Uprising 1944: The "W-hour" Wola District 8/44 - Steel Panthers: World War 2

Uprising 1944: The "W-hour" Wola district *
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Date: August 1, 1944*
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Wola district, Western part of Warszawa, Poland*
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Battle Type: Historical scenario. Poland advance vs Germany delay, *
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Background: The Warsaw Rising starts in the afternoon of August 1st at 17:00 with the attack on many various Germans object in the town. This military action was part of the bigger plan prepared by Polish underground Home Army - operation Tempest which was was executed on whole territories of II Polish Republic in the moment when Soviet eastern front approaches since they cross old polish border. Plan was to rebel against Germans when they prepared to defence and disorganised their resistance in bigger towns against Soviets. By that actions empower polish underground state to take control of the area and create civilian administration before soviet done that with polish communists. This plan was executed in Lwow (Lviv) and Wilno (Vilna) where AK units starts the rebellions. Surprising was that shortly after end of fighting polish underground soldiers and civilian local administration start to be threaten as a enemies arrested and units who helps Russians was even attacked by them. Thats gave a Polish Underground State a bitter understanding that Soviets has their own plans in regards to Poland. They don't know and polish government on exile was not informed by western powers what was already agreed on conference in Tehran by Allies in regards to Poland future. That is why was agreed by both official from government on exile and underground that only chance to prevent Stalin sovietisation of their country is by a mayor rebellion in Warszawa against Germans. That as they expected will help in a creation of government and administration independent from Stalin and with strong international recognition because will show that Poles are ready to fight for their freedom not only wait for soviet assistance.Decision on starting a rising was made in the time when was clearly visible that III Reich may fall in not so long time because unsuccessful 20 July plot against Hitler. In Warsaw start a panic evacuation of governmental institutions and factories Soviet offensive comes closer. Soviet patrols and tanks was visible on eastern outskirts of Warszawa-Praga where tanks battle already start. That all events leads to decision that now is exactly and correct time to start. At 31 July General "Bor" decide that "W-hour" starts at 17:00 next day with attack on all German held post inside the city.*
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Description: Here we have simulation of fights on western part of the Warszawa in the Wola district. Game starting 1 hour before a rising after 20 turns the time arrive is 17:00 and the furious attack begins. Germans have before some informations about planed rising but they don't expected in so large scale. At 16:30 General Stahel made the decision of red alert for whole garrison so the German soldiers
already was on their position when fights starts. In Wola district Plans was to capture important military installations like "Naftusia" fuel depot , Military Storages at Stawki Street , Railway guard barracks, St Sophia Hospital "Nordwache", St Kinga Hospital military barracks. On the western outskirts was planed that railway line will be captured and Viaducts blow up what will prevent tanks come to the district from units stationed in nearly village west from Wola.*
Fights there started a little bit earlier around 30 min when two German armoured cars and infantry on Karcelego Square spotted a concentration of AK soliders in rear garden. There is also necessary to transport a ammo for whole battle group "Radoslaw" from south to Telefunken factory before a main fights starts. Also after W-hour try to captured a viaduct and blow up them. Historically attack on west outskirts was unsuccessfully viaducts wasn't taken and Fuel Depot too. In the middle St. Kinga Hospital and Stawki storages attack was successfully storages has a great value for AK for example German military pattern clothes was taken from there. "Nordwache" hospital was not taken in initial phase second attack during night was successfully. *
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NOTE: Is possible to play on both sides.*
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Sources: Borkiewicz, A; Powstanie Warszawskie 1944 - zarys dzialan natury wojskowej (Warsaw Uprising 1944 sketches of military activities), pp. 30-73*
Davies, N; Rising '44. The Battle for Warsaw*
Bor-Komorowski, T; The secret army*

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Design by: Blazej Ciepluch.**