Maybe someday, a new Heinrich Schliemann will come along and find buried traces of German
civilization in his and Otto Lilienthal's old homeland of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, once a German
Duchy in northeastern Germany along the Baltic Sea to the north, the rivers Recknitz and Trebel to
the east, and the Elbe to the southwest, with lower Saxony and Holstein to the west. Today, its
largest city is Rostock and it encompasses several Baltic islands.
civilization in his and Otto Lilienthal's old homeland of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, once a German
Duchy in northeastern Germany along the Baltic Sea to the north, the rivers Recknitz and Trebel to
the east, and the Elbe to the southwest, with lower Saxony and Holstein to the west. Today, its
largest city is Rostock and it encompasses several Baltic islands.
Along areas of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, between the estuaries of the Oder and Vistula
Rivers, lies the historical region of Pomerania, once all part of old Prussia and settled by Germanic
tribes between 1200 and 1000B.C. Except for the easternmost districts, which were in ancient times
Polish and where a Polish-speaking, mostly Catholic minority remained, Pomerania was German and
Protestant for most of modern history. It remained part of Germany after WWI, with "minor
adjustments" made on the Polish border, and from 1919 to 1939, it was divided among Germany,
Poland and the "Free City of Danzig" which the victorious Allies of World War One had recreated
so it could become a Polish military transit depot. World War Two shattered the whole area.
Rivers, lies the historical region of Pomerania, once all part of old Prussia and settled by Germanic
tribes between 1200 and 1000B.C. Except for the easternmost districts, which were in ancient times
Polish and where a Polish-speaking, mostly Catholic minority remained, Pomerania was German and
Protestant for most of modern history. It remained part of Germany after WWI, with "minor
adjustments" made on the Polish border, and from 1919 to 1939, it was divided among Germany,
Poland and the "Free City of Danzig" which the victorious Allies of World War One had recreated
so it could become a Polish military transit depot. World War Two shattered the whole area.
The construction of a canal to Berlin in 1914 enriched the city as a port with extensive installations.
During World War II, the city suffered heavy damage from repeated Allied bombings. Although 80%
of Stettin is on the left or western bank of the Oder, and by the Potsdam agreement of 1945 only
Pomerania "east of the Oder" was transferred to Polish administration, the agreement was later
"reinterpreted" to include Stettin in the transfer. The predominantly German population was expelled
and replaced by Poles, and about 500,000 humans died or remained missing when Eastern
Pomerania and Stettin were subordinated in 1945 under Polish communist administration. Western
Pomerania (without Stettin) was combined with Mecklenburg under communist East German rule.
During World War II, the city suffered heavy damage from repeated Allied bombings. Although 80%
of Stettin is on the left or western bank of the Oder, and by the Potsdam agreement of 1945 only
Pomerania "east of the Oder" was transferred to Polish administration, the agreement was later
"reinterpreted" to include Stettin in the transfer. The predominantly German population was expelled
and replaced by Poles, and about 500,000 humans died or remained missing when Eastern
Pomerania and Stettin were subordinated in 1945 under Polish communist administration. Western
Pomerania (without Stettin) was combined with Mecklenburg under communist East German rule.
The neighboring town of Rostock was once part of the Hanseatic League as
well, and in the 14th century was a very important port town with 12,000
inhabitants. It had the oldest university in northern Europe.
well, and in the 14th century was a very important port town with 12,000
inhabitants. It had the oldest university in northern Europe.
Rostock was attacked four times since April,1942, resulting in evacuation of
80,000 people and in 1945 it was nearly destroyed. After WWII, most of
Pomerania was incorporated into Poland, and over one million German
inhabitants escaped or were murdered or expelled by 1946, and Poles were
resettled there. Only the western districts remained part of Germany.
Germans living on German soil that had been given to Poland were
subjected to a policy of terror, theft, murder and deportation.
