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Place of insurgents’ battles between 1 and 3 August, 1944 on the border between Legionowo and Chotomów in the vicinity of railway tracks
Place of insurgents’ battles between 1 and 3 August, 1944 on the border between Legionowo and Chotomów in the vicinity of railway tracks
One of the main tasks set out by command of the Home Army to the troops of the 1st Region of “Marianowo-Brzozów” (the area
covering approximately current Legionowo County) was to block – on the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising – all the railways and roads leading to Warsaw.
On August 1, about 6 p.m., near the border between Legionowo and Chotomów, the Railway Engineer Regiment patrol of Sgt Stanislaw Czarmacki alias “Czort” disconnected and mined the railway tracks. This led to the derailment of the technical German military train, which was accompanied by an ambulance train. The German garrison, shelled by the insurgents, withdrew in the direction of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts from the Chotomów “Grey Ranks” organization (Szare Szeregi) conducted an operation of transferring medical equipment from the derailed ambulance train to subsequent field hospitals in Chotomów and Legionowo.
On August 3, 1944, a German armoured train arrived from the direction of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki with two infantry companies. The Nazis attacked the insurgent positions commanded by Lt Stefan Krasinski alias “Kacper”. A local front line was formed, stretching several kilometres, from Olszewnica to the “Bagno” forest. After several hours of heavy fighting, the Germans finally retreated. This was the most serious armed clash within the 1st Region of “Marianowo-Brzozów”. The insurgents managed to hold their position and maintained the sector of the front line, however, at the cost of their commander’s and of several soldiers’ lives; many insurgents were injured.
In view of the military offensive withheld by the Soviet Army and in view of the concentration of German troops in Jabłonna, as well high risk to the civilian population, the Commander of the 1st Region, Lt Col Roman Kłoczkowski alias “Grosz”, on August 4, 1944, declared the end of the fighting in the town, as well as the partial demobilization and withdrawal of the remaining insurgent troops to the forests.
On August 1, about 6 p.m., near the border between Legionowo and Chotomów, the Railway Engineer Regiment patrol of Sgt Stanislaw Czarmacki alias “Czort” disconnected and mined the railway tracks. This led to the derailment of the technical German military train, which was accompanied by an ambulance train. The German garrison, shelled by the insurgents, withdrew in the direction of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts from the Chotomów “Grey Ranks” organization (Szare Szeregi) conducted an operation of transferring medical equipment from the derailed ambulance train to subsequent field hospitals in Chotomów and Legionowo.
On August 3, 1944, a German armoured train arrived from the direction of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki with two infantry companies. The Nazis attacked the insurgent positions commanded by Lt Stefan Krasinski alias “Kacper”. A local front line was formed, stretching several kilometres, from Olszewnica to the “Bagno” forest. After several hours of heavy fighting, the Germans finally retreated. This was the most serious armed clash within the 1st Region of “Marianowo-Brzozów”. The insurgents managed to hold their position and maintained the sector of the front line, however, at the cost of their commander’s and of several soldiers’ lives; many insurgents were injured.
In view of the military offensive withheld by the Soviet Army and in view of the concentration of German troops in Jabłonna, as well high risk to the civilian population, the Commander of the 1st Region, Lt Col Roman Kłoczkowski alias “Grosz”, on August 4, 1944, declared the end of the fighting in the town, as well as the partial demobilization and withdrawal of the remaining insurgent troops to the forests.
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The Parish Cemetery in Chotomów
The Parish Cemetery in Chotomów
In the Chotomów necropolis many respectable people were laid to rest. For generations their lives have been associated with the region and its patriotic activities. We would like to mention the following families: Oleksiak, Bziuk, Grabowski, Kozibąk, Wróblewski, Bogusławski or Herget (with Józef Herget, the plenipotentiary of the Potocki estate, descended from the Herget family). The oldest tombs date back to the mid-19th century.
In the early 20th century Wincent Rapczyński, a participant of the 1863 events, was laid to rest in Chotomów cemetery. Due to Russian Tsarist censorship, the stonecutter could not use the term “January Uprising” in fashioning his inscription.
The ashes of an unknown soldier of the Polish Army were also laid to rest here, together with the ashes of the distinguished commander of the Volunteer Fire Department and the member of the Polish Military, Polikarp Wróblewski alias Skiba (1898–1983) and Stefan Krasiński alias Kacper (1901-1944), the head of the local school and the Home Army officer, who died Aug. 3, 1944, in the Warsaw Uprising fighting, on the border between Chotomów and Legionowo.
In the early 20th century Wincent Rapczyński, a participant of the 1863 events, was laid to rest in Chotomów cemetery. Due to Russian Tsarist censorship, the stonecutter could not use the term “January Uprising” in fashioning his inscription.
The ashes of an unknown soldier of the Polish Army were also laid to rest here, together with the ashes of the distinguished commander of the Volunteer Fire Department and the member of the Polish Military, Polikarp Wróblewski alias Skiba (1898–1983) and Stefan Krasiński alias Kacper (1901-1944), the head of the local school and the Home Army officer, who died Aug. 3, 1944, in the Warsaw Uprising fighting, on the border between Chotomów and Legionowo.
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The Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chotomów
The Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chotomów
The earliest history of Chotomów dates back to the Middle Ages. One of the oldest known records comes from July 20, 1387, however,
the foundation plaque had been lost and this prevents us from pinpointing the exact date of the creation of the existing parish
here. One of the other wooden temples had been built by the Bishop of Plock, Andrzej Stanislaw Zaluski in 1725. In the second half of the 19th century, the wooden church was replaced by a brick version of an English neo-gothic style. It was designed by the Polish architect of Italian descent Franciszek Maria Lanci (1799-1875). This church was built during the years 1861-1863 thanks to the funds donated by the Count Maurice Potocki.
In 1944, as a result of the war, the church was partially destroyed. The eastern wall had been damaged and a part of the ceiling collapsed. Of the historical interior decoration, two neo-gothic altars have remained – the main and the side altars, the confessional and the bishop’s throne.
In the restored church, there are important commemorative plaques. The first plaque commemorates soldiers of the Polish Military Organisation from Chotomów and its surrounding areas which, in November 1918, captured the German barracks in Jabłonna (now Legionowo). Whereas the second plaque honours the memory of the Home Army soldiers – dead, missing and murdered – of the “Marianowo-Brzozów” regiment. The plaque was funded by the comrades-in-arms of the third Company of the Second Battalion of the 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”).
In 1944, as a result of the war, the church was partially destroyed. The eastern wall had been damaged and a part of the ceiling collapsed. Of the historical interior decoration, two neo-gothic altars have remained – the main and the side altars, the confessional and the bishop’s throne.
In the restored church, there are important commemorative plaques. The first plaque commemorates soldiers of the Polish Military Organisation from Chotomów and its surrounding areas which, in November 1918, captured the German barracks in Jabłonna (now Legionowo). Whereas the second plaque honours the memory of the Home Army soldiers – dead, missing and murdered – of the “Marianowo-Brzozów” regiment. The plaque was funded by the comrades-in-arms of the third Company of the Second Battalion of the 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”).
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A Monument to the Heroes in the Fight for Polish independence in the years 1939-1945 in Chotomów – Pilsudski Square
A Monument to the Heroes in the Fight for Polish independence in the years 1939-1945 in Chotomów – Pilsudski Square
The Monument to the Heroes in the Fight for Polish independence in the years 1939-1945 was unveiled on October 29, 1961.
The memorial, in the shape of insurgent barricade, was crowned with a statue depicting a soaring eagle. The monument was
designed by Stefan Konrad Dobrowolski.
At the front of the monument, there is a black granite plaque with the inscription: Glory to the heroes fighting the Nazi occupation of Poland in the years 1939-1945. The Monument was funded by the comrades-in-arms and the residents of Chotomów who, with selfless valour, fought against the Nazi invaders.
Among, there was a pre-war employee of “Zachęta”, Stanislaw Gladysz alias Jarema, soldier of the 708th platoon of the Home Army. During the Warsaw Uprising, he made grenades and Molotov cocktails at the weapons factory named “Obroża” (“Collar”) (secret Home Army District) at Hoża Street in Warsaw. On his initiative, the famous painting by Jan Matejko entitled “The Constitution of May 3” was kept hidden in Chotomów throughout the whole of the Nazi occupation of Poland.
