopane; a year later, they went to Warsaw, and in 1930, they visited Wieliczka. They also went on vacation to the Polish coast, to Tupadeł and Gdynia. During their travels, they had the opportunity to come into contact with Polish culture, with visits to cabaret shows and theatre performances, and discussed Polish literature. They met Polish students and members of the Organisation for the Defence of the Western Border Territories, as well as the landed gentry.