THE POLISH OWN STATE WITH THE 27th VILLIAN DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL ARMY PIECHOTY, FENOMEN II planet WAR.
World War II was the largest armed conflict in planet history, lasting from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945, covering almost the full of Europe, east and southeastern Asia, northern Africa, part of the mediate East and all oceans.
Some of her episodes took place even in the Arctic and North America. The main parties to the conflict were the Axis States – countries belonging to 1 war camp, fighting against the Allied- States of the Anti-Hitler Coalition.
The name ‘Axis’ comes from the common name given to the Alliance of the 3rd Reich, Italy and Japan. During the period of their top reign, the territories of the Axis states included large parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
Despite this, planet War II resulted in a full defeat of the Axis states. As with the Allies, the number of Axis states during the war changed – at the end of the war a large proportion of members switched to the allied side. The war active 1.7 billion people, including 110 million with guns. According to various estimates, 50 to 80 million people died there. The beginning date of the war is September 1, 1939 – the German attack on Poland. In russian historiography, there is simply a concept of the “Great Patriotic War” launched on 22 June 1941 by German attack on the russian Union and this date the Soviets accept as the start of planet War II. On September 3, 1939, Britain and France joined the war. As a consequence of the war, Poland was demolished by the 3rd Reich and the russian Union.
After the aggression of the 3rd Reich and the USSR in September 1939 and the business of the full territory of the Second Republic by the Wehrmacht and the Red Army, Poland did not capitulate against the aggressors. The Polish government in exile after 1939 continued to fight the enemy on all fronts with the Polish Armed Forces forces in the West and the National Army in occupied Poland. In the occupied country the structure of the Polish Underground State was functioning – administration, judiciary and armed forces subordinate to the Government of Poland in exile, continuing the continuity of the Polish state in the country. ZSRS, after detecting graves of victims of Katyń crime, broke diplomatic relations with the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile in April 1943 and began the organization of structures to take power in Poland after the Red Army was planned to enter its territory (Union of Polish Patriots, People's Polish Army under Berling).
In May 1943, at the initiative of communist criminal Stalin, a 1. was created in the russian Union. Tadeusz Kościuszko Infantry Division under the command of the traitor Sigismund Berling — sentenced by the court martial of Poland to death for desertion from the Polish Armed Forces in the russian Union.
The NKVD and the Berlingows utilized incredible panic on the Polish population. Robbery, murder, rape. On March 7, 1943, the village of Guty, Ostrów Mazowiecki County, was burned. People were murdered, women and children were thrown into the fire alive.
Sigismund Berling co-authored a declaration of homage and loyalty sent in March 1941 to the hands of communist criminal Joseph Stalin.
The United States of North America entered the war on December 7, 1941 with the nipponese attack on Pearl Harbor. Attack on Pearl Harbor – nipponese raid on 7 December 1941 on US fleet and aviation bases in Hawaii, including the most crucial United States Navy base in the Pacific in Pearl Harbor. This attack is considered to be the minute erstwhile the Pacific War begins.
As a consequence of the partition of Poland, Polish Armed Forces were created – organized military formations formed in autumn 1939 outside Poland, on the basis of inter-society agreements signed by large Britain and France. Polish Armed Forces were commanded by the Chief Chief General Władysław Sikorski.
The first branches of the Polish Armed Forces in the West at the time under the name of the Polish Army in France began to be created in September 1939 in French territory among Poles residing in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and large Britain.
The basis for the formation of Polish-French troops was the Polish-French agreement of 9 September 1939 on the creation of the Polish division in France, and then the agreement of 4 January 1940 on the formation of the Polish Army there. Under this agreement, from January 1940, units of land troops, aviation and naval forces, operating in the French army, began to be formed from the mobilized volunteers. In 1940 the Polish Army in France had about 85,000 soldiers. During the formation of units of the recreated Polish Army the experience of losing run in Poland was taken into account. This included, among another things, the stronger equipment of troops with anti-tank weapons.
In the period from November 1939, the formation of the 4th Infantry Division began (1st Grenadiers Division, 2nd Infantry firearm Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division) and 1st Armerno-Motor Brigade (10th Armored Cavalry Brigade). A part of the forces was separated from the formed troops and a self-contained Brigade of the Podhalan Rifles was formed.
In addition, a number of aviation branches and support were formed. The organization of the troops was hampered by deficiency of weapons and equipment. As a result, about 50,000 Polish soldiers from these troops took part in the defence of France in 1940. The losses during these actions ranged from around 1500 to 4000 dead and over 5,000 wounded.
During the French battles, Polish fighter pilots shot down about 50 German aircraft.
The Norwegian run was attended by the Self-Sagittarius Brigade of the Podhale Rifles (the conflict of Narvik, May 1940), and the ships of the Polish Navy. However, the French run (June 1940) active tactical unions – the 1st Grenadiers Division, the 2nd baby firearm Division and the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade.