At the front of the monument, there is a black granite plaque with the inscription: Glory to the heroes fighting the Nazi occupation of Poland in the years 1939-1945. The Monument was funded by the comrades-in-arms and the residents of Chotomów who, with selfless valour, fought against the Nazi invaders.
Among, there was a pre-war employee of “Zachęta”, Stanislaw Gladysz alias Jarema, soldier of the 708th platoon of the Home Army. During the Warsaw Uprising, he made grenades and Molotov cocktails at the weapons factory named “Obroża” (“Collar”) (secret Home Army District) at Hoża Street in Warsaw. On his initiative, the famous painting by Jan Matejko entitled “The Constitution of May 3” was kept hidden in Chotomów throughout the whole of the Nazi occupation of Poland.
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Chotomów Forest Massacre Site Chotomów – a hill in the woods
Chotomów Forest Massacre Site Chotomów – a hill in the woods
On the 22th February 1943, in Chotomów Forest, the following residents of Chotomów and Home Army soldiers were killed:
Leon Apczyński (29 yrs),
Ignacy Liwski (33 yrs),
Stanisław Mariański (23 yrs)
and Eugeniusz Wójcik (26 yrs).
The men went to the forest to fetch dried leaves and branches to kindle fire and disappeared without a trace. However, the community of Chotomów learned about the crime a full two weeks after their disappearance, only when an announcement was placed on the fence at Polskiej Organizacji Wojskowej (Polish Military Organization) Street. It was probably a local forestry worker who placed the announcement anonymously. As it turned out later, the horribly mutilated bodies were discovered deep in the forest, at the foot of the mountain near the path Droga Dąbrowska.
The murder, which horrified the residents of Chotomów was committed by the German soldiers and customs officers guarding the nearby border between the General Government and the Third Reich. After the exhumation, the bodies of the victims were entombed in the cemetery in Chotomów. A metal cross commemorates the site of the massacre, together with the memorial plaque unveiled on September 16, 1995, on the initiative of Jan Galiński, Józef Lemański and Wacław Piwnicki.
Leon Apczyński (29 yrs),
Ignacy Liwski (33 yrs),
Stanisław Mariański (23 yrs)
and Eugeniusz Wójcik (26 yrs).
The men went to the forest to fetch dried leaves and branches to kindle fire and disappeared without a trace. However, the community of Chotomów learned about the crime a full two weeks after their disappearance, only when an announcement was placed on the fence at Polskiej Organizacji Wojskowej (Polish Military Organization) Street. It was probably a local forestry worker who placed the announcement anonymously. As it turned out later, the horribly mutilated bodies were discovered deep in the forest, at the foot of the mountain near the path Droga Dąbrowska.
The murder, which horrified the residents of Chotomów was committed by the German soldiers and customs officers guarding the nearby border between the General Government and the Third Reich. After the exhumation, the bodies of the victims were entombed in the cemetery in Chotomów. A metal cross commemorates the site of the massacre, together with the memorial plaque unveiled on September 16, 1995, on the initiative of Jan Galiński, Józef Lemański and Wacław Piwnicki.
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An obelisk commemorating the murdered in the years 1939-1945 in Chotomów – Modlińska Str.
An obelisk commemorating the murdered in the years 1939-1945 in Chotomów – Modlińska Str.
The stone obelisk, unveiled on October 14, 1973, stands out from the surrounding area. It is situated behind the village of Chotomów, about 4 km away from Jabłonna, along the route No 630. The obelisk commemorates the victims murdered and killed by Nazi
firing squads in mass executions in the Chotomów Forest, including many prisoners of the Pawiak prison in Warsaw.
The Monument was designed by Stefan Konrad Dobrowolski, the author of the Monument to the Heroes of the Fight for Polish independence in the years 1939-1945 set up in Chotomów.
The obelisk, funded thanks to the efforts of the Society of Fighters for Freedom and Democracy from the Chotomów District, bears the following inscription: This sacred soil is imbued with the martyr’s blood of those murdered and killed by firing squad in mass executions during the Nazi occupation of Poland in the years 1939-1945. Chotomów, 1972.
The Monument was designed by Stefan Konrad Dobrowolski, the author of the Monument to the Heroes of the Fight for Polish independence in the years 1939-1945 set up in Chotomów.
The obelisk, funded thanks to the efforts of the Society of Fighters for Freedom and Democracy from the Chotomów District, bears the following inscription: This sacred soil is imbued with the martyr’s blood of those murdered and killed by firing squad in mass executions during the Nazi occupation of Poland in the years 1939-1945. Chotomów, 1972.
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A Parish Cemetery in Jabłonna
A Parish Cemetery in Jabłonna
In the parish cemetery in Jabłonna, the tragic events of the 20th century are intertwined with the sad history of the Jabłonna commune
and of Poland. Here lie the ashes of 39 Polish Army soldiers who fell in the battle of Jabłonna on September 10, 1939. They were mostly riflemen from the famous 21st “Children of Warsaw” Infantry Regiment. In 2001, the urns containing soil from Katyn, Monte Cassino, Loreto and Arnhem were interred in the grave. In addition, a commemorative and symbolic plaque was unveiled in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 7th Company of the 2nd Home Army Battalion and the officers of the 2nd Balloon Battalion, killed in Katyn, in 1940, by the NKVD (People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs of the USSR).
In the cemetery, two Polish Home Army officer cadets were laid to rest: Mieczysław Stępnowski alias Alfa and Stanisław Felicki alias Skiba of the 2nd Battalion from Jabłonna.There is also the grave of some 400 Soviet soldiers who died of starvation in the Nazi sub-camp in Bukowo.
In the cemetery, the remains of 18 people who were executed by a firing squad in June 1943 in the surrounding woods were buried. They unknown prisoners of the Pawiak prison. In the main avenue, in a family grave, the ashes of the lieutenant of the Home Army, Mieczysław Kiełbiński alias Fidelis (1923-2002), recipient of the War Order of Virtuti Militari, wounded at the Ba tle of Jaktorów. In Jabłonna cemetery, the remains of Major Leon Ulatowski were laid to rest, distinguished soldier of the Polish Legions, and commander of the 36th Infantry Regiment of the Academic Legion, who was awarded the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari for his participation in the Battle of Kostiuchnówka in 1916.
In the cemetery, two Polish Home Army officer cadets were laid to rest: Mieczysław Stępnowski alias Alfa and Stanisław Felicki alias Skiba of the 2nd Battalion from Jabłonna.There is also the grave of some 400 Soviet soldiers who died of starvation in the Nazi sub-camp in Bukowo.
In the cemetery, the remains of 18 people who were executed by a firing squad in June 1943 in the surrounding woods were buried. They unknown prisoners of the Pawiak prison. In the main avenue, in a family grave, the ashes of the lieutenant of the Home Army, Mieczysław Kiełbiński alias Fidelis (1923-2002), recipient of the War Order of Virtuti Militari, wounded at the Ba tle of Jaktorów. In Jabłonna cemetery, the remains of Major Leon Ulatowski were laid to rest, distinguished soldier of the Polish Legions, and commander of the 36th Infantry Regiment of the Academic Legion, who was awarded the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari for his participation in the Battle of Kostiuchnówka in 1916.
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The Remains of German fortifications from World War II in Jabłonna. The area between the flood embankments and the Vistula River
The Remains of German fortifications from World War II in Jabłonna. The area between the flood embankments and the Vistula River
On October, 28 1944, the military units of the 47th Red Army and the Polish troops of the 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Jabłonna
after heavy battles with the Nazi SS division “Totenkopf”. Several concrete machine gun positions remind us of the battles of 1944. These made the German line of defence impassable, between the flood embankments and the Vistula River, at the point of today’s street junction of Wałowa Str. and Jesienna Str.
What captures our attention is the machine gun position on a circular plan, directly on the flood embankments. On one of the fortifications situated close to the river, there is an original German inscription of the subunit constructing bunkers: 1. Komp. Bau Pi. Btl. 9, indicating the first construction company of the 9th Combat Engineers Battalion.
What captures our attention is the machine gun position on a circular plan, directly on the flood embankments. On one of the fortifications situated close to the river, there is an original German inscription of the subunit constructing bunkers: 1. Komp. Bau Pi. Btl. 9, indicating the first construction company of the 9th Combat Engineers Battalion.
