Warsaw Uprising 1944 Polish Diary

This diary is translated from Polish. It's the Command diary from the Polish perspective and was purchased by a Polish girl who recently went back to Warsaw and bought me something from the Uprising Museum. I have used the Google translator and present it to you day by day for your interest and invite comments from members.


1944…....... JULY.......minus 5 days
About East 5.03 West 20.52. 17°C... Heavy cloud cover, local rain, water level in Vistula River 123cm.

Thursday 27th..... Julia Natalia...(Julii Natalii)

Germany is in a panic......

The previously evacuated German police and SS units return to the city. The offices are starting to function.
The Red Army seizes Garwolin and begins preparation for crossing to the western bank of the Vistula River near Magnuszew. German motorised units are arriving in the region of Modlin and Mlocin. Armoured reinforcementS are grouped at Skierniewice and Zyrardowice.

10:00 hrs: The Home Army Headquarters check-ins begin in full scale. Opinions about fighting in the capital are divided.
In agreement with the government plenipotentiary, the commander of the Home Army, General Taduesz Komorowski, "Bor", decides that the fight for Warsaw will begin in the next few days.
The date of the outbreak of the Uprising depends on the situation at the front and the behaviour of the Germans.
Around noon, the Commander of the Warsaw districts, Colonel dipl. Antoni Chrusciel " Monter" hold the last briefing with the district commanders and close staff.

At around 1700, German authorities announce through loudspeakers a call to appear- for a period of ten days - 100,000 inhabitants of Warsaw aged 17-65 to fortifications works on the Vistula River.

1900: in view of the situation, "Monter", without agreement with main headquarters, gives the order to mobilize.

***Translators Notes...
"Bor" - Boron.
"Monter" - Fitter

 

1944....... JULY.......minus 4 days.
About East. 5.05 West 20.50, air temp 20° C, Medium cloudiness, water level in the Vistula 122cm

Friday 28th.... Wiktor Innocent..(Wiktora Innocentago)

Early in the morning the order of "Monter" reaches the units. The mobilization campaign runs quickly and efficiently. After several hours, thousands of people are waiting in all parts of the city for the "W" hour to be set and the order to strike.
The people of the capital boycott the German call for construction of fortifications.
There is a mood of uncertainty and expectation.
In the afternoon, due to a lack of reaction from the Germans,, Home Army Headquarters decides to postpone the Uprising and call off the emergency units.

At 1600, ordered by "Monter", the emergency situation is called off and the departments return to the status of "stand-by".

 

1944....... JULY.......minus 3 days.
About East 5.07 West 20.49 . Air temp 21° C, Medium cloudiness. Vistula water level 126cm.

Saturday 29th....Marty Ludmily..(Marty Ludmily)

The dissolution of the German civil and military apparatus remains complete. The German army mines the Poniatowski and Kierbedz bridges and strengthens the abutments.
The streets are crowded with more and more police and army patrols.
Gen "Bor" Komorowski decides that the Uprising will break out at 1700.
"Monter" reports that 12 hours is enough for remobilization.

*** Translators notes...
*PONIATOWSKI BRIDGE:
Named for Prince Jozef Antoni Poniatowski, Polish general, Minister of War and Army chief, he was one of 50 men appointed as Marshal of the French Empire by Napoleon Bonaparte. In the 1794 Kosciusko Uprising he took command of the defence of Warsaw. Nicknamed "The Polish Bayard"

*KIERBEDZ BRIDGE:
Designed by Polish engineer Stanislaw Kierbedz, opened November 22 1864. This bridge was the first steel constructed bridge to be erected over the Vistula River.

 

1944…... JULY... minus 2 days.
About East 5.08 West 20.47. Air temp 23°C, sunny, Vistula level 125cm.

Sunday 30th.... Peter Leopold...(Piotra Leopolda)

Units of the Soviet Corps. reach outskirts of Praga, in the area of Radzymin, Wolomin and Okuniewo. In Srodmiecie, the so far underground Polish press appears for the first time for an open street distribution. The city has a relaxed atmosphere despite the fact that the streets are filled with pedestrian and motorized German police and troops.
Prime Minister Mikolajcyk arrives in Moscow for talks with Stalin.

 

1944.... JULY.....minus 1 day....
About East 5.10 West 20.45. Avg. air temp 19°C. Moderate cloudiness, local rains, Vistula level 124 cm.

Monday 31st.....Helena Ignacy...( Heleny Ignacego)

Lt. General Reiner Stahel, appointed by Hitler as military commander of the Warsaw garrison arrives in the capital. He has orders to defend against a possible uprising with all available forces and means of combat.

