"Oława is a town in south-western Poland situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship (from 1975–1998 it was in the former Wrocław Voivodeship). In 1526, when the Habsburgs gained the Bohemian crown, Silesia came under Austrian sovereignty. In 1527 with the Reformation High German language came in use and with it the first usage of the version of the town's name("Ohlau") is reported. After the death of the last Silesian Piast duke George IV William of Legnica in 1675, Ohlau ceased to be a residence town. Together with most of Silesia, the town became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1741. The 18th and 19th centuries were a period of economic growth and Ohlau became well known as a centre of tobacco-growing. Ethnic Polish traditions and population also remained strong in the area, with a large influx of people from nearby Congress Poland. As Oława it became part of Poland in 1945 and its whole German population was expelled. After the war, Oława became a garrison town of the Red Army Northern Group of Forces and remained so until 1992." Extract from Wikipedia