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A Plaque commemorating the Battle of Warsaw in January 1945. Palace of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Jabłonna.
A Plaque commemorating the Battle of Warsaw in January 1945. Palace of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Jabłonna.
The palace and the park in Jabłonna were built in the period 1774-1784. In 1794, Jabłonna was inherited by Prince Józef
Poniatowski, who was frequently present here from 1798 to 1806. After Józef Poniatowski’s tragic death in the Battle of Leipzig
(1813), the palace passed into the hands of the Potocki family. Its last owner was Count Maurice Potocki, the Home Army officer
during World War II.
After the passing of the military front in October 1944, the building was destroyed to a large extent, especially its interior (nearly completely destroyed, when parts of the ceiling fell down). The only surviving elements were the building facade and partition walls, with most of decorative moulding fell off with time. The reconstruction of the residence under the guidance of the architect and engineer Mieczysław Kuzma lasted until the year 1953.
In the right wing of the palace, a commemorative plaque with the following inscription was suspended: In this region, on January 15, 1945, the military units of the 2nd Infantry Division of Henryk Dabrowski in co-operation with Soviet troops of the 47th Army started the fight for the liberation of Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
This division was incorporated into the Polish First Army (also known as Berling’s Army) subordinated to the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front. At the beginning of January 1945, the Polish First Army occupied the positions extending from Jabłonna to Karczew. The 2nd Infantry Division was stationed in Jabłonna. The Germans organized their forces in the form of a double armoured ring around Warsaw, the capital city which was in more than 90% destroyed. The German defence was broken by the forces of the 1st Belarusian Front on January 14. On January 16, the Polish 2nd Warsaw Infantry Division of Henryk Dąbrowski led a charge from the Jabłonna District in the direction of Kępa Kiełpińska and established a bridgehead, and then launched an attack in the direction of northern districts of the left-bank Warsaw. On the night of 16 to 17 January, the main forces of the Polish First Army forded the Vistula River and reached the west bank of the Vistula River, between Góra Kalwaria and Magnuszew and, at dawn, they launched an offensive on Warsaw. During the night, the 6th Infantry Division began the attack on the Praga district, crossing the Vistula River and driving the Germans from the city centre. Approximately at 10 a.m., the Polish 2nd Warsaw Infantry Division of Henryk Dąbrowski entered the fray in Warsaw and, in the region of the Saxon Gardens, merged with the 6th Infantry Division. By 4 p.m. Warsaw was free. On the evening of January 17th, the main forces of the Polish First Army reached Warsaw, advancing from the West and South.
The losses of the Polish First Army in Warsaw amounted to 275 fallen, missing and injured soldiers, of whom about 110 were killed in action, approximately 60 from landmines. In the entire Warsaw operation, the Polish First Army had lost 10,537 soldiers, of whom 3,116 had been killed in action.
After the passing of the military front in October 1944, the building was destroyed to a large extent, especially its interior (nearly completely destroyed, when parts of the ceiling fell down). The only surviving elements were the building facade and partition walls, with most of decorative moulding fell off with time. The reconstruction of the residence under the guidance of the architect and engineer Mieczysław Kuzma lasted until the year 1953.
In the right wing of the palace, a commemorative plaque with the following inscription was suspended: In this region, on January 15, 1945, the military units of the 2nd Infantry Division of Henryk Dabrowski in co-operation with Soviet troops of the 47th Army started the fight for the liberation of Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
This division was incorporated into the Polish First Army (also known as Berling’s Army) subordinated to the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front. At the beginning of January 1945, the Polish First Army occupied the positions extending from Jabłonna to Karczew. The 2nd Infantry Division was stationed in Jabłonna. The Germans organized their forces in the form of a double armoured ring around Warsaw, the capital city which was in more than 90% destroyed. The German defence was broken by the forces of the 1st Belarusian Front on January 14. On January 16, the Polish 2nd Warsaw Infantry Division of Henryk Dąbrowski led a charge from the Jabłonna District in the direction of Kępa Kiełpińska and established a bridgehead, and then launched an attack in the direction of northern districts of the left-bank Warsaw. On the night of 16 to 17 January, the main forces of the Polish First Army forded the Vistula River and reached the west bank of the Vistula River, between Góra Kalwaria and Magnuszew and, at dawn, they launched an offensive on Warsaw. During the night, the 6th Infantry Division began the attack on the Praga district, crossing the Vistula River and driving the Germans from the city centre. Approximately at 10 a.m., the Polish 2nd Warsaw Infantry Division of Henryk Dąbrowski entered the fray in Warsaw and, in the region of the Saxon Gardens, merged with the 6th Infantry Division. By 4 p.m. Warsaw was free. On the evening of January 17th, the main forces of the Polish First Army reached Warsaw, advancing from the West and South.
The losses of the Polish First Army in Warsaw amounted to 275 fallen, missing and injured soldiers, of whom about 110 were killed in action, approximately 60 from landmines. In the entire Warsaw operation, the Polish First Army had lost 10,537 soldiers, of whom 3,116 had been killed in action.
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The Parish Church of Our Lady Queen of Poland in Jabłonna – Modlińska 105 Str.
The Parish Church of Our Lady Queen of Poland in Jabłonna – Modlińska 105 Str.
The building of the present-day church in Jabłonna was built in the years 1948-1954 and was designed by Zbigniew Chwalibog and Boleslaw Gierych. The technical supervision was conducted by Col. Eng. Kazimierz Kowalski, a former officer of the 2nd Railway Combat Engineers Regiment from Legionowo. The temple was built thanks to the efforts of Fr Józef Abramowicz, for many years a distinguished pastor (years 1945-1987). It was established on the site of the completely destroyed pre-war church.
In the church there are plaques commemorating the fallen soldiers of the 2nd Jabłonna Battalion of the 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”) and the people executed by the Nazi firing squads in the Palmiry Forest in February 1940.
In 2012, inside the temple, a plaque commemorating the Count Maurice Potocki, the last Lord of Jabłonna and a Polish Home Army officer during the World War II.
In the church there are plaques commemorating the fallen soldiers of the 2nd Jabłonna Battalion of the 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”) and the people executed by the Nazi firing squads in the Palmiry Forest in February 1940.
In 2012, inside the temple, a plaque commemorating the Count Maurice Potocki, the last Lord of Jabłonna and a Polish Home Army officer during the World War II.
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Commemorative plaques on the building of the Commune Office in Jabłonna - Modlińska 152 Str.
Commemorative plaques on the building of the Commune Office in Jabłonna - Modlińska 152 Str.
The Commune Office in Jabłonna is an interesting monument – a former hostelry, it was meticulously restored in 2008.
The building suffered severely during military operations in 1944. On October, 28 1944, military units of 47th Red Army and the Polish troops of the 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Jabłonna after heavy battles with the Nazi SS division 'Totenkopf'. These events were commemorated by the plaque, unveiled on the 20th anniversary of the battle, in 1964. Next to it, there is another memorial plaque commemorating the sojurn in the palace in Jabłonna, during the 1920 Polish-Soviet War, of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Władysław Sikorski, who was commander of the Polish 5th Army.
It is worth mentioning that the building was constructed in the first half of the 19th century. In 1861, it housed an inn, a hostelry and a smithy. The hostelry was immortalized by the famous writer Wiktor Gomulicki in his short story entitled 'Chałat'. This interesting literary record from Jabłonna appeared in the small collection entitled 'From a single stream', published in 1905. In the interwar period the building housed a magistrates’ court, a police station and the famous restaurant “Złoty Róg” ('The Golden Horn').
The building suffered severely during military operations in 1944. On October, 28 1944, military units of 47th Red Army and the Polish troops of the 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Jabłonna after heavy battles with the Nazi SS division 'Totenkopf'. These events were commemorated by the plaque, unveiled on the 20th anniversary of the battle, in 1964. Next to it, there is another memorial plaque commemorating the sojurn in the palace in Jabłonna, during the 1920 Polish-Soviet War, of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Władysław Sikorski, who was commander of the Polish 5th Army.
It is worth mentioning that the building was constructed in the first half of the 19th century. In 1861, it housed an inn, a hostelry and a smithy. The hostelry was immortalized by the famous writer Wiktor Gomulicki in his short story entitled 'Chałat'. This interesting literary record from Jabłonna appeared in the small collection entitled 'From a single stream', published in 1905. In the interwar period the building housed a magistrates’ court, a police station and the famous restaurant “Złoty Róg” ('The Golden Horn').