The morning briefing of the Home Army Headquarters ends with a decision that the fight will NOT take place on August 1st.
During the afternoon staff briefing an assessment of the situation is made in connection with information about the capture of the commander of the 73rd German division defending the suburbs and about movements of Soviet troops encircling Warsaw.
A report from Col. dipl. Kazimierz Iranek-Osmee " Heller" about the transfer of the German armoured division "Herman Goering" to Praga is tabled.
At approximately 17:30, "Monter" arrives at the conference with reports of the Red Army entering Praga. After analyzation of the situation, General "Bor", in with the presence and consent of the Polish Government Delegate to Poland, Dep. Prime Minister Jan Stanislaw Jankowski, "Sobol" (Sable), he gives the order to "Monter" to activate the armed forces in Warsaw the next day at 1700.
The encrypted order about the outbreak is ready at 20.00. It does not reach the units that day due to the curfew. The mobilization of the insurgent forces concerns 40-45 thousand people organised into 8 districts subordinate to Warsaw District Headquarters of the Home Army and in separate departments. The district's retain their previous numbers.
( ***Translators note....the encrypted orders all have XX in front of their number. So District I will be XXI, district II will be XXII etc. etc. Names with quotation marks are code names, and translations are in parantheses. If there is no translation it's probably just a name.)

I. Srodmiecie....Lt. Col. Edward Pfieffer "Radwan"
II. Zoliborz........Lt. Col Mieczyslaw "Zywiciel" (Host)
III. Wola............Maj. Jan Tarnowski "Waligora"
(Valigor)
IV. Ochata.........Lt. Col Mieczyslaw Sokolowski "Gryzmala".( Plays)
V. Molotov.........Lt. Col Aleksander Hrykiewicz, "Przegonia" (Disappointment)
VI. Praga...........Lt. Col Antoni Zurawski, " Bober".
VII. County........Maj Kazimierz Krzyzak, "Bronislaw".
VIII. Okecie.......Maj. Stanislaw Babiarz "Wysocki", "Gniewosz".(Anger)


(***Translators notes
*In actuality, Stahel was a Luftwaffe officer. He served in the Army in the Great war, but between the wars he was in the Aviation Ministry after years spent in Finland.
Stahler commanded Flak regiments as a Luftwaffe officer. He also commanded a battlegroup at Stalingrad, and was commander of the 4th Luftwaffe Field Division. In 1943 he was back with Flak command at the Straits of Messina. But he came to Hitler's attention with his Defence of Vilna.
With an Iron Cross 1st class from the Great War, a second class Iron Cross in 1941, and a Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and swords, Stahler must have viewed his job at Warsaw as an easier role.

But as we shall see, it wasn't to be.

*It is interesting to speculate just which commander of the 73rd Infantry Division was captured by the Polish. Gen. Lt. Dr. Friedrich Franek was appointed commander on June 26th 1944, but he was captured by the Soviets after the 73rd was destroyed fighting the Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army at Garwolin.
Major General Kurt Haehling is listed as commander of the 73rd from July 30th 1944, only appointed the previous day to this diary entry. But he was captured by the Soviets at the Courland Pocket.
The only other candidate is Major General Johannes Netwig, appointed on 1st of February 1944. But Netwig is not listed as a prisoner, so it's still in doubt as to exactly which commander they had.

*Also, the appearance of the "Herman Goring" division was noted simply because it's route towards its concentration area east of the Vistula was right through Warsaw city. This division participated in the German encirclement of a Soviet tank corps at Wolomin. The lack of communication between Polish intelligence and the Soviets is no doubt why the Soviets were caught napping by the concentration of German units for the counterattack. The diary reports Soviet troops in the outer Praga region, but they were only recon units, and the rest of the corps was out in front of the other units of Rokossovsky's 1st Belorussian Front. After Radzymin/Wolomin, the Soviets changed plans completely, using the defeat at Radzymin as their postwar propaganda excuse for changing their direction of advance away from Warsaw city itself and sending units meant for Warsaw to Wyszkow and the Liwiec River line instead. Records are still locked away)

 

1944...... AUGUST.......W Day 1....
About East 5.11 West 20.44. Air temp 18°C. Heavy cloud cover. Vistula level 125cm.

Tuesday 1st...Peter Juliana...(Piotra Juliana)

0700:
Emergency liaison officers receive an order from the Commander of the Warsaw Districts of the Home Army Lt. Col. "Monter" about setting the "W" hour for August 1st, 1700 hours. Mobilization encounters difficulties in the form of lack of weapons, time to extract them, and collect platoons.

