‘BURZA’ ACTION
AUTOR MATEUSZ LABUZ
The National Army, established in 1942, for most of the period of planet War II took on the burden of the Polish Underground. The AK soldiers fought against a ruthless occupier, utilizing methods of typical guerrilla combat and hitting where the enemy did not anticipate to strike. specified a maneuver was not only due to a considerable advantage of the opponent's numbers, but besides to the deficiency of experience of Poles and the mediocre exploitation of people supplying the ranks of the underground army. All of this was tried to equalize with courage, heroism and courage, so that Germany could not control the Polish population beaten in September 1939. After losing his run in the east of Europe, the victorious Wehrmacht had to retreat to the west, and the Red Army stood back at the east border of the Republic of 17 September 1939. Dwarfs who had entered as occupiers a fewer years earlier now became allies of Poles. But these fresh allies did not intend to aid the Polish Underworld, due to the fact that they came here to conquer and conquer, not to liberate.
As a result, the command of the Home Army decided to organize a wide-ranging Action “Burza” aimed at the liberation of east Poland before russian soldiers entered. This would put Poles in a convenient position in connection with the upcoming clash of democratic forces of Poland and the communist russian Union. Joseph Stalin did not want to settle for the business of east Europe, hoping for much richer political spoils in Poland and even Germany. Bringing the Republic to the function of the satellite of the russian Union would consequence in a simplification of the sovereignty of the Polish state and another enslavement of the nation that is residing. Therefore, the command of the National Army, as well as representatives of the Polish Government in Emigration, decided to counter and prevent possible russian aggression. peculiar guidelines were prepared regarding the cooperation of Polish anti-Soviet anti-Soviet anti-Soviet units and the disclosure of soldiers of the Home Army, whose anonymity has been ensured by safety so far.
Almost from the first days of the occupation, Poles thought about organizing an armed uprising, which should be taken over by the full country. It seemed that specified action would be highly difficult, especially erstwhile we consider the deficiency of resources available to the Polish Underground, and the many advantage of the opponent, who did not complain about the deficiency of resources to fight. Therefore, Polish underground armed organizations focused on ad hoc activities, as expressed by the current struggle. In 1943, the plan to organize a universal uprising one more time appeared in the minds of the Heads of the Underground and London emigration. The implementation of the mission mostly depended on the results of the German-Soviet battles, which continued to run behind the east pre-war border of the Second Republic. The question of time was the ending of the German occupation, but Poles rightly expected that the russian ally could endanger the independency of the Polish state. Therefore, the thought of starting the gradual liberation of Polish lands from German hegemony, most frequently utilizing the forces of the Home Army, appeared. This would not only make the Allied countries aware that Poland's Underground lives and exists, but would besides let the strength of the Polish people to be demonstrated on the eve of its clash with the Soviets entering these lands. The consequence of this reasoning was the improvement of the Action Plan “Burza”. Appropriate orders were given in November 1943 by the then commandant of the AK, General Tadeusz Komorowski. "Bór" was aware that the actions of 100,000 soldiers, who were originally intended to engage in the fight with Germany, could not appeal to Red Army commanders. He knew, however, that this was the only chance to show his ally who could truly command these areas.
