TRIBUTE TO JOHN WARD: HERO OF THE WARSAW UPRISING

THIS IS WARSAW...WARSAW CALLING...WARSAW CALLING ALL THE FREE NATIONS!

 

 CLICK ON PHOTO TO HEAR BLYSKAWICA RADIO BROADCAST

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These urgent pleas were broadcast on Radio Blyskawica during the maelstrom of the Warsaw Uprising. For sixty three days from August 1 to October 6, 1944, the Polish people valiantly fought against the Nazi Dragon in a desperate attempt to free their homeland - forgotten and abandoned by Britain and the United States.

The English voice of these broadcasts was that of John Ward, a British citizen who originated from Birmingham, a suburb of Ward End. He was only eighteen years of age when he enlisted in the RAF in 1937, and started as a wireless operator, rising the ranks to Flight Lieutenant. He survived after his plane was shot down by enemy fire in 1940, was captured and spent the better part of a year in a POW camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. In April 1941 he managed a daring escape and through the help of a Polish priest was put in touch with the Armia Krajowa.


From 1941 to 1945 John Ward was the communications liaison between the British government and the Armia Krajowa (Polish Home Army) and became war correspondent for the London Times. He joined the Polish Resistance just days after the Uprising broke out and was recruited by Stefan and Zofia Korbonski to prepare English dispatches that were transmitted to London via Morse Code.

John Ward was involved in clandestine operations - transmitting English-language broadcasts from Radio Blyskawica (Radio Lightning). (For facts about the radio station, please see end of blog post.) According to Jan Nowak, Lieutenant Ward spoke Polish fluently, albeit with a thick accent. Nowak was quite impressed that Ward elected to wear the red and white armband of the Armia Krajowa, and a cap emblazoned with the Polish eagle. Ward proved himself to be as much a loyal Polish patriot as he was a British subject. He had great admiration and respect for the Polish people and was fiercely committed to his mission in helping the Polish Underground, making urgent appeals to Sir Archibald Sinclair and Colonel Perkins. John Ward was wounded in the leg during the Uprising, but within two days was already working back at his post.

Despite John Ward's persistence, London authorities remained aloof as ever. Nevertheless he reported continuously on the daily events, submitting a total of sixty four reports providing descriptions of the Nazi siege on Warsaw, and the terrible toll upon the lives of Polish insurgents and civilians. According to Zofia Korbanska, there was a pervasive fear that messages from the Polish Underground were being dispatched "in vain" since British authorities were quite skeptical about the reliability of reports from Polish sources. But even John Wards' reports failed to make significant headway and were given the official brushoff. (Editors note:the so-called British skepticism had more to do with the exigencies of political pressures rather than outright disbelief in reports about the Warsaw Uprising. Tragically, Churchill and Roosevelts' loyalty was placed squarely with Moscow, and not with Warsaw.)

John Ward was an outspoken and fervent advocate on behalf of the Polish Resistance, and made constant demands for British military equipment, supplies, assistance and intervention. In a macabre chain of events, British and American help did finally come, but it was all too little and too late.

After 63 days of desperate battles, the Warsaw Uprising came to an end. On October 2, 1944, the Polish Home Army capitulated. John Ward received orders to return to England, but instead escaped Warsaw and made his way to the British embassy in Moscow, where he was subjected to a 12 hour interrogation by Soviet agents.

Polish losses were enormous. Casualties to Polish fighters were 10,000 KIA, about 6,000 MIA, 5,000 WIA, 15,000 POWs and over 200,000 Polish civilians had perished. The remaining civilian population of about 700,000 were rounded up and deported. Nazi bomb squads went to work razing Warsaw to the ground, building by building, block by block. By January 1945, when the Soviets army finally entered the city, Warsaw was nothing more than a spectre of itself - about 85% of the buildings were utterly destroyed.

In recognition of John Ward's heroism, the Polish government decorated him with the Polish Cross of Valour. He was one of a handful of British subjects who remained in Warsaw during the Uprising, but he was the only one known to have made such enormous efforts to help the cause for Polish freedom and liberty.

