The uprising began on 1 August 1944. The Warsaw Uprising (Polish:
powstanie warszawskie) was a major World War II operation by the
Polish resistance Home Army (Polish: Armia Krajowa), to liberate
Warsaw from Nazi Germany, ahead of the Red Army´s advance. The
uprising coincided with the retreat of German forces and the Red
Army´s approaching the eastern suburbs of the city. Extremely
controversial is the fact that the Soviet advance stopped short
nearby the city, while Polish resistance against the German army
continued for 63 days despite lack of outside support.
Although the exact number of casualties remains unknown, it is
estimated that about 16,000 members of the Polish resistance were
killed and about 6,000 badly wounded. In addition, between 150,000
and 200,000 civilians died, mostly from mass murders conducted by
troops fighting on the German side. German casualties totaled over
8,000 soldiers killed and missing, and 9,000 wounded. During the
urban combat approximately 25% of Warsaw´s buildings were
destroyed. Following the surrender of Polish forces, German troops
systematically leveled 35% of the city block by block. Together
with earlier damage suffered in the invasion of Poland (1939) and
the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (1943), over 85% of the city was
destroyed by January 1945, when the Soviets entered the city.
THIS PROPAGANDA STAMP SET WAS ISSUED BY THE POLISH UNDERGROUND
SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT AS A DIVERSIFICATION STATEMENT AGAINST MARTIAL
LAW WHICH HAD BEEN DECLARED BY THE COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES IN POLAND.
IT IS A VERY RARE AND COLLECTABLE ITEM . THE UNDERGROUND MEMBERS
WHO ISSUED THIS STAMP RISKED A LOT, BECAUSE IF CAUGHT THEY WOULD
HAVE BEEN IMPRISONED WITHOUT TRIAL.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A UNIQUE PIECE OF HISTORY. IT IS A
MUST FOR EVERY SERIOUS HISTORIAN AND COLLECTOR OF THIS PERIOD AND
WILL MAKE AN INTERESTING ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION.
General Wojciech Jaruzelski announced the introduction of martial
law in a speech first broadcast on radio and television at 6:00 am
on December 13, 1981. In order to isolate members of the opposition
(from the Solidarity movement), 52 internment centers were created.
A total of 10,132 internment orders were issued against 9,736
people during the period of martial law.
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