VOLINIAN PERIOD AK ‘CONOPIES’
The “Burza” in Volyn began in February 1944, and the forces of the Polish Underground concentrated in this area were forced to fight not only with Germany but besides the Ukrainian Insurgency Army (UPA). Additionally, shortly the enemy operating in Volyn of AK groups became had russian soldiers. On 4 January, russian units crossed the pre-war border with Poland and were thus located in the area of activity of the Volynski Ak territory commanded by Colonel Kazimierz Bąbiński, ps. “Luboń”. On 15 January, a fast mobilisation began, in line with the assumptions of the “Burza” plan. The 27th Volhyńska Division of National Army Infantry was formed. The colonel Jan Kiwerski, ps. “Oliwa”, in which 2 operational groups of Jan Szatkowski and Kazimierz Rzaniak operated. In total, the Kiwerski branch had about 6,000 people. Despite large numbers, the unit did not have the right equipment, which put it in a position weaker than at least German troops. Kiwerski's goal was to fight a series of fights with Germany and UPA bands, then agree with the Soviets and cooperate. On March 20, the division officially entered into negotiations with the Red Army. The talks were conducted in a friendly atmosphere, and the Soviets agreed to subject the unit to the Polish russian command and extended Polish-Soviet cooperation. However, they left no uncertainty that Volyn had been treated as part of the russian Union. Polish command ignored clear signals from the Soviets that the Red Army entering the Polish territory would not tolerate guerrillas behind russian soldiers' backs. There were signs that the entering allies disarmed the soldiers of the Home Army, and repressions were applied against them. Co-operation with the Red Army leadership was so the only reasonable way out of the situation that the AK command could have taken. Initially, it was not even noticed that the Soviets wanted to destruct the independency of Underground Poland. AK territory commander issued an order ordering underground activists to uncover themselves. Thus, at the time of the liberation of a given village, Poles were to include administrative power. It is worth mentioning the combat effort of the 27th WDP AK. By mid-March, she fought 10 fights with Germany and 17 with UPA troops. As of 21 March, cooperation with the Soviets began, and Poles hit Turoszy and Turopin, starting fighting with Wehrmacht troops. In April, troops of the 27th WDP AK attacked, together with the Red Army, Włodzimierz Wołyński, but with no effect. Additionally, Rzaniak's group fought 216. DP, 5th DPanc SS "Wking", 1. BGór and 55th Hungarian Honved Infantry Regiment. In the second half of April, however, Germany took the initiative and pushed Polish troops to defend themselves. On 18 April, Jan Kiwerski died, and his successor as commander of the division was Major Jan Szatkowski and then Major Tadeusz Sztumberk-Richter. During the three-week battles in the Kowla area and in the mosurian forests 350 acves died, 160 were injured, and 170 were taken prisoner. The remainder of the soldiers went to Lublin, losing 200 more soldiers under Trebejki and Jahour. In total, about 4,000 people reached their destination. In May the 27th WDP AK was again surrounded by Germans. On May 27, 1 of the 3 groups to which the commander divided the division managed to break through the front; however, losses of 120 soldiers were incurred. The combat effort of the 27th division was considerable, as evidenced by nearly 100 different battles with the opponent. Unfortunately, the increasing losses severely distorted the success of the group, which was located in the Lublin area on June 10. There too, soldiers from Volyn fought against the Germans, resisting them bravely until the end of July 1944.
TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAK TARNOPOL, STANISLAWOWSKI KA TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAK TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARCH, STANISLAWSKI KAK TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAK TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAK TARNOPOL TARCH, STANISLAWOWSKI KA TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAK TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KA TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KA TARCH, SKA TARNOPOL KA TARNOPOL TARCH, TARNOPOL KA TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARCH, STARCH, STaniSLAWOWSKI KA KA KA TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL TARNOPOL KAKA
