Polish Underground State 1939-45

Last modified: 2001-09-22 by jarig bakker
Keywords: poland | world war ii |
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• Home Army flag
• Fighting Poland emblem
• Underground flag

• Poland
• Warsaw ghetto

Home Army flag

I did notice an absence on the Polish pages of the FOTW-website of the unique symbols used during the Nazi occupation and especially during the Warsaw Uprising of August-September 1944. Although,the legal symbols used by the Polish Gov't in exile and by its Delegation inside the occupied country were those of the II Polish Republic, a distinctive symbol was used by the main resistance organization - AK (Home Army) and was extremely popular among the general population, particularly during the Uprising of 1944 when most of the city of Warsaw was liberated for short period of time and that symbol appeared on flags being raised all over the city.

Fighting Poland emblem

Before that, the combined letters 'PW' for 'Polska Walczaca' or 'Fighting Poland', also representing an anchor, symbol of hope, were common sight all over the country as the graffiti on the walls, defacements of German posters and on the armbands of partizan units of AK.

Underground flag

It was practically universally accepted flag and symbol of the underground state, wich ran schools, courts of justice and social services of its own.Granted, it was unofficial, because underground authorities pledged total loyalty to the government in London.
Very brief, but quite comprehensive, description of Warsaw Uprising, written by one of the heroes of that monumental event - 63 days long 'passage thru hell'- South African pilot,who together with multitude of Polish, British, American, Australian and New Zealand flyers participated in a quichotic airlift, which neverless brought hope and comfort to the valiant rebels and left memories of solidarity among them and Warsovians forever,appears at this website.
Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001