Państwowy Urząd Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego jako element koordynacji systemu bezpieczeństwa w II RP w latach 1927–1939
The National Office of Physical Education and Civil Defence Training as an Element of Co-ordinating the Security System in the Second Polish Republic in the Years 1927–1939

Summary/Abstract: It is not easy to evaluate the National Office of Physical Education and Civil Defence Training, as well as the whole activity related to preparing the civil population for military defence in the Second Polish Republic. Historians of physical culture accuse Sanation of subjugating the social trend in physical education and sport, which was consistently pursued, using both administrative pressure and personal means. The process ended in a formal act of agreement by social sport to come under the control of the state and the military. Both at the time and now, it was emphasised that issues of physical education and civil defence training were not treated equally; this was reflected in the assumed subsidiary role of physical education in comparison to military training, as well as in the financing of the two activities. However, it must be added that this was largely due to financial difficulties experienced during that time. The effectiveness of the Office with regard to civil defence training should be compared to similar systems functioning during the discussed period in other countries and the state’s financial condition should be considered. Military authorities could either establish a centralised state organisation in charge of civil defence training, or to leave such training in the hands of social organisations. As a result of (mainly financial) difficulties, the authorities decided to implement a partial solution: civil defence training was introduced in schools, but the training of young people outside the school system was left to social organisations.

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