80,000 people and in 1945 it was nearly destroyed. After WWII, most of
Pomerania was incorporated into Poland, and over one million German
inhabitants escaped or were murdered or expelled by 1946, and Poles were
resettled there. Only the western districts remained part of Germany.
Germans living on German soil that had been given to Poland were
subjected to a policy of terror, theft, murder and deportation.
| Murder in Swinemünde |
The river Swina ran to the Prussian Baltic coast between two small fishing villages, East and West
Swina, and when the river was dredged and widened for larger ships at the beginning of the 17th
century, Swinemünde was founded on the site of old West Swina. Friedrich the Great granted the
town its privileges in 1765, and it served as the outer port of Stettin. The quaint town, with its
"Dutch" style houses, grew up with fishing and the shipping industry, and its fortified entrance to the
harbor was protected by two long breakwaters with the lighthouse on tiny Wolin Island protecting
sailors of old. In 1897, the Kaiserfahrt canal was opened, with the waterway deepened between the
Stettin harbor and the Baltic, and Swinemünde no longer had much strategic importance.
Swina, and when the river was dredged and widened for larger ships at the beginning of the 17th
century, Swinemünde was founded on the site of old West Swina. Friedrich the Great granted the
town its privileges in 1765, and it served as the outer port of Stettin. The quaint town, with its
"Dutch" style houses, grew up with fishing and the shipping industry, and its fortified entrance to the
harbor was protected by two long breakwaters with the lighthouse on tiny Wolin Island protecting
sailors of old. In 1897, the Kaiserfahrt canal was opened, with the waterway deepened between the
Stettin harbor and the Baltic, and Swinemünde no longer had much strategic importance.
Swinemünde lies on is Usedom, which is the second largest German Baltic Sea island, the largest being Rügen.
Like Cyprus, Usedom is separated. Its eastern tip, including the town of Swinemünde, is now Polish. The number
of Usedom islanders is about 75000: 30,000 Germans inhabit their western and central part, which comprises 83
per cent of the complete island´s area, and 45,000 Poles now live in the small eastern area, mostly in
Swinemünde, which is now one of the main harbor towns of Poland. The strange border situation means that
"Swinoujscie"can only be reached from the rest of Poland by two ferry connections, yet from the German side
via dry land once, but no longer, dominated by the Communist government occupying East Germany.
Like Cyprus, Usedom is separated. Its eastern tip, including the town of Swinemünde, is now Polish. The number
of Usedom islanders is about 75000: 30,000 Germans inhabit their western and central part, which comprises 83
per cent of the complete island´s area, and 45,000 Poles now live in the small eastern area, mostly in
Swinemünde, which is now one of the main harbor towns of Poland. The strange border situation means that
"Swinoujscie"can only be reached from the rest of Poland by two ferry connections, yet from the German side
via dry land once, but no longer, dominated by the Communist government occupying East Germany.
| And Kolberg.... |
Kolberg (Colberg) was another small city in Pomerania, on the right bank of the Persante, which
flows to the Baltic. A statue of Friedrich Wilhelm III graced its marketplace and many of its buildings
dated from the 14th century. German Kolberg was one of the oldest places of Pomerania, having
been granted city rights in 1255. In 1284, it became a member of the Hanseatic League. The Swedes
captured the town in 1631 during the Thirty Years War, then it passed by the treaty of Westphalia to
Friedrich Wilhelm I, elector of Brandenburg, who fortified it.
flows to the Baltic. A statue of Friedrich Wilhelm III graced its marketplace and many of its buildings
dated from the 14th century. German Kolberg was one of the oldest places of Pomerania, having
been granted city rights in 1255. In 1284, it became a member of the Hanseatic League. The Swedes
captured the town in 1631 during the Thirty Years War, then it passed by the treaty of Westphalia to
Friedrich Wilhelm I, elector of Brandenburg, who fortified it.
