On the 81st anniversary of the daring capture of the Polish Telephone Company building on Zielna Street, commemorative rites honored Warsaw insurgents and Home Army soldiers, underscoring the site’s lasting symbolic importance in the 1944 Uprising.
Historic Battle and Significance
The fierce fight for the building at 39 Zielna Street consumed nearly the entire Warsaw Uprising, lasting 20 agonizing days. Today, on the 81st anniversary of its capture, ceremonies featured Home Army soldiers and Warsaw insurgents, reaffirming PAST as a potent symbol of 1944 resistance.
During the war the PAST complex housed a modern telephone switchboard. For the Germans it was crucial, featuring a “hot line” that directly linked Warsaw with Berlin, enabling rapid contact with the Eastern Front command. It also served as the main telephone hub for the entire General Government.
Defense and Occupation
The building was heavily guarded. A concrete bunker was erected at the entrance, and the tower also functioned as a firing point for German troops.
The Fight Begins
The battles for PAST began on 2 August 1944. Warsaw insurgents made several attempts to seize the structure until soldiers of the “Kiliński” Battalion, led by sub‑captain Henryk Leliwy‑Roycewicz, finally succeeded, assisted by other Home Army units. After winning the high ground, a white‑red flag was raised over the building.
Impact on Morale and Legacy
Capturing PAST allowed insurgents to hold the building to the end of hostilities and improved communications between Warsaw districts, boosting morale and confidence in continued resistance.
Today the PAST tower remains a key memorial to the Warsaw Uprising. Seven‑teen plaques at the entrance commemorate the events, and the 50‑metre, pre‑war tower still stands proudly in the city centre.
Presidential Tribute and Honors
During the ceremony, Warsaw’s President Rafał Trzaskowski read a letter stressing the duty to keep the memory alive. Medals of “Pro Partia” were awarded for exceptional contributions to preserving the memory of the fight for homeland independence. Recipients included Zbigniew Chmielewski, Katarzyna Żukowska, and Przemysław Żukowski.
Source: MiejskiReporter,
