The Polish language version goes into much more details and states that many of the accussations of collaboration are false, originating with the Polish Communists.
The brigade used a four-month truce with German forces as well as questionable contacts with German Gestapo officials to march behind German lines several hundred kilometers to the southwest in an ultimately successful bid to make contact with U.S. forces.
In January 1945 it began a retreat through Silesia into the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia with the tacit approval of German forces who did not wish to have a second front open at their backs while they were trying to fight against the advancing Red Army. Between January 15, 1945 and May of the same year the brigade suspended all military operations against the German army. The brigade's movement to Czechoslovakia during this time was aided by the confusion reigning in the German Army's rear areas that had been created by the January offensive of the Red Army.
In April 1945, now in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the brigade found itself in an area surrounded by substantial German forces and its German contacts began insisting on closer collaboration. As a result the commanders of the brigade agreed to a limited plan whereby small units of the force were to cross or be parachuted by the Germans back into Poland in order to carry out intelligence work and possibly sabotage at the rear of the advancing Red Army. According to former soldiers, they were all instructed by the brigade's command to ignore their German assigned tasks once in Poland and instead try to make contact with NSZ headquarters. Out of the units sent, two turned around and made their way back to the main force, while several ran into Soviet and Polish communist forces and were liquidated. During the same period, the second in command, Władysław Marcinkowski pseudonym "Jaxa", took part in a German sponsored conference involving various collaborationist and fascist organizations during which, according to Marcinkowski, the Germans made an offer of forming a Vlasov style formation out of the brigade. Marcinkowski refused the offer and tried to stall by claiming not to have the authority to agree to it.
Marcinkowski, along with Hubert Jura, pseudonym "Tom", who was the main liaison officer between the Germans and the brigade, were members of the extreme-right faction Szaniec within the NSZ-ZJ (which was itself a far right faction of pre-1944 NSZ). Jura's role in the actions undertaken by the unit during this time have not been fully explained. Jura was in fact a Gestapo or SD agent, he used internal politics of the NSZ-ZJ to settle personal scores (under the guise of "fighting communism within NSZ-ZJ"). There were outstanding death sentences on him issued by both the Home Army and the portion of pre-1944 NSZ which merged with it, for collaboration, although the leader of the brigade at the time, Szacki, may not have been aware of his identity.
Most of the controversy concerning the Holy Cross Mountains Brigade, and whether or not it actively collaborated with the Nazis, concern this period. However, during the same time, Col. Szacki made contacts with the anti-German Czech underground and became involved in clandestine plans for an uprising in Plzeň.
Even though the planned uprising in Plzeň never materialized (due to other reasons), with the onset of May, the brigade renewed the fight against the Germans and on May 5 liberated the concentration camp at Holýšov,[1] which led the United States to recognize it as an Allied military unit.[2] On the following day, the brigade fought alongside troops of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division in the assault that liberated Pilzeň from Wehrmacht occupation forces and restored it to Czechoslovakia.
The march to the West
Soviet offensive began on 13 January 1945. NSZ completely surprised authorities and the Group "Rampart", which provided for the early spring of this year. In addition, on January 5 still went with the task of elimination of the German post on the Warta branch Wladyslaw Kołacińskiego ps. "Wildcat", resulting in a number of Kielce Brigade fell to less than 800 people. January 13 morning, the commander of the brigade was ordered to Commander in Chief of the National Armed Forces, Colonel. Zygmunt Broniewskiego ps. "Bogucki" as follows: Soviet offensive began on January 13, 1945. The brigade is to implement the order to withdraw into Silesia . Any help we can give. You should rely on their own strength.
