Union of Retaliation - a secret subversive organization established on April 20, 1940, within the Union of Armed Struggle. It conducted sabotage and subversive actions against the German occupier, significantly weakening its military and economic potential. The organization operated until November 1942, when it was incorporated into the structures of the Home Army's Directorate of Diversion.
During the turbulent times of World War II, Polish resistance developed on many fronts. One of the key underground organizations was the Union of Retaliation, which played a significant role in the fight against the German occupier.
The Union of Retaliation was established as a secret structure within the Union of Armed Struggle, the predecessor of the Home Army. Its creation was a response to the need for coordinated diversionary and sabotage actions against German forces. This organization quickly became one of the pillars of the Polish resistance movement, contributing to weakening the enemy's position in occupied territories.
Origins of the Union of Retaliation
#The Union of Retaliation emerged as a response to the brutal German occupation in Poland. This organization arose from the need to coordinate retaliatory and sabotage actions against the occupier.
Poland Under German Occupation
#The German occupation in Poland was characterized by ruthless terror and systematic destruction of Polish national identity. The Germans introduced:
- Mass executions of civilians
- Deportations to concentration camps
- Forced displacements
- Property confiscation
- Liquidation of Polish cultural and educational institutions
The occupier's policy aimed at complete subordination and Germanization of Polish society. In the face of these actions, organizing effective resistance became necessary.
The Need for a Retaliatory Organization
#The creation of the Union of Retaliation resulted from several key factors:
- Need for coordination of diversionary actions
- Necessity to respond to the occupier's terror
- Desire to destabilize German front support
- Aim to maintain the morale of Polish society
The Union of Armed Struggle, recognizing these needs, decided to establish a specialized structure. The Union of Retaliation was tasked with planning and carrying out precisely targeted sabotage and diversionary actions, weakening the occupier's military and economic potential.
Formation of the Union of Retaliation
#The Union of Retaliation was established as a secret structure within the Union of Armed Struggle, aimed at coordinating diversionary and sabotage actions against the German occupier. Its formation was a direct response to the brutal occupation methods employed by Germans in Poland.
Date of Organization's Formation
#The Union of Retaliation was officially established on April 20, 1940. This date coincides with the period of intensification of German repressions against Polish society and the growing need for organized resistance. The formal establishment of the organization occurred by order of the Chief Commander of the Union of Armed Struggle, Gen. Stefan Rowecki codename "Grot".
Initiators and Founders
#The main initiators of the Union of Retaliation were high-ranking officers of the Union of Armed Struggle:
- Gen. Stefan Rowecki codename "Grot" - Chief Commander of the Union of Armed Struggle, who issued the order to create the organization
- Col. Franciszek Niepokólczycki codename "Teodor" - first commander of the Union of Retaliation
- Maj. Józef Szajewski codename "Philips" - deputy commander and chief of staff of the Union of Retaliation
These initiators, recognizing the need for coordinated diversionary actions, developed the structure and operational principles of the Union of Retaliation. This organization was meant to serve as an effective tool in the fight against the occupier, carrying out precisely planned sabotage and diversionary actions throughout the country.
Structure and Objectives of the Union of Retaliation
#The Union of Retaliation had an extensive organizational structure that enabled effective execution of diversionary and sabotage operations throughout occupied Poland. This organization was carefully designed to achieve precisely defined objectives in the fight against the German occupier.
Internal Organization
#Internal Organization
#The Union of Retaliation was characterized by a hierarchical structure encompassing several levels of command. The organization was led by the Chief Commandant, responsible for coordinating activities at the national level. Below were district, regional, and local commands, ensuring efficient operation in different parts of the country. Each level had its own organizational units, including:
- Operations Department: planning and coordination of actions
- Supply Department: acquisition and distribution of explosives
- Communications Department: ensuring secure communication between units
- Executive Cells: combat groups conducting sabotage actions
This structure enabled flexible operations and quick responses to changing occupation situations.
Main Tasks and Mission
#The Union of Retaliation focused on achieving specific objectives aimed at weakening the military and economic potential of the occupying forces. The main tasks of the organization included:
- Conducting sabotage operations on railway lines
- Destroying German warehouses and supply depots
- Attacking industrial infrastructure working for the Wehrmacht
- Eliminating informants and traitors collaborating with the occupier
- Gathering intelligence information about German troop movements
The mission of the Union of Retaliation was to systematically weaken the occupying forces through precisely planned and effectively executed sabotage operations. The organization aimed to destabilize the German rear front, thereby hindering their military operations. The Union of Retaliation played a crucial role in the Polish resistance movement, contributing to the weakening of German forces in occupied territories.
Activities of the Union of Retaliation
#The Union of Retaliation conducted intensive sabotage and diversion activities in occupied Poland. The organization effectively carried out its tasks, weakening the military and economic potential of the German occupier.