Sample of type of Medal

Sadly, very little is known about John Ward. He was a very private man and not inclined to disclose anything about his personal experiences and thoughts.  Even Korbonska could only speculate.  She believed that his determination to help the Polish Resistance had as much to do with personal as well as political motives. During his stay in Warsaw, John Ward was residing with a Polish family. a widow and her daughter, and two dogs which he absolutely adored.  The daughter was in love with him, and according to hearsay, they were to be married.

John Ward passed away on August 29, 1995.  After the war he never spoke about his experiences but his legacy will live on in hearts and minds of freedom-loving nations for all time.

Lieutenant John Ward (1922-1995)

POLAND IS A COUNTRY WHICH I, AS AN ENGLISHMAN,

AM PROUD TO CALL AN ALLY.

RAF Lieutenant John Ward

 FACTS ABOUT BLYSKAWICA RADIO STATION

Blyskawica ("Lightning") was only one of a few Polish Underground radio stations operating during the Warsaw Uprising. (The other was named Burza "Storm".) The "Lightning"transmitter was built by Antoni Zebik (Biegly) and played its signal melody of the Warszawianka (The Song of Warsaw or Varsovienne) It was a revolutionary hymn originally composed in 1831 to support and encourage the Polish patriots during the November Uprising (1830-31). The lyrics (see end of blog) were written by Casimir Francois Delavigne and music by Karol Kurpinski.

The Blyskawica team was headed by Stanislaw Zadrozny (code named "Pawlicz")who also managed propaganda; Zofia Rutkowska (code-named "Ewa") who was in charge of programming; and Jacek Wolowski, in charge of news and reportages. Polish language broadcasts were conducted by Zbigniew Swietochowski (code-named "Krzysztof", Stefan Sojecki, Zbigniew Jasinksi, Mieczyslaw Ubysz, and Jeremi Przybora (a popular Polish poet, actor and singer).The English-language broadcasts were conducted by Jan Nowak-Jezioranski and the Times of London war correspondent, RAF Lieutenant John Ward.

PKO (domed building)

Blyskawica was originally located in the PKO building - Pocztowa Kasa Oszczędności (Postal Savings Bank) on 9 Jasna Street, Warsaw. However as the Uprising continued, they had to move location several times in order to evade detection by Nazi reconnaissance planes. On August 25th, 1944 they moved the station to the "Adria" cafe on 10 Moniuszki Street. Then on September 4 relocated again to the former Soviet Embassy on 15 Poznanska Street, then to the Public Library on 26 Koszykowa Street. Blyskawica transmitted three or four times a day, and among its program included reports on the uprising, official notices of the AK, patriotic poems, and music. It broadcast messages in Polish, English, German, and French. They even sent an enthusiastic congratulatory message to the French Resistance on the event of their Liberation. Blyskawica was the only radio station of its kind in all of Nazi-occupied Europe!




During the Uprising Blyskawica Radio transmitted on the shortwave frequency of 32.8 and 52.1 meters and medium-wavelength of 224 or 251 meters. A replica of the transmitter was built after the war in minute detail even to the use of original dials. However by necessity it was adjusted to operate on a different waveband at 7.043 MHz. The reason was that the original meter bands used by the Armia Krajowa during the Uprising became the official waveband of NATO.

Replica of Blyskawica Radio Transmitter - Warsaw Uprising Museum

Replica of Microphone of Blyskawica Radio

Radiostacja "Błyskawica" - radio transmission

 Video duration: (00:02:31m) 

Recommended Books (in English)

Nowak, Jan "I, Jan Nowak, Courier from Warsaw"

Wayne State University Press, Detroit Michigan, 1982

Korbonski, Stefan and Zofia; Czarnomski, F.B.
"Fighting Warsaw: The Story of the Polish Underground State 1939-1945"
Columbia University Press, 1983




Recommended On-line Resources:

John Ward - Dispatches in August 1944
John Ward - Dispatches in September 1944

Stefan Korbonski Website 
Warsaw Uprising Museum - Radio Blyskawica 
Witness Jan Nowak Remembers
The Warsaw Uprising
Books, Videos, Documents, Photos and more
The Uprising's phonic radio stations and technical resources 
Article: "Post Office Savings Bank Building" (in Polish) 




N.B. Click on this link "Warsaw Uprising 1944: Complete Index of Blog Posts August 1 to October 6, 2011" for a Special series on the Warsaw Uprising, day by day. Includes informative daily "news reports" on important events of the Uprising, including fascinating facts, archival photographs and videos.   Please note that each of Lieutenant John Wards dispatches have been integrated into this Special series and presents his eye-witness accounts of one of the greatest urban battles of modern warfare.