In Syria, the Self-Certain firearm Brigade of Carpathians (Gen. Stanisław Kopański commander) was formed.
After the defeat of France, about 27,000 soldiers and officers of the Polish Armed Forces were evacuated to Palestine and large Britain.
The Polish Underground State was formed in the country – secret structures of the Polish state under the authority of the Government of Poland in exile. The proposals for continuing the fight and opposition by conspiracy methods were formulated on September 25, 1939 at meetings between the civilian authorities of Warsaw – president Stefan Starzyński, the Council of Defence of the Capital and General Julius Rómmel – commander of the defence of Warsaw. General Michał Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz took part in the meetings. Meanwhile, General Julius Rómmel received power of command throughout the country from the Chief Leader. General Michał Tokarzewski-Karaszewicz so proposed that General Julius Rómmel hand over this power of lawyer to him, in order to organize the spiritual agents or military-political delegations of the Polish state. The consequence was the order of General Rommel:
"I am given by the Chief Leader, in agreement with the Government, the power of command in the war against the invasion of the full area of the State, to Brig. Gen. Michał Tadeusz Tokarzewski – Karaszewicz with the task of continuing to fight for independency and for the full borders. — J. Rómmel, General Dyw’.
On the night of 26 to 27 September 1939, the Polish triumph Service was established in the besieged Warsaw – a conspiracy military organization to fight against the occupiers. On 13 November 1939, it was converted into the Armed Combat Union (ZWZ), governed by the Government of Poland in exile. In this way, the political and military continuity of the authorities of the Republic of Poland and the indirect influence of state authorities on the situation in the country were preserved.
On 14 February 1942, General Władysław Sikorski converted the ZWZ into the National Army (AK). Her chief commandant was General Stefan Rowecki, in the September run commander of the Warsaw Pancerno-Motor Brigade, author of the military manual of street fighting. The creation of the AK was intended to bring together all military groups, subordinate to so far various underground political groups, into 1 organization subordinate to the Polish government in exile.
Here is simply a rot of oath made by soldiers of the Home Army:
“In the face of the Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Polish Crown, I lay my hands on this Holy Cross, a sign of Passion and Salvation, and I curse to be faithful My homeland, the Republic of Poland, stand firm to defender her honor and to free her from captivity to fight with all her strength – until the sacrifice of my life.
I will obey the president of the Republic of Poland and the orders of the Chief Leader and the commander of the National Army appointed by him, and I will keep my secret firmly, whatever would happen to me.
So aid me God.”
Host
Quote-alpha.png
"I welcome you in the ranks of the Polish Army, fighting the enemy in a conspiracy for the liberation of the Homeland. Your work will be to fight a weapon in your hand. triumph will be your reward.
Betrayal is punishable by death."
In the fall of 1941, 40 1000 soldiers belonged to the ZWZ, and by the end of 1942 the AK had already had about 200 1000 of them. It was the largest underground army in occupied Europe. However, most soldiers did not receive regular training, and in addition they had only 53,000 weapons (of which only 6% of device guns).
The main task of the National Army was to gather forces to strike erstwhile Germany collapsed. The armed actions led to cruel repression – the Nazis shot respective twelve Poles for all German killed. Only in late 1942, the AK intensified its diversion activities – it attacked German police stations, derailed military transports destined for the east front, blew up bridges, reflected prisoners. This change was affected by the inhibition of the success of the Wehrmacht and the accomplishment of organizational efficiency by the AK.
Poland, although under occupation, had a legal and internationally recognized government residing in London. There were Polish Armed Forces in the West and the underground National Army. In Warsaw, a Government Delegate was appointed to the rank of Deputy Prime Minister.
The Office of the Government Delegate for the Country consisted of the Bureau within which they operated – the Presidency Section, the Financial and Budget Section, the Audit Section and the Department (Department) of the Elimination of the Effects of War.
Government delegates to the country were:
– Jan Skrebabohaty-Jakubowski from May 25 to December 14, 1940,
– Cyril Ratajski from December 3, 1940 to August 5, 1942,
– Jan Piekałkiewicz from 5 August 1942 to 19 February 1943,
– Jan Stanisław Jankowski from 19 February 1943, (formally from 21 April 1943) to 27 March 1945,
– Stefan Korboński from 27 March 1945 to 28 June 1945 (p.o.),
– Jerzy Braun since June 28, 1945.
The government delegation to the country was subject to intelligence, diversion, education, justice and politics departments. There were conspiracy courts that were not only executed but were besides announced in the underground press. This was a phenomenon in occupied Europe – about 1,400 titles appeared (of which 17 came out throughout the occupation). There were political, military, literary, feminine, humorous magazines. In underground printing houses books were besides published (Germany only allowed guides, e.g. gardening).
