The Uprising began on 1 August 1944, as part of a nationwide rebellion, Operation Tempest. It was intended to last for only a few days until the Soviet Army reached the city. The Soviet advance stopped short, however, while Polish resistance against the German forces continued for 63 days until the Polish surrendered on 3 October.

 

Day after day (thanks to Warsaw Rising Museum)

July 27, 1944 (Thursday) 5 days before

 

• The Germans succeed in controlling the panic. Previously evacuated German police and SS troops return to the city. Offices resume work.
• The Red Army seizes Garwolin and begins preparations to cross the Vistula near Magnuszew. German motorized units arrive in the area of Modlin and Młociny. Armored reinforcements are grouped in Skierniewice and Żyrardów.
• At 10:00 a.m., briefing of the full staff of the Home Army Command starts. Opinions about commencing an armed uprising in Warsaw are divided. In consultation with the plenipotentiary of the Government-in-Exile, the Home Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” decides that the battle for Warsaw will start within the next few days. The exact date of the outbreak of the Rising is to depend on developments on the front and on actions taken by the Germans.
• Around noon, the Warsaw Area Commander Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” holds the last briefing with district commanders and the core members of the general staff.
• Around 5 p.m., German authorities use the public address system to summon a hundred thousand inhabitants of Warsaw aged 17 – 65 to report for 10 days’ fortification works on the Vistula, starting the following day.
• At 7:00 p.m., in view of the developments, Colonel “Monter” orders mobilization without consulting Headquarters.

 

July 28, 1944 (Friday) 4 days before

 

• Early in the morning, the order of Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” reaches the troops. Mobilization proceeds promptly and efficiently. A dozen or so hours later, thousands of people all over the city are waiting for the “W-Hour” to be set and for the attack to be ordered.
• Varsovians boycott the German summons to raise fortifications. The atmosphere is one of waiting and uncertainty.
• In the afternoon, in view of the occupants’ lack of response, the Home Army Command decides to postpone the outbreak of the rising and to cancel the instant readiness of the troops.
• At 4:00 p.m., by orders of Col. “Monter", the instant readiness is canceled and the troops resume their initial “state of alert”.

 

July 29, 1944 (Saturday) 3 days before

 

• All symptoms of panic in the German civilian and military apparatus are removed.
• German units mine the Poniatowski and Kierbedz Bridges and fortify the bridgeheads. The streets are patrolled by ever more numerous police and army squads.
• Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” decides that the Rising will break out at 5:00 p.m. Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter" reports that 12 hours will be sufficient for repeated mobilization.

 

July 30, 1944 (Sunday) 2 days before

 

• Units of the Soviet Corps reach the distant outskirts of Praga near Radzymin, Wołomin and Okuniew.
• In Śródmieście, the previously underground Polish newspapers are for the first time openly distributed in the streets.
• An atmosphere of relaxation prevails in the city despite the pedestrian and motorized German police and army squads patrolling the streets.
• Prime Minister Stanisław Mikołajczyk arrives in Moscow to hold talks with Stalin.

 

July 31, 1944 (Monday) 1 day before

 

• Air Force Lt. Gen. Reiner Stahel, appointed commander of the Warsaw garrison by Hitler, arrives in the city. He is to defend the Warsaw junction against a possible uprising with all available means and forces.
• The morning briefing at Home Army Headquarters ends with a decision not to start the battle on 1 August.
• During an afternoon briefing of the staff, appraisal of the situation is made in view of the information about the commander of the 73rd German division defending the outskirts being taken into captivity and about maneuvers of the Soviet units enveloping Warsaw. Additionally, Col. Kazimierz Iranek-Osmecki “Heller” reports the redeployment to Praga of the German armored division “Hermann Goering”. Around 5:30 p.m., Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” joins the meeting, bringing reports about the Red Army’s entry into Praga. Having analyzed the situation, in the presence and with the consent of the Delegate of the Government of Republic of Poland, Deputy Prime Minister Jan Stanisław Jankowski “Sobol”, General “Bór” orders Col. “Monter” to launch military operations in Warsaw at 5 p.m. the following day.
• The coded orders to start the rising are ready by 8 p.m. However, they fail to reach the addressees because of the curfew.
• Mobilization of the insurgent forces applies to 40 – 45 thousand men organized in 8 districts subordinate to the Home Army Warsaw Area Command and in separated units. The districts keep their original codes: I. Śródmieście - code “XXI”, commander Lt. Col. Edward Pfeiffer “Radwan”; II. Żoliborz - code “XXII”, commander Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel”; III. Wola - code “XXIII”, commander Maj. Jan Tarnowski “Waligóra”; IV. Ochota - code “XXIV”, commander Lt. Col. Mieczysław Sokołowski “Grzymała”; V. Mokotów – code “XXV”, commander Lt. Col. Aleksander Hrynkiewicz “Przegonia”; VI. Praga - code “XXVI”, commander Lt. Col. Antoni Żurawski “Bober”; VII. Province [Powiat] - code “XXVII”, “Obroża”, commander Maj. Kazimierz Krzyżak “Bronisław”; VIII. Okęcie – code “XXVIII”, commander Maj. Stanisław Babiarz “Wysocki”, “Gniewosz”.

August 1, 1944 (Tuesday) 1 day of Uprising

 

• At around 7:00 a.m., alarm messengers receive the order of Warsaw Area Commander of the Home Army Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” setting the “W-Hour” for 1 August at 5:00 p.m.
• There are difficulties with mobilization due to a shortage of arms, lack of time to get the available arms out of their hiding places, and short time to gather the platoons.
• At the “W-Hour”, 5:00 p.m., the Warsaw Rising breaks out, initially called the “August Uprising.” In some districts of Warsaw, fights start even before the “W-Hour”: the earliest in Żoliborz around 2 p.m., and in Śródmieście North and Wola – before 4 p.m.
• About 30 thousand soldiers of the Warsaw Region Home Army take up the fight. The insurgents are seriously underarmed: a mere 10% or so actually have weapons. They are facing a regular German garrison of about 20 thousand fully armed men, half of them soldiers of the regular army. Moreover, the Germans also have armored front units concentrated on both banks of the Vistula, artillery and air forces.
• The staff of the Warsaw Region Home Army, with its commander Col. “Monter”, are housed on Jasna Street, in the Victoria Hotel taken over by the insurgents.
• The German garrison fights off the insurgent attack. Of the major objectives, the insurgents only manage to take over a food and uniforms warehouse on Stawki Street, barracks located in the building of St. Kinga School on Okopowa Street, the Military Geographic Institute on Aleje Jerozolimskie Street, the building of the Municipal Transport Company on the corner of Świętokrzyska and Marszałkowska Streets, the city’s highest building – the Prudential in Napoleon Square - and the Railway Head Office building at the junction of Targowa and Wileńska Streets in Praga. The only larger area that the insurgents succeed in clearing of enemy forces is the Old Town. Insurgent Warsaw is composed of several separate centers of combat, divided by enemy forces.
• Important military objectives, such as bridges on the Vistula, railway stations, airfields and numerous German barracks, remain in enemy hands.
• The separation of the Polish forces induces several thousand insurgents from Żoliborz, Wola, Ochota and Mokotów to leave the city. During the night, they escape to neighboring forests.
• Civilians spontaneously join the insurgent operations, helping the soldiers raise barricades and fortifications and dig anti-tank trenches, providing them with food, etc.
• According to German commander of the Warsaw garrison, Air Force Lt. Gen. Reiner Stahel, losses on 1 August amount to 2 thousand Polish and 500 German soldiers.

August 2, 1944 (Wednesday) 2 day of Uprising

 

• Around 9 a.m., a radio station located in Kamler’s factory on the corner of Okopowa and Dzielna Streets in Wola starts to operate. The Home Army Command sends a series of cables to London, reporting the outbreak of the rising and the heavy fighting. They also appeal for assistance.
• The insurgents take over the whole of the Old Town, and seize the crucial objective in that part of the city: the State Securities Plant on Sanguszki Street.
• In northern Śródmieście, the insurgents capture further important centers of German resistance, including the Central Post Office in Napoleon Square and the Arbeitsamt building in Małachowski Square. In southern Śródmieście, the chaos of the first hours of struggle continues. The insurgents take over the power station in Powiśle, and the Social Security Institution building in Czerniaków.
• In Żoliborz, the insurgents fail to take over the crucial German positions. During the night of 1 August, the commander of the District withdraws his troops to the Kampinos Forest. At dawn, troops of the VIII Area of District VII “Obroża”, commanded by Captain Józef Krzyczkowski “Szymon”, launch an abortive attack on Bielany Airfield.
• In Wola, enemy forces try to push back the insurgents and to break further into the city from the west and from Powązki. The insurgents put up effective resistance. Soldiers of the “Zośka” battalion capture two “Panther” tanks
• In Ochota, where it proves impossible to bring the district under control and to establish communications with Wola and Śródmieście, the commander of the District, Lt. Col. Mieczysław Sokołowski “Grzymała”, moves a considerable part of his troops into neighboring forests during the night of 1 August. Early in the morning, some of them fight the enemy near Pęcice, suffering heavy losses. The units that remained in the city cover the rear.
• In Mokotów, most units of District V retreat into the Kabacki Forest during the night of 1 August. The remaining troops overcome the crisis of the first hours of combat and take over the southern part of the district. Among other objects, the insurgents take over a school on Woronicza Street, thus acquiring considerable amounts of arms and ammunition.
• In Praga, the insurgents are pushed out of the Railway Head Office building at the junction of Wileńska and Targowa Streets.
• Krystyna Krahelska, paramedic “Danuta” of the “Jeleń” command, seriously wounded in the “W-Hour” operations, dies in a field hospital. She wrote the popular song, “Hej, chłopcy, bagnet na broń!”, and modeled for the Warsaw mermaid statue.

 

August 3, 1944 (Thursday) 3 day of Uprising

 

• The RONA brigade (Russkaya Osvoboditelnaya Narodnaya Armya) commanded by renegade SS General Bronisław Kamiński reaches Ochota.
• In Ochota, Śródmieście and Wola the enemy uses civilians as “living shields” covering a German tank attack against insurgent fire.
• Enemy units set houses on fire and slaughter civilians, especially in Wola, Mokotów and Ochota.
• In Śródmieście, the insurgents seize strategically important objectives: the Postal Railway Station on Aleje Jerozolimskie near Żelazna Street, the Dom Turystyczny hostel on Starynkiewicz Square, and the German police station “Nordwache” at the junction of Chłodna and Żelazna Streets. In southern Śródmieście, they take over a considerable part of the Institute of Technology.
• The Germans strike from Poniatowski Bridge towards the Main Railway Station.
• In the Old Town, Polish troops seize Blank’s Palace and take up positions in the Arsenal on Długa Street as well as the Mostowski Palace.
• By order of the District Commander, units of Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel” return to Żoliborz.
• In Wola, the enemy presses strongly against insurgent troops. Around 8 p.m., the German air forces launch the first bombing raids of Wola and the rest of Warsaw.
• In Mokotów, the insurgents fortify the southern part of the district.
• Seeing no chances of seizing the district, the commander of the Praga District, Lt. Col. Antoni Żurawski “Bober”, decides to stop fighting. The insurgents resume underground work. In mid-August, some of them work their way across the Vistula to Sielce, Sadyba and the Kampinos Forest.
• Cadet Józef Szczepański “Ziutek” of the “Parasol” battalion writes lyrics for the song “Pałacyk Michla”.