Thank you for visiting Polish Greatness (Blog).
 

Warsaw Uprising 1944: September 26 Warsaw Beleaguered and Bleeding to Death

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Warsaw Uprising 1944: September 25 NO SURRENDER! Polish Insurgents Die Fighting!

During the night German attacks on Mokotow have escalated. Polish-controlled areas of the district have sharply diminished. With Polish casualties mounting, Lieutenant Colonel "Karol" has ordered an immediate retreat. German command has again proposed  surrender to AK commander of Mokotow Sector but the Poles do not respond.

Since early morning the enemy has continued its attack on Mokotow from the south and west. There is fierce fighting in the southern sector. A school on Woronicza Street has changed hands seven times. Meanwhile in the western sector the “Olza” battalion was forced to retreat under heavy German fire, from the line of Aleje Niepodleglosci Street along Goszczynskiego and Odynca towards Krasickiego Street. The insurgents have lost an important point of resistance – the “Alkazar Redoubt” on the corner of Aleje Niepodleglosci and Odynca Streets. Home Army troops fighting south of Malczewskiego Street are also in danger of being cut off. German forces have advanced from Malczewskiego Street towards Pulawska Street, resulting in severe Polish losses. Areas seized by German troops have been subjected to plunder, arson and killing. Conversely, the situation in Zoliborz and Srodmiescie is relatively calm.

Sturmpanzer IV z 218.Sturmpanzer-Kompanie z.B.V., Mokotow September 25, 1944

Despite overwhelming enemy fire, General Monter has issued an order today. He stated that “Today we are standing on the threshold of victory. Because of your heroic sacrifices, tenacity, discipline, and perseverance, Warsaw has received assistance and succour. The moment is approaching when the victorious and heroic Red Army will come to give the last blow to the German barbarians.”  It is more than a call to arms. It is the hope that with persistent and unrelenting pressure, Warsaw may finally receive promised allied assistance. After 50 days of fighting, the rank and file of insurgents are convinced that the Soviet Red Army will soon arrive.

Polish Insurgents - Warsaw Uprising 1944

The British War Cabinet convened today, at which Anthony Eden proclaimed that in his judgement Marshall Stalin now has a more favourable attitude toward Poles. He also noticed that “the population of Warsaw was in sore straits and very short of food.” So, the War Cabinet requested that the Chiefs of Staff “suggest to the United States Air Command that they should consider undertaking a further flight to Warsaw, dropping mainly food supplies.”  The British Cabinet seems to share the opinion that such additional assistance rendered to Warsaw might "soften" the attitude of the Polish government towards Stalins' demands.

British War Cabinet

Back row – Arthur Greenwood; Ernest Bevin; Lord Beaverbrook; Sir Kingsley Woods

Front row – Sir John Anderson; Winston Churchill; Clement Attlee; Anthony Eden

Also at the forefront of British politics is mounting pressure from within to remove General Kazimierz Sosnkopwski from his post as Polish Commander in Chief.  Apparently, they have been able to persuade the Polish Cabinet, Prime Minister Mikolajczyk and even General Wladyslaw Anders (the leader of the Polish victory in the Battle of Monte Cassino) to support the decision.  In Eden's report to the War Cabinet, Sosnowski was described as "a matter of indifference to the Polish Army". 

(For more on General Sosnowkowski click here.)

The civilian population of Warsaw is dying from malnutrition. The Warsaw civilian administration has organized a mass collection of clothing and foodstuffs for the AK units that are still alive. They have managed to gather about 3,500 pieces of clothing and 2,391 kilograms (5,260 pounds) of food. The people of Warsaw have put up a tremendous fight - not merely resistance to the enemy.  During the first three weeks of the Uprising, more than 4,000 lbs of bread were baked under the auspices of the civilian administration. Each district in Warsaw had appointed a quartermaster who was charged with the duty of assessing the amount of rations available per person, a list of food supplies as well as a list of bakeries with supplies of flour.

