  An attempt is made to evaluate progress of the Polish astrophysical research
of stars and of the inter-stellar medium (ISM) on the basis of scientific paper
citations in the ADS database. Rather modest citation levels were observed in
the years before the mid-1950's. In the years 1958 - 1973, thanks to the partly
opened foreign contacts and to strong support from astronomers of the older
generation, work of a number of young, energetic enthusiasts reached the world
science levels and formed a strong basis for the well recognized, international
successes of the next generations.
