Zmija Group
Encyclopedia
The Żmija Group (Viper Group) - a group of conspiracy military units of the Sub-district II of Żoliborz (of Armia Krajowa)
of Armia Krajowa
in Żoliborz
in Warsaw
during the German occupation of Poland. The units took part in the fights of the Warsaw Uprising
of 1944.
of Warsaw
. In the course of its training, prior to the Warsaw Uprising
, many military actions were conducted, among them at the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto
and in Bielany
.
, but they failed to reach the holding area of their attack. Fights were waged in the Zdobycz Robotnicza Housing Estate, in the Kampinos forest
on Zaborówek and in Truskawka as part of forest-based units. Also, they took part in attacks on the Warsaw Gdańsk Station, in defence of Marymont, the "Forts" and workshops of Opel.
In the course of the fights 60% of soldiers of the group fell.
Among others, Wacław Gluth-Nowowiejski
and Olgierd Budrewicz fought in the group.
Sub-district II of Zoliborz (of Armia Krajowa)
The Sub-district II of Żoliborz - a territorial organisational unit of the District of Warsaw of Armia Krajowa...
of Armia Krajowa
Armia Krajowa
The Armia Krajowa , or Home Army, was the dominant Polish resistance movement in World War II German-occupied Poland. It was formed in February 1942 from the Związek Walki Zbrojnej . Over the next two years, it absorbed most other Polish underground forces...
in Żoliborz
Zoliborz
Żoliborz is one of the northern districts of the city of Warsaw. It is located directly to the north of the City Centre, on the left bank of the Vistula river. It has approximately 50,000 inhabitants and is one of the smallest boroughs of Warsaw....
in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
during the German occupation of Poland. The units took part in the fights of the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
of 1944.
Creation
The group was created in 1940 when the 3rd Scout Military Unit was transformed into the 225th platoon , based in the area of MarymontMarymont
Marymont is one of the northern neighbourhoods of Warsaw, Poland, administratively a part of the boroughs of Żoliborz and Bielany . Named after the queen of Poland Maria Kazimiera , wife of king John III Sobieski, it initially housed a small summer manor...
of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. In the course of its training, prior to the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
, many military actions were conducted, among them at the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto
Warsaw Ghetto
The Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of all Jewish Ghettos in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. It was established in the Polish capital between October and November 15, 1940, in the territory of General Government of the German-occupied Poland, with over 400,000 Jews from the vicinity...
and in Bielany
Bielany
Bielany is a district in Warsaw located in the north-western part of the city.Initially a part of Żoliborz, Bielany has been an independent district since 1994. Bielany borders Żoliborz to the south-east, and Bemowo to the south-west...
.
Organisation
- Commander - captain of horse Adam Rzeszotarski pseudonym "Żmija";
- 224th platoon - commanded by lieutenant (name unknown) Mańczak pseudonym "Rafa",
- 225th platoon - commanded by sergeant Piotr Urabaniak pseudonym "Siwy",
- 254th platoon - commanded by officer cadet Zbigniew Ptak pseudonym "Zbigniew",
- 257th platoon - commanded by captain of horse Henryk Mostowski pseudonym "Gryf",
- 244th platoon - commanded by liutenant Andrzej Nowak pseudonym "Andrzej".
Course of combat in the Warsaw Uprising 1944
Since 1 August units of the group fought in MarymontMarymont
Marymont is one of the northern neighbourhoods of Warsaw, Poland, administratively a part of the boroughs of Żoliborz and Bielany . Named after the queen of Poland Maria Kazimiera , wife of king John III Sobieski, it initially housed a small summer manor...
, but they failed to reach the holding area of their attack. Fights were waged in the Zdobycz Robotnicza Housing Estate, in the Kampinos forest
Kampinos Forest
Kampinos Forest is a large forest complex located to the west of Warsaw in Poland. It covers a large part of the ancient valley of Vistula, between Vistula and Bzura rivers. Once a gigantic forest covering 670 km² of central Poland, it currently covers roughly 240 km².Most of the...
on Zaborówek and in Truskawka as part of forest-based units. Also, they took part in attacks on the Warsaw Gdańsk Station, in defence of Marymont, the "Forts" and workshops of Opel.
In the course of the fights 60% of soldiers of the group fell.
Among others, Wacław Gluth-Nowowiejski
Wacław Gluth-Nowowiejski
Wacław Gluth-Nowowiejski is a former soldier of the Polish Home Army , a participant in the Warsaw Uprising, and after the war, a publicist and author.-Family:...
and Olgierd Budrewicz fought in the group.
See also
- Żubr Group
- Żniwiarz GroupZniwiarz GroupThe Żniwiarz Group - a group of conspiracy military units in Żoliborz in Warsaw, Poland, which took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944....
- Żaglowiec GroupZaglowiec GroupThe Żaglowiec Group - a group of conspiracy military units of Armia Krajowa in the Sub-district II of Żoliborz in Żoliborz of Warsaw during the German occupation of Poland. They fought in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.-Organisation:Commander - captain Marian Kamiński pseudonym."Żaglowiec",*201st...
- Żyrafa GroupZyrafa GroupThe Żyrafa Group was a group of military units of Armia Krajowa, which fought during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 in the Sub district II of Żoliborz , which included the Żoliborz district of Warsaw.-Composition and command:Commander - sec...
- Żbik GroupZbik GroupThe Żbik Group - a group of conspiracy military units of Armia Krajowa in the Sub-district II of Żoliborz in Żoliborz of Warsaw, which took part in fights of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944....