the scene of a bloody battle between Freikorps* units and Polish irregulars on 23 May 1921. Situated on the banks of the Oder River, Annaberg is the highest peak (elevation 1,263 feet) in Upper Silesia* (now in Poland*). An Allied-directed plebiscite, held on 20 March 1921, provided a bitter defeat to Poles who hoped to acquire the greater part of Upper Silesia as part of the postwar settlements. Ignoring the results, Polish irregulars crossed into Upper Silesia on 3 May, intent on conquering the entire province. Freikorps units thereupon regrouped to meet the threat. Fighting erupted on 23 May at Anna-berg s Franciscan monastery between Poles, led by Wojciech Korfanty, and the Silesian Volunteers, led by Lieutenant-General Bernhard von Hülsen. Gaining a decisive victory, the Freikorps units consecrated Annaberg as a symbol of their exploits.
REFERENCES:Campbell, "Struggle for Upper Silesia"; Tooley, "German Political Vi-olence ; Waite, Vanguard ofNazism.
A Historical dictionary of Germany's Weimar Republic, 1918-1933. C. Paul Vincent.