At the turn of 1943 – 1944, the full volume of underground press issued by the Secret Military Publishing Works – the publishing and printing company of the Home Army amounted to nearly 250 1000 magazines, 65,500 brochures and 120 1000 copies of leaflets. Throughout the business there were secret sets, i.e. underground schools. The Secret Teaching Organization provided them with staff, and prepared and distributed textbooks. Almost 2,000 advanced schools were created in the General Government (GG). Underground universities educated Polish scientists, historians, mathematicians, doctors. During the war, nearly 10,000 students graduated.
Since Germany only agreed to the activities of insignificant theatres and cabarets (whose repertoire was to fool Poles), underground theatres were created. In private apartments or basements, the dramas of Slovak, Wyspianski, Shakespeare were exhibited. There were besides concerts and poetic evenings.
For example, in Krakow there was a theatre (Rapsodic Theatre with Karol Wojtyła) at Szewskia Street presenting national art with the participation of prominent actors and directors. The underground state in its structures, known to the occupiers, supported by Polish society, was dangerous not only in armed actions, sabotages, but besides threatened the occupiers even in authoritative media.
“Goniec Krakowski” from Krakow published on the last page a poetic piece, whose first verses started with letters read vertically, with the slogan: “Police Sikorski works”. Right next to this piece, the heroic Krakow printers placed a propaganda speech by Hans Frank – the general governor. It was besides a triumph of the Polish Underground. Sabotage operations continued – armed as governors of the occupier, the underground press was sold to houses.
While surviving during the business in the Kraków building – a immense -11 cage of PKO at Zyblikiewicza 5 Street for years I did not announcement in many courtyards leading to housing of any soldier or German officer. They were afraid to enter the building. This gave us young people free control in the underground press. We were united, and that was besides our contribution to the underground fight against the occupier. In the fight against the occupier, action to interrupt propaganda programs in the alleged "takers" of public, i.e. in street speakers, with a change to the anthem of the Republic of Poland, for example, played a crucial role. There was much joy in the courtyard songs performed for heartwarming
The opposition movement in occupied Poland covered almost all areas of life. Therefore, secret structures subordinated to the emigration government were called the Polish Underground State after the war. There was no specified country in Europe. The largest military actions undertaken by the AK were the Warsaw Uprising, which began on 1 August 1944 and the action “Burza” took place in east Poland. It continued from January 4, 1944, erstwhile russian troops crossed the Polish-Soviet border in Volyn from 1939 to January 1945. In the first phase, the action 'Burza' was based on military cooperation between Polish and Russian units. After breaking the German defence in these areas, russian authorities broke these military agreements and interned thousands of AK soldiers. After the fall of the Warsaw Uprising, the capital of the Polish Underground State was Częstochowa.
In the face of Poland, the most faithful allies of Western Allies made a mistake, condemning her to influence the russian Empire. This was ruled out by secret Tehran Accords of the large Coalition in 1943, initially fixing the east border of the Republic according to a line not much different from the German – russian partition in 1939. The time of Tehran is in fact associated with landmark events in the war arena as the east front approached the borders of the Republic.
And at that time politicians and soldiers of the Polish Underground State faced a dilemma – to fight or not to fight? The hope for the future created a fight against Germany on the side of the Allied. However, she carried further bloody sacrifices and russian aid without guaranteeing the restoration of an independent state. The alternate was passiveness, which was besides at hazard of failure – threatening to destruct Poles from the list of winners and to give initiative and merit to forces serving Moscow, given that the Soviets' relation to the Republic of Fighting was highly hostile from the very beginning to the accusations of the National Army for collaboration with Germany.
In this situation, the Chief Leader's Staff in London prepared a peculiar instruction for the country, providing different options for PPP operations depending on developments on the east front, and the presentation of the Polish case on the global stage. The anticipation of open confrontation, or passive submission to the Soviets entering Poland, was rejected. In the end, a conditional compromise with “our Allied Soyusznik” was undertaken to save the subjectivity of the Republic, to show absurd russian allegations of the cooperation of the AK with Germany in carrying out an armed act against Nazi occupiers. This decision was made by the leaders of the Polish Underground State, based on a sense of work for the Polish right of state – a associate of the anti-Hitler coalition. It was believed that combat engagement would have a affirmative impact on the postwar decisions of the victorious powers. As a result, General Tadeusz Komorowski “Bór” issued an order to operate “Burza” on 20 November 1943 as an increased diversion action against Germany in cooperation with the Red Army in order to master the area and reconstruct the legitimate centres of Polish power on it, and to uncover itself as a sovereign host.
