Last modified: 2008-08-30 by jarig bakker
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![[Underground flag]](../images/p/pl_pw443.gif)
image by Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001, and Eugene Ipavec,
28 Aug 2008
See also:
![[Home Army flag]](../images/p/pl_pw441.gif)
image by Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001
I did notice an absence on the Polish pages of the FOTW-website of the
unique symbols used during the Nazi occupation and especially during the
Warsaw Uprising of August-September 1944. Although,the legal symbols used
by the Polish Government in exile and by its Delegation inside the occupied
country were those of the II Polish Republic, a distinctive symbol was
used by the main resistance organization - AK (Home Army) and was extremely
popular among the general population, particularly during the Uprising
of 1944 when most of the city of Warsaw was liberated for short period
of time and that symbol appeared on flags being raised all over the city.
Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001
See also wikipedia.
The symbol on the Polish flag is the "Kotwica"; Polish for "Anchor")
was a World War II emblem of the Polish Secret State and Armia Krajowa
(Home Army, or AK). It was created in 1942 by members of the AK Wawer "Small
Sabotage" unit as an easily-usable emblem for the Polish struggle to regain
independence. The "Anchor" is a combination of the letters PW, standing
for Polska Walczá…ca ("Fighting Poland") .
It also stands for Wojsko Polskie ("Polish Army") and Powstanie
Warszawskie ("Warsaw Uprising")."
Esteban Rivera, 27 Aug 2008
![[Fighting Poland emblem]](../images/p/pl_pw442.gif)
image by Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001
Before that, the combined letters 'PW' for 'Polska Walczaca' or 'Fighting
Poland', also representing an anchor, symbol of hope, were common sight
all over the country as the graffiti on the walls, defacements of German
posters and on the armbands of partizan units of AK.
Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001
image by Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001, and Eugene Ipavec,
28 Aug 2008
It was practically universally accepted flag and symbol of the underground
state, wich ran schools, courts of justice and social services of its own.Granted,
it was unofficial, because underground authorities pledged total loyalty
to the government in London.
Very brief, but quite comprehensive, description of Warsaw Uprising,
written by one of the heroes of that monumental event - 63 days long 'passage
thru hell'- South African pilot,who together with multitude of Polish,
British, American, Australian and New Zealand flyers participated in a
quichotic airlift, which neverless brought hope and comfort to the valiant
rebels and left memories of solidarity among them and Warsovians forever,appears
at this website.
Chris Kretowicz, 19 Sep 2001