Sabotage and Diversion Operations
#Sabotage and Diversion Operations
#The Retaliation Union carried out numerous sabotage and diversion operations, focusing on key strategic targets. The organization attacked German railway infrastructure, destroying tracks, bridges, and stations, which effectively disrupted military and supply transport. The Union also conducted attacks on German ammunition and fuel depots, weakening the occupier's combat potential. Diversionary actions also included destroying factories working for the German arms industry and eliminating informants and traitors collaborating with the Germans.
Cooperation With Other Underground Organizations
#The Retaliation Union actively collaborated with other Polish underground structures. The organization coordinated its activities with the Directorate of Diversion (Kedyw) of the Home Army, exchanging intelligence information and jointly planning operations. The Union also maintained contacts with the Peasants' Battalions and the People's Guard, which allowed for more effective resource utilization and increased effectiveness of diversionary activities. Cooperation with other underground organizations included exchanging experiences in sabotage techniques, training personnel, and providing mutual logistical support.
Significance of the Retaliation Union in the Polish Resistance Movement
#The Retaliation Union played a crucial role in the Polish resistance movement during World War II. This organization, as a specialized diversionary structure, significantly contributed to weakening the German occupier and maintaining the fighting spirit among Poles.
Effectiveness of Diversionary Actions
#The Retaliation Union carried out hundreds of precisely planned sabotage operations that effectively destabilized German frontline support. Attacks on railway lines, bridges, warehouses, and factories significantly hampered German military and economic operations. For example, in 1941, the organization conducted 25 successful operations destroying supply trains for German troops.
Impact on Public Morale
#Impact on Public Morale
#The activities of the Union of Retaliation had an enormous impact on Polish society's morale. Successes in sabotage operations gave hope and maintained the spirit of resistance among civilians. The organization became a symbol of effective struggle against the occupier, inspiring others to actively participate in the resistance movement.
Coordination of Underground Activities
#The Union of Retaliation played a crucial role in coordinating actions between various Polish underground groups. Cooperation with the Directorate of Diversion of the Home Army, Peasants' Battalions, and People's Guard increased the effectiveness of sabotage and diversion operations throughout the country.
Training of Underground Cadres
#The organization contributed to the development of qualified underground cadres. The Union of Retaliation conducted intensive training in diversion tactics, explosive materials production, and sabotage operation planning. These skills proved invaluable in later phases of the war and during the Warsaw Uprising.
Intelligence Gathering
#The Union of Retaliation was a valuable source of intelligence for the Polish underground and the Allies. Thanks to its extensive network of informants, the organization provided detailed data about German troop movements, strategic facility locations, and occupier plans.
Weakening the Occupier's Economy
#The Union of Retaliation's activities had a significant impact on weakening the German war economy. Attacks on factories, fuel depots, and communication lines disrupted the production and transport of war materials. It is estimated that the organization's sabotage actions caused losses amounting to tens of millions of reichsmarks.
Dissolution of the Organization and Its Further Fate
#The Union of Retaliation was dissolved in November 1942, after two years of intensive activity. The decision to dissolve the organization resulted from several key factors:
- Reorganization of underground structures:
- Creation of the Directorate of Diversion (Kedyw) of the Home Army
- Need for centralization of diversion activities
- Operational effectiveness:
- Increased effectiveness of sabotage actions
- Optimization of resource and personnel utilization
- Member security:
- Protection against infiltration by German services
- Minimization of exposure risk
After the dissolution of the Union of Retaliation, its structures and resources were incorporated into Kedyw. This process included:
- Transfer of experienced personnel
- Handover of equipment and explosives
- Integration of communication networks and intelligence information
Further fate of former Union of Retaliation members:
- Continuation of activities in Kedyw:
- Participation in larger-scale diversion operations
- Training new personnel in sabotage techniques
- Involvement in other Home Army structures:
- Intelligence work
- Activity in partisan units
- Participation in key operations:
- Operation "Wieniec" (October 7-8, 1942)
- Assassination of Franz Kutschera (February 1, 1944)
The experiences and methods developed by the Union of Retaliation significantly influenced the further activities of the Polish underground. Kedyw, utilizing this heritage, carried out a series of successful operations, including:
- Blowing up the Vistula bridge near Puławy (1943)
- Operation "Taśma" - a series of attacks on border posts (1943)
- Liberation of prisoners from Pinsk prison (January 18, 1943)
In conclusion, the dissolution of the Union of Retaliation did not mark the end of Polish underground diversion activities. On the contrary, the organization's experiences and resources were effectively utilized within new structures, contributing to the intensification of the fight against the German occupier in the following years of the war.
Summary
#The Union of Retaliation played a crucial role in the Polish resistance movement during World War II. Established on April 20, 1940, by the Union of Armed Struggle, it became an effective tool in the fight against the German occupier.
The organization carried out hundreds of precise sabotage operations that weakened the enemy's military and economic potential. Its activities raised public morale and destabilized German front-line facilities.
Although the Union of Retaliation was dissolved in November 1942, its experiences and methods significantly influenced the further activities of the Polish underground. It contributed to the intensification of the fight against the occupier in the subsequent years of the war, shaping the history of the Polish resistance movement.