March on Polska Góra as an Example of a Military and Sporting Competition in Volyn (1934–1939)

Abstract

Aim of the study. The aim of the study has been to present the March on Polska Góra as an example of a military and sporting competition in the years 1934–1939. In 1934 the marching competition was organised in its new form – instead of the “Star-Shaped March on Polska Góra” the “March on Polska Góra” in its two-day cycle was restored. Starting from 1935 the 1-day marching competition was held. Based on these principles the competition of March on Polska Góra was held until 1939. Materials and methods. Source materials included archival and printed sources as well as literature. The following methods have been used: analysis of historical sources, induction, deduction, synthesis and a comparative method. Results. The paper presents the origins of the marching competition in Volyn dating back to 1920s. The organization and route of the competition have been presented together with the results of the March on Polska Góra in the years 1934–1939. The marching competition participants were mainly the teams of units of the Polish Army and the teams of Polish social organizations and societies of a military-training character, as well as sports clubs. Conclusions. The competition March on Polska Góra was organized every year and lasted one or two days, in June or in the 1st decade of July. They constituted not only a factor shaping physical activity, but also a practice of physical fitness in the form of military training. Its participants included army squafs and teams of societies and organizations, among others Catholic Youth Association, Railway Military Training, Post Military Training, Air Military Training, Voluntary Fire Brigades, Shooting Association and Association of Reservists, mainly from the area of the 2nd Headquarters of Corps District.