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The Polish Home Army Memorial in Jabłonna – Skwer AK (Polish Home Army Square)
The Polish Home Army Memorial in Jabłonna – Skwer AK (Polish Home Army Square)
The monument commemorates the Second Battalion of the Polish Home Army from Jabłonna and their struggle for freedom as well as Poland’s independence during the World War II. It reminds us of the residents of Jabłonna who took an active part in such organizations as: the Independent Poland (Polska Niepodległa), The Polish Victory Service (Służba Zwycięstwu Polski), Union of Armed Struggle (Związek Walki Zbrojnej), The Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa), The Women’s Army Service (Wojskowa Służba Kobiet) and The Grey Ranks
(Szare Szeregi).
The monument, resembling an insurgent barricade, was designed by Eng. Józef Stankiewicz. It was funded by the former Home Army soldiers with the support of Jabłonna commune authorities and Fr E. Zmijewski. Its unveiling took place on 1 August 1991.
The monument, resembling an insurgent barricade, was designed by Eng. Józef Stankiewicz. It was funded by the former Home Army soldiers with the support of Jabłonna commune authorities and Fr E. Zmijewski. Its unveiling took place on 1 August 1991.
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A War Memorial to the Polish Army fallen soldiers and the residents of Jabłonna - Modlińska Str.
A War Memorial to the Polish Army fallen soldiers and the residents of Jabłonna - Modlińska Str.
The monumental statue was erected in 1982,
in honour of Polish Army soldiers and residents
of Jabłonna, who were killed in action
and murdered during World War II. The statue
was designed by Stanisław Kulon, professor
of the Academy of Fine Arts and Mieczysław
Boris, sculptor - both the aurhors of a similar
monument in Milanówek. Stanislaw Kulon
is also the author of the famous 'Glory to Sappers
Monument' in Warsaw.
The obelisk in Jabłonna stands in the square in memory of 'Alfa' and 'SkibA', two officer cadets of the Polish Home Army: Mieczysław Stępnowski and Stanislaw Felicki, both of whom were from Jabłonna. They were killed on June 17, 1943, during the shielding of a weapons airdropping operation in the area of Stanislawów. In recognition of their valour, they were posthumously promoted, by the supreme command of the Polish Home Army, to the rank of officers and decorated with the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari.
The obelisk in Jabłonna stands in the square in memory of 'Alfa' and 'SkibA', two officer cadets of the Polish Home Army: Mieczysław Stępnowski and Stanislaw Felicki, both of whom were from Jabłonna. They were killed on June 17, 1943, during the shielding of a weapons airdropping operation in the area of Stanislawów. In recognition of their valour, they were posthumously promoted, by the supreme command of the Polish Home Army, to the rank of officers and decorated with the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari.
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The Statue of gratitude for the pontificate of Pope John Paul II and the „Solidarity” movement legacy in Jabłonna
The Statue of gratitude for the pontificate of Pope John Paul II and the „Solidarity” movement legacy in Jabłonna
(At the intersection of Modlińska and Szkolna streets)
The monument is destined to commemorate the pontificate of John Paul II and to express gratitude for the tribulations of the “Solidarity” movement and for Poland’s recovery of sovereignty.
It was designed by a team of graphic artists led by Edward Kolakowski, PhD. The characteristic smooth walls relate to the cornerstone and represent stability, characteristic for the teachings of the Holy Father and for the achievements of “Solidarity” movement. The inner part of the monument is there to reflect one of the Tatra rocks, which Karol Wojtyla often viewed himself. On the monument, the words of Karol Wojtyla, the eminent Pole, were engraved, reflecting the meaning of human solidarity and its spirit which is so important in building social life: Solidarity means the one and the other, and if there is a burden, the burden shall be carried together, by a community. So never: one against another.
The obelisk, which was funded by commune of Jabłonna in 2008, was consecrated by the Archbishop Sławoj Leszek Głódź, the Bishop of Warsaw-Praga Diocese.
The monument is destined to commemorate the pontificate of John Paul II and to express gratitude for the tribulations of the “Solidarity” movement and for Poland’s recovery of sovereignty.
It was designed by a team of graphic artists led by Edward Kolakowski, PhD. The characteristic smooth walls relate to the cornerstone and represent stability, characteristic for the teachings of the Holy Father and for the achievements of “Solidarity” movement. The inner part of the monument is there to reflect one of the Tatra rocks, which Karol Wojtyla often viewed himself. On the monument, the words of Karol Wojtyla, the eminent Pole, were engraved, reflecting the meaning of human solidarity and its spirit which is so important in building social life: Solidarity means the one and the other, and if there is a burden, the burden shall be carried together, by a community. So never: one against another.
The obelisk, which was funded by commune of Jabłonna in 2008, was consecrated by the Archbishop Sławoj Leszek Głódź, the Bishop of Warsaw-Praga Diocese.
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The Place where the battalion 'Znicz' crossed the Vistula River to join the Kampinos group in Jabłonna
The Place where the battalion 'Znicz' crossed the Vistula River to join the Kampinos group in Jabłonna
(present area of gravel pit)
Following the expiry of insurgent operations in Legionowo and its surrounding areas, upon the call of the Warsaw Uprising commanders, in the first days of September 1944, the commander of the 1st Region “Marianowo-Brzozów”, Lt. Col. Roman Kloczkowski alias “Grosz” decided to send some troops to Kampinos Forest. On September, 6th, the mobilized insurgents gathered in Choszczówka where the battalion was formed, led by first lieutenant Boleslaw Szymkiewicz alias ‘Znicz’ (‘Torch’). The battalion included: the military unit of first lieutenant ‘Znicz’ of the 1st Legionowo battalion, the Military Subversion Division of second lieutenant Stefan Ziembiński alias “Soplica”, the 7th Platoon of the 2nd company of the Jabłonna battalion under the command of the officer cadet Stanislaw Sękowski alias “Michał” and the platoon of insurgents from the Praga district, brought by cadet officer Mieczysław Kiełbiński alias “Fidelis”. The battalion “Znicz” newly formed, then had about 220 armed soldiers, equipped with rifles, pistols, hand-held machine guns and anti-tank rifles.
The organization of the crossing of the Vistula River was entrusted to second lieutenant “Soplica”. The ‘Znicz’ Battalion then set out alongside the train tracks Warsaw- Legionowo, across the forest to Bukowo, across the road joining Buchnik and Bukowo towards the Vistula River and at approximately 9 p.m. they reached the bank of the river. Around midnight, they received the information that the boats prepared by the fishermen had been destroyed by the Germans with grenades. In such a situation, before dawn, the battalion crossed the river, landing on the island in the middle of the Vistula – Kępa Burakowska. The insurgents, hidden among the German river patrol boats, waited all day long.
On September 8, after midnight, the soldiers were rescued by boats and safely disembarked on the left bank of the river. In the morning, the military unit of Lieutenant ‘Znicz’ reached the forest, and around noon, they reported to the commander of the Kampinos Group.
Following the expiry of insurgent operations in Legionowo and its surrounding areas, upon the call of the Warsaw Uprising commanders, in the first days of September 1944, the commander of the 1st Region “Marianowo-Brzozów”, Lt. Col. Roman Kloczkowski alias “Grosz” decided to send some troops to Kampinos Forest. On September, 6th, the mobilized insurgents gathered in Choszczówka where the battalion was formed, led by first lieutenant Boleslaw Szymkiewicz alias ‘Znicz’ (‘Torch’). The battalion included: the military unit of first lieutenant ‘Znicz’ of the 1st Legionowo battalion, the Military Subversion Division of second lieutenant Stefan Ziembiński alias “Soplica”, the 7th Platoon of the 2nd company of the Jabłonna battalion under the command of the officer cadet Stanislaw Sękowski alias “Michał” and the platoon of insurgents from the Praga district, brought by cadet officer Mieczysław Kiełbiński alias “Fidelis”. The battalion “Znicz” newly formed, then had about 220 armed soldiers, equipped with rifles, pistols, hand-held machine guns and anti-tank rifles.