 

August 4, 1944 (Friday) 4 day of Uprising

 

• Heavy combat on Aleje Jerozolimskie Street continues. From early morning, a German unit of the 9th Armored Division fights its way from Poniatowski Bridge towards Grójecka Street.
• During the night of 3 August, the insurgents seize the ground floor of the PAST building on Zielna Street. After a fierce fight, they leave the building at dawn.
• East of the German-controlled Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, the “Krybar” group fortifies its positions.
• In southern Śródmieście, the insurgents launch a successful night attack on “Soldatenheim” in Królowa Jadwiga Grammar School.
• The staff of the Home Army District Command moves from the now ruined Victoria Hotel to the PKO Bank building on the corner of Świętokrzyska and Jasna Streets.
• Troops of Captain Józef Krzyczkowski “Szymon” redeploy in the area of Izabelin, Sieraków and Truskaw.
• In Żoliborz, insurgent positions in constant operational contact with the enemy are strengthened. Troops of Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel” seize the area between Wilsona and Inwalidów Squares and Aleja Wojska Polskiego Street.
• In Wola, the German attack on barricades in Wolska and Górczewska Streets continues. German planes support infantry operations and hinder insurgent defense.
• Troops of Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław” launch an unsuccessful attack on the ghetto.
• Heinrich Himmler sends relief commanded by Police General Heinz Reinefarth and SS Brigade Commander Oskar Dirlewanger, who arrange their units in western areas of Wola.
• Gen. Kamiński’s RONA brigade moves from Okęcie to Ochota and starts cruel killings, violence, plunder and arson. Small insurgent troops keep up resistance.
• Bloody fights go on in Mokotów. The Germans slaughter about 200 people in the area of Olesińska Street.
• The poet, Cadet Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński “Krzyś”, soldier of the “Parasol” battalion, dies in Blank’s Palace.

 

August 5, 1944 (Saturday) 5 day of Uprising

 

• After 1 a.m., the first airdrops take place, announced by radio the previous day. Three British planes drop the loads in the area of cemeteries, the Wolski Hospital, and Fort Bem.
• Around 7 a.m., the troops of Gen. Reinefahrt and Dirlewagner’s brigade launch a huge attack, trying to force their way through to Saski Gardens and to cover passage from the west to the east, that is from Wola to Kierbedz Bridge.
• “Black Saturday” in Wola – mass slaughter of civilians starts. Within the next few days, about 40 thousand inhabitants of the district will be murdered. Only a few manage to leave the area, heading for Śródmieście and Okopowa Street. The Germans set fire to captured areas of Wola.
• Around 5 p.m. the “Zośka” battalion seizes “Konzentrationslager Warschau”, a concentration camp on Gęsia Street, and frees its Jewish inmates - 324 men and 24 women from different European countries.
• In Ochota, two insurgent redoubts, separated from each other – the Tobacco Monopoly on Kaliska Street (“Kaliska Redoubt”) commanded by Second Lt. Andrzej Chyczewski “Gustaw” and No. 60 Wawelska Street (“Wawelska Redoubt”) commanded by Second Lt. Jerzy Gołembiowski “Stach” – defend the other important thoroughfare — the Poniatowski Bridge. As few as 300 insurgents defend their positions against the overwhelming forces of the RONA brigade.
• Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” reorganizes the insurgent troops. Three battle centers are set up: Śródmieście, South and North.
• The District Delegate of Government of the Republic of Poland for Warsaw Marceli Porowski “Sowa” takes over full civilian authority in the city as its appointed president.
• Around 7 p.m., Lt. Gen. SS Erich von dem Bach, appointed by Himmler as commander-in-chief of the German forces combating the insurgents, arrives in Warsaw.

 

August 6, 1944 (Sunday) 6 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 5 August, the previously isolated Mokotów reestablishes communication with Śródmieście. Commanding officer of the report depot in Aleje Jerozolimskie Street, Elżbieta Ostrowska “Ela”, forces her way from Śródmieście to Mokotów through the sewers.
• At 6:00 a.m., Gen. Reinefahrt’s units launch an attack on the cemeteries. They manage to push the insurgents back; soon, however, troops of the “Radosław” group recapture the Evangelical and Calvinist cemeteries.
• Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” decides to evacuate the Home Army Command and Delegate’s Office from the former headquarters in Kamler’s factory in Wola to the Old Town. The new headquarters of the Home Army Command is a school at 6 Barokowa Street.
• Around 5 p.m. the “Zośka” battalion seizes “Konzentrationslager Warschau”, a concentration camp on Gęsia Street, and frees its Jewish inmates - 324 men and 24 women from different European countries.
• Simultaneously with their attack on Wola, Dirlewanger’s units launch another attack along the line of Chłodna and Elektoralna Streets towards Żelazna Brama.
• In the afternoon, German relief units fight their way to Saski Gardens. They join Gen. Stahel’s group, cut off in Brühl’s Palace from the outbreak of the rising.
• In view of the shortage of arms and ammunition, the 9th group of Captain Gustaw Billewicz “Sosna” retreats from the areas of breweries on Grzybowska Street to the courthouse on Leszno Street. From there, it will move to the Old Town within the next few days.
• After heavy fighting, troops commanded by Captain Wacław Stykowski “Hal” retreat from Wola to Śródmieście. Among other locations, they take positions in the buildings of the Haberbusch and Schiele Brewery on Ceglana Street. Stocked with large amounts of barley, the brewery’s warehouses turn into a gigantic granary for the insurgents and civilians in starving Warsaw.
• Division of the struggling city into three parts is consolidated: the North Group encompasses the area of the cemeteries, the Old Town, Żoliborz and Kampinos; Śródmieście is linked with Powiśle and Czerniaków; and the South Group includes Mokotów together with Sadyba as well as the Kabacki and Chojnowski forests.
• In Powiśle, the power station staff incessantly generates power for the struggling city, at the same time defending positions on Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie Street.
• The Scouting Postal Service starts in Śródmieście, headed by Sec. Lt. Scoutmaster Przemysław Górecki “Kuropatwa”.
• On the premises of railway repair shops in Pruszków, the Germans set up a transition camp for civilians evacuated from Warsaw – “Dulag 121”. Over half a million Varsovians evacuated from the struggling capital pass through it.

 

August 7, 1944 (Monday) 7 day of Uprising

 

• In Wola, Gen. Reinefarth’s attack continues from dawn. His units push insurgents back from the areas of Chłodna and Ogrodowa Streets, Mirowski Square, Hale Mirowskie Market and Żelaznej Bramy Square. The Germans have full control of the line of Wolska and Chłodna Streets to Saski Gardens. They cut off the Old Town and cemeteries from Śródmieście.
• In the area of Chłodna and Elektoralna Streets, the Germans organize mass slaughters of civilians. They turn Varsovians into “living barricades”.
• In the afternoon, the Polish counterattack on Mirowski Square starts, organized by Maj. Stanisław Steczkowski “Zagończyk”. In the evening, prevailing enemy forces push the insurgent troops back to Grzybowska Street and Grzybowski Square.
• Unable to get through to Żoliborz, Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski” organizes defense of the Old Town as commander of the North Group.
• In Ochota, the RONA units move eastwards. Ruthless pacification of the district continues.
• Construction of a trench and barricade starts to cover the crossing of Aleje Jerozolimskie from the north to the south, that is from the house at No. 20 to that at No. 17. Till the last day of the rising, the crossing will secure contact between troops from the two parts of Śródmieście, and serve as an evacuation route for civilians.

August 8, 1944 (Tuesday) 8 day of Uprising

 

• From early morning, the enemy attacks the Old Town from many directions: along Tłomackie and Bielańska Streets, across Teatralny Square towards the City Hall, and from Rybaki Street. In the evening, the German units retreat to their initial positions.
• In Śródmieście, insurgents from the “Chrobry II” group seize the building of the Waterworks and Sewage Headquarters in Starynkiewicza Square.
• Gen. Reinefarth’s units attack the area of the cemeteries.
• In Żoliborz, the insurgents take over the neighborhood of the Institute of Chemistry and barracks on Gdańska Street.
• In Ochota, the situation grows more and more critical by the hour. In the “Wawelska Redoubt”, the insurgents dig a passage from the basement to the sewers as a retreat route.
• In Kampinos, Lt. Adolf Pilch “Dolina” organizes a “Palmiry -Młociny” regiment. It is composed of troops from the Nalibocka Forest as well as units of VIII Area of VII District “Obroża” and neighboring districts. Captain Józef Krzyczkowski “Szymon”, commander of the Home Army forces in Kampinos, retreats with his men westwards to the Janówek – Brzozówka – Roztoka area out of fear of the troops getting cut off.
• From the PKO Bank building on the corner of Jasna and Świętokrzyska Streets, the insurgent radio station “Błyskawica” broadcasts for the first time.

 

August 9, 1944 (Wednesday) 9 day of Uprising

 

• In Śródmieście, from an apartment in Dąbrowskiego Square, Polish Radio starts broadcasting.
• In Śródmieście and Powiśle the insurgents successfully fight back enemy attacks.
• In the Old Town, insurgent troops manage to hold off an enemy attack from Kierbedz Bridge through Zamkowy Square. The City Hall and Miodowa Street come under fierce enemy fire. In the afternoon, German planes bomb the Market Square in the Old Town.
• The staff and all services of the North Group start operations.
• A unit commanded by Captain Gustaw Billewicz “Sosna” attempts to destroy an armored train firing on insurgent positions from the Gdański Railway Station.
• Troops of Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław” still hold the area of the cemeteries, protecting the Old Town.
• In Ochota, the insurgents are forced to leave the blazing buildings of “Kaliska Redoubt”. During the night, a unit of Sec. Lt. Andrzej Chyczewski “Gustaw”, about 90 men strong, moves into the Chojnowskie Forest. The enemy attack on No. 60 Wawelska Redoubt continues.
• In Mokotów, the “Baszta” regiment seizes an area bordered by Puławska, Szustra, Aleje Niepodległości and Woronicza Streets. Insurgent troops in Dolny (lower) Mokotów hold their positions in the area of Mączna, Przemysłowa, Rozbrat, Szwoleżerów and Podchorążych Streets.
• In Moscow, during talks with Prime Minister Stanisław Mikołajczyk, Stalin pledges Soviet air relief for Warsaw.

 

August 10, 1944 (Thuesday) 10 day of Uprising

• In Wola, despite enemy pressure, the insurgents hold their positions in Okopowa Street, the area of the cemeteries, and Stawki Street.
• In Powiśle, insurgent troops strengthen their positions. German artillery continues to bomb the power station that supplies the city with power.
• In Ochota, pacification of the district by the RONA units continues. The “Wawelska Redoubt” still fights back enemy attacks. In the evening, after two days of digging, the defenders of the Redoubt establish a passage to the sewers.
• In the afternoon, German airplanes drop leaflets over Warsaw, calling on Varsovians to leave the city.
• During the night of 9 August, British planes appear over Śródmieście and Mokotów to make successful airdrops of arms and ammunition. The first airdrop of arms also reaches the troops in Kampinos.

 

August 11, 1944 (Friday) 11 day of Uprising

 

• The Germans direct a general attack at Okopowa Street, the area of the cemeteries and ruins of the ghetto. In the face of the enemy’s superiority, troops commanded by Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław” retreat with heavy losses towards Stawki Street. The defense of Wola breaks down, and Stawki Street becomes the farthest reach to the west of the area protecting the Old Town.
• The Germans attack the Old Town from Mariensztat and the ruins of the Castle, and from Teatralny Square. In addition to daily bombardment from the air, the Old Town is also bombed by German artillery from the Praga bank of the Vistula.
• During the night of 11 August, the insurgent garrison of the Old Town receives airdrops of arms and ammunition.
• The last point of resistance in Ochota – the “Wawelska Redoubt” collapses. Troops commanded by Sec. Lt. Jerzy Gołembiewski “Stach” leave the area through sewers heading for Śródmieście and Mokotów. Units of the RONA seize Ochota and proceed down Aleje Jerozolimskie Street approaching Starynkiewicza Square.

