The Witnesses' Uprising Reports

Chunk memories. The Occupation and the Warsaw Uprising - the memories of a 15-year-old freedom fighter





First rifleman Witold Konecki a.k.a. 'SULIMA',
Battalion "Chrobry I"
Concentration "Sosna" ("Pine")




THE OCCUPATION
         I was born on February 23rd 1929. My mother - Cecylia Wanda Grabowska - was the daughter of a nobleman (coat of arms SULIMA) who had a fortune Biskupice near Warsaw. My father - Stanisław Konecki - managed our property in Młonice near Kutno. He aimed the production at agriculture and industry.
         I spent my early childhood in well-being at home in the atmosphere of love, patriotism and piety. My parents spent a lot of effort in taking care of the family and the house - old larchish, covered by shingle country manor in Młonice. I finished the initial education at a state school in favour of private classes with a private teacher.
         August 1939 - for the past few weeks the atmosphere in our house was hectic. We often talked of the danger(s) of war, German hostility towards Poland and Polish Army's readiness to defend the state. My father was an active member of the Country Defence League (Liga Obrony Kraju). My mother took care of the supply collection (flour, sugar, salt and soap).
         On September 1st 1939 we were woken up by the distant noise of flying planes. They were flying high and then we heard explosions. The news of anticipated manoeuvres spread throughout the neighbourhood fast. It was said to prevent German attack and to prove the strength of Polish Army. Unfortunately, we were soon informed that the war had begun and Germans were assaulting through land, water and air. Then the story goes fast - the air bombings, the smoke and massive fires in Kutno, the panicking of the citizens and finally my father's decision to start evacuation immediately. We reached Biskupice village near Brwinów. We were not so fortunate because at the time Biskupice turned into a bloody battlefield and we seemed to step into the very centre of it. We could do nothing but hide in the basement of a building.
         My family managed to return to our manor in Młonice in November 1939. In February 1940 our fortune was taken (over) by the 3rd Reich. We were told to leave our house within 24 hours. General Guberny welcomed us ripped off of all goods. It took a titanic effort to rent a devastated and deserted household where our family could dwell. In September 1940 Germans displaced us again and gave the household to a German family.
         Finally, we were fortunate to rent a small household located at the border of Brwinów and Podkowa Leśna. My mother's health was deteriorating gradually due to the tragic experiences we had gone through. She required medical care. We all worked in the household - my parents, my sister and I. Despite this I still continued my education. First I tried to learn at home and since 1942 I became a pupil of 6th grade in a private school in Milanówek. Since September 1943 I used to receive my education during the secret gatherings in Milanówek. I used to go there by EKD train. The underground classes took place in different locations every turn. Our teachers asked us not to bring any rucksacks or school bags to avoid danger. Students' books were always brought by the teacher in charge or students and it was always only one copy of the book. The places where we met were usually made available to us by the teachers or students' parents only for few days. As I mentioned before we used to meet in variety of places.


THE RESISTANCE
         At the time the underground teaching was becoming more dangerous. Our teachers and parental councils were made to intensify precautions. It was made possible through establishing an underground scout organization "Grey Ranks" ("Szare Szregi"). Its commander was M.Trząski a.k.a. "PANTHER" and the scoutmaster was Marian Hassa a.k.a. "EAGLE". The Milanowska Squad was subject to Mazowsze Regiment called "WOOD" ("Puszcza") which was commanded by the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) Council of Błonie District. The district was a part of the Home Army's sub district West Warsaw named "HALEROWO". The commander of Halerowo was colonel Franciszek Jachać a.k.a. "ROMAN".
         I was soon incorporated to the organization - in October 1943 I and other colleagues vowed to Marian Trząski a.k.a. "PANTHER" in the outskirts of Milanówek. "PANTHER" took a Scout Cross out of his pocket and received the vow from us one by one. We put two fingers of the right hand on the cross and made a vow. The words were "we will be faithful to God and Poland and we will follow the scout's law"; the words deeply touched our hearts. I chose the pseudonym "SULIMA" and got an assignment in the "OWL" squad. The squad consisted of "PUĆKA" (Stanisław Gadomski), "EAGLE OWL" (Janusz Kokeli), "MAGICIAN" (Achilles Śliziński), "WAGONER" (Zdzisław Janiszewski" and others. We all originated in the same underground student group. The "EAGLE" squad incorporated my two friends "MAZUR" (Witek Sąchocki) and Jurek Hoffman. The first gatherings of the squads were pretty fascinating. The initial aims of the squads were to distribute the most important information from the frontlines, gain scout marks/promotions, drill exercises and discussing the essential knowledge concerning conspiracy as extra subject within underground classes. We met at least once a week; in this respect we felt being a part of an organized community and the military like discipline inspired a combative feeling that encouraged bonds among the scouts. However, we really missed the arms practice and more concrete steps that would help in the fight against the Nazi occupants. Our reckless "heads" were in a constant search of stronger emotional feelings. At the time the "GREY RANKS" were cooperating with our teachers such as Mrs Frejlichowa, Mrs Leciejewicz, Mrs Niepokulczycka, Mrs Chmilenicka, Mr Fiedorowicz, Mr Czetwertyński and Mr Jaczewski.