Despite the tragic business experience in the east Borders, after September 17, 1939, dramatic and paralyzing news of the Katyn crime and the break-up of relations by the Soviets with the Government of the Republic, it was thought that Moscow would respect the Polish armed action against Germany as part of a joint coalition.
Meanwhile, as we know, developments have passed all optimistic predictions. The russian Union trampling on legal realities – global treated occupied areas as its own territory. The Red Army and the National Army's combat activities ended as a regulation with the defeat of German troops.
Then came the insidious disarmament of the arks, the captivity, the pits of death, or the lagers on inhuman land. The dramatic destiny of Volyn and his native division are an exemplary example of russian criminal policy.
It was there that the “Burza” began to be heard about the entry of the Soviets on 4 January 1944, k. Sarn (railway node) in the territory of the Republic of Poland. Analysis and evaluation of its course shows that the first thought of demonstrations of tiny guerrilla units in the front region has evolved into a nationwide insurgent operation involving nearly 120 1000 soldiers.
Only Volynsk concentration in January – March 1944 covered guerrilla troops hardened with earlier bloody self-defense over a 100 Polish centres. By this time, about 150 fights against formations of the Ukrainian Insurgency Army were fought there, saving thousands of Polish families from destruction. The fast mobilisation of the Volyn AK troops for Operation “Burza” under the order of January 15, 1944 included nearly 7,000 Soldiers.
‘[...]Not debris. I'm going to grow up two-legged,
two-voice green light
similar to clouds and pine
flowers floating on rafts
When the river is wet slippery
is the speech of the cradle's light.
Not the darkness. I'll swim through it.
and hands on it – radius
in the Blessed Act
in a surviving thunderstorm
♪ 'cause it's made of flint ♪
growing eternity – trees[...]".
Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński „Orocaki” – fragment
However, not only the described enemies threatened the Republic of Poland. There was besides a bloody diversion in its different crimes of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, already operating in the interwar period – directed from abroad.
It consisted of acts of terrorism, diversion and sabotage directed against Polish power. associate Tadeusz Hołówko, Minister Bronisław Pieracki and a number of police officers were murdered. At the hands of Roman Szuchewycz, the school curator Stanisław Sobiński died. The CNS conducted large-scale sabotage operations – its members set fire to farms, destroyed grain, telephone and telegraph lines, raided offices and post ambulances, and even on individual mailmen. The CNS had its own chemical labs where bombs were produced and had weapons retention facilities.
The strategical goal of maximum Ukrainian nationalism is to build the Ukrainian Empire and to grow territorially indefinitely. It is imported into the construction of a one-national (so-born) Ukrainian state in all Ukrainian ethnographic territories, with the membership of the Ukrainian ethnographic territory of the CNS being determined in an arbitrary manner – it is simply a state of 1,200,000 square kilometres, ranging from Krynica to the Chechnya border to the east.
At the hands of Ukrainian nationalists in 1939 – 1946 died in Volyn and in east Małopolska / in Tarnopolski, Stanisławów and Lviv Voivodeship, thousands of Poles, children, women, men and old people. They were murdered with unparalleled cruelty, unknown even to the Gestapo or the NKVD. “UPA besides murdered Jews with equal cruelty.
It is astounding that the judaic communities are silent on this subject, and “Gazeta Wyborcza” proclaims the fame of the CNS – UPA”, says Wiktor Poliszczuk in the title “Ludicide accomplished”.
In 1942, anti-Polish actions of Ukrainian nationalists started.
http://club-generalagrota.pl/kg/base-knowledge/references/642,27-Wolynska-Division-Piechoty-Krajowa-fenomen-Polish-Underground country.html (link is external)
Since January 1943 these actions have intensified, and the extermination of the Polish population has gradually taken over all districts of Volyn. In Volyn there was complete anarchy. In addition to UPA troops carrying out the bloody "ethnic cleansing" of the Polish population, many russian guerrilla troops were present in Volyn, carrying out their tasks, as well as bands consisting of Cossacks escaped from the German service, deserters from German units and from various auxiliary formations.
In the AK Chief's study for the period from 8 to 14 May 1943, we find the following record:
‘(...) The state of Volyn now resembles “wild fields”. The German administration is powerless and looks at everything passively." Under these conditions, the territory chief was forced to take action to organize the defence of the endangered Polish population, while at the same time in connection with the approaching east Front, to lead preparations for the implementation of the plan “Burza”.
At the end of 1943, the east front was rapidly approaching the borders of the II Republic. On 4 January 1944 russian troops crossed the erstwhile Polish-Soviet border in the Rokitna area. Volhyń became a direct base of the German front, more and more troops and logistics units arrived here, the evacuation of the German administration began. In this situation, the commander of the AK Volyń territory decided to start implementing the “Burza” plan.
