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27 December 1918

Outbreak of the Greater Poland Uprising

At noon, children marching to honour Paderewski came to the Bazar. The march was observed by a group of adults, which included a number of Germans as well.

– Facing this outburst of pro-Polish moods, the Germans organised their own demonstration. Firstly, schoolchildren were gathered in front of the Opera house at noon. Then, late in the afternoon, a German demonstration marched through the city streets from Jeżyce to the city centre. Its participants sang German nationalist songs, tore off Polish and Allied flags and demolished the office of the Commissariat of the SPC. Poles blocked their way in front of the “Bazar” hotel. Riots started, triggered by an accidental gunshot.

– There was a shootout near the building of the Police Headquarters in Poznań. Shots were fired from the building towards soldiers from the company of Second Lieutenant Krauze who were passing by; Franciszek Ratajczak was fatally shot.

– In the evening, after negotiations, the German group from the Police Headquarters in Poznań left the building, which, according to Polish and German arrangements, had been occupied by 24 Germans and 24 Poles.

– Volunteer insurgents set off to Poznań from Kórnik, Pleszew and Środa Wlkp.

– They occupied a number of buildings in the capital of Greater Poland, such as several forts and the Central Railway Station.

– There were clashes in other regions of Greater Poland. One of the places where power was taken was the town of Pniewy. 7 people were killed and nearly 30 were wounded on that day.