APRIL 20 - DAILY CHRONICLES OF HISTORY

APRIL 20

1919

Polish Army captured Vilno, Lithuania from the Soviet Army.  The Polish advance forced Soviets to withdraw their left wing from territories south of the Neris River as well as significantly shortening the Lithuanian–Soviet front line. It allowed Lithuania to concentrate its forces for operations in northeastern Lithuania. However, it also meant that a new front line with Poland was open. At first, both Poles and Lithuanians cooperated against the Soviets, but soon the cooperation transformed into increasing hostility. The first clashes between Polish and Lithuanian soldiers occurred on April 26 and May 8 near Vievis. (Note: Poland did not recognize Lithuania. Józef Piłsudski, its Chief of State, wanted a union with Lithuania in hope of reviving the old Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, that is, a Międzymorze federation, or Intermarium. Poland's actions were not merely part of a military campaign against the Soviets, but a desire for the right of self-determination of local Poles, who formed a significant minority in eastern Lithuania. On the other hand, Lithuanians claimed Vilnius as their own, and were opposed to any federation with Poland, desiring an independent national Lithuanian state.

1924

Juliusz Bogdan Deczkowski (dob) was Polish soldier of Zoska battalion.When the Germans and Soviets invaded Poland in 1939, Juliusz joined the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa). He became a runner with the Polish Scouting Association, which was then operating as the underground Szare Szeregi. In 1944, he took part in the Warsaw Uprising as a member of the Batalion Zośka. In 1949, during the darkest years of Stalinism in Poland he was arrested by the security service and sentenced by a military court to 5 years in prison. After his release, he graduated from the Warsaw University of Technology in November 1953, and became an inventor of medical equipment.

1945

Battle of Berlin:  Soviet artillery began shelling Berlin at 11 a.m. on April 20, Hitler's 56th birthday. Preparations were made to evacuate Hitler and his staff to Obersalzberg to make a final stand in the Bavarian mountains, but Hitler refused to leave his bunker. Hermann Göring and Heinrich Himmler departed the bunker for the last time. The 1st Belorussian Front led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov, advancing from the east and north, started shelling Berlin's city centre, while Marshal Ivan Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front broke through Army Group Centre and advanced towards the southern suburbs of Berlin.


Flossenburg Concentration Camp: In September 1939, the SS transferred 1,000 political prisoners to Flossenbürg from Dachau.  During the war, the Germans expanded the Camp to about 100 subcamps in which prisoners were forced to work in the increasingly important German arms production.  More than 1,000 Soviet prisoners of war were executed in Flossenbürg by the end of 1941.  From 1941 to 1942, about 1,500 Polish prisoners, mostly members of the Polish resistance, were deported to Flossenbürg. In July 1941, SS guards shot 40 Polish prisoners at the SS firing range outside the Flossenbürg concentration camp. Between February and September 1941 the SS executed about one-third of the Polish political prisoners deported to Flossenbürg.  On April 20, 1945, 22,000  prisoners, including 1,700 Jews, were forcibly evacuated. Those too sick to walk were left behind. They were forced on a death march to the Dachau concentration camp and SS guards shot any inmate too sick to keep up. Before they reached Dachau, more than 7,000 inmates had been shot or had collapsed and died. ( see April 23, 1945)

Secret Polish Forces of WW2: The "Silent & Dark Ones" PART II: MISSIONS Operation Belt

OPERATION BELT

One of the largest Polish Operation against the Nazis was Operation Belt. In August 1943 Polish Command gave the order to Kedyw Division of the Armia Krajowa to launch an attack against German border guarding stations located on the frontier between the territory of the German General Government, and the territories annexed by Germany. By February 1943, the Polish secret forces were able to destroy 13 of these German outposts, with minimal losses among Polish units.

The Kedyw Division were specialists in sabotage of all genre, anti-Nazi propaganda, and armed action directed towards Nazi German forces and their collaborators. Most notable among their Operations was the sabotage of rail lines, bridges and roads, burning of trains and fuel depots, and the destruction or damage of German weapons' factories.  They were also instrumental in liberating hundreds of prisoners and hostages held by the Nazis.

