Warsaw Uprising

The Warsaw Uprising was the armed struggle started by AK against Nazis in Warsaw, capitol of Poland, during World War II. It started August 1 1944 and lasted until October 2.

The uprising was part of larger AK operation codenamed "Storm". It was intended as both direct operation against German occupiers as political manifestation of influences of Polish Government-in-Exile, sparked by fear, that in the aftermath of the war allies would omit the London-based government (Soviet Union was not recognising Goverment-In-Exile and it was clear that Poland will be liberated by Red Army).

There was 50.000 AK soldiers in Warsaw, of which 10% was properly armed, almost exclusively in hand arms. But order of starting uprising reached only 23.000 of them in time. 18.000 of them were killed, 8.000-25.000 was heavily wounded, about 15.000 went into captivity. About 150.000-180.000 Polish civilians died as well, mostly as result of mass-executions - e.g after taking Wola (one of Warsaw districts) German soldiers shooted all of captured 40.000 civilian inhabitants.

Initial German garrison was about 20.000 soldiers, and in total 50.000 soldiers under von dem Bach was fighting with insurgents. German losses were about 10.000 killed, 6.000 MIA and 9.000 wounded plus 300 armoured cars and tanks.

Until half of September Germans were shooting in place all caught insurgents. After that, under pressure from Western allies, they started to treat them like PoWs.

After the uprising Germans systematically razed most of Warsaw to the ground.

Controversial is role of Soviet Red Army, which stood on the second bank of Vistula, and who haven't allowed pilots from RAF and Polish Airforces to land on Soviet landings.

Sometimes the name is attributed to earlier struggle of Jews in 1943. If you are looking information about that event, see Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.