Poland At War Tours

09/02/2025

In June 1944, the Janów Forests became the scene of one of the largest partisan battles on Polish soil during World War II.

Operation “Sturmwind I” (“Whirlwind I”) was a German operation targeting partisan groups operating in the Lublin region. The units of the Home Army, the Peasant Battalions and the Soviet partisans, numbering a total of about 3,000 people, concentrated in the area of the Janow Forest.

The culmination of these activities was the battle on Porytowy Wzgórz on June 14, 1944. Against the partisans stood about 30 thousand German soldiers, supported by artillery and aviation. After a day of fierce fighting, the partisans managed to break through the German encirclement and retreat deep into the forests, avoiding total destruction.

Today Porytowe Wzgórze is commemorated by a monument dedicated to the fallen partisans, a symbol of their courage and determination in the fight for freedom.

08/02/2025

My latest Substack Post. Never Forget!

https://open.substack.com/pub/polandatwartours/p/the-80th-anniversary-of-the-liberation?r=3zrjq6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

07/02/2025

Erected in the 18th century, the Silver Mountain Fortress is an impressive mountain fortress in Lower Silesia. During World War II, from 1939 to 1941, the fortress was home to the German POW camp Oflag VIII B, where Polish officers taken prisoner in 1939 were held. Among the prisoners were Major General Tadeusz Piskor, Rear Admiral Józef Unrug and Commander Stefan Frankowski.

Conditions in the camp were difficult: the prisoners suffered from malnutrition, lack of adequate medical care and poor sanitary conditions. Despite this, a daring escape of ten Polish officers took place in May 1940.

Seven of them were captured, but three managed to make their way through the occupied territories to Palestine, where they joined the Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade.

After 1941, the fortress also held prisoners of other nationalities, including Soviet, Belgian, French, Greek and Finnish.

Today, the Silver Mountain Fortress is a valuable monument and tourist attraction, a reminder of its rich and turbulent history.

06/02/2025

What does a Polish astronaut take into space? Pierogi ofcourse!!!!

Uznański-Wiśniewski is taking freeze-dried Polish traditional pierogi, or dumplings, along with poems by Wisława Szymborska, a Nobel literature laureate; music by Frédéric Chopin; a piece of amber; and some salt from the historic Wieliczka salt mine. He will also have a small national white-and-red flag that Poland’s first man in outer space, Mirosław Hermaszewski, wore on his suit in 1978.

https://www.wric.com/news/u-s-world/ap-a-wedding-necklace-and-polish-dumplings-will-be-part-of-a-mission-to-the-international-space-station/

05/02/2025

An amazing story!

Three Jewish men, who arrived at Auschwitz on the same day and were tattooed with numbers just 10 apart, reunited 73 years later. As free men, they were photographed together for the Last Eyewitness Project, having survived to build families and lead prosperous lives. Never Forget!

Photo: Sandi Bachom

Courtesy of the British Veterans Foundation

05/02/2025

Zamek Królewski w Warszawie przed (lata 1900) i po okupacji niemieckiej (1945). 🇵🇱🇩🇪

04/02/2025

Delicious Polish Naleśniki with cheese filling! Full recipe in the c.o.m.m.e.n.t.s.! 👇

03/02/2025

Did you know that Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe?

Poland: One of the Safest Countries in Europe!
Looking for a safe, beautiful, and welcoming destination for your next trip? Poland is the answer!
🌟 Safety First
Poland ranks among the safest countries in Europe, offering peace of mind to visitors worldwide. According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Poland is in the top tier of European countries for safety and stability. With low crime rates and friendly communities, you can explore its cities, countryside, and historic sites worry-free.
📊 Impressive Numbers
- Crime rates in Poland are 30% lower than the European Union average.
- Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk consistently rank as some of the safest cities in Europe for tourists.
- Poland is a member of the Schengen Area, ensuring smooth travel for visitors across Europe.
✈️ Convenient Flights
Traveling to Poland has never been easier! There are direct flights from major cities in the USA 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦, including New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Montreal, to Warsaw, Krakow, and other cities. Whether you're planning a cultural getaway, a family vacation, or a historical adventure, Poland is just a flight away.
🧳 Pack Your Bags!
Come and discover Poland's charm, safety, and warmth for yourself. Whether you're strolling through cobblestone streets, enjoying traditional pierogi, or learning about Poland's incredible history, you’ll find a country that feels like home.

30/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/14mWY3zoTq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Three Jewish men, who arrived at Auschwitz on the same day and were tattooed with numbers just 10 apart, reunited 73 years later. As free men, they were photographed together for the Last Eyewitness Project, having survived to build families and lead prosperous lives.

Photo: Sandi Bachom

30/01/2025

Warszawa rok 1944. Powstanie Warszawskie.
Hala Mirowska i ludzie wypędzani z Warszawy.

29/01/2025

LESS-KNOWN PLACES🛑

Grodziec Castle, located in Lower Silesia, has a rich and turbulent history, dating back to the 12th century. During World War II, the castle played an important role in the activities of N**i Germany.

In 1926 Herbert von Dirksen, an influential N**i politician and trusted associate of Adolf Hi**er, became the owner of the castle. In 1933, Hi**er visited Grodziec Castle at Dirksen's invitation, highlighting the importance of the place in N**i circles.

During the war, the castle was used by the N**is for various purposes. There are reports that meetings of N**i dignitaries were held within its walls, and that it also served as a field hospital.

In 1945, as a result of hostilities, the castle was severely damaged. First it was set on fire by Soviet soldiers, and then looted by looters. The destruction included the roofs and the valuable collections housed in the castle.

After the end of World War II, Grodziec castle remained abandoned for some time. It was not until 1959 that cleaning and reconstruction work began to restore it to its former glory.