Polish Underground derailed trains WW2

Polish Underground WW2 Grenade Production

Most of the members of Kedyw were recruits from Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego, the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association. After the invasion of Poland, the Nazis condemned this group as criminals and executed many of them. They came to be nicknamed "Szare Szeregi" (Gray Ranks).  The Division was grouped into several infantry battalions, most notable among them the famous "Zoska" battalion, the "Parasol" battalion, and the "Miotla" battalion.

Kolegium B unit of Kedyw AK during training in Celestynowski Forest near Warsaw

May 1944: L-R: unknown "Grot", Eugeniusz Domanski "Mis", Zbigniew Mlynarski "Kret", Ryszard Jablonowski "Wawrek", Tadeusz Borek, Jozef Lapinski "Chmura".

The Wachlarz (the "Fan") was another organization among many others which specialized in sabotage behind German-Soviet frontlines. Between January 1, 1941 and June 30, 1944, they derailed 732 trains, set fire to 443 German transports and over 4,000 vehicles, damaged 19,000 train carriages, 6,900 engines, set fire to 1,200 gasoline tanks, blew up 40 railway bridges, destroyed 5 oil shafts, froze 3 blast-furnaces, conducted about 25, 000 sabotage acts in war factories, burnt 130 magazines of weapons and equipment, made 5,700 assassination attempts on various officer ranks of the German Wehrmacht, soldiers and police as well as the Volksdeutschs (Polish citizens of German descent who collaborated with the Nazi Germans.) In addition, the Wachlarz rescued and set free inmates held in 16 prisons. As of 1943 partisan troops began conducting missions - fighting more than 170 battles and in the process killing more than 1,000 Germans. By the start of 1944, there were approximately 60 AK partisan groups in operation, some of them numbering up to a few hundred soldiers  each, and about 200 sabotage squads.

Polish Partisan Troop

Polish Partisans Preparing for Battle

Polish Snipers - 1st Armoured Division 1944

Tadeusz Zawadzki

One of the most notable figures in the Polish Underground,  was Tadeusz Zawadzki, code-named Zoska.  He was a Scoutmaster, resistance activist and second lieutenant of the Armia Krajowa.

During the night of August 20-31, 1943, he was killed during the "Tasma" action - an suprise attack against the Grenzschutzpolizei building in Sieczychy, near Wyszkow. The fight was quick and Polish fighters succeeded in wiping out the Germans. There was only one Polish casualty. It was Tadeusz Zawadzki. He was 22 years of age.

NEXT:

PART II MISSIONS: Operation Heads - Operacja Glowki

Warsaw Uprising 1944: August 16 - STALIN TURNS HIS BACK ON WARSAW

WARSAW CITY ON FIRE

Polish forces in the Old Town have taken a drastic toll. Casualties have been very high. There are now fewer than 5,000 insurgents trying to defend an area of 10 square kilometers. The battleground has shifted dramatically in the course of the past two weeks. On August 1st it covered an area of about 140 square kilometres (54 square miles).

Since morning the Old Town has been hit with a continuous barrage of artillery and mortar fire and the Germans managed to seize the Canonesses Convent in Teatralny Square. Attempts by the Poles to retake the building have failed. Maj. Mieczysław Chyżynski “Pelka” has fought back strong enemy attacks on the State Securities Plant on Sanguszki Street from Rybaki and Zakroczymska Streets. Polish resistance is very strong and the German attack has collapsed at the fiercely defended barricades at the entries to Podwale, Piwna, and Swietojanska Streets.

During the night, "Czata 49" and "Zoska" battallions launched an attack to join troops marching in from the Kampinos Forest.  The "Czata 49" battalion pushed the Germans back from Stawki Street and held its positions for three hours. But the attack launched by the "Zoska" battalion in the neigborhood of Nalewski Street failed.

Czata 49 Battalion

Major Alfons Kotowski "Okon" arrived in the vicinity of Laski to take over command of the Kampinos Forest troops and organize relief for Warsaw. German forces continue to attack northern Srodmiescie, and have seized control of the Water Filters Station where they have blocked the water supply network.