The organization of the crossing of the Vistula River was entrusted to second lieutenant “Soplica”. The ‘Znicz’ Battalion then set out alongside the train tracks Warsaw- Legionowo, across the forest to Bukowo, across the road joining Buchnik and Bukowo towards the Vistula River and at approximately 9 p.m. they reached the bank of the river. Around midnight, they received the information that the boats prepared by the fishermen had been destroyed by the Germans with grenades. In such a situation, before dawn, the battalion crossed the river, landing on the island in the middle of the Vistula – Kępa Burakowska. The insurgents, hidden among the German river patrol boats, waited all day long.
On September 8, after midnight, the soldiers were rescued by boats and safely disembarked on the left bank of the river. In the morning, the military unit of Lieutenant ‘Znicz’ reached the forest, and around noon, they reported to the commander of the Kampinos Group.
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House with traces of shelling during the struggle for Jabłonna in 1944 in Jabłonna in Buchnik
House with traces of shelling during the struggle for Jabłonna in 1944 in Jabłonna in Buchnik
In the vicinity of the roundabout, which
now links the ring road of Jabłonna with
Modlińska street, in 1944, the fate of the
Polish attack on Jabłonna was decided. The
building on Modlińska street was the very
scene of those events. There are traces of
shelling still visible on the walls even today
(in 2013), reminding us of the fierce fighting which took place in Buchnik, situated
on the border with Jabłonna.
At the end of October 1944, the first Polish Army fought a tough battle here with the Nazi SS Division “Totenkopf”. When the struggle came to be led by tanks, the Polish infantry managed to take up new positions in Buchnik. For several days in late October and early November 1944, the soldiers were engaged in heavy fighting to capture Jabłonna.
At the end of October 1944, the first Polish Army fought a tough battle here with the Nazi SS Division “Totenkopf”. When the struggle came to be led by tanks, the Polish infantry managed to take up new positions in Buchnik. For several days in late October and early November 1944, the soldiers were engaged in heavy fighting to capture Jabłonna.
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The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna -17
The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna -17
Over the years, the forests of Legionowo
have witnessed heavy fighting and brutal
Nazi massacres of civilians, but they also
gave shelter to the insurgents of the Polish
Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and to the
communist partisan troops of the People’s
Army (Armia Ludowa, AL) stationed here.
The forests of Legionowo gave also shelter
to people from neighbouring villages
chased and hunted by the Nazis. While
meandering through the woods, we can
come across many unknown graves. Even
though the bodies were exhumed after the
war, some of the graves have remained in
the forest, surrounded by respect and provoking
reflection.
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 40 cm; a small shrine with a cross placed on a tree.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 40 cm; a small shrine with a cross placed on a tree.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
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The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 18
The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 18
Over the years, the forests of Legionowo have witnessed heavy fighting and brutal Nazi massacres of civilians, but they also gave shelter to the insurgents of the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and to the communist partisan troops of the People’s Army (Armia Ludowa, AL) stationed here. The forests of Legionowo gave also shelter to people from neighbouring villages chased and hunted by the Nazis. While meandering through the woods, we can come across many unknown graves. Even though the bodies were exhumed after the war, some of the graves have remained in the forest, surrounded by respect and provoking reflection.
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 20 cm, with a birch cross and with a Polish military eagle placed on it.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 20 cm, with a birch cross and with a Polish military eagle placed on it.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
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The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 19
The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 19
Over the years, the forests of Legionowo have witnessed heavy fighting and brutal Nazi massacres of civilians, but they also gave shelter to the insurgents of the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and to the communist partisan troops of the People’s Army (Armia Ludowa, AL) stationed here. The forests of Legionowo gave also shelter to people from neighbouring villages chased and hunted by the Nazis. While meandering through the woods, we can come across many unknown graves. Even though the bodies were exhumed after the war, some of the graves have remained in the forest, surrounded by respect and provoking reflection.
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 40 cm; a small wooden cross dug into the ground.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
On our route we can find a grave mound, heap of earth and sand with a height of 40 cm; a small wooden cross dug into the ground.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
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The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 20
The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 20
Over the years, the forests of Legionowo
have witnessed heavy fighting and brutal
Nazi massacres of civilians, but they also
gave shelter to the insurgents of the Polish
Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and to the
communist partisan troops of the People’s
Army (Armia Ludowa, AL) stationed here.
The forests of Legionowo gave also shelter
to people from neighbouring villages
chased and hunted by the Nazis. While
meandering through the woods, we can
come across many unknown graves. Even
though the bodies were exhumed after the
war, some of the graves have remained in
the forest, surrounded by respect and provoking
reflection.
On our route we can find a grave surrounded by a concrete (painted in blue) foundation.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
On our route we can find a grave surrounded by a concrete (painted in blue) foundation.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
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The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 21
The Mass graves of the nameless victims of German genocide in Legionowo Forests in Jabłonna - 21
Over the years, the forests of Legionowo
have witnessed heavy fighting and brutal
Nazi massacres of civilians, but they also
gave shelter to the insurgents of the Polish
Home Army (Armia Krajowa, AK) and to the
communist partisan troops of the People’s
Army (Armia Ludowa, AL) stationed here.
The forests of Legionowo gave also shelter
to people from neighbouring villages
chased and hunted by the Nazis. While
meandering through the woods, we can
come across many unknown graves. Even
though the bodies were exhumed after the
war, some of the graves have remained in
the forest, surrounded by respect and provoking
reflection.
On our route we can find a grave surrounded by a concrete foundation with a concrete cross.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
On our route we can find a grave surrounded by a concrete foundation with a concrete cross.
While passing by the graves, let’s stop for a moment in silence to ponder over the fate of those nameless... who gave their lives...
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The site of the backcountry shelter 'Bukowiec' in Jabłonna nature reserve Bukowiec Jabłonowski in the Legionowo Forests
The site of the backcountry shelter 'Bukowiec' in Jabłonna nature reserve Bukowiec Jabłonowski in the Legionowo Forests
The insurgent headquarters of the 1st Region
'Marianowo-Brzozów', 8th Home
Army District 'Obroża' ('Collar'), were established
in an apartment of a cooperative
store in the Market Place in Legionowo for
the 'W-hour' in 1944. However, at the moment
of assuming positions, the guard
staff encountered a German motorcycle
patrol and an armoured car. There was
an exchange of fire as a result of which
the Germans withdrew. But at the sound
of gunfire, German artillery cars passing
along the road Jabłonna-Zegrze soon after
entered the market square and began
firing on Legionowo. The headquarters
had to be transferred to the backcountry
shelter named 'Bukowiec'. This was the
place where the insurgent troops gathered.
Approximately several hundred soldiers,
ready for fighting, gathered at the assembly
point in Bukowiec.
The backcountry shelter 'Bukowiec' was built in the 19th century, on the Chochole Błota, i.e. near the marshes in the Legionowo Forests, part of the possessions which belonged to the Potocki family. Today, only the remnants of foundations and rubble from the former backcountry shelter remain.
The backcountry shelter 'Bukowiec' was built in the 19th century, on the Chochole Błota, i.e. near the marshes in the Legionowo Forests, part of the possessions which belonged to the Potocki family. Today, only the remnants of foundations and rubble from the former backcountry shelter remain.
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The Commemoration of the massacre site in Nowopol On a hill in the woods
The Commemoration of the massacre site in Nowopol On a hill in the woods
The boulder with the information plaque
– on the right, there is a large wooden cross
– commemorating the place of execution
of a group of Poles by the Germans, mostly
a local civilian population.
On Wednesday, August 16, or as indicated by other sources, on Saturday, August 19th, 1944, 15 or 16 people were killed on the outskirts of Nowopol. In this tragedy among other, the following people perished: Rybarczyk (16 yrs), Jerzy Dymek (22 yrs), Edward Łaski (18 yrs), Jan Ląca (22 yrs), Stanisław Skarżycki (50 yrs), Janina Tomalska née Maciejewska, Janusz Pacho, Marian Walczak (23 yrs) – a hairdresser from Zegrze, Jerzy Sosnowski – a student from Warsaw, Józef Kozłowski from Łajski, Masłowski from Łajski, Aleksander Maciejewski – the brother of Janina Tomalska, Żak, Majewski and an unknown Russian.
