Silesia

New documents reveal WWII may have started in Silesia and NOT Westerplatte or Wieluń

In the first telegram sent at 7.32 am, bearing the signature A II 9/21, Lieutenant Colonel Zdon from the II division of the Kraków Army wrote: "On the direct outskirts of Rybnik, the contact of our units with the enemy was detected around 3.14am, 30 tanks." Polish Institute and Museum Gen. Sikorski in London

Discovered in the archives of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London,  the two deciphered telegrams show reports by Polish army units that the German army had crossed the Polish border on the outskirts of Rybnik alongside a large group of German tanks an hour earlier than attacks on Wieluń and Westerplatte.

EU chief responds to Poland with a call for prompt clean energy transition

The European Commission president has reacted to an energy resolution adopted by Poland's Silesia mining region by suggesting the reduction in overall demand for fossil fuels.

Glamourous, fun-loving Princess of Silesia to have whole of 2023 named in her honour

Dubbed the Princess Diana of her time, Princess Daisy von Pless was known not only for her exceptional beauty and extravagant parties but also for her humanitarian work which is remembered to this day.

Postcard showing side-burned sailor is named Gdańsk’s oldest – but experts baffled by series of ‘mysteries’

Sent on February 29th, 1888, the postcard depicts a side-burned sailor puffing on a pipe, as well as the iconic crane building standing on the city’s quayside. The postcard’s recipient was a company director called Berhard Lahs who lived in the Silesian town now known as Kamieniec Ząbkowicki.

Poland has new national holiday

Poland will celebrate a new public holiday to mark 1919-1921 Silesian Uprisings after President Andrzej Duda signed into law a bill to this effect.

Hero cop saves ‘crying dog’ after mistaking it for a baby in burning apartment block

Community cop Fabian Walotek had been on duty when he spotted smoke pouring from a 10th floor apartment block in Sosnowiec, southwest Poland. Hammering on the front door and failing to get an answer he then heard a faint ‘moaning’ sound.

Webber’s inner six-year-old self is unleashed when he stumbles upon the 'mad and magical world' of Kolejkowo in Gliwice

Upon his arrival in Gliwice, Webber decides that instead of going to the pub he’ll do a bit of sightseeing – and in addition to some standard attractions he stumbles upon a delightful and hilarious detour.

Fairytale castles, forest retreats and historic cities - TFN’s top travel tips for 2022

With the final curtain drawn on 2021, TFN's Alex Webber takes a look at the year that awaits and those unmissable places that demand your attention.

Gnome place like home: Delightful ‘first-of-its-kind’ gnome trail opens in Silesia

Described by some as “micro works of art”, four models have so far debuted in a string of unexpected locations around the town centre. But unlike the more famous trail of gnomes in Wrocław, this one has seen the pint-sized heroes set inside miniature display cases depicting intricate scenes relating to daily life.

Remains of dreaded WWII Stuka bomber found ‘buried in pits’ following local tip off

A 16-strong team uncovered over half a ton of the wreckage buried in specially dug pits. The engine was missing and despite finding an airman’s boot no bodies of the crew were found.

Welcome to The First News weekly newsletter

Every Friday catch up on our editor’s top pick of news about Poland, including politics, business, life and culture. To receive your free email subscription, sign up today.

This site uses "cookies". By staying on it, you agree to the use of cookies.

Accept
Learn more