Tadeusz Gajcy 'Topor'

Famous poet and AK soldier Tadeusz Gajcy 'Topor' was killed in action today and perished on Leszno Street. He was the co-founder and editor of the literary magazine Sztuka i Narod and he was notable for having been a founding member of the underground press in 1942. He is remembered for his fervent contributions as member of the Generation of Columbuses. It is a term relegated to the entire generation of Poles who were born after 1918. During this period their youth was in essence the “discovery of Poland” at a time in which Poland finally regained independence and statehood after 123 years of oblivion. It spurred an entire generation with the mission to fight against foreign occupation. Also killed was his friend, also a poet, Cadet Zdislaw Leon Stoinski "Chmura".


While the fighting rages on, British and Polish authorities continue diplomatic discourse over the war. Ambassador Raczynski has issued a reply to a letter he received just yesterday from the British Government. Addressing it to Sir Orme Sargent of the British Foreign Office, as well as Mr. Eden. Raczynski stated that Soviet radio had on several occasions made appeals to the Polish nation to rise up against the Germans, their latest appeal having been made just three days before the Uprising took place. Despite British claims to the contrary, Prime Minister Mikolajczyk and the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tadeusz Romer vigorously contend that the Polish Government had indeed properly informed His Majesty’s Government that actions were to be taken by the Polish Home Army against the Germans in Warsaw. The Polish Government has been criticized by Britain, as well as by the Soviet Government for not having established prior notification before the start of the Uprising.

Adam Aston - Warsaw Melody (Powstanie Warszawskie) 1944 (00:03:47m)

The Red Army appears to have stopped its assault on Warsaw. There is considerable speculation as to the reasons for this sudden change. Certain sources have indicated that it is a calculated tactic by Stalin to allow the German forces to destroy the Warsaw insurgents who are loyal to the Polish Government-in-Exile in London and consequently hostile to Stalin’s overtures.

Soviet soliders near the Vistula River

Just a little over two weeks ago, the Soviet Army had reached the outskirts of the beleaguered city. The 1st Belorussian Front had taken part in the Lublin-Brest Operation from mid-July to early August with the mission to clear central-eastern Poland of Nazi German forces. They also took part Operation Lvov-Sandomierz and Operation Bagration during which Soviet forces succeeded in completely destroying large numbers of German units. In desperation German forces have attempted to assemble reinforcements to hold the line of the Vistula River.

Soviet tanks Operation Bagration

 American WW2 poster
 promoting US and USSR alliance

The Vistula is the last river barrier which remains separating the Soviet and German armies. However, the few panzer and SS divisions assembled in haste are notably inferior to that of the Soviet war machine. The Soviet armies have planned to seize bridgeheads across the Vistula and Narew rivers from which they will launch offensives and resupply their units. Though Warsaw is right at the limit of the planned Soviet advance, the Soviets do not consider it an essential in their strategy. Instead, they have already seized several important bridgeheads to the south of Warsaw and are defending them ferociously against German counterattacks. Stalin has notified Prime Ministers Churchill and Mikolajczyk that the Soviet government intends to dissociate themselves from the "Warsaw disturbance". Lt. John Ward, a British soldier, and member of the AK has dispatched messages again today to London reporting on the days events in Warsaw. The message reads as follows:

Lt. John Ward

The Germans in Warsaw are making a great deal of damage with mine-throwers. They are using half explosive material, half incendiary. Result is the explosive makes huge holes in the wall and the incendiary material sets fire to the houses. Many of the finest buildings in Warsaw have been destroyed in this manner. Casualties among the civil population are heavy. Practically every house in Warsaw that is not burned out has its allotment of refugees. Many thousands of people have not only lost their homes but also all they possessed. All refugees are received as guests. Often they arrive one day in a house and a few hours later they must look for a new home because that one too is set on fire or bombed out.

Warsaw Uprising 1944: August 7 POLES ASSASSINATE TOP NAZI OFFICER

Polish Victims of Wola Massacre Warsaw Uprising

Reinefarth’s SS units continue their murderous rampage in Wola while Polish insurgent battalions Parasol and Zoska continue to put up a very strong defense against German fire power. The citizens of Warsaw have endured unimaginable persecution.  Reports have come in that the gangs belonging to the SS Dirlewanger have arrested and shot Polish families, including the elderly and children, in house to house searches. They have stormed into hospitals killing patients and medical staff. Several patients were burned alive in their beds. More than 15,000 civilians have been slaughtered in the past two days. The scenes are horrific and macabre. But the brutal Nazi suppression has not deterred the AK, and the Poles are as determined as ever to free their beloved city.  Meanwhile, Polish civilians have set up a barricades in City Centre Sector, an area which remains the only connecting passage between the northern and southern parts of Warsaw.