Scout Master Mieczysław Trząski a.k.a. "PANTERA" ("PANTHER")
- the founder of "GREY RANKS" in Milanówek.
In 1943 he received the scout vow from me.


Scout Master Andrzej Jaczewski a.k.a. "SOWA" ("OWL")
- the leader "z" of the 3rd Squad, my commander.
Milanówek 1943.


         In the late fall of 1943 I was travelling by EKD train from Podkowa Leśna to Milanówek. I sat in a compartment opposite a small - 8 or 9 year-old girl of dark complexity. At the station in Podkowa Leśna 4 military policemen approached the compartment from both sides of the car. They were wearing metal buckles on their chests and were examining thoroughly each passenger. The girl, having a dark complexity, drew their attention. One of them shouted - Jude! (a Jew!) - then he grabbed the girl's arms and, by force, dragged her out of the car. The child was weeping hysterically, begging for mercy, and tried to break free desperately. She probably knew what was going to happen and tried to prevent her tragic fate fulfil. After few minutes the girl was tied by an electricity wire to a birch-tree near the stationmaster's office and shot to death. Several male passengers were forced to get off the train and burry the child's corpse in the place of her death.
         I was the eyewitness of this horrible murder. It was the critical point in my life, furthermore it was a turning point where oppressed by the incident I decided consciously to take revenge on the enemy. I was 15 then. I came back home from school feeling a burden of moral duty to fight the occupant. Shortly after, I contacted my ex teacher Mr Stefan Kozłowski and asked him to help me transfer from the "GREY RANKS" to the resistance. It turned out that he was a member of the HOME ARMY that was operating in Warsaw. Mr Kozłowski took care of all the transfer formalities so that 5 scouts could join the ranks of the HOME ARMY. I was one of the scouts. The others were: Witold Sąchocki "MAZUR", Zdzisław Janiszewski "WAGONER", Zbigniew Rybacki "LYNX" and Jurek Hoffman "JUR". My cousin - Cadet Tadeusz Wieszczycki "DRZYMAŁA", aged 19, was also incorporated to that group. Witek Sąchocki "MAZUR" mentioned this significant fact in his diaries:

         " (…) A very important thing has happened. My friend from Podkowa Leśna - Witek Konecki a.k.a. "SULIMA' - during one of our conversations he asked me negligently to join one of the most combative RADOSŁAW squad of HOME ARMY, comprising ex scouts. The squad operated in Warsaw. Similar offers were presented to other colleagues…"


An arm-band of the "GREY RANKS"


