Zygmunt Szendzielarz

← Previous revision Revision as of 17:44, 4 May 2026 Line 39: Line 39: === Invasion of Poland (1939) === === Invasion of Poland (1939) === With his unit, he took part in the 1939 [[Invasion of Poland|September Campaign]]. His unit was attached to the [[Wilno Cavalry Brigade]] under General [[Władysław Anders]], part of the [[Prussian Army (Polish Armed Forces)|Prussian Army]]. After retreating from northern Poland, Gen. Anders' forces fought their way towards the city of Lwów and the [[Romanian Bridgehead]]. However, in the area of [[Lublin]] Szendzielarz's unit was surrounded and suffered heavy losses. Soon afterwards Szendzielarz was taken [[prisoner of war]] by the [[Soviet Union|Soviets]], but he managed to escape to Lwów, where he lived for a short period under a false name. He tried to cross the Hungarian border to escape from Poland and reach the [[Polish Army in France (1939–1940)|Polish Army in France]], but failed and finally moved with his family to Vilnius. With his unit, he took part in the 1939 [[Invasion of Poland|September Campaign]]. His unit was attached to the [[Wilno Cavalry Brigade]] under General [[Władysław Anders]], part of the [[Prussian Army (Polish Armed Forces)|Prussian Army]]. After retreating from northern Poland, Gen. Anders' forces fought their way towards the city of Lwów and the [[Romanian Bridgehead]]. However, in the area of [[Lublin]] Szendzielarz's unit was surrounded and suffered heavy losses. Soon afterwards Szendzielarz was taken [[prisoner of war]] by the [[Soviet Union|Soviets]], but he managed to escape to Lwów, where he lived for a short period under a false name. He tried to cross the Hungarian border to escape from Poland and reach the [[Polish Army in France (1939–1940)|Polish Army in France]], but failed and finally moved with his family to Vilnius.
He arrived in Vilnius on November 16, 1939, where he reunited with his wife and his newborn daughter, Barbara. There, he went into hiding from the Lithuanian secret police, Sauguma, under the name Władysław Hawling. He attempted to make his way to France or England; after failing, he decided to join underground resistance activities.{{Sfn|Kozłowski|2004|p=28}}

=== Home Army in the Vilnius Region (1943–1944) === === Home Army in the Vilnius Region (1943–1944) ===