Famed for their heroism and valor, few infantry regiments commanded more respect than Scotland’s legendary Black Watch; yet so illustrious is the unit’s history, that their fleeting presence in Poland is frequently relegated to footnote status.
This, however, is changing, and that’s in no small part due to a reenactment group based in the country’s south.
Known as Black Watch Silesia Reenactment Group, this small group has sought to honor the memory of the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch who found themselves in Silesia as part of an international peacekeeping force that was deployed following a 1921 plebiscite held to decide if the region should join Germany or Poland.
Numbering 10 active members, co-founder Karol Kordyka—who works as a lawyer—describes the group as diverse, despite it consisting largely of men in their 40s: “We have doctors, biologists, analysts, electricians,” he says, “and we continue to grow slowly but surely—everyone is welcome.”
If there is a surprise, it is how many enthusiasts the group has found in Silesia: “Not only is this a very specific historical area of interest, for some people it even takes a bit of courage to wear a kilt,” he says.
Known as Black Watch Silesia Reenactment Group, this small group has sought to honor the memory of the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch who found themselves in Silesia as part of an international peacekeeping force that was deployed following a 1921 plebiscite held to decide if the region should join Germany or Poland.
Numbering 10 active members, co-founder Karol Kordyka—who works as a lawyer—describes the group as diverse, despite it consisting largely of men in their 40s: “We have doctors, biologists, analysts, electricians,” he says, “and we continue to grow slowly but surely—everyone is welcome.”
If there is a surprise, it is how many enthusiasts the group has found in Silesia: “Not only is this a very specific historical area of interest, for some people it even takes a bit of courage to wear a kilt,” he says.
Trawling international auctions, eBay and army surplus stores to amass the relevant uniforms and equipment, Kordyka admits that while the group strives for accuracy, several mistakes have been made and that there is still a long way to go: “These things are not easy to acquire, and while our uniforms look nice I imagine it will still take a many months before they’re 100% accurate,” he says.
Although their rifles are non-battle, commercial reproductions, and their kilts budget versions so as not to risk wear-and-tear, Kordyka describes the extracurricular activities of the Black Watch Silesia members as expensive and time-consuming.
Although their rifles are non-battle, commercial reproductions, and their kilts budget versions so as not to risk wear-and-tear, Kordyka describes the extracurricular activities of the Black Watch Silesia members as expensive and time-consuming.
“I’ve even learned to play the bagpipes,” he says. “They’re extremely hard, but while I’m definitely not at a high-level, it’s a matter of passion—the power of their sound just makes me shiver.”
Fascinated by Scottish and Celtic culture ever since reading the historical-fiction books of Stephen R. Lawhead while at high school, as years have progressed Kordyka’s tastes have narrowed, and it was on learning of the Black Watch’s associations with Silesia that he and his friends made the next step.
“After over 15 years of brief but constant interest in civilian outfits, we figured military uniforms were more inspiring,” says Kordyka. “When we confirmed the Scottish presence in Silesia, we saw a chance to unify our passion for Scotland with a historical chapter that wasn’t well-known to either Poles or Scots and so we formally established the group in September 2023 as a part of our charity foundation.”
Fascinated by Scottish and Celtic culture ever since reading the historical-fiction books of Stephen R. Lawhead while at high school, as years have progressed Kordyka’s tastes have narrowed, and it was on learning of the Black Watch’s associations with Silesia that he and his friends made the next step.
“After over 15 years of brief but constant interest in civilian outfits, we figured military uniforms were more inspiring,” says Kordyka. “When we confirmed the Scottish presence in Silesia, we saw a chance to unify our passion for Scotland with a historical chapter that wasn’t well-known to either Poles or Scots and so we formally established the group in September 2023 as a part of our charity foundation.”
Black Watch Silesia should not be mistaken as eccentric hobbyists playing soldiers for the day, for that would disregard their overarching goals.
“We promote history and cultural understanding, but we’ve combined that with charity work,” says Kordyka. While he jokes that the charity aspect is a handy excuse to placate members’ wives, this camouflages their accomplishments to date.
“We wanted to do something positive with this group, and we’ve seen that this is actually possible,” says Kordyka. “We raise money for children with cancer, and furthermore we’ve found ourselves invited to more and more events. If any charity event thinks it can be boosted by our presence, we’re more than happy to attend.”
These occasions include Saturday’s Céilidh in Warsaw, a popular fundraising bash annually held by the St. Andrew’s Foundation. “It will be an honor to be there,” says Kordyka, who will lead a three-man delegation to the capital city.
“We promote history and cultural understanding, but we’ve combined that with charity work,” says Kordyka. While he jokes that the charity aspect is a handy excuse to placate members’ wives, this camouflages their accomplishments to date.
“We wanted to do something positive with this group, and we’ve seen that this is actually possible,” says Kordyka. “We raise money for children with cancer, and furthermore we’ve found ourselves invited to more and more events. If any charity event thinks it can be boosted by our presence, we’re more than happy to attend.”
These occasions include Saturday’s Céilidh in Warsaw, a popular fundraising bash annually held by the St. Andrew’s Foundation. “It will be an honor to be there,” says Kordyka, who will lead a three-man delegation to the capital city.
For Iain Leyden of the St. Andrew’s Foundation, it is no surprise that the Black Watch has captivated the imagination of more than just Scots: “The regiment later became a symbol of loyalty, courage, and the unique culture of Scotland’s warriors—for many Scots, the regiment represents a proud military heritage, known for its distinctive tartan and fearless reputation in battle,” says Leyden.