Hour "W":
The Uprising, initially in some districts, starts even before the "W" hour - at the earliest around 1400 in Zoliborz and northern Srodmiecie, and in Wola 1600.
Approximately 30,000*people are joining the fight.
The state of armament of the insurgents is tragic** - only about 10% of the combatants have weapons.
There is a standing German garrison of about 20,000, fully armed men, half of them are regular troops. Germany also has armoured frontline units concentrated on both banks of the Vistula River.

Staff of the Warsaw District of the Home Army with "Monter" moves to the "Victoria" hotel, captured by insurgents on Jasnej (Bright) street.

The German garrison repels the assault of the insurgents. Of the most important buildings in the city they capture food and uniform warehouses in the Stawki area, and the barracks in the building of St. Kingas at Okopowa street, the Military Geographic Institute on Jerozolimskie Avenue, the building of the Municipal Works Communication on the corner of Marzalkowska and Swietokrysta streets, the tallest building in the city, the Prudential at Napoleon Square and the building of the Railway Directorate at the intersection of Targowa and Wilenska streets in Praga.
More space free from the enemy is only captured in the Old Town.
The Uprising is a series of seperate foci of battles, seperated by enemy forces.
In German hands remain important military facilities
such as bridges over the Vistula, stations, airports and German barracks buildings.
Lack of communication is the principle reason why several thousand insurgents from Zoliborz, Wola, Ochota and Mokotow head for nearby Forrest's.
The civilian population spontaneously joins the Uprising, providing assistance to the fighters in building fortifications and barricades, supplying food etc.

According to the evidence of Warsaw General Riener Stahler, casualties on 1st of August are 2,000 Polish soldiers and 500 Germans.

(***Translators notes...
* Numbers of Polish fighters present for action seems to vary.
According to Tadeusz Kondraki, (polishresistance -ak.org) there were up to 50,000 Home Army fighters on August 1st present.
** Kondraki lists their weapons available as...
1000 rifles.
300 automatic pistols.
60 sub-machine guns.
7 machine guns.
35 anti-tank guns and PIAT bazookas
25,000 grenades.
Kondraki states that workshops during the course of the Uprising produced...
300 automatic pistols
150 flamethrowers
40,000 grenades.
"A number" of mortars and bazookas.
1 armoured car.

JEROZOLIMSKIE AVENUE ( Jerusalem Avenue)
Named for the village erected in 1774 of the same name by Prince & Marshal August Sulkoski for Jewish settlers in Marovia,( region of Poland between Lodz and Bialystok of which Warsaw is the unofficial capital). Settlers moved into the city but the name of the road leading from the village to the city stuck.

ZOLIBORZ:
Former Piarist Monetary area. One of the villages set up in their field when parceling up was called Joli Bord, (in French, "beautiful embankment") and transcribed into Polish as Zoliborz. Area confiscated by the Russians in 1831. They erected the Citadel there.

MARZALKOWSKA STREET
Established by Grand Marshal of the Crown Franciek Beilinski. Opened in 1757. Links with Bank Square and Union Lebelskiej Square. When opened it was much shorter, running from Krowlewska street to Widok street.

WOLA (Will) AREA -
Formerly a village called Wielka. Became part of Warsaw borough in 1916. Former industrial area, it became commercial and residential. Site of elections of Polish kings by the "schlachta"( nobility) 1573-1764.

OCHATA (Willingness) AREA -
Divided into four sub districts. Filter, Rakowiec, Szczesliwice and Stara Ochota.

MOKOTOW AREA:
From the 1367 village of Mokotowo. Incorporated into Warsaw city in 1916. Village originally owned by aa man called Mokoto or Mokat.

 

1944..... AUGUST......Day 2......
About East 5.13 West 20.47. Air temp 18°C. Overcast, rain, Vistula 130cm.

Wednesday 2nd..... Eusebius Gustav...(Euzebiusza Gustawa)