On January 15, 1944, the Regional Inspectors were given an order ordering the mobilisation of the AK's underground troops and directing them to the concentration area in the western part of Volyn. The Polish self-defense area in Zasmyki, located south of Kowl and the self-defense area in Bielin, located north of Włodzimierz Wołyński, was designated as the collection site.
In these areas, self-defense and partisan partisan troops “Jastrzębia”, “Sokolo”, “Petersia” and “Korda” have existed since mid-1943. Military troops were formed from mobilized conspiracy soldiers and members of self-defense and were combined with guerrilla troops that had already operated in the field.
As a consequence of the mobilization in the areas of concentration of the armed forces of the AK Volyn District, more than 6.5 1000 soldiers were placed under arms, ready to take combat action against Germany, which represented 21% of the overall state of the territory forces.
According to the plan to reconstruct the armed forces in the country by The Ordre de Bataille of peace and dislocation prior to the mobilization of 1939, on 28 January 1944, at the briefing of the officers of the staff in the village of Suszybaba, the decision was made to establish the pre-war 27th Infantry Division, which was shortly called the 27th Volyn Infantry Division of the AK.
The division's organization referred to the pre-war traditions of the 27th Infantry Division, the 13th Infantry Division and the Volynian Cavalry Brigade. The erstwhile regiment numbering was preserved.
Two regimental groups were organized out of the above premises: Kowelski under the code name “Gromada” and Włodzimierzyskie under the code name “Osnowa”.
Major Shatowski ‘Kowal’, ‘Zagończyk’ was the leader of the group ‘Gromada’ and at the same time 50 pp.
A platoon of gendarmerie and staff protection, sapper platoon, reconnaissance platoon, anti-tank squad and quartermastership were formed at the office of the group. The group included the following battalions: 1/50 pp ‘Sokolo’, 11/50 pp Jastrzębie’, III/50 pp ‘Trzeska’, 1/43 pp ‘Korda’, 11/43 pp ‘Siwego’ and I squadron of 20th Regiment of the Hinči.
In total, the group had a full of 3074 men, including 56 officers, 314 enlisted officers and 2704 Privates. In addition to linear battalions, troops were organized in the area of the group to defend the civilian population and defend the quartermaster's base with about 250 people.
Captain Kazimierz Rzaniak “Garda” was appointed as the leader of the group “Osnow” and at the same time 23 pp. A platoon of gendarmerie and staff protection, bomb squad, communications platoon, reconnaissance platoon and quartermastership were formed at the office of the group.
The group included the following battalions: 1:23 pp "Bogorii" (and from 8.4.1944 "Zejka", 11/23 pp "Lecha", 1/24 pp "Luna", the independent company "Sokola II" (skeletal III/23 pp) and the 19th Ulanian Regiment, Jarosław).
The group had a full of 1946 men, including 31 officers, 229 officers and 1686 Privates. In the area of the group were stationed units of civilian protection and protection of the quartermaster's office with about 250 people.
Thus, as a consequence of the mobilisation of the armed forces, The territory was set up under the arms of more than 6.5 1000 people organized in 9 battalions, 2 squadrons and 1 independent company as well as peculiar and logistical units covering communications, bomb squads, reconnaissance, wellness care (two hospitals), quartermaster services and others, ready to take combat action against Germany.
About 600 soldiers of the AK remained in self-defense facilities, and about 2500-3500 conspiracy troops for various reasons did not scope the concentration area.
The mobilisation and concentration of the underground units of the AK in Volyn took place under circumstantial conditions. The mobilized troops were exposed not only to attacks by German troops, but besides to UPA troops, whose large groups were located in large complexes of wine and mosur forests and in forests located on the left bank of the Stochod River.
In order to grow the operational base to activities against Germany, a number of actions were taken against UPA troops. Between January and March 1944, as part of activities to grow the operational base, the “Gromada” and “Osnowa” groups carried out 16 major combat actions against UPA groups. In this way, the threat of the Polish population gathered in the western part of Volyn was removed, conditions were created to form armed troops and make them in the fresh organizational structure of the division, and the area of the operational base was extended significantly, so the division gained freedom of manoeuvre and facilities to fight Germany. During this period, divisional troops simultaneously conducted a number of actions against the German tactical and exploratory. CDN
In the spring of 1944, German troops retreated west to effort to defend selected strategical facilities. russian troops, after a short break after the Łutsk-Rovian operation, began active action in the Kowel direction. On March 18, 1944, 47 and 70 russian troops blocked Kowel. This crucial communication node has warmed up persistent fighting. As a consequence of these actions, troops of the 27th Volyn National Army Infantry Division were straight in the front zone.
On 4 March in the Dąbrowa – Zasmyki region, a gathering took place between the russian cavalry reconnaissance branch (Captain Gusiow) and the divisions of the division. This was the first contact with regular Red Army troops. The divisional command established tactical cooperation with russian units.
