Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: One of the most beautiful examples of Polish women’s participation in the fight for independence was their participation in the fight against the Bolshevik invasion of 1920. Shortly after the establishment of the State Defense Council, women’s organizations from all over the country engaged in propaganda activities for men to join the Volunteer Army. They also supported the Polish Army, organizing actions to establish inns and infir maries, and sending food parcels. They provided help to families evacuat ed from the eastern borderlands. Many of them found themselves on the front line as nurses. High school students and scouts provided examples of patriotism. The role models were the members of the Volunteer Legion of Women, who led, among others, intelligence and courier activities. In situ ations of particular threat from enemy troops, legionnaires participated in the battles for Lviv and Vilnius, and were ready to defend the capital during the Battle of Warsaw. In August 1920, women also fought in the defense of Włocławek and Płock. During the retreat of the Red Army troops, many rural women provided support to the Polish troops, participating, among others, in: in the action of catching hiding Bolsheviks.
Authors: Akademia Finansów i Biznesu VISTULA (Polska), Janusz Szczepański
Institution: Vistula University
Language: Polish
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416200725