 

August 12, 1944 (Saturday) 12 day of Uprising

• Heavy fights for Stawki and Leszno Streets continue. In the afternoon, the insurgents retake a school and warehouses on Stawki Street seized by the Germans a few hours earlier. Maj. Wacław Janaszek “Bolek” takes over the command of the “Kedyw” group from the wounded Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław”.
• The insurgents fight back enemy attacks on barricades in Podwale, Świętojańska, Piwna, Senatorska and Miodowa Streets and on the City Hall and Blank’s Palace. The Germans launch a strong attack on the Krasiński Gardens, Mostowski Palace and barricades in Leszno Street.
• It is decided to move the Home Army Headquarters from the school at 6 Barokowa Street, which is under heavy fire, to the building of the Ministry of Justice at 7 Długa Street.
• In the area of Starynkiewicza Square, RONA units launch an attack. After fierce struggle, the enemy forces troops of the “Chrobry II” group to retreat from the Water Supply and Sewage Headquarters, the Tourist Hostel, the Military Geographical Institute and the District Office. “Chrobry II” still holds the northern side of Aleje Jerozolimskie Street with the Dom Kolejowy rail office building and the Postal Railway Station. At the same time, enemy troops attack along Grzybowska Street and from Chłodna along Żelazna and Waliców Streets. The attack is repulsed.

 

August 13, 1944 (Sunday) 13 day of Uprising

 

• The Germans launch a powerful attack on the Old Town. From Wybrzeże Gdańskie they attack Boleść Street, from Gdański Railway Station – Bonifraterska Street, and from the area of Dzika – Stawki and Pokorna Streets. From the ruins of the ghetto, they strike Nalewki Street and the Krasiński Gardens, from Leszno – Długa, Tłomackie and Bielańska Streets, and from Teatralny Square – the City Hall. After a heavy fight of several hours, despite their severe losses, the insurgent troops manage to fight off the enemy attack. However, they ultimately lose Stawki Street and retreat from Rymarska Street. With the final fall of Stawki Street, the Germans complete their encirclement of the Old Town.
• In the evening, soldiers of the „Gustaw” battalion bring into Kilińskiego Street a German armored car abandoned by the enemy at a barricade in Podwale Street. Filled with explosives, the car explodes in front of the house at No. 1, killing almost 300 persons, both soldiers and civilians.
• The cutting off of the Old Town severs communications between Home Army headquarters and Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter”, who is stationed in Śródmieście. Around 8 p.m., an attack is launched by separated Śródmieście units, commanded respectively by Lt. Marian Krawczyk “Harnaś” and Cavalry Captain Henryk Roycewicz “Leliwa” and by troops of the “Chrobry II” group. The aim is to reestablish a connection between Śródmieście and the Old Town. Around 1 a.m., the attack breaks down in the area of the Hale Mirowskie Market.
• During the night of 13 August, troops of the “Baszta” regiment attack from Mokotów towards Śródmieście. The attack breaks down under heavy enemy fire. The insurgents suffer severe losses. They fail to seize both the SS barracks located in a school on the corner of Kazimierzowska and Narbutta Streets, and the so-called Wedel’s House on the corner of Puławska and Madalińskiego Streets.
• Staged in the “Palladium” Movie Theater on Złota Street, to a full house, is the first screening of the insurgent newsreel.

 

August 14, 1944 (Monday) 14 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 13 August Allied air forces make airdrops over Śródmieście.
• At 10:30 a.m., the Home Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” orders Home Army troops outside of Warsaw to march to the relief of the fighting capital.
• The German attack on the Old Town from the west continues. Enemy troops strike from Leszno along Tłomackie towards Bielańska Street. Fierce combat continues for a barricade and the PAST building on Tłomackie Street. In the evening, troops of Maj. Gustaw Billewicz “Sosna” and Captain Stefan Kaniewski “Nałęcz” push the enemy back behind the line of Przejazd Street.
• Around noon, the enemy attacks Muranów, striking from the Traugutt Fortress, Gdański Railway Station and Stawki Street towards the streetcar depot on Sierakowska Street. The Germans manage to “wedge in” between the “Radosław” group and a group commanded by Lt. Col. Jan Szypowski “Leśnik”. Around 4 p.m., the insurgents regain the lost positions but suffer severe losses in the struggle.
• In the Kampinos Forest, Captain Józef Krzyczkowski “Szymon” receives orders from Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski”. The troops are to be put on standby and moved to initial positions for attack from the area of the Powązki and Jewish cemeteries. The maneuver is aimed at joining the forces from the Kampinos Forest with those fighting in Muranów.
• The municipal waterworks cease to operate.
• Dramatic evacuation of the Maltański Hospital from Senatorska Street to Śródmieście starts.
• On Bartoszewicza Street, soldiers of the “Krybar” group capture a German armored personnel carrier, which they nickname “Jaś”. After their commander’s death, they change the vehicle’s name to “Szary Wilk” – the fallen officer’s nom de guerre – to honor his memory.

 

August 15, 1944 (Tuesday) 15 day of Uprising

 

• The insurgents solemnly celebrate Soldiers’ Day.
• During the night of 14 August, allied planes make further airdrops of arms and ammunition over Warsaw. The Germans shoot down three of the twenty planes.
• The enemy attacks the Old Town from the Krasiński Gardens to Teatralny Square. German units manage to seize the Mostowski Palace, but the building is recaptured during the night by a unit of the “Wigry” battalion. In the evening, the Germans attack barricades in front of the Bank Polski on Bielańska Street and the Canonesses Convent in Teatralny Square. The insurgents fight back.
• At 10:00, the Germans launch an attack on northern Śródmieście, using a force as yet unprecedented in this part of the city. They strike from the north along Żelazna, Waliców, Ciepła, Rynkowa and Graniczna Streets, and from the west along Srebrna, Sienna, Pańska, Prosta, Łucka and Grzybowska Streets. At the same time, they shell insurgent positions, especially the Postal Railway Station and Dom Kolejowy building. Troops commanded by Captain Wacław Stykowski “Hal” and units of the “Chrobry II” group manage to push the enemy forces back to their initial positions.
• From Saski Gardens the enemy continues the shelling of Napoleon Square. Warsaw’s tallest building, the Prudential, bursts into flames. Fires break out also on Moniuszki, Sienkiewicza and Mazowiecka Streets.
• In Mokotów, two Hungarian officers are arrested. Lt. Col. Stanisław Kamiński “Daniel” uses them as liaisons to establish contact with the command of Hungarian troops stationed in Zalesie near Warsaw. The “Jeleń” unit commanded by Cavalry Captain Lech Głuchowski “Jeżycki” takes up positions in the Legiony Dąbrowskiego Fort.
• At 10 p.m., a unit of about 730 soldiers commanded by Lt. Col. Wiktor Ludwik Konarski “Victor” sets out from the Kampinos Forest to the relief of the Old Town. In the area of Powązki the commander abandons the attack. Having lost contact with other units, some of the dispersed troops fight their way to Żoliborz. The remaining soldiers retreat into the forest.

 

August 16, 1944 (Wednesday) 16 day of Uprising

 

• From the morning, the enemy continues a tormenting barrage of artillery and mortar fire on the Old Town. The Germans manage to seize the Canonesses Convent in Teatralny Square. Attempts to retake the building fail. Maj. Mieczysław Chyżyński “Pełka” fights back strong enemy attacks on the State Securities Plant on Sanguszki Street from Rybaki and Zakroczymska Streets. The German attack on the Old Town’s Market Square collapses at fiercely defended barricades at the entries of Podwale, Piwna and Świętojańska Streets.
• During the night, 24 hours late, the “Czata 49” and “Zośka” battalions launch an attack to join the troops marching in from the Kampinos Forest. The “Czata 49” battalion pushes the Germans back from Stawki Street and holds its positions for three hours. Attack of the “Zośka” battalion collapses in the neighborhood of Nalewki Street.
• Enemy attack on northern Śródmieście continues.
• Maj. Alfons Kotowski “Okoń” arrives in the vicinity of Laski to take over command of the Kampinos Forest troops and to organize relief for the struggling capital.
• Killed in the ruins of a house on Przejazd Street are two prominent poets, Cadet Zdzisław Leon Stroiński “Chmura” and his friend Tadeusz Gajcy “Topór”.
• Stalin notifies Prime Ministers Churchill and Mikołajczyk that the Soviet authorities dissociate themselves from the “Warsaw disturbance.”

 

August 17, 1944 (Thursday) 17 day of Uprising

 

• Strong enemy fire on the Old Town continues, demolishing the small tenement houses. Buildings such as St. John’s Cathedral, the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in the New Town, and the City Hall in Teatralny Square are on fire. German air forces bomb the Old Town’s Market Square as well as Miodowa, Kapucyńska and Hipoteczna Streets. Strong artillery fire reaches the State Securities Plant building on Sanguszki Street.
• In the afternoon, German infantry units covered by tanks attack the streetcar depot in Muranów from the Gdański Railway Station and Traugutt Fortress. Defending the depot are troops commanded by Lt. Col. Jan Szypowski “Leśnik” and members of the “Czata 49” battalion. The insurgents repel the enemy attack.
• In the evening, the Germans attack a barricade in Leszno Street using a group of women as a cover. The insurgents manage to hold back the enemy.
• The Germans make still another attempt at seizing northern Śródmieście. They attack from Towarowa Street and from the north, along Żelazna, Waliców, Ciepła, Rynkowa and Graniczna Streets. From the south, the area of Starynkiewicza Square and the Freight Railway Station, they shell the Railway Hostel and the Postal Railway Station. The insurgents successfully fight back the enemy attacks. The Germans manage to seize the Police Barracks on Ciepła Street and food warehouses of the “Pluton” Company on Grzybowska Street.
• In the afternoon, the enemy attacks from Saski Gardens towards Królewska and Marszałkowska Streets. Around 9 p.m., due to the timely arrival of reinforcements, the insurgents manage to push the Germans back to their initial positions.
• In southern Śródmieście fights go on incessantly in the area between Polna Street, the Institute of Technology, and Wspólna Street.
• In Żoliborz the insurgents fight back an attack from the Institute of Chemistry towards Henkla Square but suffer severe losses in the battle.
• In Mokotów, on the orders of Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter”, Lt. Col. Stanisław Kamiński “Daniel” takes up positions in the area of Sielce and Sadyba. He also prepares to act jointly with insurgent troops fighting their way into Warsaw from the Chojnowskie Forest.

 

August 18, 1944 (Friday) 18 day of Uprising

 

• From the morning, the German planes raid the Old Town, especially the neighborhood of the Market Square and Bank Polski on Bielańska Street. Strong artillery and mortar fire continues on the vicinity of the State Securities Plant on Sanguszki Street, Jan Boży Hospital in Bonifraterska, and Muranów. Fierce battles are fought for the area of the streetcar depot on Sierakowska Street, where troops of Lt. Col. Jan Szypowski “Leśnik” suffer enormous losses. The commander himself is badly injured. The area of Zamkowy Square also suffers from enemy fire. Podwale, Piwna and Świętojerska Streets are on fire. Near the cathedral and on Miodowa, Piwna and Podwale Streets fighting goes on the whole day.
• In Śródmieście, Captain Wacław Stykowski “Hal” takes advantage of the enemy’s momentary inactivity to launch a successful attack and to push the Germans back from the line of Grzybowska towards Krochmalna Street. The insurgents recapture the Police Barracks on Ciepła Street and the “Pluton” Company’s warehouses on Grzybowska. In the southern part of Śródmieście, fierce struggle for the vast premises of the Institute of Technology goes on for the fourth day.
• During the night of 17 August, troops of Górny (upper) Mokotów: Company B-3 of the “Baszta” regiment, the PAL platoon and troops commanded by Calvary Captain Andrzej Czajkowski “Garda” take positions in Sielce, a part of Czerniaków and Sadyba. During the day, a strong enemy counterattack forces the insurgents to leave a factory on Belwederska Street and a stretch of Czerniakowska Street. Sadyba remains in Polish hands.
• Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” appoints Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki "Karol" commander of the Mokotów District.

