In the Polish Secret War : Memoir of a World War II Freedom Fighter

Born in the Polish village of Gaj in 1923, Marian Mazgaj was a teenager when Germany invaded his country and launched Poland into the combat of World War II. Too young to join the Polish army, within a few years he became a member of the Sandomierz Flying Commando Unit, a unit which merged with the "Jedrus" Polish underground group. This memoir provides a vivid record of Mazgaj's career in the military. The Sandomierz Flying Commando Unit and the "Jedrus" underground were actively engaged in fighting the Nazi forces in Poland during World War II, and the author provides a first-hand account of the groups' roles in attacking and disarming German military units; destroying the enemy's grain warehouses and receiving air drops of weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the Allies. He also describes the incorporation of his partisan group into the Home Army, whereby he and his comrades became the Fourth Company in the Second Regiment of the Second Division, gaining strength and destroying many more German units. In The Polish Secret War......Page 1 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 1. The Clouds of War......Page 21 2. The Beginning of World War II......Page 24 3. The First Stage of the Nazi Occupation......Page 35 4. The Conspiracy Begins......Page 50 5. The Deportation of the Klimontow Jews......Page 66 6. The Destruction of Struzki......Page 70 7. Life Is Stronger than Bullets......Page 81 8. Becoming a Freedom Fighter......Page 92 9. Flying Commando in Action......Page 108 10. The Attack on Szczucin Bridge......Page 117 11. Disarming the Nazis in Samborzec......Page 128 12. The Visit of Cap......Page 133 13. Mining the Railroad......Page 137 14. Snatching Nazi Cash......Page 140 15. Attacks on Gestapo Agent von Paul......Page 149 16. Military Air Drops......Page 159 17. Sick Leave at Domoradzice Manor......Page 166 18. The Merger of Two Units......Page 172 19. The Battle of Osiek......Page 179 20. German Raid on Our Quarters......Page 184 21. Mobilization for the Operation "Storm" or "Tempest"......Page 194 22. Crossing the German Front......Page 213 23. Behind Enemy Lines......Page 216 24. Demobilization......Page 234 25. Our Secret Quarters......Page 250 26. Returning Home......Page 262 27. In School Again......Page 266 28. Sequel......Page 298 29. Epilogue......Page 325 Notes......Page 334 Bibliography......Page 342 Index......Page 344 Born In Poland 1923, Marian Mazgaj Was Just A Teenager When Germany Invaded His Country And Launched Poland Into The Combat Of World War Ii. Although He Was Too Young To Join The Army, Within A Few Years He Became A Member Of The Sandomierz Flying Commando Unit, A Unit Which Merged With The Jedrus Polish Underground Group--provided By Publisher. Pt. 1. Before World War Ii. The Clouds Of War -- Pt. 2. The Time Of War. The Beginning Of World War Ii -- The First Stage Of The Nazi Occupation -- The Conspiracy Begins -- The Deportation Of The Klimontow Jews -- The Destruction Of Struzki -- Life Is Stronger Than Bullets -- Becoming A Freedom Fighter -- Flying Commando In Action -- The Attack On Szczucin Bridge -- Disarming The Nazi In Samborzec -- The Visit Of Cap -- Mining The Railroad -- Snatching Nazi Cash -- Attacks On Gestapo Agent Von Paul -- Military Air Drops -- Sick Leave At Domoradzice Manor -- The Merger Of Two Units -- The Battle Of Osiek -- German Raid On Our Quarters -- Mobilization For The Operation Storm Or Tempest -- Crossing The German Front -- Behind Enemy Lines -- Demobilization -- Our Secret Quarters -- Returning Home -- In School Again -- Pt. 3. After World War Ii. Sequel -- Epilogue. Marian S. Mazgaj. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 331) And Index.