Calendar. On August 23, 1919, the Sejny Uprising broke out – one of the least known and victorious independence uprisings of the Second Polish Republic. At dawn, a few minutes after three o’clock, the offensive of the insurgents of the Polish Military Organization began. Three companies “Operational Group Sumowo” and Kompania Cadet Łankiewicz hit Krasnopol, where the Lithuanian crew was disarmed and several dozen prisoners were taken. In a short time, Poles mastered Giby, Posejnele, Berżniki, Copciowo, Wigry, and before six o’clock – Sejny. For the inhabitants of the region it was a symbolic victory and a breakthrough in the fight for belonging to the reviving Polish -Lithuanian Commonwealth. The decision to start the Uprising was made on August 16. Command of the Suwałki District of the POW – lieutenant Adam Rudnicki and second lieutenant Wacław Zawadzki – meticulously prepared an action plan. The operation was kept strictly, fearing an international reaction. The moods in the region were tense – the repression of the Lithuanian and German administration meant that the population expected a definite speech. Only in the Sejny and the surrounding area dozens of people were repressed, about 200 POW members were interned, and 27 inhabitants paid for their activities with life. The success of the first hours did not end the fighting. On August 25 in the morning Lithuanians, supported by German volunteers, went to a counterattack. After a few hours of heavy struggles, they reflected the Sejny, and Second Lieutenant fell. Wacław Zawadzki. The losses of the insurgents that day amounted to a dozen or so killed and several dozen wounded, and the civilian population fell victim to brutal repression. However, the spirit of resistance was not broken – on the same day, around nine o’clock, Poles went to counterpart. Thanks to the maneuver of the cavalry of lieutenant Lipski and the support of branches from Krasnopol, Sejny was again captured around eleven o’clock. Regular troops of the Polish Army – 41 Infantry Regiment – began to approach the city. On August 27, the unit entered Sejny, strengthening the insurgents. #Niezniej #PowstanieSejneńskie #1919 #swalszczyzna #boharm #polska #Independence #pow #historiapolski #sejny #freedom #granice #wires
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