 

August 19, 1944 (Saturday) 19 day of Uprising

 

• The enemy launches a general attack on the Old Town. German infantry units attack Bonifraterska Street, the Krasiński Gardens, Krasiński Square as well as Tłomackie and Bielańska Streets. Fierce fights continue in the ruined cathedral and in nearby Brzozowa Street. The insurgent troops fight back one attack after another. German air raids continue. Pillars of fire and smoke can be seen everywhere. Historic churches are on fire. Life in the district goes on in basements.
• Simultaneously with the attack of Gen. Reinefahrt’s units on the Old Town, forces of Gen. Rohr start an offensive on the southern part of Śródmieście. The Institute of Technology is attacked with particular ferocity. The Germans gradually force insurgents out of individual buildings. The defense focuses on the Institute’s main building. The Germans bring tanks into action. The insurgents leave the ruined and burning main building and take up positions on the even-numbered side of Noakowskiego Street. This front line will remain unchanged till the end of the rising.
• During the night of 19 August, an insurgent group about 550 men strong sets out from the Kampinos Forest to Żoliborz. Its commanding officer is Maj. Alfons Kotowski “Okoń”. A part of the unit fails to reach the capital. Under machine gun fire, they lose contact with their command and retreat to the forest. The rest reach Żoliborz and join the unit of Lt. Witold Pełczyński “Witold”. The joined units are about 750 men strong. Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel” sends them to attack the Gdański Railway Station, in order to establish connection with the Old Town.
• During the night of 18 August, the insurgents attack from Sadyba on Wilanów and Wolica to support troops of Lt. Col. Mieczysław Sokołowski “Grzymała”, forcing their way from the Chojnowski and Kabacki Forests. Strong German defense causes an attack on the Wilanów park and palace to collapse. The insurgents suffer severe losses, including Col. “Grzymała”. Ultimately, about 350 well-armed men force their way to Sadyba; the rest retreat into the woods. During the night of 19 August several more platoons from the Kabacki Forest reach Sadyba.

 

August 20, 1944 (Sunday) 20 day of Uprising

 

• The general attack of the German forces on the Old Town continues. Artillery fire and air raids precede a succession of enemy attacks in all sectors: the western sector from Długa Street and Krasiński Square and the eastern one from Wybrzeże Gdańskie through Boleść towards Kościelna and Długa Streets, accompanied by pressure from the south and north. The Germans manage to enter Bielańska from Tłomackie Street and to seize the northern part of the Bank Polski. After a fierce struggle, they also seize the Mostowski Palace. Intensified enemy pressure on the Old Town from Muranów continues. During the night of 20 August, insurgent troops are forced to retreat from their positions. They move, among other locations, to the State Securities Plant building on Sanguszki Street. The Germans bring all of Muranów under their control; from now on, they control the entire area between Nalewki and Bonifraterska Streets.
• In Śródmieście, during the night of 19 August, insurgent troops commanded by Cavalry Captain Henryk Roycewicz “Leliwa” launch an attack on the huge nine-story building of the Polish Telephone Company (Polska Akcyjna Spółka Telefoniczna), called PAST, at 37/39 Zielna Street. Taking part in the operation are, among other units, troops of the IX group of Cavalry Captain “Leliwa”, a shock platoon from the “Koszta” Company, two engineer patrols, a women’s sapper patrol, two flamethrower patrols, and a special fire brigade. Previous attacks on the PAST building failed, with significant losses, due to the superior firepower of Germans positioned in the fortified building. After over a dozen hours of heavy fighting, the insurgents capture the PAST building, thus eliminating a troublesome source of fire. The enemy losses amount to 38 killed soldiers. Taken captive are 121 Germans from different formations, many of them with wounds and burns. The insurgents lose at least 17 men.
• Insurgents of the “Chrobry II” group take up positions in Hartwig’s warehouses on the corner of Towarowa and Pańska Streets. This is the farthest-flung insurgent outpost to the north in the area.

 

August 21, 1944 (Monday) 21 day of Uprising

 

• German air raids and artillery fire on the Old Town continue. New fires break out in the district. The Arsenal building on the corner of Nalewki and Długa Streets is on fire. After evacuation of the troops, only one company from the “Chrobry I” battalion remains in the building. The insurgents manage to push the enemy from the right wing of the Bank Polski on Bielańska Street and from the Canonesses Convent, and to fight back the attacks on the City Hall and Blank’s Palace. The enemy forces focus on attack towards Krasiński Square. From the Royal Castle, they attack Świętojańska and Kanonia Streets. The battle for the cathedral continues. The insurgents hold their positions.
• In Śródmieście North, positions of the “Chrobry II” group are shelled from the morning. At the same time, RONA units attack from Aleje Jerozolimskie and Towarowa Streets. Around 5 p.m., the attack collapses.
• During the night of 20 August, insurgent troops from the Żoliborz District and Kampinos, commanded by Maj. Alfons Kotowski „Okoń”, attack the Gdański Railway Station. Strong enemy fire causes the attack to fail and prevents linkage of the Old Town with Żoliborz. The insurgents suffer severe losses.
• Polish troops fight back a German attack on Sadyba from Wilanów. Their main defensive position is the neighborhood of the Dąbrowski Fort on Okrężna Street.
• The Germans blow up Pawiak Prison.
• The “Palladium” Movie Theater screens the second insurgent newsreel with the previous day’s footage of events such as the taking of the PAST building.

 

August 22, 1944 (Tuesday) 22 day of Uprising

 

• In the Old Town, the insurgents fight back an attack of German tanks and infantry on barricades in Nalewki and Długa Streets barring access to Krasiński Square. In the evening, after heavy fights, the Germans take up positions in the ruined Arsenal. The rest of the insurgent troops leave the building and move to the nearby Simonsa passage on the corner of Długa and Nalewki Streets.
• In Śródmieście, insurgent troops launch an attack on the so-called small PAST building in Piusa XI Street. In the northern part of Śródmieście, the insurgents fight back an enemy attack on Borman’s Factory on Targowa Street. German infantry units covered by tanks from Małachowski Square attack barricades at the entry of Traugutta and Mazowiecka Streets. The insurgents seize a German outpost in the “Cristal” restaurant on the corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Bracka Streets that kept the passage across Aleje Jerozolimskie under fire.
• Around 2 a.m., the second attack on Gdański Railway Station starts. It is launched by insurgent troops from Żoliborz and Kampinos commanded by Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel”. From the Old Town, it is supported by units commanded by Maj. Wacław Janaszek “Bolek”. The attack breaks down under strong enemy fire. The insurgent troops retreat before dawn with huge losses. In both attacks, the number of the fallen and wounded reaches about 500.
• The new commander of District V Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki “Karol” forces his way through sewers to Mokotów. He divides the area under his command into Dolny (Lower) Mokotów including vast areas of Sielce, Czerniaków and Sadyba, and Górny (Upper) Mokotów west of Puławska Street. Fighting in that area is the “Baszta” regiment.

 

August 23, 1944 (Wednesday) 23 day of Uprising

 

• Still another day of heavy fights for the Old Town. From ruins of the City Hall, the heavy machine gun crew shoots down a German bomber. In the afternoon, the Germans launch an offensive in all sectors. They attack the Jan Boży Hospital on Bonifraterska Street, the “Fiat” factory on Sapieżyńska Street, and buildings of the State Securities Plant on Sanguszki Street. The Simonsa passage on Długa Street bursts into flames under enemy fire.
• Early in the morning, after several dozen hours of struggle, the insurgents seize the so-called small PAST building on Piusa XI Street.
• After a heavy battle, Polish units take the Holy Cross Church and the neighboring building of the former Police Headquarters at No. 1, Krakowskie Przedmieście Street. Thanks to these successes, the insurgents can now attack German positions towards the Old Town.
• On the opposite side of Krakowskie Przedmieście, troops of Captain Cyprian Odorkiewicz “Krybar” charge the University. Taking part in the operation are insurgent armored cars “Kubuś” and “Jaś”. Prevailing enemy forces repel the attack.

 

August 24, 1944 (Thursday) 24 day of Uprising

 

•The Old Town continues to be the target of incessant, mass enemy attacks. The Germans seize a part of the ruined buildings of Jan Boży Hospital on Bonifraterska Street, a school on Rybaki Street, and an apartment house on the premises of the State Securities Plant. After a heavy fight, the insurgents succeed in keeping the ruins of the Simonsa passage on Długa Street. In the ruins at 27/29 Długa Street, defensive positions are set up called the “Heavenly Mother’s Redoubt”. Units defending the Old Town fight back enemy attacks from the south, retaining outposts on Miodowa, Podwale and Piwna Streets. From the east, Brzozowa Street is defended.
•In Śródmieście, the enemy continues methodical fire on insurgent outposts on Kredytowa, Królewska, Towarowa, Chmielna and Żelazna Streets. Insurgent positions on Krucza, Wspólna, Hoża, Wilcza and Koszykowa Streets are under fire. The Germans try to take over some houses on Królewska Street near the Saski Gardens and on Grzybowska Street. They fiercely attack the Railway Hostel and the Postal Railway Station, as well as insurgent positions along Towarowa Street. In southern Śródmieście, after a fierce struggle, insurgent troops seize a German outpost on Żulińskiego Street and take over the quarter between Poznańska, Żulińskiego, Marszałkowska and Nowogrodzka Streets.

 

August 25, 1944 (Friday) 25 day of Uprising

 

• In the Old Town, the enemy attack on the State Securities Plant buildings on Sanguszki Street continues. The defenders, insurgents from the “Leśnik” group, suffer severe losses. The insurgents evacuate civilians from buildings under their control. Heavy fighting continues for the Jan Boży Hospital on Bonifraterska Street, the “Fiat” factory on Sapieżyńska Street, and the Canonesses Convent in Teatralny Square.
• During the night of 25 August, the Home Army Command leaves the Old Town through sewers. With it the city’s civilian administration with Deputy Prime Minister Jan Stanisław Jankowski “Soból” and Chairman of the National Unity Council Kazimierz Pużak “Bazyli” move to Śródmieście.
• Ever more wounded insurgents, rear troops and a small group of civilians leave the Old Town through sewers heading for Żoliborz.
• Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski”, commander of the North Group, moves from the ruined and burnt out building of the Main Archives of Old Records on Długa Street to the chapterhouse of St. Jacek’s Church on Freta Street.
• In Śródmieście, a company of the “Kiliński” battalion seizes a strong German outpost in the former “Café Club” coffee shop on the corner of Nowy Świat and Aleje Jerozolimskie Streets. This way, the insurgents put a stop to burdensome shelling of the barricade that links the two parts of Śródmieście.
• Winston Churchill demands that the US president send air forces to Warsaw and that the planes land on Soviet airfields without the consent of the Soviet authorities.

 

August 26, 1944 (Saturday) 26 day of Uprising

 

• Air raids and artillery bombing of the Old Town continue. Despite incessant enemy attacks, the insurgents keep their positions in the Polski Bank on Bielańska Street, the ruined Simonsa passage on Długa Street, the ruins of the City Hall and in the Blank’s Palace. They also fight back enemy attacks on barricades in Miodowa, Podwale, Piwna, Świętojańska and Kanonia Streets. Strong German pressure from the Vistula towards Brzozowa, Boleść and Rybaki Streets continues. The insurgent troops are forced to retreat from the ruins of the “Quebracho” tannery on Boleść Street and from the Jan Boży Hospital.
• The northern part of Śródmieście, especially the area of Pańska, Twarda, Śliska and Sienna Streets are under strong artillery fire.
• The “Oaza” battalion commanded by Captain Janusz Wyszogrodzki “Janusz” is formed of insurgent troops in Sadyba.
• The staff of the Warsaw District of the People’s Army, many soldiers and civilians are buried under the ruins of a bombed house at 16 Freta Street.