Under artillery fire, civilians have been carrying food supplies to the kitchens, having them cooked, and distributing the food to Polish families.  An AK soldier has been seen repeatedly delivering powdered milk to Polish families in German-controlled areas.

Lt. John Ward

Lt. John Ward, a British soldier, is also a member of Armia Krajowa. Since the start of the Uprising he has been dispatching secret radio messages to London, England in the hopes that the British allies would help the Polish insurgents.  His messages no longer plead for allied intervention, but serve as a testament to the horrific slaughter of Polish insurgents and civilians at the hands of the enemy.

The south sector of the Warsaw front of the Polish Home Army has been heavily bombed by the Germans and subjected to heavy artillery fire. This is the first time since last week that German bombers have been in action here. There has been no fundamental change on any of the three Warsaw sectors during the past 24 hours. The Germans are determined to stop the Poles re-occupying the west bank of the Vistula in order to prevent them preparing bridgeheads for Soviet landing in force.


The Polish Staff officially announced the following information received from Cracow: The Germans intend completely to liquidate the internment camps at Oswiecim and Buchenwald. The S.S. commandant of the Oswiecim camp sent out an S.S. Fuhrer asking for an efficient plan to liquidate the camp and the prisoners still living. A certain Moll, Commander of Birkenau camp, a branch of Oswiecim camp, submitted a plan for which he would need several S.S. detachments, six aircraft and some artillery, also a number of workers. Over ruins cremated bodies were to level up the site and it was to be planted with young trees.


There are 16,727 men and 39,125 women prisoners at Birkenau, whilst the figure for Oswiecim and Buchenwald must be near the hundred thousand mark. It is feared the Germans will carry out this massacre and try to throw the blame on Allied bombers. The Polish authorities are issuing an appeal to the whole world in the hope that this new crime will be thereby averted.

Eugeniusz Lokajski

Most people have never heard of him but his photographs have attained world-wide attention. His name is Eugeniusz Lokajski. He has taken over 1,000 photograph during the Warsaw Uprising documenting every facet of the battle. His photos have shown us rare glimpses of the struggle of Polish insurgents and civilians against the overwhelming German war machine. Lokajski served as a platoon commander during the Invasion of Poland in 1939 in the Polish 35th Infantry Division and was arrested by Soviet troops after the Battle of Brzesc. He managed to escape captivity, and fate. Shortly thereafter the other Polish officers with whom he was imprisoned were executed by the Soviet NKVD. It was the Katyn Massacre.

During the German occupation of Poland, Lokajski was a member of the Polish underground, working as a university teacher, and operating a photographic shop. When Lokajski`s brother Jozef died, Eugeniusz took over his duties in the Armia Krajowa, in charge of arms and munitions transport. He served with distinction as Lieutenant "Brok".

When the Uprising broke out, Eugeniusz and his sister enlisted in the Koszta Company, defending the Srodmiescie area of Warsaw. Commander Stefan Mich decided to use Lokajski`s photographic talents and gave him a camera. The photographic contributions of Eugeniusz Lokajski has become a priceless treasure to the city of Warsaw, to Poland, and the world. 

By the end of August, Polish forces were short of officers and Lokajski was attached to the 2nd Platoon of the Koszta Company as a commanding officer. His unit had taken part in the skirmishes in the attempt to linkforces in Warsaw's Old Town with that of City Centre. Although his unit successfully reached its target, they had to withdraw because other Polish units were unsuccessful in their attempts.

After the failed action his unit was withdrawn and placed at the rear becoming the tactical reserve, filling in gaps in Polish lines. Lokajski's unit took part in major struggles, for control of the barricades on Chmielna Street. And the battle for the Main Post Office resulted in a Polish victory, where his troops retook the building and captured 18 German soldiers. Despite this victory, Lokajski's unit was decimated and stranded without supplies food, and ammunition. But they managed to survive until a relief force arrived 48 hours later.