During the Seven Years War, it was a center of activity, and in 1758
and 1760, the Russians laid siege to it, finally capturing it in 1762. Later
restored to Brandenburg, it was attacked by the French in 1806 and
1807, but was saved by the long resistance of its inhabitants under the
heroism of Joachirn Christian Nettelbeck, 1738-1824. It then faded in
its glory, but became a fashionable resort area.
and 1760, the Russians laid siege to it, finally capturing it in 1762. Later
restored to Brandenburg, it was attacked by the French in 1806 and
1807, but was saved by the long resistance of its inhabitants under the
heroism of Joachirn Christian Nettelbeck, 1738-1824. It then faded in
its glory, but became a fashionable resort area.
Toward the end of World War Two, thousands of frantic refugees
flocked into Swinemünde and were among the local population when the
town was mercilessly bombed by the Allies. Several refugee ships were
sunk in the harbor. It was at the time estimated that somewhere around
21,000 people were killed in the attack.
flocked into Swinemünde and were among the local population when the
town was mercilessly bombed by the Allies. Several refugee ships were
sunk in the harbor. It was at the time estimated that somewhere around
21,000 people were killed in the attack.
On May 5, 1945, the Soviet army occupied the town. In the autumn of
1945, a Polish administration was inaugurated. At this time, approximately
30,000 Germans still lived in Swinemünde and on the island of Wollin.
Bombing and drowning were not enough hell for the weary residents of
Swinemünde, however. Before the region was given to Poland, the
county which included the German town of Swinemünde (now
Świnoujście) had 51,000 German citizens. In the autumn of 1945, there
were still 22,000 Germans who didn't or couldn't escape in time and
several hundred Poles, the largest group among them being members of
the fledgling local Polish administration and security forces. By winter of
that year, the only road to Poland was blocked due to the accumulation of
ice on the river Świna
1945, a Polish administration was inaugurated. At this time, approximately
30,000 Germans still lived in Swinemünde and on the island of Wollin.
Bombing and drowning were not enough hell for the weary residents of
Swinemünde, however. Before the region was given to Poland, the
county which included the German town of Swinemünde (now
Świnoujście) had 51,000 German citizens. In the autumn of 1945, there
were still 22,000 Germans who didn't or couldn't escape in time and
several hundred Poles, the largest group among them being members of
the fledgling local Polish administration and security forces. By winter of
that year, the only road to Poland was blocked due to the accumulation of
ice on the river Świna
With German defeat in World War Two, it was a frantic embarkation
point for the German refugees trying to escape from the east. After a
good bombing, the way was cleared for the Red Army, and Poles were
trucked in to replace the German inhabitants of Kolberg, who were then
murdered or expelled.
point for the German refugees trying to escape from the east. After a
good bombing, the way was cleared for the Red Army, and Poles were
trucked in to replace the German inhabitants of Kolberg, who were then
murdered or expelled.
On July 27, 1945, a boatload of refugees from Pomerania arrived in Berlin. Of the 300 children
hastily crammed on board by the area's new occupants, over half were dead. One group of evicted
Germans were transported in cattle cars from Danzig without water, food, or even straw on which to
lie. When they finally reached Berlin, covered with excrement and vomit, 20 of the 83 were dead.
The occupiers decided to expel all of the German residents of local hospitals in one case with no
regard as to their conditions. The pitiful masses were stacked into cattle cars and sent to the west.
Exposed and without adequate food and water, almost all died.
hastily crammed on board by the area's new occupants, over half were dead. One group of evicted
Germans were transported in cattle cars from Danzig without water, food, or even straw on which to
lie. When they finally reached Berlin, covered with excrement and vomit, 20 of the 83 were dead.
The occupiers decided to expel all of the German residents of local hospitals in one case with no
regard as to their conditions. The pitiful masses were stacked into cattle cars and sent to the west.
Exposed and without adequate food and water, almost all died.