 

August 27, 1944 (Sunday) 27 day of Uprising

 

• Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski” reorganizes the defense of the Old Town. Put in command of the northern sector is Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław”, of the eastern sector – Captain Eugeniusz Konopacki “Trzaska”, and of the southern sector – Maj. Stanisław Błaszczak “Róg”. Maj. Gustaw Billewicz “Sosna” stays in charge of the western sector of the defense.
• The insurgents thwart the blowing up of St. John’s Cathedral, which ultimately stays in enemy hands. At the State Securities Plant, fierce fights continue for individual storeys and parts of the building.
• In Śródmieście, the enemy launches an afternoon attack along Waliców and Żelazna Streets, forcing the insurgents back from the line of Grzybowska Street. The Germans seize the police barracks on Ciepła Street and fortify their positions in the Żelazna Brama Square area.
• During the night of 26 August, an attack prepared for the last 10 days starts, commanded by Lt. Col. Bolesław Gancarz “Gryf”. The aim is to link Mokotów with Śródmieście. The insurgents encounter strong German resistance. They fail to join units of the “Kryska” group, holding positions on the corner of Czerniakowska and Łazienkowska Streets. Barracks in the area of Szwoleżerów, 29 Listopada and Podchorążych Streets, blocking the way through, stay in enemy hands. The insurgents only seize the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth on Czerniakowska Street. Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki “Karol” orders the seized positions to be kept, and the troops to be redeployed in the evening for another attack.
• President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt refuses help to the insurgents without the consent of the Soviet Union.

 

August 28, 1944 (Monday) 28 day of Uprising

 

• In the Old Town, after a fierce struggle, the Germans finally take over the State Securities Plant building on Sanguszki Street.
• In the face of the disastrous situation in the Old Town, Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski” decides to break through to Śródmieście.
• Strong enemy fire on Śródmieście continues, especially on Napoleon Square, the northern stretch of Marszałkowska Street, as well as Świętokrzyska, Jasna and Sienkiewicza Streets.
• During the night of 27 August, Lt. Col. Bolesław Gancarz “Gryf” continues the attack on barracks between Szwoleżerów, 29 Listopada and Podchorążych Streets.
• The entire Górny Mokotów is under a stronger enemy artillery fire than before.
• From Wilanów, the Germans launch a strong attack on Sadyba.

 

August 29, 1944 (Tuesday) 29 day of Uprising

 

• The governments of Great Britain and the United States grant Home Army soldiers the rights of war veterans, thus recognizing the Home Army’s status as a regular part of the Polish Armed Forces.
• Air raids and artillery fire on the Old Town continue. Despite severe losses, troops of the “Zośka” and “Czata 49” battalions hold the ruined buildings of the Fiat factory on Sapieżyńska Street. The enemy seizes the ruins of the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, and the area between Wójtowska, Zakroczymska and Przyrynek Streets. The Germans expand their territory on Teatralny Square. They force their way into the City Hall, Blank’s Palace, and the Canonesses Convent. The insurgents manage to fight back attacks on Bielańska Street, the Simonsa passage and a school on Nalewki Street.
• In Śródmieście, during the night of 28 August, the insurgents stop a strong enemy attack from the Saski Gardens on the line of Królewska Street.
• During the night of 27 August, Lt. Col. Bolesław Gancarz “Gryf” continues the attack on barracks between Szwoleżerów, 29 Listopada and Podchorążych Streets.
• In Mokotów, the Germans start bombing from the ground and air. In the ruined St. Elizabeth Sisters hospital on Goszczyńskiego Street many of the wounded and a part of the staff are killed.
• roops of the “Oaza” battalion and remnants of the “Jeleń” command fight heavy battles in Sadyba.

 

August 30, 1944 (Wednesday) 30 day of Uprising

 

• The Home Army command in the Old Town, in consultation with the Home Army Warsaw District Commander Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter”, ultimately decides to evacuate the Old Town troops to Śródmieście. The lightly wounded reach Śródmieście and Żoliborz through sewers. In the evening, insurgent troops redeploy and prepare to break through from Bielańska Street towards the Hale Mirowskie Market and Żelazna Brama Square. Designed to support the offensive is a simultaneous attack of Śródmieście troops from Grzybowska and Królewska Streets. The operation is intended to establish a “corridor” facilitating complete evacuation of the wounded and civilians to Śródmieście. The insurgents recapture the lost positions in Teatralny Square – Blank’s Palace and the front part of the City Hall -- as well as the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in the New Town. Heavy struggle goes on for Bielańska Street.
• The Germans shell Śródmieście from the ground and air. The bombing is particularly strong in the area of Ceglana and Żelazna Streets and Grzybowski Square, and also in Powiśle.
• In Mokotów, the German firing starts many fires on Racławicka, Olkuska, Bałuckiego and Kazimierzowska Streets. In the afternoon, enemy planes bomb an overcrowded hospital building at 19 Chełmska Street. Shelled with flare missiles, the hospital bursts into flames. Many wounded and sick are killed. During rescue operations lasting many hours, the insurgents suffer severe losses.
• German planes bomb Sadyba, in particular the area of Okrężna Street.

 

August 31, 1944 (Thursday) 31 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 30 August, the insurgents make an attempt to link Śródmieście with the Old Town. Several hours before the fixed time of the planned attack, about 100 soldiers of the “Czata 49” battalion reach Bankowy Square through sewers. They are to attack the enemy from the rear. However, the insurgents fail to take the Germans by surprise. Polish losses are considerable. The planned attack from Bielańska Street starts between 3 and 4 a.m. The assault collapses under strong German fire. At 6 a.m., Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski” orders the retreat. Śródmieście troops commanded by Maj. Stanisław Steczkowski “Zagończyk” also fail to reach Bankowy Square. The insurgents seize the police barracks on Ciepła Street for a few hours and push the enemy back from the Hale Mirowskie Market. The German counterattack forces them to retreat. The breakthrough operation collapses. The insurgents suffer immense losses, the number of killed and wounded reaching about 300 people. Besides the attack on the Gdański Railway Station, this is the second bloodiest battle of the rising.
• During the day defenders of the Old Town fight back a general German attack supported with air raids. The bombing causes severe losses in the ranks of the “Chrobry I” battalion. Its headquarters in the ruined Simonsa passage is totally destroyed together with a neighboring school building. Buried in the ruins are about 300 people, among them about 120 soldiers of “Chrobry I”. The German troops ultimately seize the ruined “Fiat” factory on Sapieżyńska Street and take up positions in Zakroczymska as far as Kościelna and the entry of Freta Street. The insurgents also lose Brzozowa Street.
• From the morning, artillery fire on Sadyba continues from several directions – Siekierki, Wilanów, Ursynów and Służewiec. Around noon, the Germans attack from Wilanów but the insurgents repel the attack.

 

September 1, 1944 (Friday) 32 day of Uprising

 

• The Germans launch a general offensive on the Old Town. The land forces are supported from the air. An attack from Bielańska on Długa Street starts at dawn. The insurgents manage to hold it back. At noon, the Germans attack from Zamkowy Square and simultaneously from the north towards Krasiński Square and the New Town. The insurgents partly retreat from Freta and Bonifraterska Streets, the Krasiński Gardens, and positions along a stretch of Długa Street.
• Evacuation of the troops and wounded from the Old Town into Śródmieście continues all through the night. It proceeds along two sewers: a main one with the entry in Krasiński Square next to the Court of Appeals, and a side one with the entry in Daniłowiczowska Street. About 4.5 thousand insurgents, about 1.5 thousand of them armed, reach Śródmieście through the sewers. About 800 soldiers also use the sewers to get to Żoliborz. Also evacuated to Śródmieście is the staff of the North Group with Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski”.
• The German offensive on Sadyba, Sielce and Czerniaków continues. Strong artillery and mortar fire as well as air raids on Sadyba go on from the morning. Demolished, among others, is the Dąbrowskiego Fort.
• Commander-in-Chief Gen. Kazimierz Sosnkowski, in his orders to the army, accuses the Allies of indifference to Warsaw’s tragedy.

 

September 2, 1944 (Saturday) 33 day of Uprising

 

• The Germans continue to attack the Old Town. During the night of 1 September, tank shells destroy King Zygmunt’s Column. As the day goes on, forces commanded by Gen. Reinefarth gradually take up positions in the ruined district deserted by the insurgents. Mass slaughters and acts of violence start. About 35 thousand people fall into enemy hands.
• The group of Gen. Rohr launches a general offensive on Sadyba and seizes it around noon. Insurgent troops suffer severe losses. The enemy slaughters civilians on a massive scale. The capture of Sadyba secures the Germans with access to two important thoroughfares of Dolny Mokotów – Czerniakowska and Belwederska Streets. The defenders of Sielce find themselves in an extremely difficult situation.
• The enemy shells and bombs Górny Mokotów. The fire is particularly strong in the area of Puławska near Odyńca and Tyniecka Streets.
• Air raids on Śródmieście continue. Among other objects, the bombs demolish St. Alexander’s Church in Trzech Krzyży Square and the solid building of Królowa Jadwiga Grammar School. Unexpectedly, the insurgents seize the YMCA building on Konopnickiej Street.
• An unsuccessful attack on the University is the last insurgent attempt at capturing that stronghold controlling Powiśle. It threatens the positions of troops commanded by Captain Cyprian Odorkiewicz “Krybar” in the area of Sewerynów, Bartoszewicza and Kopernika Streets.

 

September 3, 1944 (Monday) 34 day of Uprising

 

• After the German forces seize the Old Town, supplemented combat troops of Gen. Dirlewanger and Col. Schmidt attack Powiśle. The officer in charge of the defense is Maj. Stanisław Błaszczak “Róg”. His second-in-command is Captain Cyprian Odorkiewicz “Krybar”.
• The insurgents fight back enemy attacks on the northern part of Śródmieście. German infantry attacks Traugutta, Mazowiecka, Królewska and Grzybowska Streets.
• Polish Radio stops broadcasting because of the heavy air raids.

