During his interview with the Polish News Agency (PAP), one of the last living participants in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising Janusz Maksymowicz has given a refreshingly frank account of the wartime events, without the pomp characteristic of state occasions.
"I recall the date of 1st August 1944 with great enthusiasm. I received the message that I was to report to 29, Długa Street [one of Warsaw's oldest streets, running between the Old Town and Muranów], in a former hotel. I just couldn't wait and I joined my unit there."
Janusz Maksymowicz, codename Janosz, was assigned to the "Pine" group, part of the P-20 Assault Company.
"At that time we had a different perspective on events than today. Perhaps today it sounds improper, unethical or even immoral but we really wanted revenge, to pay them back. Anyone who lived through those six years of German occupation knows perfectly well what I mean. We were genuinely happy that we could finally take up arms against this hated totalitarianism, this hated enemy who had occupied our land."
Janusz was shot, but was extremely lucky not to sustain serious injury. He graphically recalls the feeling of warm blood flowing down his face from a bullet that only grazed his head.
The interview is available in Polish here.
Source: PAP
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