Lao Che - Barykada (Wola) (00:04:03m)

 

Kutschera Dead

 
The Parasol battalion is famous for its many military actions in the years 1943-1944. Among their missions they have organized several assassinations targeting high-level Gestapo officers and Nazi German officials. Many of their attempts were successful. Their most famous plan, called Operation Kutschera, called for the execution of Franz Kutschera, SS and Police leader in the Warsaw District. He was gunned down in February 1944 right in front of Warsaw SS Headquarters. Kutschera was given a death sentence by the Court of the Polish Underground State for crimes committed against the Polish nation, in particular the mass murder of hundreds of thousands of Polish civilians. The execution order was given by Polish Brigadier General Emil August Fieldorf (pseudonym Nil) the commander of KeDyw Battalion and was approved by the Polish government in exile in London. The execution was carried out by members of the Szare Szeregi.

 

Nazi Bulletin announcing Death of 100 Polish hostages

The Germans have tightly reinforced their positions on the avenue linking Old Town and Centre City Sector and the entire zone is heavily fortified with machine guns, artillery and armoured trains. The Old Town is cut off from Zoliborz sector, and the open fields between these two sectors are under German command. The Old Town sector, still in Polish hands has been reduced to approximately a two square mile zone and has been completely encircled by Germans forces. In the afternoon Polish units under the command of Maj. Stanislaw Steczhowkski (pseudoynm Zagonczyk) launched a counterattack on Mirowski Square but by evening enemy forces had pushed them back to Grzybowska Street and Grzybowski Square. Meanwhile, Col. Karol Ziemski "Wachnowski" commander of the North Group has organized the defence of the Old Town. Faced with fierce enemy fire his unit was unable to get through to Zoliborz. Insurgents began construction today of a trench and barricade to cover the crossing of Aleje Jerozolimskie from the north to the south, that is from the house at No. 20 to that at No. 17.  It will provide secure contact between troops from the two parts of Srodmiescie, as well as an escape route for civilians.  German fire is very heavy coming from the Gospodarstwa and the Main Rail Station.
 

Soldiers from Gustaw Battalion use trench crossing Aleje Jerozolimskie 1944

Service of the Scouts Field Post Office continues today during which the young couriers managed to deliver over 900 letters. Armia Krajowa’s radio station, “Lightning” located in Warsaw began live broadcasts and announced their a schedule of three reports daily. Included in broadcasts will be official combat communiqués issued by AK Command Headquarters. They are making urgent appeals to the allies for assistance.

Lt. John Ward

Lt.John Ward, a British soldier and member of the Armia Krajowa has dispatched the first of what will be a series of special secret to London reporting on conditions in Warsaw.  Here is what Ward had to say: At 5 p.m. yesterday German tanks of 'Tiger' type came through streets of Warsaw with women captured in houses specially for purpose tied on to prevent action from Polish troops. One tank was destroyed by means of petrol bottles owing to lack of anti-tank guns. Warsaw has excellent chances and the greatest part of the City is in Polish hands. Please send us weapons and ammunition as soon as possible.

Polish insurgents listening to Underground radio reports

Warsaw Uprising 1944: August 5 - POLES LIBERATE JEWISH PRISONERS

Zoska, the elite Home Army battalion led an assault today on a German concentration camp "Konzentrationslager Warschau" on Gesia Street freeing 383 prisoners including 348 Jews. These Jewish men and women were left to assist in the destruction of the evidence of mass murder and in the end would also have met certain death.  Many of the survivors including Jews joined the Zoska unit to fight in the Uprising. Members of the Zoska battalion have captured two German tanks and used them in the rescue mission.  The Polish insurgents were dressed in German uniforms they had stolen as well as German weapons confiscated during battle. Polish uniforms are scarce. Though AK units are wearing German uniforms they are easily distinguished by their red and white AK armbands. However, it has caused considerable confusion during fighting and in some case of mistaken identity, insurgents were shot mistakenly by their own people.