Approximately 9am, a radio station at Kamler Factory on the corner of Okapowa and Dzielna streets in Wola district begins to operate. AK Main Command HQ sends a series of messages to London reporting the outbreak of the Uprising and the hard struggle.. He calls for help.
Insurgents take over the Old Town completely. They acquire a key facility in this part of the city, Polska Wytwornie Paperiow Wartoscioych ( Polish Security Printing Works) at Sanguszko street.
In the northern Srodmiecie, the Insurgents gain more important points of German resistance, including the Main Post Office at Napoleon Square and the Arbeitsamt building ( Employment Exchange) at Malackowski Square. The first hours of the fighting are chaotic in the Southern city centre.. Insurgents seize buildings of the Power Plant in Powisle and the building of the Social Insurance Institute in Czerniakow.
In Zoliborz, Insurgents fail to take control of key German positions. On the night of August 1 and 2, the district commander withdraws to the Kampinos forest. At dawn units of the VIII region, VII Obroza district under the command of CPT Jozef Krzyczkowski, "Symon", conduct an unsuccessful attack on Bielmy airport.
In Wola the enemy tries to push back the Insurgents and enter the city from the west and from Powazaki cemetery. Insurgent resistance is effective.
"Zoska" Battalion soldiers manage to capture 2 Panther tanks.
In Ochata on the night of August 1 and 2 due to the impossibility of taking control of the district and establishing contact with Wola and Srodmiecie areas, Lt Col Mieczyslaw Sokolowski "Gryzmala", leads a large number of troops to nearby forests. Some that turn up in the morning pay with heavy losses fighting at Pecice. Units that haven't left the district carry out security patrols.
In Mokotow on the night of August 1 and 2, district V units retreat to the Kabacki forest. Insurgents gain amongst others a school at Woronicza street acquiring a lot of weapons and ammunition.
In Praga, Insurgents are pushed out of the Railway Directorate building at the intersection of Wilenska and Targowa streets.

Krystyna Krahelska, nurse "Danuta" in the "Jelen"
(Deer) unit seriously injured in the "W" hour, dies in a field hospital. The performer of the popular song "Hey Boys!, Bayonet For A Gun!", she is immortalized as "The Warsaw Siren".

 

1944..... August.....Day 3....
About East 5.15 West 20.41 Temp 17°C. Cloudy. Drizzle I the morning. Vistula 137cm.

Thursday 3rd..... Lydia Nicodemus...(Lidii Nikodema)

The RONA Brigade (Russkaya Oswobodi tielnaja Narodnaya Army) ( in English Russian National Liberation Army) under the command of renegade SS General Bronislaw Kaminski, arrives at Okecie.
In Ochata, Srodmiecie and Wola areas, the enemy use civilians as human shields, shielding the attack of German tanks against the fire from insurgents. Enemy troops set fire to houses and murder civilians mainly in Wola, Mokotow and Ochata.
In Srodmiecie, insurgents attempt to seize locations of strategic importance; the Postal Station in Jerozolimckie Avenue at Zelazna junction, the Tourist House at Starynkiewicka Square, the post of German police "Nordwache" (Northguard) at the intersection of Choldna and Zelazna streets. Insurgents occupy the Arsenal at Dluga street and the Motokowski Palace. At the order of the District Commander, units of Lt. Col Mieczyslaw Niedzielski, "Zywiciel" return to Zoliborz.
In Wola there is strong hostile pressure. Around 8pm the Luftwaffe makes the first raids on Wola and the city. Having no hope of taking the district, the decision is to stop the fighting. Insurgents return to the underground. In mid August some of them get to the left bank of the Vistula: in Sielka, Sadyba and Kampinos forest.

Jozef Szczepanski, from the "Parasol" (Umbrella) Battalion writes the lyrics of the song "Palacyk Michla" ( Michla's Palace)

 

1944.... August......Day 4....
East 5.16 West 20.39. Temp 17°C. Local rains, cloudy, clear light in the evening. Vistula 123cm.

Friday 4th.....John Dominik...(Jana Dominika)

Heavy fighting at Jerozolimskie Avenue. From the morning the German units of the 19th Armoured division break through from the Poniatowski bridge towards Grojecka. On the night of August 3 and 4, insurgents sieze the ground floor of the PAST building at Zielna street. After a fierce fight, insurgents leave the building at dawn.
To the east of Krakowskie street in Przedmiescie street, which was occupied by the Germans, the Krybar Group strengthens it's positions.
Branches of Lt. Jan Mazurkiewicz, "Radoslaw", attack the ruins of the Ghetto without success.
In southern Srodmiecie, insurgents carry out a successful night assault on the "Soldatenheim" in the Queen Jadwiga Gymnasium.
The Headquarters of the Home Army District moves from the demolished Victoria Hotel to the PKO Building on the corner of Swietokryka and Jasna streets.
Troops of Cpt. Jozef Krzyczkowski, "Symon", fail in the Izabelin, Sierkow and Truskawia streets. Insurgent positions strengthening in Zoliborz.
Branches of Lt Mieczyslaw Niedzielski "Zywiciel", seize the area between Wilson and Inwalidow squares, and at Wojska Polskiego Avenue
In Wola, the enemy continues their attacks on the barricades of Wolska and Gorczewcka streets. German planes hinder the defence by supporting infantry activity.
Heinrich Himmler sends relief under the command of Police General Heinrich Reinefarth and the commander of the SS Brigade, Oskar Dirlewanger, deploying their troops in the western side of Wola. The RONA Brigade of General Kaminski passes from Okecie to Ochata, starting cruel murders, rapes, looting and arson. The resistance of small units continues.
Bloody fighting in Mokotow takes place. The Germans murder about 200 people in the area of Olesinka street.