 

September 4, 1944 (Tuesday) 35 day of Uprising

 

• From early morning, the Germans continue artillery fire and air raids on Powiśle and the northern part of Śródmieście. The Municipal Power Station in Powiśle, which supplied power to the city from the first days of the rising, is demolished.
• Before noon a German offensive starts. The Germans intend to cut off the troops in Powiśle from Śródmieście North. Their infantry attacks from Karowa Street along three parallel streets: Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie, Dobra and Browarna. Around noon, the Germans are pushed back to the line of Karowa Street. The insurgent troops suffer severe losses. Two hours later, the Germans repeat the attack and seize the Waterworks Head Office on Lipowa Street. Heavy fighting continues into the evening. Numerous fires make it difficult for insurgents to organize defensive positions. Maj. Stanisław Błaszczak “Róg” orders civilians from particularly threatened areas of the district to be evacuated to Śródmieście.
• In Śródmieście, civilians perish under heavy artillery fire and bombs. The shells demolish houses between Nowy Świat Street and Napoleon Square. The neighborhoods of Twarda, Pańska, Śliska and Sienna Streets are methodically destroyed. Among other buildings demolished is a printing house of the Home Army Military Publishers on Szpitalna Street and the PKO Bank building on the corner of Jasna and Świętokrzyska Streets. The insurgents fight off the enemy attacks. They force the Germans back from Krakowskie Przedmieście to Nowy Świat Street, from Małachowski Square to Mazowiecka Street, and from Chłodna to Grzybowska Street.
• A company of Lt. Andrzej Romocki “Morro” takes up positions in a printing house of Michał Arct’s well-known publishing house at 225 Czerniakowska Street.
• Air raids of Mokotów continue.
• The British demand that the Soviet Union assist the rising.
• German tanks crush the slab of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 

September 5, 1944 (Tuesday) 36 day of Uprising

 

• The German offensive on Powiśle continues. Covered by tanks, the infantry attacks from three directions. It takes up positions in the huge building of the State Insurance Company on Kopernika Street. Soon afterwards, the Germans seize Sewerynów, Oboźna and Leszczyńska Streets. In the evening, in view of a complete lack of ammunition, insurgents commanded by Captain Stanisław Skibniewski “Cubryna” leave the ruins of the power station building. Evacuation of civilians to Śródmieście continues.
• Strong artillery fire and air raids of the area of Jasna and Szpitalna Streets go on incessantly. The insurgents repulse the German attack on positions in the ruins of the Police Department, in the Holy Cross Church, and along the entire line of Królewska Street. Intensely bombarded, Śródmieście is on fire. Civilians move into a somewhat more peaceful southern part of the district.
• The insurgents take up positions on Frascati Street and secure linkage between Czerniaków and Śródmieście through Książęca Street. Put in command of the insurgent units in Czerniaków is Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław”. The former commander of the area, Captain Zygmunt Netzer “Kryska”, is appointed his second-in-command.
• The District Commander’s staff moves into the solid and modern building of the “Palladium” Movie Theater at 7/9 Złota Street. The Home Army Headquarters finds accommodation in the so-called small PAST building on Piusa XI Street.
• President Roosevelt notifies Prime Minister Churchill that according to US intelligence, the insurgents have left Warsaw.

 

September 6, 1944 (Wednesday) 37 day of Uprising

 

• During the night, masses of civilians move from Powiśle and Śródmieście North to the southern side of Aleje Jerozolimskie Street.
• The Germans launch a general offensive on Powiśle from the north, east and south. The attack on the last insurgent positions in the district is preceded by strong air raids. After a fierce struggle, the insurgents gradually retreat to Śródmieście. By evening, Powiśle North is totally under German control. The new front line is Nowy Świat Street.
• Air raids and shelling of Śródmieście North go on from early morning. The insurgent troops fight off enemy attacks on Nowy Świat Street from Krakowskie Przedmieście, on Kredytowa Street from Małachowski Square, on Królewska Street from the Saski Gardens and on Towarowa Street from the Zawiszy Square area.
• The Germans drop leaflets in Polish, calling on civilians to leave the capital on 7 and 8 September.

 

September 7, 1944 (Thursday) 38 day of Uprising

 

• After the pacification of Powiśle, German units attack the northern part of Śródmieście. They launch an assault from Powiśle on Nowy Świat Street, and from the Saski Gardens and Żelazna Brama Square on Królewska Street and Grzybowski Square. From the Main Railway Station they attack Chmielna Street, and from Zawiszy Square – Towarowa Street.
• The enemy intends to cut the northern part of Śródmieście off from the southern part. Three times during the day, German units attack Aleje Jerozolimskie Street from the Polonia Hotel, as well as Nowogrodzka, Widok and Chmielna Streets. At the same time, the Germans attempt to demolish the barricade in Aleje Jerozolimskie which protects a communication route. They manage to take up positions in a number of houses in Aleje Jerozolimskie, Nowogrodzka and near Marszałkowska Street. This way, the Germans gain control over the strategically important crossing of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Marszałkowska Streets.
• The German planes incessantly bomb the area between Marszałkowska and Nowy Świat, Chmielna and Świętokrzyska Streets. The neighborhood of Napoleon Square suffers the most severe destruction.
• Intense artillery fire on Mokotów continues. Shells hit the area of Odyńca, Ursynowska, Racławicka, Tenisowa and Misyjna Streets. In Dolny Mokotów, fierce battles are fought in the area of Promenady, Dolna and Konduktorska Streets.
• The civilian insurgent administration authorizes the directors of the Polish Red Cross to reach an agreement with the German command concerning evacuation of old people, children and the sick from the city. In the course of negotiations with Gen. Rohr, it is decided that civilians willing to leave Warsaw will be evacuated on 8 and 9 September from noon till 2 p.m.

 

September 8, 1944 (Friday) 39 day of Uprising

 

• During the truce, several thousand civilians voluntarily leave Warsaw.
• A strong German attack on Śródmieście North is in progress from the early morning. The enemy attempts to break into the district from the direction of Nowy Świat and Królewska Streets. At dawn, the insurgents have to retreat from buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration and from the Police Department on Krakowskie Przedmieście Street. The enemy takes up positions in the sector from Świętokrzyska Street to the Holy Cross Church. The Germans capture almost the entire length of Warecka Street. They reach the direct vicinity of the Main Post Office in Napoleon Square. A group commanded by Maj. Włodzimierz Zawadzki “Bartkiewicz” holds positions on Królewska Street. The Germans repeatedly attack Aleje Jerozolimskie from Marszałkowska and Nowy Świat Streets, aiming to tear down the barricade that covers the crossing of Aleje Jerozolimskie.
• The enemy directs strong artillery fire on the southern part of Śródmieście, especially in the area of Hoża and Krucza Streets.

 

September 9, 1944 (Saturday) 40 day of Uprising

 

• During the truce, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., voluntary evacuation of civilians takes place. In two hours, about 8 thousand people leave the capital.
• Fighting continues in the northern part of Śródmieście. The southern part and Czerniaków are shelled by artillery, the heaviest mortars, mine throwers and grenade launchers.
• The Germans resume their offensive in the Sielce area.
• Envoys of the Home Army Command Lt. Col. Franciszek Herman “Bogusławski” and Captain Alfred Korczyński “Sas” start negotiations with Gen. Heinz Rohr, who acts on behalf of Gen. Erich von dem Bach. The Poles raise the issue of continued evacuation of civilians from Warsaw, and evacuation of heavily wounded Polish soldiers. Also mentioned is the possibility of handing over wounded German soldiers taken captive by the insurgents. Gen. Rohr suggests the start of negotiations concerning capitulation of the rising.
• The British Government declares that Germans responsible for the crimes in Warsaw will be brought to justice.

 

September 10, 1944 (Sunday) 41 day of Uprising

 

• Offensive of the Red Army starts. Units of the 1st Belarussian Front attack Praga. Taking part in the operation are Polish units of the 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division as well as subunits of the 1st Bohaterów Westerplatte Armored Brigade and the 13th regiment of armored artillery.
• Aerial combat goes on over Warsaw between Soviet and German fighter planes. The sounds of fighting from the neighborhoods of Jabłonna and Wołomin can be heard in the city.
•Negotiations and exchange of letters between the Germans and Home Army Command continue. The Polish side stalls for time.
• In Śródmieście, fierce fights go on in the area of Nowy Świat Street, Napoleon Square, and Bracka Street. In Chmielna, Górskiego, Warecka and Świętokrzyska Streets, regular battles are fought for each and every house. The Germans seize a barricade in Chmielna Street and attack the Main Post Office building. They capture a house at 11 Warecka Street. The insurgents manage to repel the enemy attack.
• Insurgent Polish Radio announces a list of 28 German commanders responsible for the demolition of Warsaw. The first names on the list are those of Generals von dem Bach, Stahel and Reinefarth. The list is quoted the following day by “Dziennik Polski i Dziennik Żołnierza” published in London, and broadcast by the BBC in news bulletins in different languages.
• Józef Szczepański “Ziutek”, author of the song “Pałacyk Michla”, dies of wounds.

 

September 11, 1944 (Monday) 42 day of Uprising

 

• The Polish side breaks off the negotiations about capitulation of the rising.
• Developments on the right bank of the Vistula prompt the Germans to cut the insurgents off from the river. They attack Czerniaków from a pumping station on Czerniakowska Street and from Sobieski Park. The Polish troops retreat from a stretch of Rozbrat Street between Łazienkowska and Przemysłowa Streets. Przemysłowa Street, the corner of Czerniakowska and Łazienkowska Streets, as well as the Czerniakowski Port remain in insurgent hands. The insurgents fight off an attack from an escarpment that covers a passage from Czerniaków to Śródmieście. German planes bomb the Heavenly Mother of Częstochowa Church on Łazienkowska Street. Several dozen civilians are buried under the ruins.
• In the remaining districts, the German offensive declines.
• Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” sends a cable to Marshal Konstanty Rokossowski asking him to establish direct radio communication.

 

September 12, 1944 (Tuesday) 43 day of Uprising

 

• The Germans discontinue their offensive in other districts, sending all forces against Czerniaków.
• Strong artillery fire and air raids of Czerniaków continue. Numerous fires break out in the district. The Germans launch a concentrated offensive in all sectors. Heavy battles are fought for Czerniakowski Port, the huge ZUS building on Czerniakowska Street, the gasworks building on Ludna Street, and premises of the former St. Lazarus Hospital on Książęca Street. The Germans seize the western part of Łazienkowska Street and a stretch of the escarpment from Frascati to Książęca Street. The only position still in Polish hands is the YMCA building on Konopnickiej Street.
• In the remaining districts, the German offensive declines.
• During the night of 12 September, two girl messengers of the People’s Army swim over to the right bank of the Vistula. They are received by Gen. Michał Rola–Żymierski and Marshal Konstanty Rokossowski.

September 13, 1944 (Wednesday) 44 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 13 September the first Soviet airdrops with relief for the insurgents reach Warsaw.
• During the day, Soviet forces enter the outskirts of Praga.
• The Germans blow up the Warsaw bridges: the Poniatowski Bridge around noon, and the railway bridges – crosstown and near the Citadel – in the evening. The Kierbedz Bridge is blasted before midnight.
• The enemy continues to focus on Czerniaków. German air raids and artillery demolish all the larger buildings. The Germans methodically eliminate all potential points of resistance in the neighborhood of Czerniakowski Port and on Łazienkowska Street. Home Army troops are forced to leave the port. They also retreat from the even-numbered side of Łazienkowska Street. Enemy units take over the gasworks premises in Ludna Street and seize the ZUS building on Czerniakowska Street. After a 24-hour struggle, they seize the buildings of St. Lazarus Hospital on Książęca Street.
• The insurgents launch a counterattack, trying to recapture the entry of Książęca Street in Trzech Krzyży Square and to restore communication between Śródmieście and Czerniaków. The attack of Home Army troops fails.