Today Grodziec Castle is a valuable monument and tourist attraction, attracting history and architecture lovers.

29/01/2025

A video and short explanation of the burn marks that are still on the floor of the entrance to the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw from when the N**is blew up the Great Warsaw Synagogue on 16 May 1943. This was the day the Germans declared the Ghetto fully liquidated. The JHI was formally the Jewish Library attached the Synagogue. Never forget!

27/01/2025

LESS-KNOWN FACTS

Operation “N” is one of the most unusual diversionary operations of the Home Army(AK), aimed at weakening the morale of the German occupiers through the use of propaganda. Launched in 1941, it lasted until 1944 and was carried out by a special cell of the Home Army, bringing together prominent intellectuals, writers, journalists and specialists in psychology and propaganda.

The purpose of Operation “N”
The aim of the operation was to sow chaos and uncertainty among German soldiers and the civilian population of the Third Reich. Through false communications, publications and leaflets, the Home Army tried to influence the mood of the occupying forces, create internal conflicts and discourage war.

How did it work?
Production of fake newspapers and leaflets:
Underground AK print shops produced German-language materials that looked like authentic publications issued by German authorities or organizations. The fake newspapers contained criticism of N**i policies, described defeats at the front and undermined confidence in Hi**er and the Wehrmacht command.

Information sabotage:
Published materials often contained false information about impending air raids or lost battles, which sowed panic among Germans. Humor and irony were also used to poke fun at Third Reich propaganda.

Distribution of materials:
Leaflets and newspapers were secretly delivered to German barracks, offices and even to the streets of German cities. This was done with the help of couriers, sometimes even hiding the materials in postal parcels.

27/01/2025

Today, at the Memorial to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes, POLIN Museum, Warsaw, the commemoration ceremony of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. Never Forget!

24/01/2025

As early as 27 September 1943, the highest tiers of Polish Home Army command put in place plans for the continuation of conspiratorial actions should diplomatic relations not be normalised with the Soviet Union and should the Soviets take over Poland.

This conspiratorial group was to be enacted completely separately from the AK should the AK become untenable as an ongoing concern. At a given moment, this new group would begin to operate independently from the AK in a manner that not even AK members would know who was operating within the new conspiracy. Only a handful of Polish leaders knew of the existence of the plan for this new organisation.

The new organisation was to be called "Nie". For us non-Poles, "Nie" is short for niepodległość which translates to English as "Independence". Nie is also the Polish word for "no".

On 19 January 1945, The AK was formally dissolved which lead to the formal beginning of Nie under the legendary and much loved Polish General Emil "Nil" Fieldorf and General Leopold Okulicki.

Witold Pilecki was among the first members of Nie.

Sadly, Nie came to an end on 7 March 1945 when Gen. Fieldorf was arrested by chance by the NKVD. This arrest was followed by the arrest of Gen. Okulicki on 27 March 1945 that led to the "Trial of the 16" in Moscow.

At this point, formal conspiratorial work almost ceased to exist and was generally run ad hoc by the Polish Army in Exile.

Never Forget!

22/01/2025

27 January 2025, will be the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Being the symbolic centre of the Holocaust, the date of liberation of Auschwitz, 27 January 1945, The date Soviet Scouts rode into the camp, has for the last 20 years become the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

For those in Warsaw, a memorial service will be held at the Memorial to Warsaw Ghetto Heroes at the POLIN Museum at 1.00pm Monday 27 January 2025. I hope to see you there.

The Jewish community of Warsaw encourages people to put a candle in their window in the evening of this date.

Something I also learnt today is that from 1200 to 1800, an empty tram, with the Star of David, will move around Warsaw symbolising the loss of the Jewish population of Poland during the Holocaust.

Never Forget!

21/01/2025

20 January 1942 was the date of the infamous Wannsee Conference that took place in this stately home ina rich suburb of Berlin.

It is often thought that the Wannsee Conference was the place where the decision to enact the Final Solution took place, however this is not true.

What we now know as the Holocaust had well and truly kicked off prior to this conference. The Wannsee Conference was more about Reinhardt Heydrich firming up his credentials as the leader in the effort to exterminate the Jews and also to firm up much of the logistics that would be needed to enact the Holocaust.

What can be said about the Wannsee Conference in regards to the Final Solution however, is that the industrial nature of the Holocaust truly began after Wannsee. Not a single Jew in all of Occupied Europe was safe!

Never Forget!

20/01/2025

What is the Museum of Struggle for Poland and Freedom in Węgierska Górka❓❓

is a site that commemorates the heroic defense of this village in September 1939, known as the “Westerplatte of the South.” At that time, the 151st fortress company under the command of Capt. Tadeusz Semik resisted the overwhelming German forces for three days, delaying their march deep into Poland.

The museum is located in the “Wanderer” battle shelter, one of five built in 1939. The exhibition features photographs of soldiers fighting for Węgierska Górka, as well as elements of equipment and weaponry from that period.

By visiting this place, you can better understand the difficult history of the region and pay tribute to those who fought for Poland's freedom.

The museum is located in the “Wanderer” battle shelter, which is part of the defensive fortifications built in 1939. The shelter, surrounded by greenery, has been carefully restored and equipped with a historical exhibition.

Inside it one can see:

Reconstruction of military equipment, including weapons, uniforms and equipment used by the defenders.
Documents and photographs that provide insight into the history of the heroic defense of Węgierska Górka, known as the “Westerplatte of the South.”
Interactive elements that make it easier to understand the course of the war effort.

From the outside, the shelter has retained its original character - a massive concrete structure with shooting holes attracts attention and reminds us of the military significance of the place. The environment is peaceful, which encourages reflection on historical events.

You can read more about it : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_W%C4%99gierska_G%C3%B3rka

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