Page "Kalisz" Paragraph 14

After the outbreak of World War I, the proximity of the border proved disastrous for Kalisz, as it was one of the first cities destroyed in 1914.

The German artillery shelled Kalisz.

Between August 7 and August 22, 1914, Kalisz was destroyed almost completely after the entry of the German units led by Hermann Preusker.

800 men were arrested and then several of them slaughtered, while the city was set on fire and the remaining inhabitants were expelled.

Out of roughly 68, 000 citizens in 1914, only 5, 000 remained in Kalisz a year later.

However, by the end of the Great War much of the city centre was more or less rebuilt and many of the former inhabitants were allowed to return.