 

September 14, 1944 (Thursday) 45 day of Uprising

 

• The battle in Praga with the participation of units of the 1st Polish Army ends in the complete elimination of Germans from that bank of the Vistula.
• Czerniaków continues to be the main focus of unceasing, massive enemy attacks. In this situation, Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław” decides to shift the insurgent forces closer to the riverbank to hold the beachhead. In accordance with the plan, until evening units are concentrated in a small area between Okrąg, Czerniakowska and Zagórna Streets.
• Home Army units attack German positions near the entrance to Aleje Jerozolimskie. The insurgents take control of the ruins of the “Cristal” restaurant and drive the Germans back from the even-numbered side of Aleje Jerozolimskie to the “Café Club” at the corner of Nowy Świat.
• In Żoliborz the enemy continues to exert strong pressure on Marymont. The Germans attack simultaneously from the side of Bielany, from Słowackiego and Gdańska Streets. The insurgents lose a vast amount of territory from Bielany to Krasińskiego Street.
• In Mokotów, German planes bomb the “Alkazar” redoubt at the corner of Odyńca and Aleje Niepodległości Streets. Nonetheless, the defenders continue to hold their position.
• The Office of the Commander-in-Chief in London informs Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bor” by cable that Col. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” has been promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

 

September 15, 1944 (Friday) 46 day of Uprising

 

• Early in the morning, a patrol of the First Polish Army crosses over from Praga to Czerniaków. In the evening, it returns to the right bank of the Vistula, together with an officer of the staff, Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław”, who is carrying a written request for help.
• In Czerniaków, the insurgents are engaged in heavy fighting to hold the territory bordered by Ludna, Okrąg, Czerniakowska and Zagórna Streets.
• Throughout the day the enemy pounds Żoliborz with artillery and mortar fire, which is supported by bombing raids. The Germans take over another section of the riverbank, from Krasińskiego Street to the Citadel. Home Army units are now completely cut off from the Vistula.
• General German attacks on Dolny Mokotów set Sielce on fire. There is heavy fighting on Dolna, Piaseczyńska, Chełmska and Belwederska Streets. After a bloody struggle, the insurgents leave Sielce. Fort Legionów Dąbrowskiego falls. The Germans occupy almost all of Dolny Mokotów. Belwederska Street now becomes the line of defense for Mokotów.

 

September 16, 1944 (Saturday) 47 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 15 September, soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division cross the river to Solec. A force of about 300 people supports the insurgents defending Czerniaków. From the morning, they fight off strong attacks from the enemy. Little by little, the Germans capture more territory. The insurgents are able to hold the barricades on Okrąg and Solec Streets, preventing access from the north. The enemy takes over an insurgent hospital at 9 Zagórna Street and kill all the wounded. The leader of the First Polish Army’s intended expansion of the Czerniaków Beachhead fails.
• In Śródmieście, the area of Marszałkowska, Koszykowa, Piusa, Wilcza and Krucza Streets remains under exceptionally fierce artillery fire from the Germans.
• The Germans start the decisive attack on Żoliborz. Home Army units retreat under enemy pressure from parts of the alleys of Dolny Żoliborz (Lower Żoliborz) to the line of Bohomolca Street. In the evening, after a bloody battle, units from the “Żniwiarz” group abandon the premises of the “Opla” shop from the side of Włościańska Street.
• During the night of 15 September, insurgent units are able to evacuate from Sielc to Górny Mokotów. During the day, the Germans bomb the area of Puławska, Naruszewicza, Malczewskiego and Szustra Streets.

 

September 17, 1944 (Sunday) 48 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 16 September, another group of soldiers of the 9th infantry regiment of the 3rd Division of the First Polish Army crosses the Vistula and reaches the Czerniaków Beachhead. In two days, a total of about 1,200 soldiers arrive in Czerniaków. Fierce fights continue to keep the beachhead.
• That same night, up in Marymont, one company of the 6th infantry regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division crosses the Vistula. It is composed of a platoon of anti-tank guns and communications specialists.
• Żoliborz, Mokotów and Śródmieście suffer all day from the fire of German artillery.

 

September 18, 1944 (Monday) 49 day of Uprising

 

• During the night of 17 August, reinforcements cross the Vistula and reach Czerniaków – about 60 soldiers of the 9th infantry regiment. Defenders of the Czerniaków Beachhead fight back a succession of enemy attacks. Gradually, they lose ground. By the evening, the Germans seize all of Czerniakowska Street.
• This day, fighting Warsaw receives the largest airdrop: 107 American “Flying Fortresses” – four-engine Boeing B-17 planes – appear over the city between noon and 1 p.m. They drop about 1,300 containers with arms, ammunition, food and medical supplies. The insurgents only manage to collect a mere 20% of the airdrops.

 

September 19, 1944 (Tuesday) 50 day of Uprising

 

• In Czerniaków, the Germans continue their strong attack along Wilanowska and Zagórna Streets towards Czerniakowska Street. The Poles continue to hold a part of the Vistula riverbank stretching from Zagórna Street to the “Syrena” (“Mermaid”) Port and several houses on Wilanowska Street. In the evening, Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz “Radosław” begins the evacuation of his units to Mokotów through the sewers.
• In the afternoon, soldiers of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 8th infantry regiment cross over to nothern Powiśle. They seize the Kościuszkowski Riverbank near the crosstown bridge. They begin an attack and reach Solec Street. However, a strong German counterattack on the flanks leads to the failure of the assault.
• In the Marymont quarter of Żoliborz, the next group of soldiers from the 6th infantry regiment crosses the Vistula. Like their predecessors, they are not able to break out and go deeper into the neighborhood due to the heavy enemy fire. Pinned down on the riverbank, they have no way to contact any Home Army units.

 

September 20, 1944 (Wednesday) 51 day of Uprising

 

• Cut off, decimated defenders of the Czerniaków Beachhead repel the enemy’s attacks. Fierce battles continue for individual houses on Wilanowska, Idźkowskiego and Solec Streets.
• In Żoliborz, during the night of the 19th another group of soldiers of the 6th infantry regiment crosses the Vistula, strengthening the beachhead seized in Kępa Potocka (“Potocki Woods”). Only today does the commander of Żoliborz, Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel” learn of the presence of soldiers from the 6th infantry regiment on the left bank of the Vistula.
• Commander-in-Chief of the Home Army Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” gives the order reorganizing the insurgent units of the Home Army into regular units of the Polish Army. The Warsaw Corps of the Home Army is created, under the command of Brigadier General Antoni Chruściel “Monter.” His second-in-command is Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski.” Three infantry divisions join the Corps: the 8th infantry division, called the “Romualda Traugutta”, formed from units fighting in Żoliborz and in the Kampinowski Forest, under the command of Lt. Col. “Żywiciel”; the 10th infantry division, called the “Macieja Rataja”, formed from units fighting in Mokotów, under the command of Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki “Karol”; and the 28th infantry division, called the “Stefana Okrzei”, formed from units fighting in Śródmieście, under the command of Col. Franciszek E. Pfeiffer “Radwan.” Individual regiments retain their numbering from 1939. Moreover, to maintain the insurgent tradition, units keep the names they have been using.
• The Home Army Headquarters and District Headquarters release the names of the officers. The next day, they are published in the insurgent press.

 

September 21, 1944 (Thursday) 52 day of Uprising

 

• The enemy continues to exert unending pressure on the Czerniaków Beachhead. Insurgents under the command of Capt. Ryszard Białous “Jerzy”, together with soldiers of the First Polish Army under the command of Major Stanisław Łatyszonek, now hold only a patch of the riverbank and two houses – at 53 Solec Street and at 1 Wilanowska Street at the corner of Solec Street.
• Śródmieście continues to be pounded by artillery fire. The insurgents destroy an enemy barricade on the corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Bracka Street. In the western part of Śródmieście, they succeed in fighting off a German attack on Borman’s factory on Towarowa Street.
• In Żoliborz, a German assault on Kępa Potocka stops the landing of the 6th infantry regiment. The survivors cross over to the right bank of the Vistula. Unaware of that, insurgent troops attack Marymont at dawn. They reach Promyka Street and wait for soldiers of the 6th infantry regiment, who were supposed to break through from across the river. Realizing their isolation, the Home Army soldiers retreat, destroying the fortifications of the German positions they had managed to seize.

 

September 22, 1944 (Friday) 53 day of Uprising

 

• Defenders of the Czerniaków Beachhead unsuccessfully try to fight their way to Saska Kępa. Captain Ryszard Białous “Jerzy” and Maj. Stanisław Łatyszonek decide to break through to Śródmieście South.
• Units of Gen. Heinz Rohr prepare a general attack on Mokotów.

 

September 23, 1944 (Saturday) 54 day of Uprising

 

• The Czerniaków Beachhead falls. During the night of 22 September, the defenders of Czerniaków make an attempt to fight their way through to Śródmieście. Only a small group of five headed by Capt. Ryszard Białous “Jerzy” make it to the YMCA building on Konopnickiej Street, which is held by insurgents. The rest of the unit is taken captive. The Germans begin pacification of the district.
• A Pallotine priest, Rev. Józef Stanek “Rudy”, chaplain of the “Kryska” group, dies on Solec Street, hanged by the Germans.
• German pressure on Mokotów increases. Artillery fire and air raids grow stronger. The area of Aleje Niepodległości Street is particularly hard hit.

 

September 24, 1944 (Sunday) 55 day of Uprising

 

• The enemy tightens the ring around the three still struggling centers of insurgent resistence: Żoliborz, Śródmieście and Mokotów.
• Mokotów becomes the main focus of attack. A general attack by German units starts in the morning. The infantry assault is supported by artillery, air forces and armored units. After fierce struggles in the southern and southeastern sectors, the Germans seize the Królikarnia Palace. They destroy an advance insurgent position at 162 Puławska Street and reach the line of Ksawerów Street. A night attack by Home Army troops aimed at recapturing the area fails. In the eastern sector of Mokotów defense, German tanks force the insurgents to retreat to the line of Konduktorska Street. The remaining insurgent positions stay in Polish hands. Both sides suffer severe losses.

 

September 25, 1944 (Monday) 56 day of Uprising

• From early morning the enemy continues the attack on Mokotów from the south and west. Fierce struggles in the southern sector continue. A school on Woronicza Street changes hands seven times. In the western sector, under enemy pressure, the “Olza” battalion retreats from the line of Aleje Niepodległości Street along Goszczyńskiego and Odyńca towards Krasickiego Street. The insurgents lose an important point of resistance – the “Alkazar Redoubt” on the corner of Aleje Niepodległości and Odyńca Streets. The Home Army troops fighting south of Malczewskiego Street are in danger of being cut off. The German forces move from Malczewskiego Street towards Puławska Street. The insurgents suffer severe losses. In areas seized by the enemy, there are cases of plunder, arson and killing.
• The situation in Żoliborz and Śródmieście is relatively peaceful.
• Buried under the ruins of a house at 129 Marszałkowska Street, Sec. Lt. Eugeniusz Lokajski “Brok”, an outstanding Olympic athlete, dies. In the rising, he was a liaison officer of the “Koszta” company and a documentary filmmaker.

 

September 26, 1944 (Tuesday) 57 day of Uprising

 

• In accordance with the orders of Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki “Karol”, evacuation of insurgent troops from Mokotów to Śródmieście through sewers starts around 4 a.m. The Germans dam up the sewers and throw grenades, chemicals and sandbags down the manholes.
• Mokotów remains the target of incessant, mass enemy attacks. After a bloody all-day battle, the Germans push the Mokotów defenders into a small area delimited by Różana, Kazimierzowska, Ursynowska and Puławska Streets.
• Gen. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” sends dispatches to Lt. Col. “Karol”, ordering him to continue the defense of the district. The orders do not arrive in time. Lt. Col. “Karol” and the staff of the 10th infantry regiment move to Śródmieście through sewers.
• The German command makes a proposal of negotiations concerning capitulation. A meeting with German representatives takes place in Śródmieście, on Łucka Street.

 

September 27, 1944 (Wednesday) 58 day of Uprising

 

• A strong German attack on Mokotów starts at 8:00 a.m. Remainders of Home Army troops still put up a fight in the area of Bałuckiego, Wiktorska and Belgijska Streets. After analyzing the situation, the Polish side sends emissaries to start negotiations concerning the evacuation of civilians and the wounded and to settle the terms of capitulation of the district. Gen. von dem Bach assures the emissaries that the insurgents will be treated in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Convention. Despite these promises, the enemy murders about 120 people on Dworkowa Street. Most of them are insurgents who were unable to reach Śródmieście through the sewers and had turned back to Mokotów. Around noon, Mokotów surrenders.
• Gen. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” orders Lt. Col. Józef Rokicki “Karol” to immediately return to Mokotów from Śródmieście. During the night of 27 September, “Karol” sets out towards Mokotów. It proves impossible to go through the sewers.
• Around 4 p.m. in Śródmieście, in the middle of Aleje Jerozolimskie Street near Starynkiewicza Square, Polish and German emissaries meet. A second meeting is held at 5:30 p.m. The Polish emissaries are taken far into the German positions.
• The Germans launch Operation “Sternschnuppe” (Falling Star), which they have been preparing for almost a week. The aim is to liquidate the “Kampinos” Group.
• Troops from Kampinos concentrate in the area of Roztoka. Late at night, they leave the forest.