In the afternoon there was a march Brigade, which reached the area the next day the village Kepa - Marcinkowice - Pogwizdów . There was attacked by the Germans. However, stopped the fight when Bohun sent to them his aide, "Jarema". On the night of 14 on January 15 Brigade was transferred to a new berth in Koryczany - Dziadówka . After recognizing cross the river Pilica decided to cross the bridge by the poorly defended the broom . Through the mediation of "Tom" Hubert jury could get permission to pass Brigade Germans on the other side of the river. While crossing the Pilica afternoon January 15th Brigade troops were fired upon by Soviet tanks, but without any losses, only the loss of part of the rolling stock. Late in the evening reached town Solca , where they stopped to rest. From there he was sent to Cracow to the Headquarters of the National Armed Forces to patrol informed about the situation Brigade, which comprised - according to various sources - the commander of the brigade adjutant Lieutenant. Stanisław Sikorski ps. "Jarema" or see. NN ps. "Boguslaw" and liaison.
Brigade Commander also issued orders to subordinates, in which he stated: Offensive Bolshevik forced us to move to the west Polish. We stood on the way to strengthen the German. On 14th inst. starliśmy with Germany, in order to break through to the west. We gave advice. On the 15th inst. Soviet tanks attacked us from the east. For rescue brigade command negociate with the German fortifications that permitted us to go through their lines to the west. Thus, we entered into a state of niewojowania with Germany for an indefinite period. I hope that soon the ongoing military events will allow us in the near future to report to the Commander in Chief and the legitimate Government of the Polish and by his order to draw our weapons against the enemy, which tells us to fight.
In the morning on January 16, against the Soviet troops approached Brigade moved on, arriving in the evening, after clearing Zawiercia , the village Blanowice , where it has been a short rest. When you reach the village of Koziegłowy encountered on the German defenses. After further discussions with Germany, which this time was attended by Major H. Karpowicz ps. "Rusin" Cpt. T. Żółkiewski ps. "Most" and see. Charles Karolewicz , was approved by the passage of the fortifications, which took place at night.
Brigade joined by two liaison officers in this Haupsturmfuhrer SS SS Paul Fuchs Radom district head of the Gestapo. January 17th Brigade arrived in Babienicy . The next day, reached the suburbs Lublinc , where he tried to replace it with a small branch of the German way, but in the face of its left edge. Wyminięto town and village in the evening were reached Solarnia - Virgin Mountain , and the next day to the village Otmet where Brigade soldiers rested in the abandoned barracks prison. At night, against the Soviet troops approached, she set sail in the direction of the Oder . After negotiations with Germany Brigade crossed the bridge over the river at the end of the branches of the German and the civilian population. Stopped for a short stop in the area Kammerfeld . In order to break away from the Red Army on January 20-27 forced march defeated approx. 100 km, passing through the towns of: Forge Ligocka , Gaworowice , Bobolice . In Bobolicach Brigade joined the Special Action branch of the District V Kielce in the strength of approx. 100 men under the command of Capt. Telesfor Piechocki ps. "Gustav". Special operations officer of the Brigade was then still Hubert Jura ps. "Tom", who joined the unit with his people evacuated from Czestochowa. See: Organization of Tom - he brokered in talks with German military commanders and the RSHA , having good contacts with the Gestapo - since 1943 Radom was an agent of the Gestapo. These discussions took place on January 28 in Bobolicach or Zabkowice Slaskie , during which the German side constantly contacted by phone from Berlin . As a result, the Brigade was granted permission to: further march side highways from the general direction of Prague Czech.
