The Lublin Division of the Association of the Polish Legionaries (1922-1926)

Abstract

The Lublin region was in the summer of 1915 the scene of battles of the divisions of the Polish Legions against the Russian invader. It was then that many volunteers conscripted in this martial formation from Lublin and its vicinity. No wonder that at the moment when Poland was becoming a free country an idea was conceived in this milieu to establish their own combatant organization. The Association of the Polish Legionaries in Lublin came into being at the turn of 1922 and 1923. It united soldiers of all the brigades of the Legionaries fighting for freedom in the years 1914-1918. From the moment of its establishment the Lublin milieu of the Association was in confusion and discontent. The obvious reason was that J. Piłsudski, the commander of the Legions, had been removed from politics and army. Another factor contributing to frustration and changes was the fact that political opponents wielded power in the country and in the Lublin region. The 3rd Assembly of ZLP held in Lublin on 9-10 August, 1924, was the first step of the advocates of Piłsudski on the way to take over the helm. During the May coup d'etat of 1926 the Lublin milieu of the Association along with the local organization of the Polish Socialistic Party and the Trade Union of Railwaymen, the Association of Non-commissioned Officers of the Reserve and the Shooting Association firmly sided with Piłsudski. Over the whole period of 1922-1926 the members of the Lublin Division of ZLP, apart from their statute activity, wished to exerted impact on and indeed influence the Political life of the region and in the country.