 

September 28, 1944 (Thurdsay) 59 day of Uprising

 

• After the capitulation of Mokotów, the Germans focus all combat efforts on Żoliborz. They prepare a general attack on the district. A strong artillery fire continues from early morning, especially in the area of Krasiński Street and Wilsona Square.
• Enemy troops pacify villages in the forest. They burn down Pociecha, Wiersze, Janówek, Brzozówka, Krogulec and other villages.
• Before noon, Polish emissaries Lt. Col. Zygmunt Dobrowolski “Zyndram” and Captain Alfred Korczyński “Sas” – interpreter and legal advisor – negotiate with Gen. von dem Bach in his Ożarów headquarters on behalf of the Home Army Command. The German commander puts forward the terms of capitulation of Warsaw. In the evening, it is decided at the Home Army headquarters that the negotiations concerning capitulation should continue.

 

September 29, 1944 (Friday) 60 day of Uprising

 

• A general attack on Żoliborz starts in the morning. Prevailing enemy forces launch several assaults from the south and west. The insurgent positions are attacked by infantry of the enemy’s 19th armored division, supported by fire from several dozen tanks and attack guns. After fierce struggle, units of the “Żniwiarz” group retreat from the “Opel” factory and a covered market on Słowackiego Street. Units of the “Żyrafa” group leave the ruins of the Sisters of the Order of the Resurrection convent on Krasińskiego Street. German attacks from the Citadel and Gdański Railway Station force units from the “Żaglowiec” group to retreat towards Inwalidów Square. In the sector of Marymont defense, insurgents from the “Żubr” group keep all their positions. To the east, the “Żbik” group still holds Bohomolca Street.
• Near Jaktorów, the “Kampinos” group is crushed and loses about 150 soldiers. Its commander Maj. Alfons Kotowski “Okoń” is killed. About as many soldiers are taken captives. Only a few succeed in breaking through the German cordon and reaching such areas as the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.
• In Śródmieście, upon German request, a local truce starts around 1 p.m. in the area of BGK Bank.

 

September 30, 1944 (Saturday) 61 day of Uprising

 

• At dawn, without a preceding artillery fire, the enemy takes the insurgents by surprise and seizes a big tenement house of the “Zgoda” housing cooperative on Słowackiego Street in Żoliborz. Following a strong preparatory fire, a further German attack starts on Słowackiego and Gdańska Streets and Wilsona Square. The insurgents establish contact with the 1st Army of the Polish Armed Forces. Insurgent units are scheduled to evacuate to the right bank of the Vistula in the afternoon. Upon orders of their commander Lt. Col. Mieczysław Niedzielski “Żywiciel”, Home Army troops start a retreat towards the Vistula. Bad weather forces them to postpone the crossing. The insurgents’ attempts at forcing their way through are stopped. Till noon, fierce battles for individual houses are fought along the lower part of Mickiewicza and Krasińskiego Streets.
• By orders of Gen. “Bór”, Col. Karol Ziemski “Wachnowski” and Lt. Jerzy Kamiński “Ścibor” negotiate with Gen. Erich von dem Bach, and then with the commander of the 19th armored division Gen. Kaellner, regarding the issue of cessation of operations in Żoliborz.
• At 5:00 p.m., Col. “Wachnowski” brings the terms of capitulation to Lt. Col. “Żywiciel”. Around 6 p.m. Żoliborz surrenders. Till 11 p.m., the Home Army troops lay down their arms; next, they march under German escort to “Pionier-Park” in Powązki.
• In Gen. von dem Bach’s headquarters in Ożarów, the Polish emissaries negotiate the issue of evacuation of civilians from Śródmieście. They obtain consent to a truce on 1 and 2 October from 5 a.m. till 7 p.m. The Germans set five points at the western entries of Grzybowska, Pańska, Piusa and Śniadeckich Streets at the Institute of Technology, and also in Aleje Jerozolimskie Street, as the evacuation routes for civilians.
• In London, after the resignation of Gen. Kazimierz Sosnkowski, President Władysław Raczkiewicz nominates Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bor” Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces.

October 1, 1944 (Sunday) 62 day of Uprising

 

• During the truce, barely 8 thousand people leave Śródmieście. The Germans estimate the number of civilians subject to evacuation at about 200 – 250 thousand.
• In the face of the hopeless situation after the collapse of Mokotów and Żoliborz, and the absence of any realistic assistance whatsoever, Home Army Command and Delegates of the Government decide to continue the capitulation talks. Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” appoints a commission to conduct the negotiations. It is composed of the chairman Col. Kazimierz Iranek-Osmecki “Heller”, Lt. Col. Zygmunt Dobrowolski “Zyndram”, Lt. Col. Franciszek Herman “Bogusławski” and Captain Alfred Korczyński “Sas”, interpreter. Prepared during the night, in consultation with Gen. Antoni Chruściel “Monter”, is a Polish draft of the agreement on cessation of hostilities in Warsaw. The draft is to serve as a basis for Polish negotiations with the Germans.
• After 7 p.m., with the truce over, the Germans resume fierce artillery shelling of Śródmieście.

 

October 2, 1944 (Monday) 63 day of Uprising

 

• The truce is in force since 5:00 a.m. By 7:00 p.m., about 16 thousand civilians leave Warsaw. After two days of evacuation, over 80% of civilians still remain in Śródmieście.
• Polish-German negotiations at the headquarters of Gen. von dem Bach in Ożarów go on all day. At 8:00 p.m. German time (9:00 p.m. Polish time), military operations cease in Warsaw. The agreement on cessation of hostilities in Warsaw is formally signed at 2:00 a.m. The German signatory is Gen. Erich von dem Bach, and Col. Kazimierz Iranek-Osmecki “Heller” and Lt. Col. Zygmunt Dobrowolski “Zyndram” sign on behalf of the Polish side. The most important provisions of the capitulation act are: - Insurgents, including those taken captive since 1 August 1944, are granted the rights contained in the Geneva Convention of 27 August 1929 on the treatment of prisoners of war; - The insurgents will not bear responsibility for their military and political activities before the rising; - Home Army troops are to leave Warsaw to lay down their arms on 4 and 5 October; - Civilians evacuated from Warsaw will not bear any consequences for their work in civilian authorities and administration

 

October 3, 1944 (Tuesday)

 

•Masses of Varsovians leave the city. Heading for the transition camp in Pruszków, they move along Śniadeckich and 6-go Sierpnia Streets towards Filtrowa Street, along Żelazna and Aleje Jerozolimskie Streets towards Grójecka Street, and along Grzybowska and Chłodna Streets towards Wolska Street. From Pruszków, they are taken to concentration camps, to forced labor in Germany, or to remote areas of Poland.
•Pursuant to the provisions of the capitulation act, the pulling down of barricades closest to the German lines starts in the morning.
•Insurgents prepare to lay down their arms. The last officer briefings and soldier gatherings are held. Orders of group commanders reporting the capitulation, as well as a farewell order of the Home Army Warsaw Corps Commander Gen. Antoni Chruściel “Monter” are read aloud. Office matters are put in order, distinctions and promotions are conferred. The first pay is paid out. Commanding officers of individual units entrust trusted soldiers with the task of hiding a part of the arms and ammunition as well as documents.
•In accordance with the provisions of the capitulation act, a covering (assistance) battalion stays on in Warsaw for several days to help keep order. It is composed of three armed Home Army companies made up of about 300 soldiers from the “Kiliński” battalion and about 120 soldiers from the “Miłosz” battalion.

 

October 4, 1944 (Wednesday)

 

• Pursuant to the capitulation act, insurgent troops turn over ammunition. The 21st and 72nd infantry regiments of the Home Army deposit their ammunition on the corner of Wspólna and Marszałkowska Street, the 36th infantry regiment – in Napoleona Square, and the 15th infantry regiment – in Grzybowski Square.
• The first Home Army units leave Warsaw. Around 9 a.m., the 21st infantry regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Stanisław Kamiński “Daniel” surrenders. Composed of the troops that fought in Śródmieście South, it marches along Śniadeckich, 6-go Sierpnia, Sucha and Filtrowa Streets.
• The last broadcasts of the insurgent Polish Radio and “Błyskawica” radio station are aired. Holding the microphone that day is the technical manager Jan Georgica “Grzegorzewicz”. He mentions the working conditions and states the technical parameters of the station. At 7:30 p.m., he broadcasts the “Warszawianka” song as a farewell, and then destroys the transmitter with a hammer.
• The Home Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” signs the last cable to the Polish Government in London; it will be sent the following morning.
• The last issues of insurgent journals appear: Dziennik Radiowy, Robotnik, Wiadomości Powstańcze and No. 102 of the Biuletyn Informacyjny.

 

October 5, 1944 (Thursday)

 

• Around 9 a.m., the remaining three infantry regiments, the 72nd, 36th and 15th , start to leave the city. A covering battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Franciszek Pacek “Mścisław” stays on in Warsaw and only lays down arms on 9 October.
• The 72nd infantry regiment of the Home Army, commanded by Lt. Col. Jan Szczurek-Cergowski “Sławbor”, leaves southern Śródmieście. The soldiers march along Śniadeckich, 6-go Sierpnia, Sucha and Filtrowa Streets. The column is joined by Home Army Headquarters, the command of the 10th infantry division, and the “Sokół” group of the National Armed Forces commanded by Col. Spirydion Koiszewski “Topór”. The 36th infantry regiment, commanded by Maj. Stanisław Błaszczak “Róg”, leaves northern Śródmieście. It is joined by the staffs of the Warsaw District of the Corps and the 28th infantry division, as well as the Municipal Headquarters. They march along Żelazna, Aleje Jerozolimska and Grójecka Streets. The last group to leave Warsaw is the column of the 15th infantry regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Franciszek Rataj “Paweł”. The regiment leaves Warsaw along Grzybowska, Chłodna and Wolska Streets.
• Columns of insurgents are directed to Ożarów; from there, the POWs are transported on freight trains to Stalag 334 Lamsdorf (Łambinowice) in Śląsk Opolski. There, the insurgents get registration numbers and are sent on to POW camps in Germany and Austria.
• From Śródmieście only, 11,668 soldiers are taken into captivity, among them the Home Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” and five generals: Tadeusz Pełczyński “Grzegorz”, Antoni Chruściel “Monter”, Tadeusz Kossakowski “Krystynek”, Kazimierz Sawicki “Prut” and Albin Skroczyński “Łaszcz”. Gen. Leopold Okulicki “Niedźwiadek” leaves the city together with civilians; he has been put in charge of further underground activity.
• Polish losses: about 18 thousand insurgents, 180 thousand civilians and about 3.5 thousand soldiers of the 1st Army of the Polish Armed Forces are killed; about 25 thousand insurgents are wounded, including 6.5 thousand seriously. About 16 thousand insurgents are taken into captivity.
• German losses - about 10 thousand soldiers killed, about 7 thousand considered missing; 9 thousand wounded.
• Demolished during the fighting, Warsaw is methodically razed to the ground by the Germans. Losses of cultural heritage are immense. Ancient buildings and churches, all of the Old Town, monuments, libraries, museums and archives are in ruins, their collections turned to ashes. The Soviet army that seizes Warsaw on 17 January 1945 completes the destruction.