         The Home Army vow took place in an incomplete building of Agricultural School in Pszczelin, the woods of Młochowo. Education was not the most important thing at that time but I was fortunate to graduate the 2nd grade of the junior high school. The work for the Home Army, in Warsaw and the towns nearby was really preoccupying.
         It was aimed at the theoretical and practical combat practice, such as:
- The use of weapon on the basis of KBKS rifle, Prabellum, Visa and Walter (classes took place in the back of a butcher's shop)
- City combat - the analysis of the underground transport system, channels, basements. We also discussed situational plans, city/street plans (giving a thorough examination to the posts inhibited by the Nazis). Practical know how of the barricade construction and the barricade combat; establishing contacts with civilians and self safety. The theoretical practice took place in the apartments in Ceglana St (Brick St), Śliska St (Slippery St) and Skorupki St.
- Shooting classes, military drills and vows were always performed by several squads in the woods of Młochowo, Podkowa Leśna and the Agricultural School in Pszczelin. Our squad executed activities according to our commander's orders. We used to assist in various actions of the resistance, e.g. weapon and underground newspaper distribution, nearby forest guide (our speciality), surveillance of those who were suspected of siding with the enemy, maintaining communication between members of the organization.
         During the occupation (as a precaution) our squad could only contact the second lieutenant Tadeusz Wieszczycki a.k.a. "DRZYMAŁA" and the squad master Stefan Kozłowski a.k.a. "MIRECKI". We all were a part of "SOSNA" (Pine) group Chrobry I under the command of Gustaw Billewicz a.k.a. "SOSNA". We were not heroes. We fulfilled our duties according to our age, skills and experience. The overwhelming and extremely preoccupying work in the resistance made us reveal to our parents that we were the members of Home Army and that we were going to come back home less frequently. It is hard to describe the reaction of our mothers and fathers. In my case, my mother cried initially and my father objected to it but finally they accepted the fact their son was going to leave home in order to fight the occupant. Several days before the Warsaw Uprising we were given an order to stay in our apartments in Warsaw, in my case it was Ceglana St, Śliska St and Skorupki St. Beforehand we had been given a few hours to goodbye our families and to collect our personal belongings. My parents saw me off at the EKD railway station putting into my hand a box of sweets. What they felt and experienced during our farewell is beyond description. I can only tell you they behaved bravely.


August 1942. Family photograph in the street of Warsaw.
From the right Stefan Kozłowski a.k.a. "MIRECKI", my future commander of Home Army "Sosna" ("Birch-tree") grouping


         