In the Blanka Palace, the poet- Cadet Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski is killed. Krys was a soldier of the "Parasol" (Umbrella) Battalion.

 

1944.... August..Day 5.
West 5.18 West 20.37. Temp 16°C. Sunny. Vistula 163cm.

Saturday 5th....Marian Oswald's...(Mariana Oswalda)

After 1am, the first airdrops announced the previous day by radio take place at night. 3 British planes drop their loads in the area of the cemeteries, Wolski Hospital and Fort Bem.
At approximately 7am a powerful attack by Reinefarth and Dirlewanger brigades starts, aimed at breaking through to the Saski Gardens and securing passage west to east- from Wola to Kierbedz Bridge.

"Czarna Sobota" ("Black Saturday") in Wola-
Mass slaughter of the civilian population begins and about 40,000 people fall victim to it in the following days. Only a few escape towards the areas of Wola.
17 Battalion "Zoska" captures the "Konzentrationslager Warshau", a camp at Gesia street freeing the Jews imprisoned there. 324 men and 24 women from various European countries.
In Ochata, two insurgent redoubts are isolated from one another - Monopol and Tyroniowy at Kaliska street ( "Redoubt Kaliska"), under the command of 2nd Lt Andrzej Chyczewskii, "Gustav", and Wawleska 60, ("Redoubt Wawleska") under the command of 2nd Lt. Jerzy Golembiowski, "Stach", defend access to the important thoroughfare: Jerusalem Avenue and Poniatowski Bridge. No more than 300 insurgents defend their position against the overwhelming strength of the RONA Brigade. Antoni Chrusciel, "Monter", organises insurgent troops. 3 combat centres are established: Srodmiecie, Poludnie and Praga-Polnoc.
The District Delegate of the Government of the Republic of Poland to the capital city of Warsaw, Marcel Porowski, "Sowa" (Owl), takes over full civil authority in the city as it's receivership president.

At about 7pm, SS and Police General Erich von dem Bach Zelewski, appointed by Himmler, arrives in Warsaw as new Commander In Chief of the German forces fighting the Uprising.

 

1944... August...Day 6...
About East 5.19 West 20.35. Temp. 18°C. Sunny. Vistula 163cm.

Sunday 6th...... Fame Jacob...(Slawy Jakuba)

On the night of 5-6 August the previously isolated Mokotow regains communication through the sewers with Srodmiecie. The commander of the Registration Depot at Jerozolimskie Avenue is Elzbieta Ostrawska, "Ela".
At 6 am, General Reinefarth's units attack the cemeteries. The Germans displace insurgents from them, but soon after, units of the "Radoslaw" group recapture them in a swift counterattack. They recapture the Evangelical and Kalwinian cemeteries.

"Bor" Komorowski decides to evacuate the Home Army Headquarters and the delagation from their current location in Kamler's factory in Wola-. They move towards the Old Town. The new HQ is now located in the school at Barakowa street No.6
Dirlewanger's troops, simultaneously with the attack on Wola district launch an assault along the Choldna- Elektoralna line toward Zelazna-Brama. In the afternoon, the German relief makes its way to Saski Gardens. It joins Stahel's group, who have been cut off in the Bruhl Palace from the beginning of the Uprising.
In the absence of weapons and ammunition, the 11 th group of Cpt. Gustaw Billewicz, "Sosny" (Pines) withdraws from the brewery area at Grzybowska street to the Court building in Leszno street. From there in the following days it moves to the Old Town.

After heavy fighting in Wola district, units under the command of Cpt.Wac lava Stykowskiego, "Hala"( Hall) retreat to Srodmiecie. They occupy, among others, buildings of Haberbusch and Shiele at
Ceglana street.
Thanks to large stocks of barley, the brewery warehouses are becoming a huge granary for insurgents and the starving population.
The division of the fighting in the city into three parts is established. The North group covers the area of the cemeteries, Stare Miastro (Old Town), Zoliborz and Kampinos forest. Srodmiecie is connected with Powisle and Czerniakowo streets. The Poludnie group includes Mokotow and Sabdya as well as Kabackie and Chojnowskie forests.
In Powisle, power plant employees continuously generate electricity for the fighting city and at the same time defend their position on the Kosciusko Coast.
The Scout Field Mail headed by 2nd Lt. hm. Przemyslaw Gonecki, " Kuropatwa" (Partridge) begins to operate in the city center.

On the premises of the rolling stock repair workshops the Germans set up Dulag 121, a transit camp for civilians evacuated from the capital. Over half a million Varsovians, (Polish term for Warsaw residents) will pass through it.