Command Brigade began with Germany to a play, in order to protect it from damage at the cost of the least concessions to the Germans. Germany knew Brigade anti-bias and, therefore, sought to take advantage of this fact. In addition, the Poles have provided food supplies, accommodation and treatment of the sick and wounded in their hospitals. The brigade headquarters was the former head of the Gestapo district Radom Haupsturmfuhrer Paul Fuchs in the autumn of 1944 having regular contact with the brigade through Hubert jury. He planned to use the brigade against the USSR - in the first row to the diversion and sabotage in the back of the Soviet front, and at a later stage - to fight on the Eastern Front. For this reason, the brigade got retrofitted by the Germans and supported its growth in numbers. It was the brigade liaison officer in dealing with Germany. Brigade moved on the Sudetenland into the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia , who reached on February 20, passing such places like Old Lisieniec , Petersdorf, Chotěvice . There Feb. 15 column encountered Polish prisoners of the Warsaw Uprising , which escaped into the ranks of the Brigade approx. 120 people. Upon their arrival, the fourth regiment organized - Poznan
Along the way, also joined the Poles evacuated from camps or staying in the Czech Republic for forced labor, which number increased steadily Brigade. They marched towards the south-east, reaching the middle of March to the city Blanska . There - through H. Jury - received from the Germans, click to go to the abandoned village Rozstani lying in military training. Around the strong German units stationed.
Stay in the Czech Republic
In Rozstani Brigade troops remained until mid-April 1945. It was a difficult time for her leadership and soldiers, as it was forced to go to the Germans on the far-reaching concessions. Initially sent to the country - with the consent of the Germans - a couple walking patrols in order to make contact with the Headquarters of the National Armed Forces.
Next activities were much more debatable. Has been appointed group of approx. 70 volunteers divided into 8 groups who - armed with German weapons, equipped with money, documents and radio - were to be transported over the territory of the German planes Polish and hurled to effect a diversion and intelligence activities on the back of the Red Army. February 7 at the resort RHSA ( Reich Security Main Office ) began their training, which led from the NSZ see. Stefan Celichowski ps. "Skalski" under the supervision of H. Jury, which is actually the Germans, and the German side RHSA officers. Trained athletes, saboteurs and radio operators in two centers RHSA. The first two of several people led by Lt. patrols. Zygmunt Rafalski ps. "Sulimczyk" and John Ciesielski ps. "Rumba" were dropped on March 23. On the other hand, in the second half of March Brigade Deputy Commander, Major Wladyslaw Marcinkowski ps. "Jax", took part in the meeting of the representatives of Prague and collaborative fascist movements in different countries, which would lead to the creation of a joint anti-Soviet bloc under the auspices of the Germans. However, Major W. Marcinkowski refused to accede to it, covering a lack of competence. April 15 was sent home the next patrol parachute composed cf. NN ps. "Gnat" liaison Maria Kobierzycka ps. "Grazyna" and 5 privates. After completing the task see. "Gnat" and the soldiers returned in September 1945. Brigade, while M. Kobierzycka was arrested by the UB . Soon after, sent to Polish next most pedestrian patrol in the strength of 45 men under the command of Capt. T. Żółkiewskiego ps. "Most". Even before crossing the border commander with 30 soldiers turned back, and the rest was divided into 2 groups - Cadet. John Dzielski ps. "Warecki" and Vladimir Kołaczkiewicza ps. "Zawisza". They passed the border on the night of 28 on April 29. Then Cadet. J. Dzielski directed to the area of Nowy Targ , and W. Kołaczkiewicz in Kielce. The first branch was finally broken by the UB in Sopotnia Little in Żywiec County. In contrast, W. Kołaczkiewicz dismissed during the shooting of his unit, and the establishment of contacts with activists NSZ in Krakow, was arrested on June 1, 1945 r. In Jedrzejów . Four soldiers from the patrol returned to the Brigade with a group see. "Gnat".
On 5-6 April in Munich , there was another German-Polish conference, during which represented Brigade certainly its commander, deputy commander and chief of staff, and perhaps two other officers, and on the German side has performed SS Hauptsturmführer Paul Fuchs . By order issued the next day by the Colonel. Anthony Szacki indicated that proposals Brigade was fighting at the front against the Red Army, to be sent to the country further sabotage and intelligence groups, and to establish contact with the Polish authorities aim to persuade their emigration to the common fight against the Soviets. The Polish side categorically refused to send a brigade to the front for political reasons, on the grounds of insufficient command of the official German weapons, and the nature of the weak branch trained as a guerrilla unit, not linear. In his order No. 205 daily April 7th brigade commander identified the following priority activities of the branch m.in .: 1. inclusion perform as many Poles residing in the territories of the Reich into the ranks of the Group for the fight against the Soviet Union of Polish freedom and independence. 2. maintain resistance NSZ-in on Polish territory against Bolshevism trained by intentionally sending command and subversive groups. 3. establish contacts with Polish emigration to the West, and in the first row of the Commander in Chief of General. Anders, in order to comply with his orders concerning the struggle of all the Polish Armed Forces of the Bolshevik occupiers of real freedom and independence of the Polish .