Yet although the regiment’s reputation was forged in war, it was peace that brought the Black Watch to Poland, and while the Black Watch would spend 13 months in the ‘plebiscite zone,’ it is their short stint in Tarnowskie Góry that is the best remembered.
Marching into what was then known as Tarnowitz on April 2, 1922, the unit’s chronicler, Sergeant J. Erskine, recalled the enthusiastic welcome that the Highlanders received.
“Upon arrival at the station, our battalion was greeted by the regimental band of the Royal Irish and a large group of residents,” he wrote.
“Our quarters were in a large school building, where conditions were as good as in Lubliniec [where the unit had come from],” continued Erskine. “The officers' mess, on the other hand, was located in a building, allegedly the oldest in the city, which maintained its reputation both by its appearance and aroma.”
Yet although the regiment’s reputation was forged in war, it was peace that brought the Black Watch to Poland, and while the Black Watch would spend 13 months in the ‘plebiscite zone,’ it is their short stint in Tarnowskie Góry that is the best remembered.
Marching into what was then known as Tarnowitz on April 2, 1922, the unit’s chronicler, Sergeant J. Erskine, recalled the enthusiastic welcome that the Highlanders received.
“Upon arrival at the station, our battalion was greeted by the regimental band of the Royal Irish and a large group of residents,” he wrote.
“Our quarters were in a large school building, where conditions were as good as in Lubliniec [where the unit had come from],” continued Erskine. “The officers' mess, on the other hand, was located in a building, allegedly the oldest in the city, which maintained its reputation both by its appearance and aroma.”
By all accounts, the Black Watch enjoyed amiable relations with the locals, and archival evidence suggests that troops conducted well-attended, bagpipe-accompanied parades and took part in exhibition boxing matches with the natives.
Sport played an important role in maintaining morale, and records show a number of athletics meetings, rugby and football matches taking place, among them a soccer game between the Tarnowitz-based garrison and a British squad based in the Rhineland.
There was time for fraternizing, as well. “Although the Scottish battalion’s stay in Tarnowskie Góry was a relatively short one, the soldiers managed to make friends and acquaintances with the locals,” writes Mariusz Gąsior in ‘380 Days of Service,’ his detailed account of the British army’s presence in Tarnowskie Góry.
“Some of these involved making difficult decisions, as Sergeant Thomas Kempshall, one of the battalion’s NCOs, found out,” he continues.
Sport played an important role in maintaining morale, and records show a number of athletics meetings, rugby and football matches taking place, among them a soccer game between the Tarnowitz-based garrison and a British squad based in the Rhineland.
There was time for fraternizing, as well. “Although the Scottish battalion’s stay in Tarnowskie Góry was a relatively short one, the soldiers managed to make friends and acquaintances with the locals,” writes Mariusz Gąsior in ‘380 Days of Service,’ his detailed account of the British army’s presence in Tarnowskie Góry.
“Some of these involved making difficult decisions, as Sergeant Thomas Kempshall, one of the battalion’s NCOs, found out,” he continues.
“While on duty in the town, he met Anna, a young Tarnowskie Góry girl who sought to leave the town before Upper Silesia was split up, and the new Polish-German border got closed. Along with some friends, Thomas bought her a train ticket and sent her off to Wrocław (Breslau), though he had doubts about his decision and its potential consequences.”
Fifty-years later, Kempshall would return to these thoughts in a poignant poem that lamented: “I wonder what happened to Anna.”
The Black Watch’s departure on June 25 was a red-letter day for this historic southern mining town—ceded to Poland (despite the local population voting overwhelmingly for German rule). It was the Black Watch that helped hoist the banner of Poland on the market square, even playing the Polish anthem on their bagpipes.
“There was a short break while Sergeant Watson replaced the British flag with the Polish flag on the center mast,” wrote Erskine. “Then the Polish flag was raised, the soldiers presented their arms, the officers saluted, and the Polish orchestra played the Polish national anthem.”
Fate had decreed that the Black Watch had borne witness to one of the most seminal moments in the town’s modern history, and celebrating this has become integral to the mission of the Black Watch Silesia.
“These Scottish soldiers that were here in Silesia are a valuable part of the area’s history, and I think it’s beautiful that it was they who raised the Polish flag—they came here not to kill, but to keep the peace, and that’s worth remembering,” says Kordyka.
Fifty-years later, Kempshall would return to these thoughts in a poignant poem that lamented: “I wonder what happened to Anna.”
The Black Watch’s departure on June 25 was a red-letter day for this historic southern mining town—ceded to Poland (despite the local population voting overwhelmingly for German rule). It was the Black Watch that helped hoist the banner of Poland on the market square, even playing the Polish anthem on their bagpipes.
“There was a short break while Sergeant Watson replaced the British flag with the Polish flag on the center mast,” wrote Erskine. “Then the Polish flag was raised, the soldiers presented their arms, the officers saluted, and the Polish orchestra played the Polish national anthem.”
Fate had decreed that the Black Watch had borne witness to one of the most seminal moments in the town’s modern history, and celebrating this has become integral to the mission of the Black Watch Silesia.
“These Scottish soldiers that were here in Silesia are a valuable part of the area’s history, and I think it’s beautiful that it was they who raised the Polish flag—they came here not to kill, but to keep the peace, and that’s worth remembering,” says Kordyka.
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