The first fight, which was fought in cooperation with troops of the russian Army, was a hit on Turkod on 20 March 1944. This event was noted in a radio dispatch sent by the AK commander to the Chief Commander in London:
"On 20. III. our guerrilla troops captured Turkod (southwest Kowla), while protecting the confederate wing of russian troops, winning Turkod railway station. 3 kb spanc., ckm, handguns and 30,000 ammunition were captured.”
Another action, carried out as part of the arrangements with the Soviets, was to take over the village and Turopin railway station and the railway bridge between Turopin and Owadne.
The attack on Turowin and Turopin started an open fight against the German occupier by troops of the 27th WDP AK. The capture of Turwyta and Turopina interrupted Kowla's railway connection with Włodzimierz and secured the confederate wing of russian troops attacking Kowel. .
For the division, it created an chance for troops to decision westward, and this movement was inevitable due to the approaching front.
The participation of 27 WDP AK in the Kowel operation deserves peculiar attention. In accordance with the conditions of cooperation agreed with the command of russian troops, the division in late March 1944 regrouped to the western bank of Turia to the area bounded from the east by the river Turia, from the west by the river Bug, from the north by the Dorohusk – Kowel railway line and from the south by the road Uściług – Włodzimierz Wołyński.
The area to which division troops regrouped was about 800 sq mi. The commander of the division formed here 2 groups – northern towards Lubomla and confederate towards Włodzimierz Wołyński.
The task of the 27th WDP of the AK was to establish German forces southwest of Kowl in the Turkod region, Olesk, Lubomi, Zamłynie, Sciług, Włodzimierz Wołyński; to keep communication and crossings by Bug; to conduct the designation of German troops' movement (especially on the Lublin – Lubomi – Kowel railway line). It was besides planned to engage with the execution of strokes on the Lubomi-Kowel communication line, and in favorable conditions besides in the confederate direction for blocking the Włodzimierz Wołyński-Uściług road.
After regrouping, the division was placed in the position of the westernmost, in the region of direct action of russian troops participating in the Kowel operation. Division troops took a deep wedge into the area of future fighting for an crucial communication node – Kowel.
The city was converted into a strengthened area, defended in the first phase by SS troops and retreating German units. On the Chełm – Kowel railway line, strong opposition points were created in the towns of Ja hours, Rymacze, Luboml and Maciejów. In the south there was a reinforced town of Włodzimierz Wołyński and the Włodzimierz road – Hug with opposition points in Piatydni and Ościług, filled by German phase units. From the west, in the areas adjacent to the left bank of the Bug, strictly – from Dorohusk to the Hug, were German forces, insuring Bug.
On April 2, 1944, the division battles began with regular German units from the fighting at Sztum and Zamłyń. The division's action in this operation was a front action, although it was not a tactical union of the regular army. In the first phase of the fighting, her troops successfully conducted defensive-backed actions against more many and better armed regular German units, utilizing a wing and rear maneuver.
The final focus of these actions was to effort to take the initiative on 12 April by performing a return which was attached simultaneously in 2 directions: northern and southern.
As a consequence of the unfavorable course of fighting both towards Lubomla and Włodzimierz, the division threatened a lap. russian Command did not agree to retreat troops of the 27th WDP AK to the Turia line and take up defence there. The division, left in the mass of mosurian, herblic and abzarite forests without any support from the regular russian army, led dense defensive battles in the lap from 13 to 19 April 1944.
The situation of surrounded troops was difficult. On 18 April 1944, Colonel Jan Wojciech Kiwerski “Oliwa” commander of 27 WDP AK died in the area of the farm Good Country. Soldiers, exhausted by more than 2 weeks of activities under Lubomel and Vladimir Volynsky, were incapable to fight for a long time against opposing troops who had method and numerical advantage. The only way out was to break through beyond the lap ring.
After careful analysis of the situation and consideration of the various options for exiting the lap, it was considered that the direction giving the best chance of getting through was the northern direction through Zamlyna, Ya hours, leading to the rear of German troops. The crossing behind Bug could not be taken into account due to the order of the AK office ordering to stay on Volyn.
On 20-22 April 1944, the division broke through from the lap heading north to the forests above the advanced Pripytia. All the rolling stock, dense equipment and infirmary with injured people were left in the lap area.
It was a hard but essential decision. The division suffered large losses in the combats carried out as part of the Kowel operation: 349 soldiers were killed, 160 were wounded, 170 were captured, about 1,600 were dispersed. Despite these losses, the division was not broken. After leaving the lap, her basic core counted about 3,600 men under arms. About 500 soldiers who were incapable to break through the lap took the fight and joined the division already in Lublin.