It was also found that in the case of the Red Army approached, the Brigade had to retreat to the West, together with German troops. They were very favorable conditions. They were immediately sent to Italy for the 2nd Polish Corps see. Przemysław Łebiński ps. "Szaława coat of arms" and Richard V. Tullet ps. "Harry", the English officer in the RAF , who went to the Brigade along with a detachment of Wladyslaw Kołacińskiego ps. "Wildcat". At the same time, to London went to Capt. Jerzy Dobrzański-Zaleski ps. "Zaremba", which was adopted by the Supreme Commander gen. Anders .
At the same time the brigade command also has established contact with the Czech underground, which has assigned a liaison officer to the Poles. It was found that the Brigade will provide assistance to the Czech Republic in the planned uprising in Pilsen , whose period of the outbreak of the Brigade headquarters was to be informed when it reaches the area of the city. April 12 talks were held Brigade commander Colonel. Szacki Anthony, Chief of Staff of Major Leonard Zub-Zdanowicz and see. George Skąpski of the German delegation, led by Hauptsturmführer Paul Fuchs of Radom Gestapo. Germany proposed that individual departments Brigade to fight a guerrilla in the back of the Red Army, which had expressly refused the Polish side, demanding to allow the march toward the front of the Anglo-American. After a long discussion, Germany agreed to exit Brigade Rozstani provided that miss Prague . At the same time a proof of the good will of Germany in mid-April lowered the concentration camp Neuengamme (KL), the former commander of Headquarters and the head of the National Armed Forces Communications KG, of Major Stephen Kozlowski ps. "Alexander" and the wife of Prime Minister Stanislaw Mikolajczyk , who soon came to the Brigade. Major S. Kozlowski after a few days with the mission of recruiting went to prison camps in Murnau and concentration in Dachau calling for the creation of anti-communist volunteer legions; was, however, received very suspiciously and his campaign ended in failure.
The final period of the existence of the Brigade
After talks with Germany on April 13th Brigade went insured march towards Plzen. Its size was then approx. 1250 people. April 18 near the town of Tabor received from the Czechs information on the planned German attack. Therefore Brigade march route was changed. April 21, it reached the village Věšín near Pilsen, where she was given command of the message sent by the Czech liaison officer, to remove the uprising in the city due to the slower than expected advance of the Americans. Therefore, the command of the brigade decided to move to the area of Staňkov - Všekary and there to take military action against the Germans on their own.
April 28 sent from Všekar 4-person patrol under the command of Capt. Stefan Skalski with the task break through the front line and get in touch with US forces. Within two days the patrol reached the headquarters of the American 2. Infantry Division belonging to the 3rd Army gen. George Patton and Brigade established radio contact with her. Then Brigade joined the action, manning the section Holýšov - Staňkov highway leading to the city of Plzen. May 5th Brigade troops invaded the German concentration camp for women in Holiszowie. After a brief struggle the German garrison surrendered. Released approx. 700 prisoners, including 167 Polish women. Were taken prisoners of approx. 200 SS men and 15 guards at the price of only two wounded. The next day we contacted the spearhead of the American Division and conducted joint action. May 7th Brigade commander met with the commander of the US 2. DP in Staňkov. Americans, taking into account the information supplied and Brigade combat against the Germans recognized it as an allied unit, a position he has consistently upheld, despite numerous Soviet pressure. The Brigade was subordinated 2. Infantry Division and for a time acted as its unit.
