Warsaw Uprising 1 VIII 1944

WARSAW UPRISING

The Warsaw Uprising lasted from August 1944 to October 1944. The Warsaw Uprising, led by General Tadeusz ‘Bor’ Komorowski, failed for a variety of reasons but it remains an inspirational story for a people under the rule of the Nazi Germany since the invasion of Poland in 1939 and whom had suffered greatly as a result of the Holocaust.

„many Poles feel that Britain too bears responsibility for the failure of the uprising because Churchill refused to airlift in Polish troops who had taken refuge in the UK and wanted to join their countrymen’s struggle.” (from: ’Warsaw uprising’ veterans demand Britain says sorry. The Guardian, 1 Aug 2004)

„Both the British and American governments were well aware from mid-1943 onwards that Polish underground leaders were planning to launch an insurrection against the Germans as soon as the time was ripe. A memorandum to this effect reached President Roosevelt’s desk, prior to the Teheran Conference, on 23 November 1943. At no point did the Anglo-Americans advise the Polish Government that a Rising might not be opportune. On the contrary, the general climate in Allied circles constantly urged the Poles to attack the Germans and thereby to assist the allied war effort.” (from: Prof. Norman Davies. Britain and the Warsaw Rising)

Historian Norman Davies, author Rising ’44: the battle for Warsaw , said : 'There is no doubt the British could have done more in all sorts of ways. Poland was our first ally. The British knew perfectly well from 1942 that the Soviet Union was going to occupy the territory. There were years to prepare the ground for that eventuality.  (from: ’Warsaw uprising’ veterans demand Britain says sorry. The Guardian, 1 Aug 2004)

„Churchill gave the Poles every assurance that Britain would defend Poland at the crucial time. But unbeknownst to the Polish Government, England had a hidden agenda. A British Chiefs of Staff report disapproved of any military action taken by Poland because, ” it would be politically unacceptable [for Poland] to undertake any such measures without the approval and cooperation of Russia.” Furthermore the report made a recommendation that this policy not be mentioned to Poland.” (from: WARSAW UPRISING)

More about Warsaw Uprising on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Uprising