On August 1st, 60 years will pass since the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, during which the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) and the residents of Warsaw, which was occupied by the Nazis, began the tragically concluded independence impulse. A historical debate continues until this day about why the fighters could not count on the assistance of their allies: the Allies and the Red Army. (30-JULY-04)
At 5 p.m. on August 1, sirens will scream throughout the entire territory of Warsaw. Each year the residents of the capital are reminded this way about one of the most difficult events in Polish history – The Warsaw Uprising. From 5 p.m. – the “W” Hour (Godzina “W”) – on August 1, 1944, an army, composed mainly of poorly trained and badly armed youth and civilians, fought against the occupying forces. The Uprising inescapably ended in defeat. Around 40% of the insurgents were killed, and just as many ended up in prisoner-of-war and forced labour camps; about 25% of the city´s buildings were destroyed during the fighting.
Although 60 years have passed since the Uprising, a discussion still persists among historians, concerning the reasons, why the Allies and the Soviet Union did not support the efforts of the Warsaw insurgents.
This year, insurgents from all over the world will arrive for the anniversary ceremony; the invited guests will include the German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder, the British Deputy Prime Minister Prescott, and the American Secretary of State Colin Powell. The celebrations will be accompanied by the opening of the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising.
