The canals in the Warsaw Uprising should not be associated only with the evacuation of encircled districts. They were also a tool of heroic resistance and allowed for a secret attack on the rear of the enemy. It's time to remind you of that!
In the second week of fighting, the situation of the Polish side in Wola became more and more difficult. The broken regional troops and the bleeding-out battalions of the "Radosław" Group were constantly pushed from their positions by the Germans. Therefore, the staff of Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz "Radosław" began to consider the possibility of eluding the enemy.
Some of the officers saw a chance to resolve the situation in leading the soldiers to Kampinos. Among the supporters of this idea was Major Tadeusz Runge "Witold", Cichociemny, commander of the "Czata 49" battalion, one of the best trained and armed units of the insurgent Warsaw. On August 9, he ordered an ambulance, believing that the Group's command would make a decision in line with his expectations.
Tadeusz Runge "Witold", it was he who proposed as the first to use the sewers to attack the German rear.
However, this did not happen. Therefore, the major decided to suggest an action that would distract the Germans from the main forces of "Radosław" and allow - most likely - to go towards the Old Town. On August 10, he sent a letter in which he informed:
I performed a reconnaissance of the Stawka-Buraków channel network. The rates are the last entry point to the canal. According to experts, it takes about 4 hours to walk 100 people. I suggest using the channel to carry out an attack on the back of the npla .
Unfortunately, we have no information as to whether Lt. Col. Mazurkiewicz accepted the idea. We know, however, that the day after, on August 11, "Czata", together with other battalions of "Radosław", engaged in heavy fights in Stawki, in which the Polish side suffered heavy losses. Nevertheless, the army managed to move from Wola to the Old Town. When at the end of the month the Poles were forced to withdraw and leave this district, the idea of using the sewers in combat was resumed.
"You are destined to die ..."
The last days of August in the Old Town were marked by the systematic tightening of the ring around Polish positions by Nazi troops. The insurgents faced the task of working out a way to lead as many people as possible to Śródmieście.
The prepared plan assumed breaking through the German lines and carrying out the columns of the army, civilians and the wounded. All that was needed was someone to get the enemy's attention and give the main forces even a little time.
The "Czata 49" battalion was one of the best trained and armed units of the Home Army fighting in the uprising. The photo shows the soldiers of "Czata" pulling "PIAT" anti-tank grenade launchers from their containers.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, Lt. Col. "Radoslaw" and Maj. "Witold" with two of his officers - incl. with Zbigniew Scibor-Rylski "Butterfly".
At the briefing, they were informed that the "Czata 49" battalion was assigned to a task of great importance for saving the rest of the units - to the canal landing at Bankowy Square. According to the assumptions, about 100-125 people were to go to the rear of the enemy and hit him just after midnight .
Lt. Col. Jan Mazurkiewicz "Radoslaw".
Upon hearing of this idea, Major Runge demanded permission to conduct his own reconnaissance. He did not trust the topicality of the information presented to him. Then there was a quarrel between those present, ended by "Butterfly", who announced that he would take command of the entire operation. Later, among the officers of the "Radosław" Group, Lt. Col. Mazurkiewicz told his people:
The situation is very tough. It is your destiny to die so that the Old Town may pass. You are to make as much noise as possible and relieve the effort of the npla for as long as possible, for this purpose, among others, set fire to the building Maltese. Then you can join the advancing troops, or break through to Śródmieście by yourself.
Faced with such an attitude, the soldiers of "Czata" were given a choice - whoever wanted could withdraw and break through the mountain with others. Not even one person took advantage of the offer.
Underground Journey
In the evening of the same day, soldiers from "Czata" began to gather at Krasiński Square, near the front line. Armed specifically for this mission, they slowly descended the hatch underground. After the last soldier had descended, the column moved.
Zbigniew Ścibor-Rylski "Butterfly". It was he who commanded the canal landing operation to Bankowy Square.
They had 2-3 km to cover in the dark and stench. We do not know the exact distance, because we do not know which way the unit was moving. They moved slowly, weakened by several weeks of fighting, wounds, hunger, lack of sleep, carrying weapons that were not allowed to get wet.
About halfway through the march, some of the people lost their way and went straight towards Śródmieście. When they came to the surface, they wondered for a time if they shouldn't come back. But they figured it would be over by the time they got there. So they decided to stay where they went without telling anyone what their job was.
The others after a few hours reached their destination. According to the information received earlier, they were to have three hatches at their disposal. Unfortunately, it turned out that only one can be opened. After looking at the surface, the insurgents realized that Bankowy Square, which should be empty, was in fact full of German troops.
Faced with a more difficult situation than expected, the landing command officers decided to discuss whether they should take the risk. Jan Byczkowski "Cedro", always brave to the point of madness, was especially pushing for the fastest possible climb to the top. He offered to come out first and secure the area for the rest. Eventually, his idea was accepted. Along the column, the order came:"shooters with peems forward."
Final words
One by one, the participants of the action began to slide out of the hatch to the surface. They immediately lay down next to each other on the ground. Everything in absolute silence, so as not to alarm the enemy. Suddenly, a German began to approach the lying people, without weapons - most likely he was going "as needed" to a nearby toilet.
Not seeing much in the dark, he literally climbed one of the insurgents. He started screaming, but was shot immediately. Moments later all hell broke loose in the square.
Both sides opened fire on each other. Several soldiers of the Cedra jumped into the empty fountain, hiding from the bullets. Others tried to leave the sewer, but the constant fire and grenade explosions made it difficult for them.
Soldiers of the "Czata 49" Battalion, after a few hours of walking through the sewers from Krasiński Square to Warecka Street in the city center, in the morning of September 2, 1944.
Jan Byczkowski was running among his people, giving orders and pointing to targets. At one point he called, "Platoon Leader Leon to me!" A second later he was shot - fatal. Apart from him, one more insurgent must have died.
The fight went on for nearly forty minutes. The survivors, seeing that they had no chance of success, began to withdraw. They literally jumped into the hatch to get to the bottom as quickly as possible. Only one, Jan Pęczkowski "Kaminski", did not come back. He managed to hide in the basement of a nearby church together with two men he met. He left Warsaw with the end of the uprising.
Meanwhile, in the sewer, the soldiers in panic retreated, fearing that the Germans would pour gasoline inside and set it on fire . After departing to a safe distance, they had to decide where to go next:to the Old Town or to Śródmieście.
They sent a liaison to the command of the "North" Group. There they were ordered to return to the Old Town immediately. However, they decided that in their condition, after many hours underground, they were not fit for any fight and it would be better for them to head to Śródmieście.
They sent a liaison officer again, this time with the information that when he arrived at the place where the squad was to wait for him, it was gone.
The channel landing failed. The attempt to break through the top also ended in a fiasco. Only a small group from the "Zośka" battalion managed to pass through the Saxon Garden. On September 1, the evacuation of the army began through the sewers, which was completed in the morning of the next day. The Old Town has fallen.