AUGUST 15 - DAILY CHRONICLES OF HISTORY

AUGUST 15

1919

First Silesian Uprising began on August 15, 1919: German border guards (Grenzschutz) massacred ten Silesian civilians in a labour dispute at the Mysłowice mine (Myslowitzer Grube). The massacre sparked protests from the Silesian Polish miners, including a general strike of about 140,000 workers, and caused the First Silesian Uprising against German control of Upper Silesia. The miners demanded the local government and police become ethnically mixed to include both Germans and Poles. The Silesian Uprisings were a series of three armed uprisings of the Poles and Polish Silesians of Upper Silesia, from 1919 to 1921, against German rule; the resistance hoped to break away from Germany in order to join the Second Polish Republic, which had been established after the end  of World War I. In the latter-day history of Poland after World War II, the insurrections were celebrated as centrepieces of national pride.

1940

The Polish 302nd City of Poznan Squadron, part of 12 Group, began operations in England with the British RAF.  Their mission was to relieve squadrons of 11 Group when necessary.  The 302 Squadron intercepted its first enemy aircraft on August 20th, 1940. A Junkers Ju 88 bomber was shot down by Squadron Leader William Satchell. Other pilots in the squadron served with distinction, particularly in the Battle on September 18th defending the city of  London. Their overall score was 18 enemy planes destroyed, 12 probables and one damaged.

1991

Pope John Paul II celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa.  The Assumption of Mary, or the Day of Assumption, is an annual public holiday in Poland but it is also Polish Army Day as it is connected with the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, which was fought between the Poles and the Bolsheviks from August 12 to 25, 1920.  In Poland people attend Mass on the Day of Assumption and many churches have services to remember Polish soldiers who died fighting for Poland. Gatherings take place at some cemeteries where readings are made in honor of dead soldiers. There is also the Change of Guards near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw. The destination for worshipers is the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra in Czestochowa.  between the Poles and the Bolsheviks. The Battle of Warsaw was considered a breakthrough because it assured Poland’s independence but also blocked the spread of communism and Soviet totalitarianism in Europe during the 1920s. August 15 is a HolyFeast day in the Catholic faith, as the day that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death.