Today, it is difficult to unambiguously determine the exact date of those tragic events, because in that period, the surrounding villages witnessed numerous arrest scenes and executions of civilians and the Polish Home Army soldiers
On Wednesday, August 16, or as indicated by other sources, on Saturday, August 19th, 1944, 15 or 16 people were killed on the outskirts of Nowopol. In this tragedy among other, the following people perished: Rybarczyk (16 yrs), Jerzy Dymek (22 yrs), Edward Łaski (18 yrs), Jan Ląca (22 yrs), Stanisław Skarżycki (50 yrs), Janina Tomalska née Maciejewska, Janusz Pacho, Marian Walczak (23 yrs) – a hairdresser from Zegrze, Jerzy Sosnowski – a student from Warsaw, Józef Kozłowski from Łajski, Masłowski from Łajski, Aleksander Maciejewski – the brother of Janina Tomalska, Żak, Majewski and an unknown Russian.
Today, it is difficult to unambiguously determine the exact date of those tragic events, because in that period, the surrounding villages witnessed numerous arrest scenes and executions of civilians and the Polish Home Army soldiers
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The Place of execution of Home Army soldiers from the 3rd Nieporęt Battalion in Nieporęt Forest
The Place of execution of Home Army soldiers from the 3rd Nieporęt Battalion in Nieporęt Forest
The place of execution by firing squad
of eight Home Army soldiers on 19 August
1944. Here, there is a cross with a concrete
foundation, which bears the inscription:
In this place, the Home Army soldiers were
killed by the Nazis in 1944.
On August 19, 1944, at the German commando unit, made up of the Gestapo and the police, arrested the soldiers from the third Home Army battalion in Nieporęt on the basis of a list. After many hours of hearings in the church or school buildings, according to some witness accounts, on the basis of the sentence pronounced by the occupying German authorities, the soldiers were sentenced to execution by firing squad. While escorting them to the truck, one of the prisoners tried to escape, but was shot before he managed to enter the forest. The attempt to save the condemned man by his family living in Nieporęt failed. The other condemned men were subsequently taken to the forest in Nieporęt and executed by firing squad near the existing clearing. They were then buried in a mass grave. The murdered soldiers were: Andrzej Marek Popp 17 years, Jan Rembelski 47 years, Mieczysław Kozak 17 years, Bronislaw Stolarczyk 39 years, Adam Grocholski 19 years, Tadeusz Grocholski 22 years, Władysław Danielewicz 38 years and Stefan Szyperek 27 years.
The place of their burial was discovered by one of the residents of Nieporęt, after searching the area, based on the apparent hollow in the ground. The bodies were exhumed in 1945 and laid to rest in the parish cemetery in Nieporęt. The execution site was commemorated with a cross, though the original execution site had to be moved due to a pipeline which currently exists there.
On August 19, 1944, at the German commando unit, made up of the Gestapo and the police, arrested the soldiers from the third Home Army battalion in Nieporęt on the basis of a list. After many hours of hearings in the church or school buildings, according to some witness accounts, on the basis of the sentence pronounced by the occupying German authorities, the soldiers were sentenced to execution by firing squad. While escorting them to the truck, one of the prisoners tried to escape, but was shot before he managed to enter the forest. The attempt to save the condemned man by his family living in Nieporęt failed. The other condemned men were subsequently taken to the forest in Nieporęt and executed by firing squad near the existing clearing. They were then buried in a mass grave. The murdered soldiers were: Andrzej Marek Popp 17 years, Jan Rembelski 47 years, Mieczysław Kozak 17 years, Bronislaw Stolarczyk 39 years, Adam Grocholski 19 years, Tadeusz Grocholski 22 years, Władysław Danielewicz 38 years and Stefan Szyperek 27 years.
The place of their burial was discovered by one of the residents of Nieporęt, after searching the area, based on the apparent hollow in the ground. The bodies were exhumed in 1945 and laid to rest in the parish cemetery in Nieporęt. The execution site was commemorated with a cross, though the original execution site had to be moved due to a pipeline which currently exists there.
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The Parish Cemetery in Nieporęt
The Parish Cemetery in Nieporęt
In this cemetery, we can find both the
tombs of Polish soldiers killed in action in
September 1939, and the mass graves of
Home Army soldiers murdered by the Nazis
in nearby woods on August 19, 1944.
Among the murdered, there were two sons
of Count Zdzislaw Grocholski, the owner of
the Poniatów estate: Adam Grocholski and
Tadeusz Grocholski, and second lieutenant
of the military reserve force Władysław
Danielewicz alias ‘Oko’ (‘Eye’), commander
of the 8th Company, 3rd Home Army Battalion
in Poniatów.
In the alley situated to the right of the gate, lies the grave of the captain of the military reserve force Bronislaw Tokaj (1901-1971), who is buried here with his wife Bronisława (1908-1984). This distinguished teacher and activist for the Polish Teachers’ Union was one of the Warsaw’s defenders during the 1939 siege, commander of the 3rd Home Army Battalion of the 1st Region and commander of the clandestine weapon airdrop operation by allied forces under the code name “Koc” (‘Blanket’) around Izabelin. His contribution is honoured by a commemorative plaque located on the building of the primary school in Nieporęt, where he was the head teacher from 1934.
In the alley situated to the right of the gate, lies the grave of the captain of the military reserve force Bronislaw Tokaj (1901-1971), who is buried here with his wife Bronisława (1908-1984). This distinguished teacher and activist for the Polish Teachers’ Union was one of the Warsaw’s defenders during the 1939 siege, commander of the 3rd Home Army Battalion of the 1st Region and commander of the clandestine weapon airdrop operation by allied forces under the code name “Koc” (‘Blanket’) around Izabelin. His contribution is honoured by a commemorative plaque located on the building of the primary school in Nieporęt, where he was the head teacher from 1934.
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The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nieporęt
The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nieporęt
The baroque church in Nieporęt is one of the
most valuable monuments in the Legionowo
County. The temple was built in the years
1661-1667. In 1661, the Parliament adopted
a resolution approving the will of the King
of Poland, John II Casimir Vasa to construct
a church as a votive offering for having survived
the Swedish Deluge.
Inside the church, there is a plaque dedicated to the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the Home Army from Nieporęt who were killed in action, who died and perished in the struggle for Poland’s independence in the years 1939-1945. This Battalion was part of the 1st Region “Marianowo-Brzozów”, 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”). It was commanded by first lieutenant Bronislaw Tokaj alias Bogdan. The battalion consisted of three companies (a total of 14 platoons) and a dedicated Military Subversion Division. The battalion operated on the area of: Zegrze, Nieporęt, Białobrzegi, Rembelszczyzna, Stanisławów, and Izabelin. The main military operations:
- July 30, 1944 – the military unit under the command of second lieutenant Z. Mirecki alias ‘Zim’ liberated the Soviet POW camp in Beniaminów, where, according to the Home Army Intelligence Service, approximately 3,800 soldiers were detained in inhumane conditions;
- August 1, 1944 – an attack on German cars on the route from Nieporęt to Struga, setting German fuel depots ablaze;
- On the night of 14th to 15th August 1944 – the Nieporęt military unit of first lieutenant “Korab” (Konstanty Radziwiłł), reinforced by the soldiers from Skrzeszew and Wieliszew, attacked the German heavy artillery battery shelling Warsaw in Annopol; Germans suffered significant losses in men and equipment; a few days later (on August, 19) the unit had been surrounded by the Germans, most of the soldiers were captured and executed by firing squad, and the lieutenant “Korab”, imprisoned and tortured, was murdered on September, 14.
On April 8, 1668, the King of Poland John II Casimir issued a decree about the foundation of the church. On June 18, 1668, the Bishop Ludwik Zaluski consecrated the church. One of the most distinguished priests, exercising the longest spiritual ministry in the parish of Nieporęt, was Father Władysław Ślepowroński (1839-1925). Priest for 56 years, he served as pastor during the difficult period of the Russian Partition and lovingly cared about the development of the temple.
While visiting the interior of the church, it is worth noting two baroque portals (window cornices) in the chancel. The left portal leads to the sacristy for the altar servers (the former treasure-box with the original doors from the 17th century), and the right portal, the northern one, leads to the clergy sacristy. It is decorated with the image of the coat of arms of the House of Vasa "wheat sheaf", beautifully sculpted in black marble. At present it is one of the heraldic figures of the coat of arms of the Nieporęt commune.
