godstar
3 Nov 2009
News / Time for a review of Germanic Polish relations ? [30]
Is it now the time to review the past openly ,instead of the constant reluctance ,on both sides to square up to the events of the war and post war?
Certainly the crimes detailed against the Poles , as a whole making no distinction between religion,creed or origins, are well documented both within Poland and Germany. The historical evidence points to a constant ebb and flow of national influence in the Pomeranian, (and old Prussian regions) occassionally it was held by Polish kings, some with a very distinct Germainic outlook and sometimes by the descendents of the Teutons and Germans. The population remained the same while this game of uber politics took place, like in so much of Europe, there was never a garantee that your King spoke your language and why should it matter if you are treated well.
Now the expulsions after the war, the way in which they were acheived is probably better dealt in another topic, prece'ed a rewriting of history to reflect these 'regained lands'. Is it not time that the hatred that existed then, on both sides, can be put to rest and some sort of real concilication started. I have visited Germany many times, including those "dark" places where humanity ceased to exist and I have visited Poland many time also. I have no grudge to bear, being neither one nor other. Is it not time though to acknowledge the German influence(and history)in those vovoidships and perhaps some sort of remembrance of the civilian victims of war both of German and Polish origins within Poland.
I would very much like to see a future in which 1000 years of history can be shown and the 16 years of hate be dismantled. This can only be done by honest and open acceptance of the past, however hurtful this may be.
Is it now the time to review the past openly ,instead of the constant reluctance ,on both sides to square up to the events of the war and post war?
Certainly the crimes detailed against the Poles , as a whole making no distinction between religion,creed or origins, are well documented both within Poland and Germany. The historical evidence points to a constant ebb and flow of national influence in the Pomeranian, (and old Prussian regions) occassionally it was held by Polish kings, some with a very distinct Germainic outlook and sometimes by the descendents of the Teutons and Germans. The population remained the same while this game of uber politics took place, like in so much of Europe, there was never a garantee that your King spoke your language and why should it matter if you are treated well.
Now the expulsions after the war, the way in which they were acheived is probably better dealt in another topic, prece'ed a rewriting of history to reflect these 'regained lands'. Is it not time that the hatred that existed then, on both sides, can be put to rest and some sort of real concilication started. I have visited Germany many times, including those "dark" places where humanity ceased to exist and I have visited Poland many time also. I have no grudge to bear, being neither one nor other. Is it not time though to acknowledge the German influence(and history)in those vovoidships and perhaps some sort of remembrance of the civilian victims of war both of German and Polish origins within Poland.
I would very much like to see a future in which 1000 years of history can be shown and the 16 years of hate be dismantled. This can only be done by honest and open acceptance of the past, however hurtful this may be.