Warsaw Uprising

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Warsaw Uprising

The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance movement Home Army (Polish: Armia Krajowa) to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The uprising began on 1 August 1944, as part of a nationwide Operation Tempest, and was the largest single military effort taken by any European resistance movement during World War II.

Background

The uprising was timed to coincide with the retreat of the German forces from Poland ahead of the Soviet advance. The main objective was to drive the German occupiers from the city and help with the larger fight against the Nazis. The Polish resistance hoped to liberate Warsaw before the arrival of the Red Army to assert Polish sovereignty and prevent a Soviet takeover.

Course of the Uprising

The uprising was intended to last a few days until the Soviet forces arrived. However, the Soviets halted their advance on the eastern bank of the Vistula River, and the Germans were able to regroup and counterattack. The fighting lasted for 63 days, during which the Home Army, along with civilian volunteers, fought fiercely against the better-equipped German forces.

Initial Successes

In the first few days, the insurgents managed to liberate large parts of Warsaw, including the city center and the Old Town. They established a functioning civil administration and even issued their own postage stamps.

German Counterattacks

The Germans responded with brutal force, bringing in reinforcements and using heavy artillery and airstrikes to crush the resistance. The insurgents were pushed back, and the city was subjected to widespread destruction.

Soviet Inaction

The Soviet forces remained on the eastern bank of the Vistula, providing little assistance to the Polish fighters. This inaction has been a subject of historical debate, with some arguing that the Soviets deliberately allowed the Germans to destroy the Polish resistance.

Aftermath

The uprising ended on 2 October 1944, with the surrender of the remaining Home Army forces. The city was left in ruins, and the civilian population suffered massive casualties. The Germans deported the surviving population and systematically destroyed what was left of Warsaw.

Casualties

The uprising resulted in the deaths of approximately 16,000 members of the Polish resistance and between 150,000 and 200,000 Polish civilians. German casualties were estimated at around 8,000 to 10,000 soldiers.

Legacy

The Warsaw Uprising is remembered as a symbol of Polish resistance and the struggle for independence. It is commemorated annually on 1 August with ceremonies and events throughout Poland.

Related Pages

• Home Army
• Operation Tempest
• Vistula River
• Red Army
• Nazi Germany
• World War II
• Polish resistance movement