 

1944... August...Day 7.
East 5.21 West 20.23. Temp. 19°C. Sunny. Vistula 173 cm.

Monday 7th....... Dorothy Sixtus...(Doroty Sykstusa)

In Wola, General Rienefarth has been continuing his attack since dawn. His troops are pushing insurgents out of the area of Choldna and Ogrodowa streets, Mirowski Square, Mirowskie Hall and Zelaznej Bramy Square. The Germans rule completely on the Wolska-Choldna-Saski Garden line.. They cut off the Old Town and cemeteries from Srodmiecie.
In the vicinity of Choldna and Elektoralna streets the Germans murder the population en masse. They create "living barricades" from the inhabitants of Warsaw. In the afternoon, the Polish counterattack on Mirowski Square, organised by Maj.Stanislaw Steczkowski, "Zagonczyk", begins.
In the evening, insurgents under pressure from overwhelming enemy forces are pushed back to Grzybowska street and Grzybowski Square.
Colonel Karol Ziemski, "Wachnowski", unable to get to Zoliborz, organises the defence of the Old Town as commander of the Northern Group.
In Ochata, RONA Brigade units move east. The cruel pacification of the district continues.
The construction of the excavation and barricade covering the passage of Jerozolimskie Avenue from north to south, that is from house No. 20 to house No. 17, continues. This crossing, to the last day of the Uprising ensures communication between troops from both parts of Srodmiecie.
It is an escape route for civilians.

 

1944... August....Day 8.
East 5.23 West 20.31. Temp 20°C. Sunny. Vistula 180cm.

Tuesday 8th......Dominic Cyprian...(Dominika Cypriana)

From the morning the enemy attacks from many sides on the Old Town- Tlomackie, Bielanska, through the theatre square to the Town Hall, and from Fisherman street.
By evening German troops retreat back to their starting positions. In Srodmiecie, insurgents from "Chobry II" occupy the building of the Water and Sewage Directorate at Starynkiewicz Square.
Reinefarth's troops attack the cemeteries.
In Ochata, the situation becomes more critical hour by hour. In "Redoubt Wawelska", insurgents dig from the cellars to the canal network to have an avenue for retreat.
In Kampi Moza, Lt. Adolf Pilch, "Dolina" (Valley) is organising the "Palmiry Mlociny" (Dandelion Palm Tree) Regiment. It will consist of units from the Nala Boka Forest and from the VIII region of the VII Obroza district and neighbouring regions.
Cpt. Jozef Krzyczkowski "Symon", commander of the Home Army forces in Kampinos, withdraws them to the west, to Janowek-Brzozowka-Roztoka streets fearing that his units will be cut off.
The insurgent radio station "Blyskawica", (Lightning) broadcasts the first program from the PKO Building on the corner of Jasna and Swietokrzyska streets

 

1944... August...Day 9....
East 5.24 West 20.30. 17°C. Sunny, cloudy in the evening. Vistula 123cm.

Wednesday 9th.....Roman Ryszard....(Romana Ryszarda)

In Srodmiecie, broadcasts begin from Polish Radio, from the premises at Debrowskiego Square
In Srodmiecie and Powisle insurgents successfully repel attacks.
In the Old Town, it is possible to stop attacks from the Kierbedz Bridge through the Castle Square. Town Hall and Miodowa street are under heavy enemy fire. In the afternoon, the Luftwaffe bombs the Old Town Square.
The staff of the North Group are activated with all their services.
Units of Gustav Billewicz "Sosna" (Pine) are trying to destroy an armoured train that is firing at the station from Gdansk Railway Station.
The troops of Lt. Col Jan Mazurkiewicz, "Radoslava", still maintain the area of the cemeteries, protecting the Old Town.
In Ochata, the insurgents must leave the burning buildings of the Kaliska Redoubt. That night the unit of 2nd Lt. Andrej. Chyczewski "Gustaw", with a strength of about 90 people, moves to the Chojnowskie forests.
The enemy assault on the Wawel Redoubt is in progress.
In Mokotow, the "Basta" (Enough) Regiment occupies an area limited by the following streets; Pulawska, Szustra, Niepoldlegosci Avenue and Woronicz.
Insurgent troops in Dolny street, Mokotow, still hold positions in the area of Maczna, Preyzemslowa, Rozbrat, Szwolezerow and Podchorazych streets.

In Moscow, Stalin explains to Prime Minister Stanislaw Mikolajcyk that he can help Warsaw with air aid.

(Translators note .....and what a liar Stalin turned out to be!)

 

1944... August...Day 10
West 5.26 East 20.23. 18°C, variable cloudiness. Vistula 183cm.