Lieutenant Eugeniusz Lokajski "Brok", liaison officer of the "Koszta" Company, was caught in an artillery barrage and died today.  He had gone to a photographic shop on 129 Marszalkowska Street to prepare photos of important AK soldiers for fake German documents. (The plan was to help Polish soldiers evade captivity and continue the struggle.) His body lies under the ruins of 129 Marszalkowska Street.(Editors note: His remains were not exhumed until May1945 after which he was buried at Powazki cemetery.)

The following are just a few of his photographs:

Home Army Soldiers Preparing for an Assault - Warsaw Uprising

Home Army Launches Assault - Warsaw Uprising

Polish soldiers reading a German leaflet during the Warsaw Uprising

Barricade at Marszałkowska Street

After the Battle - Warsaw Uprising

Wedding Ceremony - Warsaw Uprising

Portrait of Jerzy Tyczyński

Jerzy Tyczynski was a Polish platoon cadet in the Home Army and took part in the successful capture of the insurgent's Police Headquarters in Krakow suburb. He also participated in the capture of the PAST building. Jerzy died on September 3, 1944 under the rubble of building bombed by a German plane. In November 1944 he would have turned 21 years old.

Warsaw Uprising 1944: September 24 - Polish Heroes: The Cichociemni - "Silent Dark Ones"

German forces have intensified attacks on the three remaining centers of insurgent resistance: Zoliborz, Srodmiescie and Mokotow. Throughout the day Mokotow was the main focus of German attacks. A general assault was launched early this morning by German infantry supported by artillery, air force and armoured units. Insurgents have been able to fight off most of the attacks. After a fierce struggle in the southern and southeastern sectors, the Germans have captured Krolikarnia Palace. They destroyed an advance insurgent position at 162 Pulawska Street and have reached the line of Ksawerow Street. By nightfall Home Army troops attacked and attempted to recapture the area but failed. In the eastern sector of Mokotow defense, German tanks have forced the insurgents to retreat to the line of Konduktorska Street. The remaining insurgent positions are still in Polish hands. Casualties are high on both sides.

German Cannon "Ferdinand" fires on Polish Insurgent positions Warsaw 1944

Wounded Polish Officer - background buildings of Lower Mokotow

                "Krawiec" Company from "Rys" Battalion at 134 Pulawska Street in Mokotow district during inspection by Stanislaw Kaminski "Daniel". "Krawiec" Company just came from Kabacki Forest through Wilanow to Mokotow district bringing arms for "Baszta" Regiment. On the left company commander Stanisław Milczynski "Gryf". From the right in the first row: Wladyslaw Zyganski "Zuk" and Tadeusz Kozlowski "Kozak".            

Radio communication with Soviet Command has peaked these past few days. Just two days ago two Soviet soldiers under the command of Captain Kolos have parachuted into Warsaw with Soviet radio transmitters. The radio set provided by Soviet Major Chernuhin has established a vital communication link between the AK commander of Mokotow Sector and a Soviet artillery post. Captain Wieckowski, of the Soviet-backed Armia Ludowa has been dispatching messages from a Soviet radio transmitter in Zoliborz Sector. An AK (Armia Krajowa) officer with access to the radio set at Berlings Headquarters has also been transmitting to and receiving messages from the AK Headquarters in Warsaw. The high intensity communication gives every indication that Soviet forces will soon advance.

Cichociemni parachuting into Poland WW2

A special intelligence unit of the Polish Army General Staff Headquarters in London, England, called "Barnes Lodge" has been on round the clock surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, listening to radio messages coming in from Polish Home Army Command in Warsaw. There are currently about twelve transmitters in the units, the last delivered by Polish agents of the SOE who had parachuted into Poland just before the Uprising broke out.  Polish agents are risking their lives. If at any time during the transmission of messages, or receipt of them, a Polish operative, or cichociemni, can be discovered by the enemy and shot on the spot.

Franek Rymaszewski, one of the operators, listens for underground messages from Poland
 in one of the radio telegraph stations in "Barnes Lodge" near Kings Langley, North London.  