Inside the church, there is a plaque dedicated to the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the Home Army from Nieporęt who were killed in action, who died and perished in the struggle for Poland’s independence in the years 1939-1945. This Battalion was part of the 1st Region “Marianowo-Brzozów”, 7th Home Army District „Obroża” („Collar”). It was commanded by first lieutenant Bronislaw Tokaj alias Bogdan. The battalion consisted of three companies (a total of 14 platoons) and a dedicated Military Subversion Division. The battalion operated on the area of: Zegrze, Nieporęt, Białobrzegi, Rembelszczyzna, Stanisławów, and Izabelin. The main military operations:
- July 30, 1944 – the military unit under the command of second lieutenant Z. Mirecki alias ‘Zim’ liberated the Soviet POW camp in Beniaminów, where, according to the Home Army Intelligence Service, approximately 3,800 soldiers were detained in inhumane conditions;
- August 1, 1944 – an attack on German cars on the route from Nieporęt to Struga, setting German fuel depots ablaze;
- On the night of 14th to 15th August 1944 – the Nieporęt military unit of first lieutenant “Korab” (Konstanty Radziwiłł), reinforced by the soldiers from Skrzeszew and Wieliszew, attacked the German heavy artillery battery shelling Warsaw in Annopol; Germans suffered significant losses in men and equipment; a few days later (on August, 19) the unit had been surrounded by the Germans, most of the soldiers were captured and executed by firing squad, and the lieutenant “Korab”, imprisoned and tortured, was murdered on September, 14.
On April 8, 1668, the King of Poland John II Casimir issued a decree about the foundation of the church. On June 18, 1668, the Bishop Ludwik Zaluski consecrated the church. One of the most distinguished priests, exercising the longest spiritual ministry in the parish of Nieporęt, was Father Władysław Ślepowroński (1839-1925). Priest for 56 years, he served as pastor during the difficult period of the Russian Partition and lovingly cared about the development of the temple.
While visiting the interior of the church, it is worth noting two baroque portals (window cornices) in the chancel. The left portal leads to the sacristy for the altar servers (the former treasure-box with the original doors from the 17th century), and the right portal, the northern one, leads to the clergy sacristy. It is decorated with the image of the coat of arms of the House of Vasa "wheat sheaf", beautifully sculpted in black marble. At present it is one of the heraldic figures of the coat of arms of the Nieporęt commune.
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The 'Oak Tree of Freedom' in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
The 'Oak Tree of Freedom' in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
Thanks to accounts from the inhabitants of
Nieporęt, we know that in November 1918,
the residents of Nieporęt – to commemorate
the anniversary of Poland’s recovery
of sovereignty and independence – planted
a young oak tree, which did not take roots
here. Probably on March 19, 1936, i.e. on
the names day of Józef (associated with the
figure of Józef Pilsudski), a second oak tree
was planted. It is worth noting that this was
a northern red oak, a species not naturally
evident in the wild in the area.
The godparents of the oak tree were the representatives of the elementary school in Nieporęt: Zofia Turkot (née Powała) and Aleksander Kawka and from an older generation – Józef Wróbel and Józef Pietrzak. The consecration ceremony by Fr. Ludwik Kowieski was attended by the Polish Army company.
At night, between 10th to 11th November 1943, the Home Army soldiers from Nieporęt placed, red and white flags on the fence around the oak tree as a sign of resistance against the Nazis, and painted the emblem of the Fighting Poland Movement and the Polish national emblem – the white Eagle. The tree survived the turmoil of war, and still grows on the Freedom Square to this very day.
The godparents of the oak tree were the representatives of the elementary school in Nieporęt: Zofia Turkot (née Powała) and Aleksander Kawka and from an older generation – Józef Wróbel and Józef Pietrzak. The consecration ceremony by Fr. Ludwik Kowieski was attended by the Polish Army company.
At night, between 10th to 11th November 1943, the Home Army soldiers from Nieporęt placed, red and white flags on the fence around the oak tree as a sign of resistance against the Nazis, and painted the emblem of the Fighting Poland Movement and the Polish national emblem – the white Eagle. The tree survived the turmoil of war, and still grows on the Freedom Square to this very day.
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The Polish Home Army soldiers memorial plaque in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
The Polish Home Army soldiers memorial plaque in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
The commune of Nieporęt established
a commemorative plaque, in memory of the
Polish Home Army soldiers – fallen, murdered,
or missing – those who were sent to
the Gulag for their struggle for independent Poland and who never returned from Soviet
prisons. The commemorative plaque bears
the names of the fallen and murdered soldiers
from the Nieporęt commune and the
surrounding areas.
By the memorial plaque, located in the centre of Plac Wolności (‘Liberty Square’), every year, anniversary celebrations are held. This is in addition to the memorial plaque placed in the porch of the parish church in Nieporęt, which is dedicated to the memory of the fallen and missing soldiers of the Third Home Army Battalion from Nieporęt, “Marianowo-Brzozów” District, funded by the Polish Home Army Ex- Servicemen Association.
By the memorial plaque, located in the centre of Plac Wolności (‘Liberty Square’), every year, anniversary celebrations are held. This is in addition to the memorial plaque placed in the porch of the parish church in Nieporęt, which is dedicated to the memory of the fallen and missing soldiers of the Third Home Army Battalion from Nieporęt, “Marianowo-Brzozów” District, funded by the Polish Home Army Ex- Servicemen Association.
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The Shrine of “Solidarity” movement in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
The Shrine of “Solidarity” movement in Nieporęt on the Liberty Sq (Plac Wolności)
This shrine was built upon the information
plaque existing until December 1981
of the “Solidarity” of Individual Farmers in
Nieporęt. After 13th December 1981, the
copy of the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa
was placed in the display case of
the shrine.
With the passage of time, thanks mainly to the efforts of the family Gleb from Nieporęt, the display case was sealed, capped with a metal roof with a cross and supported by four small columns. Later the shrine was adorned with flowers and decorated with greenery.
With the passage of time, thanks mainly to the efforts of the family Gleb from Nieporęt, the display case was sealed, capped with a metal roof with a cross and supported by four small columns. Later the shrine was adorned with flowers and decorated with greenery.
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The Weapons drop zone „Koc” (‘Blanket’) in Izabelin – the meadows in Izabelin at Wrzosowa Str.
The Weapons drop zone „Koc” (‘Blanket’) in Izabelin – the meadows in Izabelin at Wrzosowa Str.
This area of vast meadows and forests
around Izabelin was a very good place for
a drop zone. The Drop zone had a security
system and service. Zygmunt Mirecki alias
Zim, a forester from Białobrzegi, described
the security organization of the drop zone,
“Koc” in his memoirs with the following
words:
The first task of the commander of the drop zone was to contact the air-lift supplies supervisor „Kupiec”, designated by the Home Army Headquarters, in Jasna street in Warsaw. After discussing the technical details, the supervisor would give the dates of possible drop operations and the subsequent signal to leave the square. After Polish radio announcements on the BBC radio station in London, at six o’clock in the evening, a previously agreed tune was played (such as “Krakowiaczek jeden”). This meant the order to leave and go to the drop square. At eight o’clock in the evening, the message and tune were repeated. Before the anticipated execution of the air delivery of supplies, several drop zones in various far-flung places were on the lookout in order to avoid any unexpected obstacles which might hinder the reception of supplies at the originally determined place. On the designated day, a “delegate” from the General Headquarters arrived with the task of checking the preparation and arranging documents for the paratroopers. To safeguard the operation against German troops stationed in Praga, Legionowo, Zegrze and Beniaminów and closely spaced police stations, a group of 100-120 soldiers was taken each time to take part in the operation and set up checkpoints around the square. In the middle of the drop zone, there was a group intended to receive the air-delivered supplies and a twohorse- cart on pneumatic wheels, the so-called ‘balonowiec’ (‘balloon carrier’).
The first airdrop operation took place on the night of 14th to 15th September, 1943. Three paratroopers and supplies successfully landed. The drop zone “Koc” was marked for airdrop operations several more times, but only during Easter, from 9th to 10th April 1944. The second airdrop operation succeeded with the supplies and four paratroopers successfully landed in the meadows near Izabelin.