A badge of "Chrobry I" grouping


WARSAW UPRISING 1944
         Since July 26th 1944 our organization was set at standby. We all stayed in our apartments. Shortly after (July 30th 1944) an alert stance was announced but after a few hours it was called off. On the first day of August my friends Zbyszek Rybacki and Maciek Kasur were given a few-hour-permit to visit their homes and Leszek Janiszewski was allowed to visit his father who was working in Marszałkowska St (Marshall St). I stayed in an apartment in Ceglana St. Before the clock struck 10 a.m. a liaison officer came and delivered an order to join squad master "MIRECKI" in Skorupki St immediately. When I got to the post I ate dinner and after that, it was about 3 p.m., I and one my colleagues were told to take two packages from the magazine and transport them to Karolkowa St to the contact post near Phillips factory. At about 4.30 p.m. squad master "MIRECKI" joined us informing that an alert stance had been announced.
         Shortly after we heard single shots, which meant that the Warsaw Uprising 1944 had begun. We were given a password and white-red arm-bands, which we were supposed to wear when we get to the battlefield or run into combat. When we reached Marszałkowska St we noticed an abnormal traffic - people were fleeing in different directions. Civilians, who knocked over a tram, started to construct barricades near Nowogrodzka St. More and more soldiers wearing white-red arm-bands were approaching from different directions. Each minute we could hear more shots from the Nazi posts where the enemy were defending themselves. We also wore the arm-bands and ran from gate to gate carrying heavy packages and giving the password when necessary. It was a long and dangerous route under heavy fire of the Nazis.
         It was a late evening when we got to a railway station building at the crossroads of Jerozolimskie Avenue and Żelazna St. Apparently, we run into a heavy battle against German transports that took the railway track way to reach Dworzec Centralny (The Main Railway Station). Molotov cocktails and grenades were 'flying' in the air assisted by the machine gun series. We were so excited and combat-craving that we could not help joining the combat and throwing several Molotov cocktails at the approaching transports. We had difficulties with leaving the fighting post (boys could not understand why) but after our squad master "MIRECKI" talked to the commander we were finally let off.
         It took us another two hours under heavy fire of enemy to get to Karolkowa St. Fortunately we all reached the post safe and sound. It was almost midnight when we got to the lodge of the already taken Phillips factory. The attack was said to have been short and successful involving minimal losses. "MIRECKI" delivered the packages to the commander of the post. The packages contained guns, ammo, arm-bands and bandages. At Phillip's I met the rest of our squad including Tadeusz Wieszczycki "DRZYMAŁA" and Witek Sąchocki "MAZUR". We were told to have a rest and the following day we were ordered to march to Grzybowska St and report at the Dairy Creamary of Agril and Haberbusch.
         No sooner had we been given the same uniforms than we took the Police Station in Ciepła St. I guarded the post and my colleagues went to actions in the direction of Wolska St. After some time we were regrouped and moved to Sądy Grodzkie (Leszno direction). When we got there an unexpected thing happened - we were dismissed (theoretically) and (practically) given assignments within other squads. There was also the command switch. One group (better equipped) commanded by lieutenant Tadeusz Wieszczycki DRZYMAŁA" was ordered to go to Starówka (The Old Town) and the other group led by squad master "MIRECKI" was told to go to Śródmieście (Midtown). I was assigned to the group nr 2. Before we head for Śródmieście I was brutally ripped off my Parabellum pistol, which was my own property - I bought it from my friend who traded guns with Hungarians at Dworzec Główny (Main Railway Station). I asked to be assigned to group nr 1 but my application was rejected.
         We took the path via Hala Mirowska (Mirowska Hall) and Plac Grzybowski (Grzybowski Square). There we witnessed a massive bombing and help to recover casualties from the ruins of Wszystkich Świętych Church (All Saints Church). There were a lot of dead corpses and wounded within the ruins. Our destination point was a building in 123,125 Marszałkowska St. It was the headquarters of the 4th Region Regiment under the command of major Steczkowski a.k.a. "ZAGOŃCZYK". I was assigned to the surveillance-alert squad of "STEFAN" Company's 2nd Platoon commanded by lieutenant "SŁAWEK". Our commander was Captain Jan Loski a.k.a. "ZETA" (a drill instructor). Witek Sąchocki was transferred to lieutenant "RUMA's" squad and the squad master Stefan Kozłowski a.k.a. "MIRECKI" was transferred to the headquarters of the 4th region.
         I and my friends were located in the attic. Our orders were to observe and report of the aircrafts artillery and bombardments and the movement of German troops in the area of Ogród Saski (Saxon Garden). Our post was small - for two people only - but we had to maintain the watch 24h a day. We were given the optical equipment and a switchboard. We were required to know the terrain of the enemy attacks and a perfect use of the city map. As you see we bore great responsibility. The Headquarters made reports on the basis of our observations and sent it to the Main Headquarters daily. German aircrafts grouped in 3 or 4 flew on the low altitude above our heads and dropped bombs on the specified positions. Buildings and districts taken by the freedom fighters were being destroyed gradually. Watching the planes and the blurred shape of their pilots, attacking the targeted areas, dropping 3 or 4 bombs and then gaining altitude and flying away and returning after 30 or 40 minutes was a sombre experience. We did not feel any fear. Each time we phoned the headquarters to make a thorough report we felt that our duty has a purpose, that we are not wasting our time and most importantly lives; our job was praised by the headquarters. The air bombardments were becoming more frequent. Several bombings a day resulted in massive destruction of the buildings in the areas close to our post. Our squad not only observed the enemy but also guarded the gate of the headquarters. Moreover, we also assisted the platoon of the second lieutenant "SŁAWEK" during the patrols in the area of Ogród Saski. We took part in the action of overtaking "Pasta" that was situated nearby our headquarters. Captain "ZETA" ordered me twice to deliver documents to the squads stationing in Wilcza St (Wolf St). I had to pass Aleje Jerozolimskie (Jerusalem Avenue) under heavy fire. One of the barricade squads was to cover me but their situation was extremely difficult as the enemy was shooting instantly from the building of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego.