These 3 districts were the Lviv AK Area “Lutnia”. The area was the largest structurally in all areas of the Underground State. In the spring of 1943, a strong group of soldiers of the Home Army was organized in the area of Tarnopolskie District. 222 platoons of 11,000 soldiers were built. In December of the same year, extended preparations for "Bura" were underway. The operation began as shortly as the Soviets entered Polish lands. The construction of the 12th AK Infantry Division was planned. The 51st Kresov firearm Infantry Regiment was created from Brzeżan and the 52nd Kresov firearm Infantry Regiment from Złoczów. The 54th Kresov firearm Infantry Regiment was formed in the Tarnopol area – Captain Francis Garwola took command of the group. Actions aimed at destabilising the German hinterland through a number of diversion actions. 16 trains were derailed on 7-8 March 1944, and Poles fought for Tarnopol. The city capitulated before the Soviets only on April 16. In the summer, implementation of the “Burza” plan took on pace. Unfortunately, revealing yourself to the Red Army soldiers brought a counterproductive effect, due to the fact that alternatively of cooperation between AK and RKKA Poles were disarmed, and any of them were sent to prisons and camps. Stanisławowski territory had much more hard conditions, not conducive to the improvement of the activity of this part of the Polish Underground. At the end of 1943, his forces counted only 1,000 soldiers under Colonel Jan Rogowski. Due to the implementation of the “Burza” plan, the district's forces were increased to more than 5,000 AK soldiers and 2000 civilian collaborators. Their weapons were weak, but they tried to fill the gaps. On March 10, 1944, Captain Herman gave the order to launch the “Bury”. In the face of the weak forces, Poles have confined themselves here to diversion and sabotage activities, making fewer skirmishes with Germany and protecting Polish towns from UPA. It was co-operated with the 1st Ukrainian Front Ivan Koniev, but after the disclosure of soldiers of the AK Soviets began arrests among Poles. Therefore, the territory commander ordered the re-entry to the conspiracy. The Lwowski territory deserves peculiar attention. Here the conspiracy developed from the first days after enemy units captured the city. However, it was not possible to avoid unfortunate accidents, specified as the breakdown of the territory command by Gestapo in December 1942. In March of the following year, Colonel Ludwik Czyżewski took the position of Chief of Lviv District. He rapidly organized a well-functioning partisan, with over 15,000 people already in his possession in late 1943. As part of “Burza” these soldiers were to form 5. National Army Infantry Division. On 7 July, the commander of the Lwowski Area gave a signal to launch Operation Storm. The 5th Infantry Division was established, which included 4 groups ("East", "City", "West" and "San"). In addition, 2 groups “South” and “North” were created. Just before the fighting began, the Allies made the essential drop of weapons, supplementing the shortages in supplying AK soldiers in the area. During the fight for the Lions, the AK troops fought together with the Soviets. As of July 22, they were the supplement and insurance of russian units. On July 29, the Russians demanded the dissolution of the AK troops and the laying down of arms by Poles. The Commander of the Lviv Area flew to talk to General Michał Rola-Żymierzski and was arrested. A large part of Polish soldiers were besides imprisoned. Over 2,000 people were in the russian camp in Kharkov.
POLISH PERIOD AK ‘KWADRA’
Soldiers of the Poleski territory had a peculiarly crucial diversion task to perform. The intent of their attack was to supply German units from Brest to Minsk. Unfortunately, in mid-1943 the Gestapo broke down the command of the “Kwadry” and the military capacity of the Poleski territory decreased significantly. The colonel Henryk Krajewski was then sent to rebuild the Underground State in this area. In July the 30th DP of the AK was recently formed. She fought tiny battles with German troops. At the call of the Soviets to disarm and join the Polish People's Army, Poles responded by going to Warsaw. However, it failed to scope the fighting insurgents, and the unit itself was liquidated by the Red Army. any soldiers were taken to the USSR.
AK NEWS NEWS
In the spring of 1944, Novogródź was 1 of the strongest areas operating within the Polish Underground State. In total, “Now” numbered 6,500 people in June 1944. During the implementation of the “Burza” plan, more than 1,200 people from close units were joined, including the Battalion in Nieże and the Baranowice Battalion. Already in spring, the Novogródzki territory began extended actions against Germany. A prison in Lida was broken up, Bieniakoń was seized, a number of towns were attacked, overrun by German units. An additional problem for Poles from “Nowi” was the proximity of russian guerrillas, who were ordered to disarm Polish underground soldiers on December 1, 1943. In command of the Brigade. Stalin was noted to be shot on the place in case of resistance. On the day of receiving the order, the Soviets met with Poles. A group of underground commanders were arrested and taken away. The Soviets besides hit the camp of Poles, arresting or killing further Polish guerrilla activists. Consequently, Lieutenant ‘Mountain’, commander of the Sołpecki Group, made a temporary truce with Germany, focusing on protecting his soldiers from the Soviets' hostile intentions. On 5 July 1944, the “Mountain”, after a period of hiding, decided to resume his fight with Germany and decision west. The Sołpecki Group, rebuilt at an astonishing rate, again numbered about 900 people. This unit even managed to get to Warsaw, where she fought hard alongside the insurgents.
