Posts by US

US_Rover

28 Apr 2011

History / Question on Poland 1980-82 (the history of Solidarity during the years of 1980 and 1981) [17]

There was a shortage of everything, from booze to books

What kind of booze/beer and cigs where available? I'd imagine that Russian beer, Zhigulevskoye, and Yava cigarettes were common... Any Marlboro Reds? :)

We did, and some of us still do, have a sense of guilt over Prague and Poland's role.

Are relations between Poland and Czechoslovakia (past and present forms) quite friendly despite the acts of your governments? Was Afghanistan and your view common and openly discussed then? Like I said, I don't know much about Polish life during that time but I know of Russian and German so I am curious to see if there differences beyond cultural... Which is "swiss cheese" like pawain's pointed out concerning music :)

2+1 was a nice pop group which sang about spring and flowers blooming, adults liked it, I suppose.

Hilarious! I like a good pop song every now and then but you're right, rock is preferable. Majka Jezowska's song sounds like Calypso/Reggae. Is that intended or is that a common folk music tempo?... But maybe I should start that "Poland '80s Music" thread! :)

Anything that came from Pewex.

I didn't know of Pewex, thanks, very interesting. Sounds very similar to DDR's "Intershop."

Wyszyński had this air of dignity around him.

My family's roots are Irish and JPII's portrait was always hanging on someone's wall. I imagine that that is also true for Poles, probably even more so. Did you call him Pope John Paul II or was he always Karol Wojtyla?

No much brain power, just obedient muscles.

Brilliant quote! "Obedient muscles."

Thank you all for your answering my questions. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I had a Great Uncle who lived with the Sioux Indians - men who fought General Custer - and no one in my family took the time to find out about these people and their lives. What a tragedy. So when he died, so did their stories. People who live history have a lot to tells us and being a student of history, my motivation is to have people tell me their stories. I've read and am reading the history books but to get a more complete picture I need first hand experiences, and I thank you all again for sharing your lives.

US_Rover

27 Apr 2011

History / Question on Poland 1980-82 (the history of Solidarity during the years of 1980 and 1981) [17]

Hi pawian,

Thanks for that information. Was the "white march" only in Krakow or were there similar marches in the other main cities? Did the authorities respond to that march? I did see a Solidarnosc banner.

Since you were chasing skirts then, what was the popular music then? Was Pugacheva rocking there despite her being Russian or was 2+1 (the only Polish group I know from that time) the thing?

US_Rover

26 Apr 2011

History / Question on Poland 1980-82 (the history of Solidarity during the years of 1980 and 1981) [17]

Hi everyone,

I'm a student of history and more specifically, a student of Soviet military history. Over the past few years I've focused on Russian Command and Control and their exercises from the late 70's to mid 80's. During my research, I came across books that linked Soviet military exercises to events inside Poland. The events of Solidarnosc. As a result, I dove head first into Polish military history and the history of Solidarity during the years of 1980 and 1981.

I knew very little of Polish military history, or rather realized such after I started, but I soon became fascinated with those two years and the hundreds of years prior - mostly focusing on the relationship between Poland and her neighbors (Germany and Russia) - when I heard this joke:

"You're a Polish General and both the Germans and Russians are attacking you at the same time. Who do you shoot first?

The Germans. Business before pleasure."

I've read many books thus far but they can't properly complete the picture. I've not been to and don't look likely to ever go to Poland any time soon, and I also don't know any Polish people. So, I looked up Polish internet groups and found this forum. I've read through a number of threads already and I think I'll find exactly what I'm looking for. That is, I'd like to know about those years from people who lived there during that time.

-What was your view of Solidarity and KOR in August of '80 and did it change by December of '81? If so how and why?
-Did government rationing and propaganda play a role?
-What were the rations and what commodities were available? What commodities were luxury items? What were, if any, the differences between city and country life?

-What was your view of the PUWP, specifically Gen. Jaruzelski, PM Kania, and Gen Olszowski? Did it change between Aug '80 and Dec '81? If so how and why?

-What was your view of Col. Kuklinski's defection? Did you know of it at that time? If so, how did you hear of it?

-What was your view of the CPSU; Brezhnev, Andropov, Ustinov, Suslov, etc? Was Marshal Kulikov a know figure? If so, how?
-Did the USSR's history of Hungary '56, Czechoslovakia '68, and Afghanistan '79 play on your mind during this time? Did it affect how you viewed your government or Solidarity's actions?

-The ZOMO, how often and what impact did they have on your life or those around you?
-And what role or effect did Cardinal Wyzsynski and Pope John Paul II have on you, your friends and family, and on the government and Solidarity?

-For those who attended church, what was the message from the pulpit?
-What was the reaction after the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II?

I have many more questions but I think I've posted enough thus far. Thank you for your time.