Polish conspiratorial transmitter and receiver, type AP1, called "peepshtock"

Cichociemni (the "Silent, Dark Ones") are an elite special operations division of the Polish army in exile. They were created in Great Britain to be a crack team in partisan warfare in occupied Poland, and are highly skilled at espionage and sabotage activities. They are all expert marksmen irregardless of the weapons used - be they British, Polish, Russian, German, or Italian weaponry. All soldiers who pass training are sworn in as members of Armia Krajowa.

Cichociemni are entirely independent of the British army, though the unit was organized in collaboration with SOE (Special Operations Executive). The Cichociemni is the only one in the SOE which is free to chose its own men and operate its own radio communication with an occupied country. The identities of these heroic men are kept secret and are known only to the Polish General Staff. The oldest of them is 54 years of age, while the youngest is only 20.  All members of the Special Unit are promoted one rank upwards at the moment of their jump.

 

Emblem of Cichociemni

Warsaw Uprising 1944: September 23 Nazi SS Execute Over 200 Polish Insurgents

Reverend Jozef Stanek "Rudy"

The Czerniakow beachhead falls. Upper Czerniakow has been captured by the Germans during the night.  Polish defenders have made an attempt to fight their way through to Srodmiescie but only a small group get through. Five men under the command of Captain Ryszard Bialous "Jerzy" got through and made it to the YMCA building on Konopnieckiej Street, which is still held by the insurgents.  The rest of the Polish unit was captured by the Germans. SS officers have executed by firing squad and hanging over 200 injured Polish insurgents, messengers and nurses. A Pallotine priest, Reverend Jozef Stanek “Rudy”, chaplain of the “Kryska” group was also executed on Solec Street by the Germans by hanging. 

Germans have stepped up the pressure on the district of Mokotow, which is now the chief target of General von dem Bach. They have also prepared to attack Zoliborz.  Hermann Göring  has selected additional division units to join the campaign.  Artillery fire and air raids grow stronger. The area of Aleje Niepodleglosci Street is particularly hard hit.

Polish insurgents are besieged in three areas of the city: Srodmiescie, Zoliborz and Mokotow. The Uprising is now a one-sided war of attrition, or rather a struggle for acceptable terms of surrender.

For the past several days, German attacks near the Vistula have been escalating as they attempt to prevent further landings.  But Polish troops continue to hold their positions on the eastern shore in preparation for the expected wave of Soviet landings. Other Polish troops have been making attempts to land since the 15th of September, but with very heavy casualties to men and materiel.  Throughout the onslaught, Red Army support was all but non-existent except for intermittent and sporadic artillery fire and air support.  Despite attempts by the 1st Polish Army, they were unable to link up with the insurgents.

On the 19th of September, Home Army soldiers and landed elements of the 1st Polish Army had to retreat from their positions on the bank of the river.  Of about 900 men who made it ashore, only a handful were able to return to the eastern shore of the Vistula. Berling's Polish Army suffered enormous losses in their attempt to aid the Uprising. Casualties were 5,660 killed, missing or wounded.  There were no further attempts at river crossing, and the promised evacuation of the wounded did not take place.

Zygmunt Berling and troops of the LWP

The failure for either side to make significant advances has led to a suspension of further attempts in crossing the river for at least four months. At that point, operations against the 9th Army's five panzer divisions were problematic. Moreover, Soviet Command has dismissed General Berling, Commander of the 1st Polish Army.

During the Invasion of Poland in 1939, Berling did not fight the German invaders. After his town Wilno was occupied by Soviet armies, he was arrested along with many other Polish officers by the notorious NKVD, the Soviet Union's secret police.  Berling remained in prison until 1940 initially at Starobielsk and then in Moscow. He agreed to co-operate with the Soviets and thus avoided execution in the Katyn Massacre. After the Sikorski-Maisky Pact,Berling was released from prison on August 17, and appointed Chief of Staff of the newly created 5th Infantry Division. He later became the commander of a temporary camp for Polish soldiers in Krasnowodsk.

