The Interned Soldiers of UРR Army at the Camp Stshalkovo in Poland (the Second Half of 1921 – the Beginning of 1922): the Moral and Life Conditions

Abstract

The article analyzes the moral condition and conditions of staying of interned Ukrainian soldiers in the camp of Stshalkovo (Poland) in the second half of 1921 – early 1922. Based on the use of a wide range of archival sources, the author concludes that the camp everyday life of the wartime period was marked by significant difficulties due to its extraordinary crowding and presence in the camp of interned and captured soldiers of other formations (Balahovtsy and Red Army soldiers). The lack of any material resources, the lack of adequate and high-quality food, the lack of fuel for heating booths, anti-Ukrainian agitation, led to the fact that a part of Ukrainian soldiers lost national moral values.

In order to prevent the demoralization of Ukrainian warfare, the command of the group tried to intensify cultural and educational work in the camp, but due to lack of premises and lack of resources, it slowly collapsed. Some of the interned ones did not withstand the burden of hopeless and burdensome camping munitions, and left the camp in search of better living conditions. Obviously, this was a dangerous trend, and the command of the interned troops in various ways tried to prevent it from further spreading. The leader of the group A. Pиzitsky was particularly opposed to the destructive processes in the camp. His measures were fully understood and supported by the higher military leadership of the Armed Forces and the Government of the UPR.