After the defensive conflict under Sokoł and Holadyn, the division began on the night of 25-26 April 1944 to march eastward and on 28 April reached the Szack forest complex. Here it was decided to stay longer to give remainder to exhausted troops.
The fates of the 27th WDP AK, after it penetrated from the lap, were at the centre of interest of the Chief General of the AK General Bora-Komorowski. The division task has not been changed. The order to the Commandant of the AK territory of Lublin states that after crossing the lap, “the task of these troops will proceed to carry out actions B (‘Burza’) east of Bug, as long as possible.”
At the same time, the Chief Commandant of the Home Army provided for the subordination of the branches of the 27th WDP AK under the orders of the Head of the Lublin AK District, if these branches did not have the anticipation to stay in Volyn, they crossed Bug and entered the District.
Exit from the lap of the troops of the 27th WDP AK and their passage into the sack forests was no secret to the Germans. The 8th Division was located in the immediate back of the front between the first German line of defence moving from Wyżwa Nowa, along the River Wyżewka to Ratna and further along Pripeci, and the second line moving from Szacka through the towns of Piszcza, Oltusz to Malite.
The presence of a large guerrilla unit in this area, with almost 4000 people, was not convenient for Germans. From the first days of May, reconnaissance aviation was active, which patrolled the sage forests. The revived activity of German and Hungarian patrols was besides observed, which, coming out of Szack, Zabłocie and Huta Ratneńska, penetrated the area in the day, approaching the Szack forests. Polish patrols sent for food had frequent skirmishes with enemy patrols. All pointed out that Germany could shortly take a wider action against divisional troops in the Shatsk forests.
Since mid-May, the German ringing around the sash forests, in which the 27th WDP AK and the russian partisan troops group, has been stationed, has grown closer and closer.
German aviation continued to conduct reconnaissance flights over the forest complex, shelling from on-board weapons and bombarding spotted areas of troop deployment. At dawn on 21 May, supported by tanks and artillery fire, the German attack on the sack forests simultaneously began from respective directions: from the side of Miernik, from Szacka, from Kropiwnik, Zabłocie and Huta Ratneńska. As a consequence of the operation, which utilized crucial infantry, artillery, tanks and aviation forces, the Germans pushed troops of the 27th WDP AK and troops of the russian guerrilla to the northern part of the forest into an area of about 4 sq km.
On the evening of May 21, at a briefing with the commander of the 27th WDP AK, it was assessed that further combat by specified a large unit on the direct back of the German front, in the absence of supplies, was impossible. Since there was no licence to leave Volyn, it was decided to go behind the front to the russian side. It was decided to break from the lap north-east to the Divina area, from where the Prypeci were to be forced (along which the German-Soviet front line ran), and then a jump to the Police area located southeast of the Koširski Stone. The division was to penetrate in 3 columns and in 3 directions.
During the night from 21 to 22 May 1944, troops of the 27th WDP AK went beyond the ringing of the lap, defeating extended swamps not filled by the enemy. Apparently, the Germans found this area to be impenetrable during the spring period. In the meantime, the division commander received an order from the Home Army Chief to go after Bug. The staff column headed west and crossed Bug in the Durycze area on 29 May 1944.
The “Kwala” and “Gardy” groups failed to turn back. On May 27, 1944, an effort to break through the front line at Pripeci took place by the “Gardy” group, with large losses of about 40% of the state. About 120 people were killed in Pripeci and 114 soldiers were wounded.
After this tragedy, the Blacksmith group turned back and headed west towards the Bug. In the Medna area, she met with the second part of the staff column. On the night of 9th to 10th June 1944, division troops crossed Bug simultaneously at 4 crossing points and headed south-west on a strong march reached the Parczewski Forest area on 17-20th June 1944.
The stay in the area was primarily utilized for the remainder and order of the branches and training.
15 July 1944. Germany launched a large pacification action under the code name "Wirbelsturm" (cyclon) against troops grouped in the Parczewski Forest area. On the night of 17 to 18 July 1944, the division broke through the tightening ringing of the lap and entered the Czechia forest complex. Here in the last decade of July 1944, for the second time, she participated in “Bury” in Lublin.
On 21-22 July 1944, she occupied Firlej, Kamionka, Lubartów, Kock, Michów, mastering an area of about 180 sq km. In this way the direction of German troops moving from Lublin to Łuków was blocked. The area occupied by the 27th WDP of the AK included russian units of the 29th Guarded Infantry Corps comprising the 8th Guarded Army of the l Belarusian Front.
At a gathering with the russian army commander, further actions of the division were agreed, which was to operate in the direction of Warsaw together with the russian corps. alternatively of continuing the joint fight against the occupier, the 27th WDP AK was insidiously disarmed under Skrobów on 25 July 1944. On July 30, the same destiny was met by the battalion of the aggregate division in Szczebrzeszyn.
