Poland’s Wedding to the Sea

The incorporation of Pomerania and a part of Western Kuyavia into Poland was sanctioned by the Treaty of Versailles. Contrary to Polish hopes for swift realization of its postulates, it was not ratified by Germany until 10 January 1920. Just a week later Polish troops arrived in Gniewkowo, Działdowo, and Golub (17 January), and Toruń, Brodnica, and Lidzbark (18 January). The takeover of civilian authority in the individual localities in the region was coordinated by local people’s councils and authorized general commissioners. The military authority was taken over by units of the Pomeranian Front, commanded by General Józef Haller, and the Greater Poland Front, commanded by General Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki.

General Haller arrived in Puck on a special train and went to the ceremony's site on horseback accompanied by officers. Before Poland’s Wedding to the Sea a Mass was celebrated. After the Mass the Polish naval flag was hoisted. (WBH)

[...] the naval Polish flag has just been hoisted. [...] The Republic of Poland once again becomes the ruler of its Baltic Sea, as a symbol of which [...] I throw into the sea this ring donated by the Polish population of Gdańsk.

Although it was cloudy and rainy crowds dressed in folk costumes arrived from all parts of Kashubia. In the photograph: General Józef Haller with officers and Kashubian fishermen in February 1920. (WBH)

In early February 1920 troops commanded by General Józef Haller entered Kashubia and seized the coast in the course of several days. On 10 February in Puck General Haller symbolically wedded Poland to the sea.

Aside General Józef Haller, the troops, and the local community to the celebration invited were also representatives of central and local authorities. The ceremony was also attended by, for instance, minister of military affairs Stanisław Wojciechowski, later President of Poland. (NAC)