Berlings' troops crossing the Vistula River - 1944

The Sikorski-Maisky Pact signed on July 30, 1941 led to the release of thousands of Polish soldiers and civilians from Soviet prisons, as well as and the creation of the 2nd Polish Corps under the command of General Wladyslaw Anders. During the evacuation, Berling deserted Anders' army along with two other officers to join the Red Army. On April 20, 1943, Anders degraded the three and expelled them from the army. On July 25th, the field court sentenced them to death in absentia. The Polish Military Court stated that "the accused deserted from the Polish Army, in Court's opinion in order to join the Soviet Army, ie. to serve the country which has as one of its goals the end of existence of the independent Polish state by means of incorporating its territory."


Stalin created the Polish People's Army in 1943 (Ludowe Wojsko Polskie) and appointed  Berling as the commander of its first unit, the 1st Tadeusz Kosciuszko Infantry Division. He was later promoted to General by Stalin himself.

1st Polish (Peoples) Army January 19, 1944 parade

When the Uprising broke out on August 1st, 1944, Berling's army had advanced towards Warsaw and without consulting Soviet Command may have issued his own orders to engage the German forces and aid Polish resistance. The landing received no tactical support from Berling or other Soviet units, and therefore made no significant contribution in helping the Uprising. However, Soviet Command noticed Berling's behaviour and  dismissed him from his command. He was transferred to the War Academy in Moscow where he remained until 1947.


The first major engagement of Berling's army was the Battle of Lenino in October 1943. By the following spring Soviet command had increased and strengthened its armor and materiel support and soldiers numbered over 30,000 men strong. The unit was then reorganized into the Polish First Army led by Soviet commanders appointed by Soviet Command. The LWP was later integrated into the 1st Belorussian Front.  

Lt. John Ward

Lt. John Ward, a British soldier and member of Armia Krajowa, has been dispatching secret radio reports of the Uprising to London authorities, always in the hope that the allies would provide assistance and intervention. In almost two months of battle, Polish insurgents have been left virtually alone and abandoned.  Nevertheless Ward continues sending reports, if only to testify to the horrendous conditions dealt to the people of Warsaw.

The inhabitants of Warsaw are now literally living only in ruins. Whole central part of city completely destroyed. In some cases by fires started by Poles to drive out enemy and in others by shell fire, mines and air bombs. Water very difficult to get. I personally today had first wash after six days and am considered lucky. To get one bucket of reasonably clean water it is necessary to stand in queues under fire four or five hours. Food even more scarce. Even front line soldiers get quite inadequate rations, usually about four ounces of boiled barley daily. Bread practically unheard of. Civilians mostly in even worse plight. Private stocks largely burnt or buried under ruins. Hospitals are in what were coal cellars a few weeks ago. Many thousands of wounded there, perhaps more civilians than military. Conditions in which they lie really terrible.

Warsaw Uprising 1944: September 21 Poles Are Fiercest Adversaries says Himmler

Polish Insurgents have been waiting for the First Polish Army to make a landing and have fled burning buildings to take positions in the trenches along the banks of the Vistula. They are waiting, but the declared aid has not arrived.

General Monter has sent a radio message to the commanding officer of Zoliborz Sector ordering the him to expand and fortify his territory.  Though Polish Command had pleaded for weeks for Russian assistance, the Polish strategy is now to invite Soviet commanders to come to them, rather than vice versa. It is a decision that is widely supported by Polish political leaders in Warsaw as well as by the Delegatura.

Polish civilian and military authorities have assembled in the Centre City Sector. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Delegatura are making preparations to welcome the Red Army.  Polish troops of the Armia Krajowa will be concentrated in the same region to provide security in the event of any hostile activities or provocation. The Government Delegate of the city of Warsaw will direct the civilian administration for the interim.  Briefings among civilians and military personal are underway to establish an attitude of friendliness and willingness to cooperate with the Red Army, on the condition however, that Polish authorities are respected.

The AK have been wiped out by the German forces.  Throughout the onslaught, Russian spies had infiltrated Warsaw. During the month of September there were a total of five Red Army shortwave stations operating inside Warsaw reporting everything to Soviet Headquarters. Since the beginning of the Uprising, a Russian officer by the name of Captain Kalugin had linked up with AK command in Warsaw, and throughout the Uprising Kalugin was sending messages to Stalin through the AK short-wave stations. One of those messages from early August has been translated and contains a request for Soviet assistance in key areas of Warsaw.