VILLIAN PERIOD AK “WIANO”
In the area around Vilnius, the fighting of the National Army took a peculiar turn. In fact, the main presumption of Poles was the acquisition of the city, which for centuries became the centre of Polishness in Lithuania – the centre of Polish culture and art. As the Soviets were approaching Vilnius, the AK Command developed a plan for Operation Sharp Gate, the main presumption of which was the liberation of Vilnius before Red Army soldiers entered. Next to the forces of the Vilnius district, the storm group included troops of the Nowogrodzki district. Meanwhile, Vilnius was powerfully strengthened by the Germans, which was the consequence of Hitler's peculiar order, which did not intend to quit the city without a fight. The commander of the Vilnius territory AK colonel Aleksander Krzyżanowski ps. “Wilk” on 2 July 1944 began the action “Burza” in his revue. On 7 July, on the news of russian troops approaching, he ordered an attack on the city, though he could not gather the essential forces to do so. A full of 2 combat groups of 4,000 AK soldiers supported by 2 anti-tank guns were created.
Meals arrived during the battle, reaching a full of nearly 15,000 AK soldiers from both mentioned districts. Meanwhile, there were respective 1000 German soldiers in the city with excellent artillery equipment and tanks. Polish forces were besides weak to deal with the garrison. In the evening, Red Army troops approached Vilnius. shortly the storm launched the 5th army of Gen. Krylov.
A fewer twelve 1000 russian soldiers started fighting for the city. The support was given by Poles from the Home Army, establishing with russian command the competences of both parties. As a result, on 13 July, after dense street fights and the demolition of a large part of the city, Vilnius was liberated. The losses of the Polish side were estimated at respective 100 killed, wounded and missing. 3 days after the end of the battle, the NKVD began mass internment of Poles. It was no usage fighting side by side with the Soviets. Krzyżanowski even had talks with the Soviets, seeking an agreement. As it turned out, it was no usage to agree on both sides, as on 17 July the Polish delegation was arrested at a gathering with russian envoys. After the war, “Wolf” was imprisoned in the russian Union. erstwhile he returned to the country, he was re-retired, this time by the safety Office. The destiny of another Home Army soldiers was besides sad. During “Burza” as many as 5,000 of them were captured by a russian ally. any of them were interned at the camp in Miedniki, any of them were taken inside the russian Union. Many of them were never to return to their homeland.
THE BALOSTOCIA circular OF THE ‘FULLE’
According to the plans of the shares “Burza” “Fully” was to recreate the 18th and 29th DP AK, over which the command was yet taken over by Col. Jan Stencel and Col. Vincent Stewny. By orders of the AK commander of 14 June and 1 July 1944, the Białostocki territory began “Burza” in Suwałszczyń and Podlasie. Previously, guerrilla troops have made a number of actions, especially in the Suwałk area. Thanks to excellent conditions, the Białostocki territory could full make guerrilla activity. Terrain and afforestation provided considerable opportunities for diversion and sabotage activities. A fewer troops began to cooperate with the Soviets, but the majority preferred to stay hidden, surmising the final of their cooperation with the Red Army. Despite preventive action, it was not possible to save all the arks, as a large number of Russian troops disarmed. Those who remained in the conspiracy continued the fight. any troops appeared against Germans burning and storming Białystok. A large number of skirmishes were fought in the Augustów Oblast, and Poles captured the weapons needed for further combat. Captain Mieczysław Ostrowski's troops besides marked themselves on the battlefield, breaking up the German column on the Sejna-August trail.
LUBLE PERIOD ‘JYTH’
The Lublin AK territory distinguished itself in battles fought during the action “Burza”. During this period, Colonel Kazimierz Tumidajski ps. “Marcin” was the commander of the district. The organization of the Home Army in these areas continued continuously, but the peculiar activation of the Polish Underground took place here in 1943 and in early 1944. Restoration of armed forces in the Lublin territory was a substance of building a number of units, including 3rd DPLeg. AK colonel Adam Świtalski, 9th Podlasie DP AK Brig. Gen. Louis Bittner (acted in Podlasie, in the Warsaw Area). In addition, the power of the “Life” was strengthened by the 27th WDP mentioned. In total, however, 12 1000 soldiers were mobilized in the Lublin Area for “Burzy”. In total, from 1 February to 31 May 1944, the National Army performed 300 military actions in Lublin.