The first task of the commander of the drop zone was to contact the air-lift supplies supervisor „Kupiec”, designated by the Home Army Headquarters, in Jasna street in Warsaw. After discussing the technical details, the supervisor would give the dates of possible drop operations and the subsequent signal to leave the square. After Polish radio announcements on the BBC radio station in London, at six o’clock in the evening, a previously agreed tune was played (such as “Krakowiaczek jeden”). This meant the order to leave and go to the drop square. At eight o’clock in the evening, the message and tune were repeated. Before the anticipated execution of the air delivery of supplies, several drop zones in various far-flung places were on the lookout in order to avoid any unexpected obstacles which might hinder the reception of supplies at the originally determined place. On the designated day, a “delegate” from the General Headquarters arrived with the task of checking the preparation and arranging documents for the paratroopers. To safeguard the operation against German troops stationed in Praga, Legionowo, Zegrze and Beniaminów and closely spaced police stations, a group of 100-120 soldiers was taken each time to take part in the operation and set up checkpoints around the square. In the middle of the drop zone, there was a group intended to receive the air-delivered supplies and a twohorse- cart on pneumatic wheels, the so-called ‘balonowiec’ (‘balloon carrier’).
The first airdrop operation took place on the night of 14th to 15th September, 1943. Three paratroopers and supplies successfully landed. The drop zone “Koc” was marked for airdrop operations several more times, but only during Easter, from 9th to 10th April 1944. The second airdrop operation succeeded with the supplies and four paratroopers successfully landed in the meadows near Izabelin.
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The Allied Bailey Bridges surroundings of Nieporęt – bridges on Czarna river
The Allied Bailey Bridges surroundings of Nieporęt – bridges on Czarna river
The bridges on the Czarna River date back
to World War II and were used by the Allies
on the Western Front. Within the Polish
Armed Forces, such bridges were the tools
of the 1st Polish Armoured Division of General
Maczek. Both bridges were transferred
to Poland after World War II, where they
were meant to serve as temporary bridges,
but some have survived to our times. The
bridges are not directly linked to the struggles
fought in our area; however, they constitute
examples of military art used by the
Polish Armed Forces in the West.
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The Shrine commemorating the uprising of “Solidarity” movement in Izabelin
The Shrine commemorating the uprising of “Solidarity” movement in Izabelin
The events between the years 1980-1981
and the subsequent period known as the
“festival of freedom” have left some scarce
reminders in Nieporęt and its surroundings.
One such a memento, located at the intersection
of Krzywa and Izabelińska Streets, is
a chapel hung on a tree with two interesting
symbolic inscriptions: a symbol of freedom –
a broken chain and the date of May 3, 1981,
when Poland could openly celebrate, for the
first time in many years, both a church festival
and a public holiday (the anniversary
of the Constitution of May 3, 1791 and the
Feast of Our Lady Queen of Poland).
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The Soldier’s grave on the edge of the forest in the wilderness known as Kąty Węgierskie
The Soldier’s grave on the edge of the forest in the wilderness known as Kąty Węgierskie
A metal cross with a plaque and a mound
of earth raised over a grave to a height
of 20 cm. A commemorative plaque with
the following inscription: to the memory
of the unknown soldier of the Polish Army, fallen
in September 1939.
The history of the grave, as documented by the local inhabitants, cites the grave as the place of burial of a Polish fighter pilot as in the near vicinity a Polish fighter plane crashed after it had probably been shot down. This testimony, however, has not been confirmed by archival sources. Over a long period of time, from the end of the 2nd World War until the 1980s, as the inhabitants say, there was a steel helmet hanging from the cross, but today it is difficult to determine whether it was a Polish helmet (with “salamander” covering), a German one or a Russian one. In this area both the covering troops of the 20th Infantry Division of the Polish Army and the German divisions in 1939 fought, as well as the German and Red Army divisions in 1944.
The history of the grave, as documented by the local inhabitants, cites the grave as the place of burial of a Polish fighter pilot as in the near vicinity a Polish fighter plane crashed after it had probably been shot down. This testimony, however, has not been confirmed by archival sources. Over a long period of time, from the end of the 2nd World War until the 1980s, as the inhabitants say, there was a steel helmet hanging from the cross, but today it is difficult to determine whether it was a Polish helmet (with “salamander” covering), a German one or a Russian one. In this area both the covering troops of the 20th Infantry Division of the Polish Army and the German divisions in 1939 fought, as well as the German and Red Army divisions in 1944.
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A Boulder commemorating the death of officer cadets ‘Alpha’ and ‘Skiba’ in Stanisławów Pierwszy
A Boulder commemorating the death of officer cadets ‘Alpha’ and ‘Skiba’ in Stanisławów Pierwszy
The obelisk commemorates the site of the
death of two Polish Home Army officer cadets:
25-year-old Mieczysław Stępnowski alias Alfa and 21-year-old Stanislaw Felicki alias Skiba, both of whom were members of the Second Battalion from Jabłonna. Both Polish Home Army officer cadets were killed on June 17, 1943, during a shielding operation of airthe airdrop of weapons in the area of Izabelin. Before the village of Stanisławów, the 4-person convoy, encountered a sub-unit of German soldiers and Turkestan Legion while carrying dropped weapons which had been covered in peat. A fight ensued, during which the driver of the car transporting the weapon managed to get away and the munitions were saved. Unfortunately, as a result of shelling, both officer cadets were killed. In recognition of their valour, they were both posthumously promoted, by the supreme command of the Polish Home Army, to the rank of officers and decorated with the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari.
On the first anniversary of their death, the commemorative cross was set up here. In the late 50th of the 20th century, during the period of Gomułka’s thaw, the communist authorities agreed to permanently commemorate the dead. On June 17, 1957 under the initiative of the officer cadets’ commander, Edward Dietrich alias Ralf (1910-2005), a commemorative stone was unveiled.
The memory of the operation still lives on today. Every year on the 17th of June the comrades-inarms of the fallen soldiers, their relatives, representatives of the World Association of Polish Home Army Soldiers, representatives of territorial government and Stanisławów Pierwszy region lovers gather at the monument to commemorate their death.
25-year-old Mieczysław Stępnowski alias Alfa and 21-year-old Stanislaw Felicki alias Skiba, both of whom were members of the Second Battalion from Jabłonna. Both Polish Home Army officer cadets were killed on June 17, 1943, during a shielding operation of airthe airdrop of weapons in the area of Izabelin. Before the village of Stanisławów, the 4-person convoy, encountered a sub-unit of German soldiers and Turkestan Legion while carrying dropped weapons which had been covered in peat. A fight ensued, during which the driver of the car transporting the weapon managed to get away and the munitions were saved. Unfortunately, as a result of shelling, both officer cadets were killed. In recognition of their valour, they were both posthumously promoted, by the supreme command of the Polish Home Army, to the rank of officers and decorated with the Silver Cross of the War Order of Virtuti Militari.
On the first anniversary of their death, the commemorative cross was set up here. In the late 50th of the 20th century, during the period of Gomułka’s thaw, the communist authorities agreed to permanently commemorate the dead. On June 17, 1957 under the initiative of the officer cadets’ commander, Edward Dietrich alias Ralf (1910-2005), a commemorative stone was unveiled.
The memory of the operation still lives on today. Every year on the 17th of June the comrades-inarms of the fallen soldiers, their relatives, representatives of the World Association of Polish Home Army Soldiers, representatives of territorial government and Stanisławów Pierwszy region lovers gather at the monument to commemorate their death.
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Czarna Struga on the edge of the reserve “Słupecka Forest”
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Czarna Struga on the edge of the reserve “Słupecka Forest”
The metal cross with a concrete foundation
on which is engraved the following inscription:
Here rests in honoured glory the Unknown
Officer of the Polish Army murdered in August
1947 – May he rest in peace. Every year,
on November 1, people place bouquets
of flowers and light candles on the grave.
According to the inhabitants of Czarna Struga, in this place, in the early morning of August 1947, an unknown officer of the Polish Army was executed by the Security Service and buried here. At this place, a military blanket and a four-cornered hat worn by the Polish officer were found.
A detailed description of the events which took place in this area is currently being investigated, due to variations in the accounts given by people who have information about the incident.
According to the inhabitants of Czarna Struga, in this place, in the early morning of August 1947, an unknown officer of the Polish Army was executed by the Security Service and buried here. At this place, a military blanket and a four-cornered hat worn by the Polish officer were found.
A detailed description of the events which took place in this area is currently being investigated, due to variations in the accounts given by people who have information about the incident.