Photo: L-R: Wojciech Omyła "Wojtek", Juliusz Bogdan Deczkowski "Laudański" and Tadeusz Milewski "Ćwik". Milewski was killed on the same day. Omyla was killed several days later on August 8, 1944.

Zoska Battalion captured German tank

Zoska Fighters Liberate Jewish Prisoners

Emblem of Zoska Battalion

Halifax drops supplies over Warsaw 

At 1:00 am this morning three British Halifax planes air dropped weapons and ammunition over the region of Wola. Containers landed in the cemeteries, Wolski Hospital and Fort Bem.  Flights are being carried out mostly by Squadron 1586, Polish Special Duties Flight of the Polish Air Force from bases in Bari and Brindisi. Polish Squadrons are flying B-24 Liberators, Handley Page Halifax, and Douglas C-47 Dakota planes.

One Halifax bomber (call number of JP-276A)was shot down near the outskirts of Dabrowa by German fighter aircraft. The Canadian pilot, Arnold R. Blynn, and seven crew members, 5 Canadians and 2 British were killed: George A. Chapman, Harold L. Brown, C. B. Wylie, Arthur G. W. Liddell, Frederick G. Wenham and Kenneth J. Ashmore. The plane spiralled to the ground in a ball of fire and exploded on impact. The force of the impact was so great that the engines and the hull of the aircraft were driven into the ground at a dept of three to four metres. The plane was heavily laden with fuel and ammunition

The commander of Halifax F/L Pilot Arnold R. Blynn RCAF

Aircrew loads supplies for Warsaw insurgents

Halifax Bomber

Himmler ordered his army to shoot every Polish man, woman, and child. Massive executions began early yesterday. The notorious Storm Brigade RONA and SS Brigade Dirlewanger arrived in Warsaw yesterday and began a massacre against Polish residents in Wola and Ochota Sectors. In this the second day of murderous rampage, has become the largest massacre in the history of Poland. The death toll varies according to sources from 65,000 to as high as 100,000 people. Among the dead are not only civilians but POWs, killed by the Germans.

German SS and Cossacks- Warsaw Uprising

Cossacks in the Kaminsky and Dirlewanger brigades carved a path of rape, torture, fire and murder throughout the districts. The elderly, women and their children have been murdered, including hospital staff, priests and the wounded and sick in hospitals at Wolski and St. Lazarus. The Nazis are conducting this massive and brutal pacification in their efforts to suppress the Uprising and terrorize the people of Warsaw. They have succeeded in only hardening the hearts and will of all Polish people to fight the German scourge to the death.

Storm Brigade RONA August 1944 Warsaw

After four days of fighting, the Germans began a systematic strategy in the effort to suppress the Uprising. Block by block, the Germans began to destroy buildings and shooting insurgents and civilians with fire power. The Polish insurgents are putting up a tough fight and Germans have commenced counterattack with planes, tanks and artillery to open west-east corridor through the city. German command units, the 1131 Infantry Brigade, the Hermann Goering Divisions, XXXIX Panzer Corps, IV SS Panzer Corps, 45 Infantry Division and 19 Panzer Division are all concentrating their defence of the Vistula between Warsaw and the Soviet positions.

Germans Soldiers Execute Polish Civilians

Casualties rising among Polish insurgents

General Bor, ignoring the advice of the Polish government-in-exile*, has decided to remain in Warsaw. He said it was not possible to command the AK unless he was present and adamantly refused to relocate AK headquarters outside the city perimeters. Meanwhile, he is receiving reports twice daily by radio from General Monter regarding developments in the Uprising.


About 300 Polish insurgents fiercely defended their positions in Ochota against overwhelming forces of the RONA brigade In Ochota, the two insurgent redoubts are separated from each other: the Tobacco Monopoly on Kaliska Street ("Kaliska Redbout") under the command of Second Lt. Andrzej Chyczewski "Gustaw" and No. 60 Wawelska Street (Wawelska Redoubt") under the command of Second Lt. Jerzy Golembiowski "Stach". The two units have succeeded in defending a vital thoroughfare - the Poniatowski Bridge.