Lublin and Dęblin – cities crucial from a strategical point of view – became peculiar points of combat. In Dęblin, which is worth highlighting, was a large-scale military airport. As the activities of the Lublin territory included Polish indigenous territories, the task assigned by the Home Army office to Tumidajski was special.
The National Army was not only to facilitate the march of russian units, but besides to prepare for an armed revolt against the German occupier. On 14 July 1944, an order was issued to implement the “Burza” plan. On July 21, the AK Battalion of the Tomaszów Lubelski Oblast captured Bełżec, facilitating the march to the Soviets. On the same day, there were inactive fights against Germany at Dęblin, Stytnica and Brest. On July 25, Lieutenant Adam Piotrowski's company entered the abandoned by occupier Zamość. However, the main task of the Home Army in the area of the Żyto territory was to master Lublin itself before the Red Army soldiers did. Germany carefully prepared to defend the city, expanding its external and interior defences. On 22 July, at the time of the Soviet-German conflict of Lublin, the AK units entered into operation. Despite this, the burden of action rested on the shoulders of the RKK soldiers, and it should be attributed to them the success of winning the city on July 24. On 26 July there was a paradoxical situation, as on the 1 hand, the legal centres of power of the Underground State were functioning in Lublin, favoring the Government in London, and on the another hand, communists with PKWN were installed here. On 28 July, Major Trufanov ordered all Polish units located in the city to surrender their weapons. Worse and older weapons were passed, after which Poles decided to extract better weapons from hiding and fight still, but outside the city. Unfortunately, the Soviets were active, eliminating further Polish units. On July 27, the 27th WDP AK was forced to lay down weapons against the Soviets. A akin destiny was met by the 9th DP AK and the 30th Poleska DP AK in mid-August. Additionally, the territory commander and officers of the territory staff and the AK City office were arrested by the NKWD and transported to Kharkiv. The balance of AK's fighting in Lublin is 200 combat actions, the elimination of 2,000 Germans, respective twelve tanks and combat vehicles.
The effect of the action “Burza” was most likely not desirable by its organizers. Poles expected independence, which would let self-determination about the freedom of the Republic. The liberation of Polish lands from the German occupier before the Soviets did this was not only a prestigious matter, but besides an highly crucial issue for the London centre of power. Prolondian circles in the occupied homeland may have led to the collapse of the communist front and allowed the power to be taken over in post-war Poland by the authorities that held this power during planet War II. Unfortunately, the National Army units were incapable to defy not only the retreating Germans but besides the Red Army soldiers entering Poland, who, as recommended by Stalin of 30 July, disarmed members of the Polish Underground. Many of those who decided to fight under the “Burza” action died, any were imprisoned, others sent into the russian Union from where they most frequently did not return. At least 30,000 people have just met that fate. So how easy it is to calculate among the 120 000 participants of the "Burza" until a 4th was defeated by the then ally. An ally who alternatively of helping, killed and imprisoned, and alternatively of building, destroyed what remained of the structures of the Polish state. Moreover, the Soviets besides took part in the legal representation of the Polish Underground authorities by kidnapping sixteen Polish leaders. Among them was, for example, the erstwhile chief commander of the AK Leopold Okulicki. Western governments were very slow to intervene in the case of Poles imprisoned by Soviets and accused of subversive activity against the Red Army liberating Poland. The storm action so failed.
Despite the liberation of respective cities in cooperation with the russian side, Poles did not have long-term successes and could not welcome the ally as host of liberated lands. besides the action taken in Warsaw was not successful. The Warsaw Uprising collapsed against a large advantage of the enemy, who had more equipment and better equipment. Meanwhile, the Soviets stood on the right bank of the Vistula River, looking at the drama of Warsaw. Their moves, full of aggression and hatred towards the Polish nation, announced the future course towards the Republic.
The communistization of society and the introduction of mass panic in practice replaced the German business with another occupation, this time Soviet. Soldiers of the National Army awaited the sad destiny of political prisoners and military prisoners, although they actually fought side by side with the Soviets against the common enemy of the 3rd Reich. In the face of slanderous, propaganda accusations of Moscow about the collaboration of the AK with Germany, Poles were powerless. The fresh occupier dictated conditions from the position of force.
Documents, sources, quotations:
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