Thursday 10th...... Lawrence Boris...(Wawrzynca Borysa)

In Wola district,despite the enemy onslaught, insurgents kept their posts at Okopowka street in the area of the cemeteries and Stawki.
In Powisle, insurgents strengthen their positions.
German artillery systematically shells the Electrowel, which supplies the city with electricity.
In Ochata, RONA Brigade units continue to pacify the district.
The Wawelska Redoubt continues to repel enemy attacks.
In the evening, after two days of digging, the redoubt's defenders are ready to go to the sewers.
In the afternoon, the Luftwaffe drop leaflets over Warsaw urging people of the capital to leave the city.

At night, 9 to 10 British planes appear over Srodmiecie and Mokotow. They successfully drop weapons and ammunition.The first drop of weapons is distributed to the troops at Kampinos Forest.

 

1944... August....Day 11.
W 5.28 E 20.26. 20°C. Moon in last quarter, cloudy, little precipitation. Vistula 187cm.

Friday 11th.... Klara Susanna...(Klary Zuzanny)

A general attack was directed by the Germans at Okopowka street in the area of the cemeteries and the Ghetto ruins. Faced with an enemy advantage, Lt. Col. Jana Mazurkiewicz "Radoslawa", with heavy losses, retreats towards Stawki. The defence of Woli street collapses, and Stawki area becomes the westernmost section protecting the Old Town.
The Germans attack the Old Town from Mariensztat and the ruins of the Castle from Teatralny Square.
The Old Town, bombed from the air every day, is also being attacked by German artillery from the Praga- Polnoc bank of the Vistula.
On the night of August 11-12, the troops of the Old Town receive weapons and ammunition drops.
The last resistance point is falling in Ochata, "Redoubt Wawelska".
The units of 2nd Lt. Golembiewski, "Stach", are evacuating through the sewers towards Srodmiecie and Mokotow.
RONA Brigade units are taking over Ochata and Jerozolimskie Avenue. They are approaching Starynkiewicza Square.

 

1944... August....Day 12.
E 5.29 W 20.24. 21°C. Sunny. Vistula 187cm.

Saturday 12th.......Lech Innocent..(Lecha Innocentego)

Heavy fights are fought for Stawki area and Leszno street. In the afternoon the soldiers recapture
the school and the warehouses at Stawki occupied by the German a few hours earlier. Maj. Waclaw Janaszek "Bolek"(Pain) takes over command of the "Kedyw" (Khedive) group after Lt Jan Mazurkiewicz " Radoslawa" is wounded.
Insurgents repel attacks on the barricades of the streets of Podwale, Swieto, Janska, Piwna, Miodowa the Town Hall and Blanka Palace. Germans direct a strong assault on the Krasinski Gardens and the Leszno barricades. A decision is made to move the location of the Home Army Headquarters from the school at Brakowa street No.6 to the Ministry of Justice building at Dluga street No.7
RONA Brigade units launch an attack in the area of Starynkiewicz Square.
After heavy fighting, the enemy forces the units of the "Chrobry II" (Good II) Group to withdraw from the Water Supply and Sewage Directorate, the Tourist House, and the County Office. "Chrobry II" maintains the northern side of Jerozolimskie Avenue as well as the Railway House and the Post Station. At the same time the enemy advances along the Grzybowska street and from Choldna along Zelazna and Walicow streets.
The attack is repulsed.

 

1944... August...Day 13.
E 5.31 W 20.22. 20°C, cloudy. Vistula 139cm.

Sunday 13th....Diana Hipolito...(Diany Hipolita)

The Germans launch a massive assault on the Old Town.
From the Gdansk Coast they attack Boliec street.
From the Gdansk Railway Station; Bonifraterska street.
From the side of Dzika street; Stawki area and Pokorna street.
From the ruins of the Ghetto they hit Nalewki street and the Krasinski Gardens.
From Leszno they hit Dluga street Tlomackie and Bielanska streets.
From Teatralny Square they hit City Hall.
After several hours of hard combat, and suffering severe losses, the attacks are halted.
Ultimately however the insurgents lose the Stawki and withdraw from Rymarska street. With the final collapse of Stawki, the ring of German troops around the Old Town closes.

In the evening, soldiers of the "Gustaw" Battalion introduce a German armoured vehicle to Kilinskiego Street. Abandoned by the enemy crew at the barricade of Podwale street, the vehicle is packed with explosives and it is set off at the location of House 1.
Almost 300 people, soldiers and civilians, are killed.

