Chapter 5
On August 8, the Kampfegruppe “Dirlewanger” received support from a company of Hetzers from Panzer-Abteilung 743. The resistance fighters’ positions in Wola were attacked from Leszno by vehicles from Ersatz-Sturmgeschűtz-Abteilung 200. On Ulica Żytnia, adjacent to Ulica Karolkowa, a StuG 40 was destroyed by a Polish PIAT. On Ulica Bielańska, the Germans lost a Hetzer which caught fire from an attack employing “Molotov cocktails.” At Ochota, two tanks, probably PzKpfw IVs, were ordered by the German SS-Staufernkasern to cross over, so-called “colony-allotments” (small vegetable gardens) on Mokotów Field and attack resistance fighters’ positions on Ulica Wawelska 60. A tank was set aflame but it was later towed away by another tank; after which it stood for a week, untouched, on Ulica Grójecka adjacent to Ulica Banacha.
On August 8, Pionier-Sturm-Bataillon 500., with their Goliaths, was sent into the fighting for the first time Three Goliath vehicles were steered in the direction of the Polish positions, but none of them reached their objectives and all encountered difficulties. The next attack destroyed the remains of a Tiger wreck, which was mentioned earlier and which stood on Ulica Kaliska. On August 9, vehicles from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743 shielded the evacuation of Governor Fischer from Brűhl Palace. Two other tanks from the same unit suffered light damage in the vicinity of Ulica Królewska.
“Reduta Wawelska” (Wawel Redoubt) was subjected to a heavy barrage from Hetzers, StuG 40s and tanks positioned on Mokotów Field.
On August 10, the Germans began an assault on Ulica Okopowa and an armoured vehicle was destroyed by the resistance fighters’ Panther. Hetzers and StuG 40s from Panzerjäger-Abteilung 743. renewed the attack from Ulica Gryzbowska along Ulica Żelazna, fighting in a southerly direction.
The Germans lost a StuG 40 from Ersatz-SturmgeschűtzAbteilung 200. that was stopped on the corner of Ulica Żelazna and Ulica Lucka. This StuG, however, could later be recovered and repaired.
RONA brigade advances.
A German officer that has been captured by the insurgents. If he had belonged to the Waffen-SS or RONA brigade, he would have been shot on the spot.
Insurgents with the British AT weapon PIAT - Projectile Infantry Anti Tank. this weapon was capable of piercing armour up to 75mm thick at short distances. One drawback was the enormous recoil the weapon produced. Insurgents received many of these weapons through night-time airdrops that operated out of the liberated Italian territory.
A StuG III G supports RONA brigade.
Mortar strikes in the ruins of Warsaw.
Captured German soldiers off to an unknown fate. In general, “regular” soldiers were treated well by the Poles, but they could be forced to build barricades whilst under fire.
A German PAK 38 or 40 anti-tank gun, seen here from behind, firing on Polish positions in central Warsaw.
German infantry that has just arrived in Warsaw. The soldier to the left of the photograph though, belongs to RONA brigade. He is armed with a Russian Ppsh 41 sub-machine gun.
Officers from RONA brigade and the Waffen-SS confer.
German infantry from the Wehrmacht advancing.