Cooperation with Germany
At Brigade Swietokrzyska pregnancy very serious allegations of collaboration with the Germans, put forward mainly by the historiography of the period of communist Poland - the case of Hubert Jury "Tom" was a fundamental factor in the communist historians of this period in the whole organization of the National Armed Forces accusing them of collaborating with the Germans. There is no evidence, however, that "Tom" opposed Polish independence organizations, therefore, its activities are not in line with the definition of collaboration. Cooperation with Germany limited itself to fight against the communists from AL and PPR, pursuing an aim of Politico-Military Affairs of the USSR [ citation needed ]
One of the most obscure events is a matter of 11 Soviet prisoners of landing group "Assault" (which has grown over time to a group of several dozen), subject to national security authorities of the USSR and consisting of agents of the NKVD and NKGB [5] , entered after a skirmish NSZ and AL under Rząbcem - according to historians of the period of PRL , five Soviet officers allegedly handed over to the Gestapo, and other Soviet POWs and 4 of the AL be shot (also emphasized the role that played in the Brigade member of its staff - Officer on Special Duty, "Tom", who is also the head of the executive department II, from 1943 was in constant contact with the Radom Gestapo). Some members of the AL released, and several of them joined the Brigade Swietokrzyska [5] . According to the version of the National Armed Forces, including Soviet POWs came after the capture of the rebellion, during the suppression of the National Armed Forces killed three soldiers, three were seriously injured and 67 Soviet partisans were killed. According to AL in a skirmish after Rząbcem killed 16 members of the AL, and 32 other Soviet partisans and 73 fell into the hands of the Brigade.
Germany in the autumn of 1944 and winter of 1945, tolerated the activities of the Brigade, and sporadic clashes occurred mostly in the regiment, in which "Tom" was not present. "Tom" in autumn 1944 he resided in Czestochowa allocated by the Gestapo intelligence NSZ villa Street. 25 of Czestochowa, where he Otmar Wawrzkowiczem with AL and PPR fighting and attacks change (through liquidation) in KG NSZ, but often visited Brigade. Also unclear is the role played by the current head of the Intelligence Brigade National Armed Forces (Department II), holding the head of Intelligence Brigade, "adviser" Viktor Gostomski, later murdered by his successor as head of the Department II of the National Armed Forces Otmar Wawrzkowicza "Oles" in the villa occupied Czestochowa by "Tom" - allegedly by a desire to merge with the Army. The surviving documents RSHA -Sicherheitpolizei located in Germany, all three are listed as agents of the Gestapo - undisputed cooperation with the Gestapo "Tom" and Wawrzkowicza.
From December 1944 to May 5, 1945 Brigade completely suspended clash with Germany. Undoubtedly Brigade during its march to the West, when suspended action against German troops, was assisted by the Germans food supplies, uniforms and military equipment, weapons and later. Its staff has included a number of non-commissioned officers and 2 German SS officers in this Haupsturmführer Paul Fuchs with the Gestapo, who coordinated the case of provisioning, equipment and contacts with Germany, but in theory they had no right to interfere in its internal affairs. Germany also asserted several times accommodation Brigade soldiers. Finally, there are documented cases of referral of sick or injured soldiers Brigade to German hospitals. While going through the various sections of the German Defense Command Brigade each contained an agreement with local commanders, sometimes at the cost of the various concessions. In the case of a bridge crossing the Oder was his common assignment for a short time. It is questionable whether the command of the brigade actually managed to convince every time the Germans to their position (it is unclear what, then, did the Gestapo Brigade liaison officer Paul Fuchs), or maybe there was one general agreement that allows Brigade together with the advance of the troops West German.
