Part 2
A captured Hetzer from 2./Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743 was used as part of a barricade at Ulica Szpitalna, August 1944.
Chapter 12
On July 29 and 30, 1944, two companies from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743. disembarked at the Warsaw Zachodnia Station (west Warsaw). The units were assigned to Heeresgruppe “Mitte” and were to be deployed to the frontline in the area around Siedlce. But when Soviet tank forces made a breakthrough in the area around Otwock on July 31; the commander of the 9th Army ordered the unit to remain in Warsaw, in order to defend against an enemy armoured force attacking from that direction. On August 1, 1944, the 1st and 2nd. Companies from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743., with 14 Hetzers in each company,rolled through the area around Piłsudski Square in order to reinforce the German forces under the command of General Stahel, commander of the Warsaw garrison.
At the outbreak of the uprising, Hetzers from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743 opened fire on resistance troops who under the command of Captain Ludwig “Gustaw” Gawrych had attacked the Wehrmacht’s city command post and Hotel Europejski.
On the morning of August 2, two Hetzers from Company 2 unexpectedly drove out along Ulica Krakowskie Przedmieście and Ulica Świętokrzyska to Napoleon Square (now Plac Powstańców Warszawy, a square commemorating the Warsaw Uprising). At the end of Ulica Szpitalna, a Hetzer was halted and, shortly afterwards, seized by resistance fighters. That same day, several Hetzers from Company 2, Panzer-Abteilung 743, located in the area around Theatre Square and Ulica Krakowskie Przedmieście, also joined in the fighting. On the night of August 4, under the protection of two Hetzers, German personnel at Bank Polski (the Polish Bank) on Ulica Bielańska were evacuated. According to a report filed on August 5, Company 1 from Panzer-Abteilung 743. still had 14 Hetzers in working order. On this same day, Hetzers starting from Pidułski Square attacked in the direction of Castle Square and the Old Town.
A captured Hetzer from 2./Panzerjäger Abteilung 743 was used as part of a barricade at Ulica Szpitalna, August 1944.
“Chwat” with the Polish eagle and the name painted on the front plate.
A captured Hetzer from 2./Panzerjäger Abteilung 743 was used as part of a barricade at Ulica Szpitalna, August 1944.
A captured Hetzer from 2./ Panzerjäger Abteilung 743 was used as part of a barricade at Ulica Szpitalna, August 1944.
Hetzers also took part in an attack on the area around Napoleon Square and Ulica Świętokrzyska. On August 7, several Hetzers operated in the vicinity of Ulica Krówelska and Ulica Chłodna where they co-ordinated with German forces attacking from the direction of Wola. On August 8, Company 1 from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743 was attached to Battle-group “Dirlewanger.” Hetzers from this company attacked in the direction of Ulica Bielańska. During the attack, they were “protected” by a herd of civilians these Hetzers drove before them. On August 8 and 9, Hetzers from Company 2 fired on houses along Ulica Wawelska. On August 9, a Hetzer from Company 1 covered the evacuation of Governor Fischer from Brühl Palace.
The 2nd Company in Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743, which had been placed within RONA’s force, was also very active during this time, fighting in Ochota and in the area around the Technical College. On August 11, Hetzers went on the attack starting from Piłsudski Square towards Castle Square and Ulica Bielańska. One Hetzer was destroyed by insurgents. On August 13, a Hetzer took part in a strong attack carried out by German troops in the area of Theatre Square. A Hetzer escorted a car carrying provisions to the Telecommunication Center on Ulica Zielna which was besieged by resistance fighters.
On August 14, 1944, a Hetzer from Company 1 opened fire on the barricades at Castle Square and Ulica Podwale. On August 15, Hetzers provided close cover for an offensive in the direction of Ulica Krówelska and shelled Polish positions in front of the Technical College. During the last ten days in August, Hetzers participated in battles in the south sections of the Centre and in attacks against the Old City. The battalion operated in Warsaw until the middle of September. Towards the end of that month, Company 2 fought in the Kampino Forest, immediately outside Warsaw. Aside from the Panther tanks which the “Zośka” battalion possessed; the Hetzer that had been captured by the resistance fighters was the Polish force’s most powerful armoured weapon.
As was mentioned earlier, two Hetzers from Company 2 in Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743 turned up on the battlefield during the fighting for Poctza Glówna (the Main Post Office) on Napoleon Square between 6:00 and 7:00 AM on August 2, one Hetzer swung into Ulica Moniuszko and retired quickly towards Ulica Świętokryska, while the other made its way towards the resistance fighters’ positions in the direction of Ulica Szpitalna. Between Ulica Sienkiewicza and Ulica Boduena, the German vehicle was rained on with “Molotov cocktails.” The crew defended themselves with the main gun and machinegun fire until the vehicle caught fire and was finally brought to a halt. One crewman managed to extricate himself from the “burning coffin” while the others burned alive inside. On the evening of August 2, the vehicle was towed away by soldiers from the Home Army’s “Kiliński” battalion and was “built in” to the barricade on Ulica Szpitalna. Three days later, soldiers from the “Chwat” platoon towed the Hetzer to the Main Post Office’s yard. There, a technical assessment determined that the vehicle would not be impossible to repair, despite the extensive destruction caused by the fire. This repair was made possible thanks to the tools that had been left intact by the Germans at the postal service’s repair facility. The repairs were carried out on August 12, 1944, and the vehicle was provisionally named “Chwat” which was painted in white on the front and sides of the vehicle. On August 14, 1944, the vehicle was once again combat ready. Tentative plans were made to use the vehicle in front of the Polish positions in the area around the Post Office Terminal on Ulica Żelazna, or in the area near the Telecommunication Centre and Ulica Królewska. To ensure that “Chwat” could manoeuvre into position, it would have been necessary to pull down some important barricades, thereby temporarily weakening the defence system. Nor had the idea of using “Chwat” been approved by the uprising’s commander, Colonel “Monter”. Thus, this armoured vehicle, notably well-armed and combat-ready, was held in reserve at the Main Post Office. It’s interesting to speculate on what chance a coordinated attack against Warsaw University by all three vehicles, the “Kubuś”, the transport vehicle “Szary Wilk” and “Chwat” might have had, as opposed to the failed outcome of the assault carried out by the “Kubuś” and “Szary Wilk” alone. The reader can learn more about this attack on the university later in this book.
“Chwat” on a test-drive at Ulica Szpitalna in the middle of August.
On September 5, “Chwat” was buried under a mound of ruins when the Main Post Office was bombed. In 1945, it was dug out again during a clean up of the area and was put on display at the Polish Army Museum. “Chwat” was manufactured by BMM in Prague and bore the fabrication number 321 078.
The mechanics who repaired the Hetzer “Cgwat”. On the right is Sergeant Franciczek “Wilk” Jablonksi.
Happy Polish soldiers with a captured Hetzer. If the Poles had used “Chwat” in combat, for example, in the attack against the university, it would probably have been a decisive factor in the attack.
Once repaired, “Chwat” was test-driven before being used in combat.
A captured Hetzer from 2./Panzerjäger Abteilung 743 was used as part of a barricade at Ulica Szpitalna, August 1944.
The wreckage of “Chwat” outside the main post office following the surrender in 1944.
“Chwat” was available for public veiwing after the war.
“Chwat” was pulled out of the barricade to be transported to the workshop and repaired.
“Chwat” ready for battle.
“Chwat” after the war. The vehicle would eventually be renovated and become a museum piece.
Karl Gerät 040 Mörser nr III “Thor” belonged to the 428 Artilleri Batteri. The photograph was taken in Warsaw, September 1944.