         Shortly after, a tragic day happened. I and my colleague were on duty observing the enemy in the attic of 125 Marszałkowska St. After the clock struck 9 a.m. German aircrafts approached and started bombing buildings nearby. When we were reporting of great danger we noticed 3 planes diving into our direction. The clear shapes of the pilots, nicks of time, our report was interrupted and three great explosions shook the building. There was so dusty we could not see anything, there were no lights and a specific smell of ammonia was filling the air. The impetus of explosion was so powerful that we were thrown into the roof. Luckily, we were safe and sound but we did not move. After a while we tried to find a staircase but there was no staircase - it was demolished. We heard the wailing of the wounded who were screaming for help and then another bombardment of the buildings nearby - a terrible nightmare. We seemed to have no chances for withdrawal but we managed to find an emergency way. When we got to the yard we noticed masses of rubble, dead corpses, seriously wounded and screams of those who were stuck in the basement. 9 of our colleagues died in the bombardment. They were taking a rest in the resting room of the headquarters when the 1st bombardment struck the building. The main room was untouched and that is why the next day we managed to re-establish the watch post. It is difficult to describe how painful it was to lose our friends; we organised a solemn funeral ceremony in the yard. Our chaplain performed the holy mass. We had no water and the food supplies decreased dramatically.
         That is why I welcomed the idea of my friend who suggested sneaking out of the headquarters and get to the other side of Aleje Jerozolimskie to the creamery where we could take some boxes of butter. We made it happen. Moreover our 'equipment' scared the boys who were guiding the creamery so that we grabbed two boxes of butter and transported it to the headquarters where everyone got a portion. After a few hours we were disarmed and arrested by the soldiers of the SECURITY CORPS under charge of robbery. It was a very serious situation. We were taken to Szpitalna St (Hospital St) and 'placed' in the basement of the K.B. Headquarters. We were to be trialled soon. A sleepless night finished and we still awaited the worst. In the morning, the headquarters was struck by a massive air bombing. The building was demolished and several K.B. soldiers died; others were wounded or stuck under the piles of rubble. We managed to survive. There was total darkness in the basement and the ammonia was filling the air again. The small window was blocked by the rubble and we were losing our hope for a rescue. Fortunately, after a few hours we heard voices and the noise of digging. Our friends came to rescue us. The rescue action was very quick assessed by the armed colleagues. It seemed that bombardment prevented the remains of K.B. soldiers from 'taking care' of the prisoners.
         After a few-day-bombing of our district we were given new orders. We were told to come to rescue anyone who was wounded or stuck under the rubble in Bracka St, Szpitalna St, Matejki St, Jasna St and Chmielna St. German POWs were to help us. Everyday we took 8 POWs and oversaw their work. It was an amusing thing to observe their behaviour during the bombardments. They panicked and attempted to hide in the basements or alleys. Then we 'encouraged' them to stay by shooting in the air (we would not dare to kill a POW).
         A few days had passed and our squads were regrouped from 125/123 Marszałkowska St to 62 Złota St to a big, solid 5-storey-house. The (single) watch post had been re-established and our duty time had been prolonged (2x8h). Another switch of the commander took place. Our squad got an experienced and courageous first platoon master who put great emphasis on the regulations. The watch was very hard, especially the solitude and the lack of sleep. The air bombings stopped but the artillery's activity increased. We were shot at from a train cannon, so called "cow". Nights were relatively calm, excluding numerous fires. One night I fell asleep during the watch. As a punishment our commander poured stench water on me taken from a fire barrel. I was terrified; I did not know what was happening to me. Another punishment was an extra night watch and order to report to the officer on duty every hour. Our commander was strict but just and forgiving - he might have liked me.
         One day I was on watch, it was about 9 a.m., when a great explosion nearby shook the building; it was a train cannon missile that hit one of the buildings in Sienna St - I reported the observation; the platoon commander came to assist me in the watch. Suddenly we heard a characteristic wheeze of the train cannon missile and then a horrible explosion struck the lower parts of our building. Our building seemed to rise in the air and then collapsed completely. The right part of the building was torn into pieces. I was wounded and taken to hospital in Sienna St. I was unconscious and not able to speak. After some time doctors managed to awake me; soon I was able to speak. I was hurt and beaten. My friends told me that I fell down from the cellar to the 2nd storey and was lying on a wooden bar when they found me. Our platoon commander did not have so much luck; his torn remains were collected and put into a sack and then buried in the yard. After two days of hospital care I decided to go back to my squad. We were all moved to a building in 65 Złota St.
         When the news of surrender reached us we felt determination and we head tears in our eyes. We broke the weapons and the combat equipment immediately so that Germans would have no use of it. Our commanders informed us that we had been promoted and given badges (I got the Brown Cross of Service and the Courageous Cross with Swords). We were also given a pay of 20 USD. Our commanders strongly suggested on going to the POW camps as soldiers. This made us think and discuss the matter feverishly some of us objected to the suggestions. I know of the fact when numerous officers did not go to the POW camps but left the capitol as ordinary civilians. In the morning of October 4th 1944 our squads - of the 15th regiment of infantry - went to Kerceli Square where we laid down our guns and turned in to Germans.

Witold Konecki
translated by Oliver Kujawski MA



      First Rifleman Witold Konecki a.k.a. "SULIMA",
"Chrobry I" Battalion,
"Sosna" ("Pine") grouping


Copyright © 2005 Maciej Janaszek-Seydlitz. All rights reserved.