The activity of the Polish independency Underground in Volyn and the creation of the 27th Volyn Infantry Division of the AK took place under peculiar conditions. The motives for organising the division and the function it fulfilled in Volyn must be considered against the background of both the political conditions (the position of the Polish government in exile on the east border, Polish-Soviet relations) and the general situation in this region under German occupation, and especially the tragedy of the Polish people, threatened by the demolition of Ukrainian nationalists.
The events in Volyn took place under conditions of national antagonism fueled by the occupiers, political conflict for these lands, disorganization of economical and social life. They developed rapidly and unexpectedly. Organizational work related to the creation of the division was undertaken at a time erstwhile the massacre of the Polish population by the CNS-UPA took on a massive character, and the disorganization of the business administration reached its peak.
27th WDP AK first launched implementation of the “Burza” plan. It had a different dimension and course than the subsequent activities of the AK branches in another areas of Poland, mainly due to conditions, momentum and duration.
Combat activities of 27 WDPAK under the “Burza” plan, in their first phase, covered the area of 4 counties extending from the Styr River to the Bug River and then moved to confederate Polesia and ended in Lublin.
Already in the first phase of action, in early March 1944 the divisional command established communication with the command of the regular russian army. As a consequence of the negotiation with the russian Army's command, the principles of tactical cooperation were established in the fight against the Germans.
Soviet Command has agreed to respect the organisational separation of the AK branches, recognising that it is simply a Polish division which has its authorities in Warsaw and London.
The commander of the 27th WDP AK informed the KG of talks with russian Army representatives, agreed arrangements and conditions and requested acceptance of the agreement.
The dispatch sparked a large stir in the Home Army Headquarters, in the office of the Chief Commander, and even in the Government of Poland. During this period, the Polish Government in London had no relations with the government of the russian Union.
Attempts to mediate the United Kingdom and the United States on establishing diplomatic relations have failed and have only led to fruitless talks. Here, in Volyn, there was an agreement in the field of a common fight which gave the chance to revive political relations between the Polish Government and the russian Union. Of course, it was inactive far from solving the fundamental problems in relations between Poland and the russian Union, but there was undoubtedly a chance that the russian National Army would recognise itself as an ally in the fight against Germany.
The participation of the 27th WDP AK in the action “Burza” in Volyn and Polesiu besides had a political dimension. The actions of the division within the framework of the Kowel operation, and later besides in the area of Polesia, were a political-military demonstration which was to paper the Polishness of Volyn and the participation of the Polish soldier in his liberation.
The presence of the division in Volyn and its fight against the occupier proved that the Polish state exists, operates and fights, has legal state authorities representing the continuity of the independent state entity of Poland and the armed force fighting in the country. It was so a demonstration before the planet of the sovereign rights of Poland to the land of Volyn.
Unfortunately, efforts and casualties of a soldier of the 27th WDP AK had no influence on political solutions. Decisions on this issue were taken at a conference of 3 powers: the United Kingdom, the United States and the russian Union in Tehran, without the participation of representatives of the Polish Republic.
The Soviets' attitude to the formation of the Home Army from the beginning was hostile, or alternatively hostile. It was regulated by the Stawka Directive of the russian Chief Command of 14 July 1944 on the disarmament of Polish armed forces, subordinate to the Polish Government.
In accordance with this directive, all AK troops encountered were disarmed, arresting and exporting personnel and even soldiers to camps inside the russian Union. This besides happened to 27 WDP AK. It did not aid to invoke the common struggles fought in Volyn and Polesia.
On July 25, 1944, the 27th WDP AK ceased to be as a military unit.
The 27th WDP AK was the largest guerrilla unit, which operated continuously from January 1944 to July 1944 as a compact and organized tactical union. She started the action “Burza” and has implemented its assumptions in Volyn and Lublin for the longest time.
It was a circumstantial phenomenon in the Polish guerrilla movement. In conducting six and a half months of persistent fighting, she over 600 km. On her conflict trail, in sixty major battles, she suffered crucial losses of: 626 dead, about 400 wounded, 195 taken prisoner, and 1320 missing.
This represents 42 % of the failure compared to the first state of the division. Division troops have lost the enemy, which is estimated at 700-750 killed, 900-1000 wounded and 348 taken prisoner.
Combat actions of 27 WDP AK did not receive due designation in the post-war 50-year-old. Division battles have not been spoken or presented in false light.
Therefore, present we return to these events, so that this modest part of the past of fighting for Poland's independency will not be forgotten.
Documents, sources, quotations:
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_Wo%C5%82y%C5%84ska_Division_Piechoty (link is external)
https://kresy.pl/kresopedia/criminal-Ukrainian-nationalist-on-polakami/
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygmunt_Berlin (link is external)