The historical capital of the Prussian province of Pomerania, which stretched
almost to Danzig, was stately and intellectual Stettin, left. Until 1637, Stettin, a
fortress as early as the 12th century, was the residence of the dukes of
Pomerania and an important member of the Hanseatic League. At the Peace of
Westphalia in 1648, it passed to Sweden, but was ceded to Prussia in 1720. The
Entomologischer Verein zu Stettin or Stettin Entomological Society was one of
the leading entomological societies of the 19th century. Most German
entomologists were members, as were many from England, Sweden, Italy,
France, and Spain. The society had vast collections and a comprehensive library.
almost to Danzig, was stately and intellectual Stettin, left. Until 1637, Stettin, a
fortress as early as the 12th century, was the residence of the dukes of
Pomerania and an important member of the Hanseatic League. At the Peace of
Westphalia in 1648, it passed to Sweden, but was ceded to Prussia in 1720. The
Entomologischer Verein zu Stettin or Stettin Entomological Society was one of
the leading entomological societies of the 19th century. Most German
entomologists were members, as were many from England, Sweden, Italy,
France, and Spain. The society had vast collections and a comprehensive library.
“. . . In the windswept courtyards of the Stettiner Bahnhof, a cohort of German refugees, part of 12,000,000 and
19,000,000 dispossessed in East Prussia and Silesia, sat in groups under a driving rain and told the story of their
miserable pilgrimage, during which more than 25% died by the roadside and the remainder were so starved they scarcely
had strength to walk. . . ” New York Daily News Correspondent Donald Mackenzie 1945
19,000,000 dispossessed in East Prussia and Silesia, sat in groups under a driving rain and told the story of their
miserable pilgrimage, during which more than 25% died by the roadside and the remainder were so starved they scarcely
had strength to walk. . . ” New York Daily News Correspondent Donald Mackenzie 1945
The settlement campaign designed to bring in new Polish residents to seize the former German
homes and properties had come to a standstill. Swinemünde was cut off from the rest of the world
and members of the UB (secret police) and the MO (Citizens' Militia) on the islands found
themselves free to do whatever they wanted. Soon, German civilians were being raped and murdered
or having their fingers cut off for the sadistic removal of wedding rings.
homes and properties had come to a standstill. Swinemünde was cut off from the rest of the world
and members of the UB (secret police) and the MO (Citizens' Militia) on the islands found
themselves free to do whatever they wanted. Soon, German civilians were being raped and murdered
or having their fingers cut off for the sadistic removal of wedding rings.
Germans were arrested on the slightest pretext and they usually died of hunger and disease or were
murdered while in custody. On January 5, 1946 five detainees at the police headquarters were killed,
including a 16-year-old girl who had been in custody for two months (raped after she was arrested
and killed by a UB officer). Another German woman, arrested for arguing with a Polish woman, was
beaten to death. A 22-year-old German civilian was hanged on a window bar, his body hung on a
rope outside the building. In the late 1980s, during ditch digging near the former MO building,
workers dug up human bones to what is probably a mass grave. It is estimated there were at least
forty German victims.
murdered while in custody. On January 5, 1946 five detainees at the police headquarters were killed,
including a 16-year-old girl who had been in custody for two months (raped after she was arrested
and killed by a UB officer). Another German woman, arrested for arguing with a Polish woman, was
beaten to death. A 22-year-old German civilian was hanged on a window bar, his body hung on a
rope outside the building. In the late 1980s, during ditch digging near the former MO building,
workers dug up human bones to what is probably a mass grave. It is estimated there were at least
forty German victims.
| These Old and Beloved Lands |
| Pomerania |
After the war the city was annexed into Poland, even though it is, as in the case of Stettin, on the west
bank of the Oder River, and not in the German territory east of the Oder-Neisse line border which
was "established" for Poland by the Potsdam Conference. The modern German government was
forced to accept this as a condition of reunification.
bank of the Oder River, and not in the German territory east of the Oder-Neisse line border which
was "established" for Poland by the Potsdam Conference. The modern German government was
forced to accept this as a condition of reunification.