Upon arrival in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia Brigade headquarters evolved several dozen group of officers and soldiers, who - after passing sabotage and intelligence courses RSHA and equip them with money, documents, weapons and radios - German planes were (some went to walk) to shift to Polish to the rear of the Red Army. On the other hand, shows that the command of the brigade was eventually forced to concrete action against the Soviets . However, there are messages, which indicate that the jumpers got home from a failure to attain command of the brigade command after landing activities for the Germans, and to make contact with the structures of the National Armed Forces, and to carry out their orders. In the final stages of the war Brigade representatives participated in several conferences with Germany, including in Prague with the participation of various parties, fascist and collaborative environments in other European countries. Chief of Staff Brigadier Władysław Marcinkowski nickname Jax took part in the East European fascist groups with the participation of the Iron Guard , and the Arrow [6] . However, representatives of the Brigade managed to pronounce the submission of specific proposals. At the same time the command of Brigade undertook efforts to become independent from the tutelage of the German and the status of the anti-Nazi entity, as to make contact with the Czech underground, or to send representatives to the 2nd Corps and Polish Government in Exile in London.
Collaboration with the Germans forced the implementation of the concept march to the West, formulated by the National Armed Forces Headquarters. It provided for the establishment of two more besides operating groups absorb the forces of Army and BCh and removal of most of the forces of the National Armed Forces of the country, in agreement with Germany to the west expect the outbreak of World War III. Secondly, the concept of the National Armed Forces initially represented the two enemies, Germany and the Soviet Union , in which, however, by far the No. 1 enemy has become since the middle of 1943 years of the USSR. The German side is also intended to use the Brigade for their own purposes. In this situation, the command of the brigade took the Germans a kind of game where for the price of the least concessions intended to save his soldiers. It also facilitated the indecision of the German authorities as to the future of the Brigade; some wanted to use it for propaganda purposes, some for the formation of the "Polish anti-Bolshevik legion." Supposedly there were also groups who want to through it to reach the Polish government in London in order to let him offer a common struggle against the Soviets. It is certainly debatable whether taken by the command of the brigade cooperation with Germany was adequate to the situation and how much you can spend to save before the Communists over a thousand young people.
In the last days of the war occurred Brigade openly fought against the Germans, which secured the status of Americans Allied forces. According to the report of the Office of Strategic Services tactics disclosure against the Germans and anti-fascist tendencies of disarmament Brigade saved or sent by the Germans on the Eastern Front against the Red Army [7] [8] .
In the US there were differing reports about the attitude of the Brigade against the Germans. In some reports appeared completely false opinion about the alleged involvement Brigade soldiers in the Warsaw Uprising and information on Brigade soldiers fighting the Germans. Other reports reported the Brigade soldiers committed murders and robberies. There were allegations of cooperation "Tom" with the Nazis, information hiding among German officers Brigade soldiers SS and SD services and discharges Brigade soldiers by the Luftwaffe on the Eastern front line. Information about the shots appeared after his arrest by the Americans having the function as the Austrian radio operator in this branch [9] .
In the post-war communist Poland in the period in 1945 - one thousand nine hundred and fifty-six Swietokrzyska Brigade soldiers were sentenced by the Communists, in numerous lawsuits, on penalty of death or long-term imprisonment. Communist authorities demanded release of formation of soldiers staying in the West as "collaborative unit" and its leader A. Szacki (aka. "Bohun-Dabrowski") recognized as a war criminal - in August 1950 in Toulouse was a trial before the court of the French , who completely acquitted A. Szacki of the allegations and refused to release him and other soldiers of the brigade Swietokrzyska communist authorities in Poland.
Footnotes
8. ↑ While an August OSS report explained away the possible collaboration of the Brigade by stating, "The Brigade did not surrender its arms but negotiated with the Germans using 'high diplomacy' tactics to the Germans divulging its fascist and anti-Communist tendencies . The officer believes's That These tactics saved the Poles from Disarming or sending [sic] to the Eastern Front to fight the Russians. Excuses dry as bad equipment, lack of ammunition, etc. were also used by the Poles is convince the Germans That they are not yet ready to fight . ".
