Figure 1.-- Here a SS officer overseas a combat group of boys and old mem defending Pyritz, a small tiwn in Polerania. The boys would hasve been Hitler Youth who helped make up Volkstrum units. The photograph is undated, but probably would have been taken in late-January or early-February 1945. Notice the exopressions on the boys' faces. It looks like enthusism to us. Given what we know was about to happen, this seems surprising to us, but probly reflcts the effectiveness of NAZI propaganda. Notice that the adults have different expressions.

Pyritz/Pyrzyce was located in Pomerania, at the time of World War II was a small town in eastern German with a population of about 11,000 people. It was close to Polish Corridor. Pyritz was located in eastern Europe beyond the area of Roman control. The city gets its name from an unknown Bavarian Geographer who speaks the tribe of Prissani having 'strongholds'. 【Prissani civitates LXX】 As Europe evolved during the medieval era, the city became part of historic Poland. As part of the Ostsiedlung. the Germans began moving into the area. As Poland began to fragment in the early modern era, it became part of the Duchy of Pomerania. Based on the Contract of Pyritz (1493) the Dukes of Pomerania recognized the right of succession of the House of Brandenburg. Brandrnberg of course evolved into Prussia. Pyritz by this time was largely Germanized. It was the first town in Pomerania to implement the Lutheran Reformation (1524). Thus Pyritz with German unification became part of the German Empire (1871). The area around Pyritz was known for wheat fields, cattle raising, flour milling, brick works, distilling, sugar production from beets, fishing, and colorful folk costumes with beautiful embroidery. The town was not much affected by the War until the Soviet Red Army reached the boundaries of the Reich. The Soviets launched the Pomeranian Campaign (February 1945). A German counter offensive, Operation Solstice, achieved some limited success February 16-18). Hitler and Guderian argued over the planning. Then there was an intense screaming match when Guderian demanded that Walther Wenck command the offensive rather than Heinrich Himmler (who had command of Army Group Vistula at the time). Hitler finally conceded the point. The major impact was to intensifying the war in Pomerania and Silesia. The Soviets began methodically clearing out both provinces in the drive toward Berlin. German civilians began fleeing west. NAZI authorities at first did not allow this and people could be shot for defeatism. Thus people were not allowed to flee while it was still possible. When finally allowed it was no longer easy to do so. German resistance in Pomerania slowed down Zukov's drive toward Berlin. Red Army artillery opened up on Pyritz (February 1) and continued for several weeks--notable for such a small town. A massive artillery barrage entirely destroyed the old town. 【Bei der Wieden and Schmidt, pp. 254–56.】 After the War, Pyritz became part of Poland as Pyrzyce. The Poles expelled the Germans remaining in the city and they were replaced by ethnic Poles.

Sources

Bei der Wieden, Helge and Roderich Schmidt. Handbuch der historischen Stätten Deutschlands, Vol. 12: Mecklenburg/Pommern (Kröners Taschenausgabe, Vol. 315) (Kröner: Stuttgart 1996).

Prissani civitates LXX

Created: 3:33 PM 3/1/2023
Last updated: 3:33 PM 3/1/2023