Cutting off the Old Town breaks communication and liason between Home Army Headquarters and Col. Anton Chrusciel "Monter" stationed in Srodmiecie.
At about 8pm, the following units attempt an attack to restore communication with the Old Town.
Lt. Marian Krawcyk "Harnas"
Cpt. Henry Raycewicz "Leliva"
Units from the "Chobry II" group.
At about 1am the attack breaks down in the area of Halmirowski street.
On the same night of Sunday to Monday morning, units of Regiment "Baszta" (Tower) advance from Mokotow area towards Srodmiecie area. This attack also collapses under strong enemy fire with severe losses.
It is not possible to capture the SS barracks located in the school at the corner of Kazimierzowska and Narbutta streets, nor possible to capture the so called Wedel House on the corner of Pulawska and Madalinskiego streets.

The first screening of the Uprising film chronicle takes place on this night at the Palladium cinema on Zlota Street to a full house..

 

1944.... August...Day 14.
E 5.33 W 20.20. 17°C. Cloudy with transitions. Vistula 129 cm.

Monday 14th..... Maxamillion Alfred..( Maksymiliana Alfreda)

On the night of 13th to 14th, the Allied Air Force drops over Srodmiecie.
At 10:30am, CinC Home Army Gen. "Bor" Komorowski orders troops from nearby districts to march to the relief of the fighting capital.
The Germans continue attacking the Old Town from the west, striking from Leszno through Tlomackie toward Bialanska streets.

There is a fierce fight for the barricade and the PAST building at Tlotentacle street. By evening units of Maj Gustaw Billewicz "Sosna" (Pine) and Captain Stefan Kaniewski "Nalecz" (Cut it) chase the enemy from the line of Przejazd street.
Around noon, the Germans attack Muranow striking from Fort Traugutt, Gdanski Railway Station and Stawki towards the Tram Depot at Sierakowska st.
The Germans manage to drive a "wedge" between the "Radoslaw" group and Lt. Colonel Jan Szypowski's "Lesnik" (Woodsman) group. Around 4pm the insurgents regain their lost positions, but suffer severe losses.
In Kampinos forest, Captain Jozef Krzyczkowski receives the order from Colonel Karol Ziemski "Wachnowski" ordering combat readiness for the troops and to move them to "jump off" positions, attacking from the area of Powzaki and Zydowski cemeteries. The aim of the attack is to join forces with troops fighting in Muranow area.
The principle waterworks has ceased to function. There is a dramatic evacuation of the Maltese Hospital from Senatorska St. to Srodmiecie.

On the Bartoszewicz street soldiers from the "Krybar" group capture a German armoured personnel carrier. They name it "Jas" (Yes). After the death of their commander, they change its name to "Grey wolf", their fallen commander's psuedonym, in his honour.

 

1944... August.....Day 15.
E 5.34 W 20.18 16°C. Clear weather. Vistula 120cm.

Tuesday 15th.... Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Day.......Maria Napoleon...(Marii Napoleona)

Insurgents solemnly celebrate the Soldiers Day.

On the night of 14th to 15th, the Allied Air Force makes further drops of weapons and ammunition. 3 out 20 aircraft are shot down.

Enemy keeps up the pressure on the Old Town from the Krasinski Garden to the Teatralny Square.
They manage to capture Motokowski Palace. That night, a detachment from the "Wigry" battalion recover it. In the evening, Germans attack barricades in front of Bank Polski on Bielanska street, and the Canonesses Convent at Teatralny Square. Insurgents repel the attacks.. but at 10am, the Germans attack northern Srodmiecie with a force unprecedented in this part of the city. From the north, they drive along Zelazna, Walicow, Ciepla, Rynkowa and Graniczna streets.
And from the west, along Srebrna, Sienna, Prosta, Lucka and Grzybowska streets..
Simultaneously, the Germans are firing at positions, especially the Post Station and the Railway House.

Elements of the units commanded by CPT Waclaw Stykowski, "Hala" and the units of "Chobry II" manage to repel the enemy from their stating positions.
From the Saxon Garden the enemy is firing on Napoleon Square. The Prudential building, tallest in Warsaw, is on fire. Fires also break out in Moniuszki, Sienkiewicza, and Mazowiecka streets.
Two Hungarian officers are detained in Mokotow. Lt. Stanislaw Kaminski, "Daniel", uses them to establish contact with the command of the Hungarian units stationed in Zalesie near Warsaw.

The "Jelen" (Deer) unitof CPT. Lech Gluchowski, "Jezyki" (Languages), manages the Fort of the Dubrowski Legions. At approximately 10pm, from the Kampinos forest, for the relief of the Old Town, elements of this unit set out under the command of Lt. Wiktor Ludwik Konarski, "Victor", accompanied by about 730 soldiers. In the area of Powzaki, he calls off the movement. Out of communication, the scattered group partially break through to Zoliborz. The remainder retreat back into the forest.