Sixty seven years ago today, Poland's underground “Home Army” (AK) executed one of the most significant yet costly actions against the Nazi occupant, when on 1 February 1944, General Franz Kutschera (right) Chief of the SS in Warsaw, was assassinated in broad daylight in the city centre.

The operation was carried out by 9 soldiers of the Home Army, in cooperation with three liaison officers.

The general's car was blocked by an AK vehicle whilst the SS Chief was being driven down Ujazdowski Avenue. The operation lasted one minute and 40 seconds, with the Poles drawn into a clash with German Nazi police from neighbouring institutions.

Four AK soldiers died, two while fleeing the scene.

The following day, a hundred Polish hostages were shot on Ujazdowski Avenue as a reprisal.

The operation marked one of the last high level assassinations before the AK launched the Warsaw Uprising, a bid take control of the entire city which began on 1 August 1944. (nh)


Source: IAR