Soviet reconnaissance planes have been spotted flying over the fires of Warsaw while the Polish Communists have infiltrated the city, intermingling with civilians and the AK. The communists secretly gathered information and gauged conditions in Warsaw as well as the general morale of the civilians and secretly dispatched their reports through messengers and other means to the Soviet-backed "Lublin Committee", in other words, they went directly to Stalin.

German Command proposed surrender to Czerniakow Sector but the insurgents declined. The battle continues. The Germans blew up the remaining pumping stations at Koszykowa Street as well as the public wells, which were the only source of potable water in the city. Enemy forces have exerted continuous pressure on the Czerniakow beachhead.

Polish civilians queue for water at the pump in early September  Warsaw 1944

Water fills a huge crater created by German bombing Warsaw 1944

Ryszard Bialous "Jerzy"

Polish troops under the command of Captain Ryszard Bialous “Jerzy” linked with soldiers from the First Polish Army under the command of Major Stanislaw Latyszonek, now hold control of only a patch of the riverbank and two houses located at 53 Solec Street and at 1 Wilanowska Street on the corner of Solec Street. Srodmiescie is being pounded continuously by heavy artillery fire. Meanwhile insurgents have managed to destroy an enemy barricade on the corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Bracka Street. In the western part of Srodmiescie, they were able to fight off a German attack on Borman’s factory on Towarowa Street.

Captain Bialous had fought in defense of Warsaw during the September Campaign of 1939. He was a platoon commander in the 8th Battalion of Sappers Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded in both legs and was hospitalised for four months.  After he was discharged from the hospital he founded the organisation of the famous Grey Ranks. By 1943 he became head of the organization and was known by the code-name Zygmunt. During the Uprising he has been commander of the battalion "Sophy". On August 31st after the death of John Caius Andrzejewski, Bialous became commander of the brigade diversion "Broda 53" in the Radoslaw regiment of the Armia Krajowa. By the end of the Uprising, the "Sophy" Battalion will have lost over 360 soldiers,(KIA, MIA) or 70% of its fighting force. Bialous was promoted three times: in January 1941, Lieutenant reserves; May 1943, Lieutenant; and September 1944, Captain.  He was decorated with the Cross of Valour three times and the Order of the Virtuti Militari V Class.

Cross of Valour - Poland WW2

Virtuti Militari V Class - Poland WW2

In Zoliborz, a German assault on Kepa Potocka has stopped the landing of the 6th Infantry Regiment. Survivors managed to cross over to the right bank of the Vistula. Unaware of that, insurgent troops, unaware of their presence, attack Marymont at dawn. They reached Promyka Street and waited for soldiers of the 6th infantry regiment, who were supposed to break through from across the river. Realizing their isolation, Home Army soldiers retreated destroying the fortifications of the German positions they had managed to seize.

"This is the fiercest of our battles since the start of the war. It compares to the street battles of Stalingrad." 

SS chief Heinrich Himmler to German generals on 21 September 1944

During September, 42 planes of the Squadron 1586 flew 17 combat missions to Warsaw, 16 to Italy, 7 to Yugoslavia and 2 to Bulgaria. Eight crews perished in flights to Warsaw. There were no losses in flights to other countries. The last flights to Warsaw were on 20 and 21 September. Total losses of Squadron 1586 for the months of August and September 1944 were 17 crews, 15 in flight to Warsaw, one crew while delivering supplies to other zones in Poland, and one in northern Italy.

Flight conditions to Warsaw were extremely hazardous and every plane that returned had been hit. Even parachutes inside the planes were riddled by German bullets or explosives.

Lt. John Ward is a British soldier and member of the Armia Krajowa.  From the very outset of the Uprising, Ward has been dispatching secret coded messages to London detailing the events in Warsaw.  He is also the "voice" of an Underground Polish radio station, transmitting regular reports to Polish civilians around Warsaw.

Warsaw headquarters of the Polish Home Army have established direct contact with the Soviet forces on the east bank of the Vistula. Liaison is carried out by two wireless operators who landed in Warsaw by parachute on the area occupied by Polish troops.