Just before the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, at night from 25 to 26 July 1944, the British aircraft took elements of the German V-2 rocket captured by the Polish opposition and information about this ballistic rocket from occupied Poland to the West. Operation “Most III” was 1 of the most celebrated actions organized by the Polish Underground State.
There were 23 minutes after midnight on July 26, 1944, erstwhile the Allied Dakota KG-477 "V" aircraft of the 267th RAF Squadron with the Polish-British crew landed on the underground “Motyl” landing ground close the village of Wal Ruda, respective kilometres from Tarnow. Operation "Most III" was ongoing, 1 of the connecting flights connected with landing in occupied Poland. They were organized by Branch VI (Special) of the Chief of Staff in agreement with the British peculiar Operations Executive (SOE). In 1944, 3 specified operations were carried out under the code name “Most”. The first took place on the night of 15th to 16th April in Lublin Voivodeship, the second besides on the night of 29th to 30th May at the "Motyl" landing site, and the 3rd on 25th to 26th July at the same place.
– Thanks to the control of the Allies from Italy, flights from the airport close Brindisi were possible, whose way to Poland was much shorter and safer than the flight from England – says Dr. Tadeusz Kaliski, historian investigating past Polish Underground State. Douglas C-47, known as Dakota, was specially prepared for these missions, equipped with additional fuel tanks. More than 200 people were assigned to insurance for the "Motyl" landing site, as there were, among others, a branch of the German gendarmerie, serving the Luftwaffe company's half-airfield and anti-aircraft guns battery.
On board Dakota, envoys of the Polish government came to the country in exile, including Zdzisław Jeziorański “Zych” (Jan Nowak-Jezioranski), the emissary of the government and the chief chieftain, and the silencers: Captain Kazimierz Bilski “Rum”, Lieutenant Leszek Starzyński “Malewa” and Major Bogusław Wolniak “Mięta”. They besides brought message and parcels. 5 passengers were to fly to London, including political envoys: Tomasz Arciszewski "Stanisław", the leader of PPS appointed by the underground Council of National Unity to win the president of Poland, Józef Retinger "Salamander", the emissary of the Government in the West and Tadeusz Chciuk "Mark Celt", an emigration government envoy to the authorities of the Underground Poland.
Dakota owned by the 267th RAF Squadron. Fig. FLT.Lt. L.H. Abbott, Royal Air Force/ Wikipedia
Two military men besides flew to the West: Lieutenant Czesław Miciński and Captain Jerzy Chmielewski "Rafal", an intelligence officer of the Home Army. – The most crucial thing was what “Rafal” was carrying with him both in his head, in plans and documents, as well as in respective large bags – Tadeusz Chciuk mentioned in 1979 in the programme of Polish Radio Free Europe. The main intent of the operation was to shift part of the detonation to Britain German ballistic rocket V2 intercepted by the Polish underground and documentation, plans and descriptions of this secret weapon of Hitler developed by Polish scientists. These materials were under the care of the Reefer.
After 5 minutes after landing, the aircraft was unloaded and reloaded. However, it turned out that the device could not decision due to the fact that its wheels were stuck in wet ground. 3 attempts to launch failed, despite taking all the cargo from inside. It's even been considered blowing up Dakota. “ Fortunately, Germany, although they had to hear the sound of engines trying to take off, did not take any steps,” says the historian.
The Partisans have decided to make a final attempt. They dug groove machines under the wheels and planted boards and hay beams. It worked this time. The plane picked up momentum and got off the ground. "A twelve more minutes and abruptly everyone leaves the plane. Apparently, the crew will effort for the 3rd time. Indeed, the bikes were growling again and the plane yet rose into the air" – described Jan Nowak-Jezioranski in his book “Kurier from Warsaw”.
The stay on the ground lasted 65 minutes alternatively of six. In Italy, Dakota landed at 5.43 in the morning, and the full action lasted 10 hours and 15 minutes. 1 of the most reckless AK missions was a success. – Poles provided the Allied with documentation that allowed to find the construction and operation of V2 rockets which Germans attacked large Britain – emphasised Dr Kaliski. German factories building these weapons were besides identified, which were then bombed by the Allied.
