Historical calendar: the anniversary of the National Army carrying out the celebrated Arsenal action, in which respective twelve prisoners were released.
Today in our calendar we will look at the details of this operation.
The Polish opposition wanted to show that it was able to liberate even the most safe prisoners of the 3rd Reich. For this reason, the Scouts of the Conspiracy Grey Lines decided to take back their fellow scout. Jan Bytnar “Rudy” and another political prisoners transported from Gestapo office at Szucha Avenue to Pawiak prison. The action was scheduled for March 26, 1943. The key to its implementation was to get information which would be carried out by the convoy ‘Rudy’.
28 scouts took part in the action codenamed “Mexico II” under Stanisław Broniewski. The operation carefully planned by Tadeusz Zawadzki “Zośka”, a friend of “Rudy”, was carried out in broad daylight, at the confluence of Bielańska, tincture and Długa. Scouts attacked a truck carrying prisoners to Pawiak. "Rudy" was transferred to a waiting car close the scene. A full of 21 were received.
Jan Bytnar “Rudy”, Commandant of Hufca “South” of Warsaw's Grey Army Storm Groups, fatally exhausted by hearings at the Gestapo, died on March 30, 1943. 1 of the prisoners transported was killed and 3 were injured. On the German side there were 4 killed and 9 wounded.
In retaliation for the action of the Polish underground the next day – 27 March – Germans shot 140 prisoners in the courtyard of the Pawiak prison.
Unfortunately, on 30 March he died taking part in the action Alexy Dawidowski "Alek", and on 2 April – Tadeusz Krzyżewicz "Buzdygan". Another associate – Hubert Lenk “Hubert” – was arrested and beaten by the Germans during the investigation. He didn't betray any of his associates.
The action under Arsenal is considered 1 of the top feats of the Polish Underground State. She was of large intellectual importance, she encouraged the inhabitants of occupied Warsaw, The Germans lost their sense of security. For subsequent generations of Poles, the action became a symbol of solidarity and courage, as well as of the unbreakable fight of the Grey ranks for independence.
Viewing graphics: frame from the 2014 movie Stones to the Sun.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here..
