Home Army

Home Army
source
Unit name	Home Army
Caption	Emblem of the Home Army
Country	Poland
Allegiance	Polish government-in-exile
Branch	Armia Krajowa
Type	Resistance movement
Size	400,000
Commands	Warsaw Uprising, Operation Tempest
Battles	Invasion of Poland, Battle of Monte Cassino
Disbanded	1945

Home Army was a major Polish resistance movement in World War II, formed in 1942 from the Union of Armed Struggle and other groups, with the goal of fighting against the German and Soviet occupations of Poland. The movement was closely tied to the Polish government-in-exile and received support from the United Kingdom, United States, and other Allies of World War II. The Home Army played a significant role in several key battles and operations, including the Warsaw Uprising and Operation Tempest, and was led by notable figures such as Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski and Leopold Okulicki, who had previously fought in the Battle of the Somme and Battle of Britain.

● History

The Home Army was formed in 1942, during the height of World War II, with the merger of several smaller resistance groups, including the Union of Armed Struggle and the Peasants' Battalions. The movement was led by Stefan Rowecki, a veteran of the Polish-Soviet War, who had also fought in the Battle of Warsaw (1920) and Battle of Lwów (1920). The Home Army's early activities focused on intelligence gathering, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare against the German occupation, with support from the Special Operations Executive and Office of Strategic Services. As the war progressed, the movement became increasingly involved in larger-scale operations, including the Warsaw Uprising and Operation Tempest, which were supported by the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces.

● Structure and Organization

The Home Army was organized into a hierarchical structure, with a central command and several regional branches, including the Warsaw District and Kraków District. The movement was divided into several departments, including the Department of Information and Propaganda, which was responsible for producing Polska Walcząca, a underground newspaper that was distributed throughout Poland and supported by the BBC Polish Section. The Home Army also had a number of specialized units, including the Kedyw, which was responsible for carrying out sabotage and intelligence operations, and the National Armed Forces, which was a right-wing nationalist organization that fought against the Soviet Union and Communist Party of Poland. The movement received support from a number of other organizations, including the Polish Red Cross and Caritas Poland.

● Operations and Activities

The Home Army was involved in a wide range of operations and activities during World War II, including intelligence gathering, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare. The movement played a significant role in several key battles, including the Warsaw Uprising and Operation Tempest, and carried out numerous smaller-scale operations, such as the Aktion Gitter and Operation Heads. The Home Army also worked closely with other resistance movements, including the French Resistance and Czech resistance, and received support from the United Kingdom, United States, and other Allies of World War II. The movement's activities were often coordinated with those of the Polish Air Forces and Polish Navy, which were operating in exile.

● Notable Members and Leaders

The Home Army had a number of notable members and leaders, including Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski, who served as the movement's commander-in-chief, and Leopold Okulicki, who was a key figure in the Warsaw Uprising. Other notable members included Stefan Rowecki, who was the movement's first commander, and Emil Fieldorf, who was a prominent figure in the Kedyw. The Home Army also had a number of notable female members, including Irena Sendler, who was a social worker and resistance activist, and Wanda Gertz, who was a nurse and member of the Polish Red Cross. Many of these individuals had previously fought in the Battle of Poland (1939) and Battle of France.

● Legacy and Commemoration

The Home Army played a significant role in World War II and is remembered as a symbol of Polish resistance against the German and Soviet occupations. The movement's legacy is commemorated in a number of ways, including the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Polish Army Museum, which are located in Warsaw and London. The Home Army is also remembered through a number of monuments and memorials, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw and the Polish War Memorial in London. Many of its members were awarded the Virtuti Militari and Cross of Valour (Poland) for their bravery.

● International Relations and Recognition

The Home Army received support from a number of countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, and other Allies of World War II. The movement was recognized as a key player in the European Theatre of World War II and was supported by a number of international organizations, including the Special Operations Executive and Office of Strategic Services. The Home Army also had close ties with other resistance movements, including the French Resistance and Czech resistance, and worked closely with the Polish government-in-exile, which was based in London and supported by the British government and Winston Churchill. The movement's activities were often coordinated with those of the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces, which provided significant support to the Polish resistance.

Category:Polish resistance movements