Battle for Warsaw

I note that it was said that there were no plans to repeat in the short to medium term.Is it possible to be screened on one of the other BBC channels

[Edited by: admin on 15-May-2006 09:49]

John, You are correct in saying that the Poles fought with distinction, from the initial German invasion, they lasted far longer than is generally thought, far longer in fact than France,they did not roll over,ever give up,or welcome The Germans unlike at least 50%, if not more, of France. I think it is safe to say that without the Polish pilots that managed to get to England the Battle of Britain would have been lost. RAF tactics were questionable and the Poles with combat experience showed them the way. In the period before the arrival of the US Airforce the Poles were responsible for the highest kill rates. They flew with determination to stop and kill the enemy to protect the UK from the German threat so that they could then after the war return to Poland, a country often smirked and laughed at for it's wartime history but very misunderstood, thanks mainly to Russian and American and to some extent British propaganda put about before the end of the war so that Roosevelt could give Poland to Stalin, something that made Churchill squirm but was almost helpless to stop but he was not free of blame. Please find a copy of 'For Your Freedom And Ours' If you haven't already, it is a revelation! A common misconception is that the Warsaw Ghetto and the Warsaw Rising are one in the same, they are not. This was also post war Stalin propaganda. I could go on but instead recommend 'Rising 44' The battle for Warsaw by Norman Davies.
Unfortunately I was abroad and did not see the Timewatch program, does anyone know if I can download it?

P.S. As many people got mixed with the actual events I would like to tell you, there were two uprisings during the WWII in Warsaw. First, uprisnig in the Ghetto(april 1943), carried out by left-overs of Polish Jews. Second uprising 01.08.1944 involved Polish undergrand army(AK), scale of it was much more bigger than the first one, and this is the one we could watch the documentry about, on BBC Timewatch recently.

Hi John, it's nice to see that some people from England (which I assume you are)do know something about Poland's history/martyrology. As a young Pole I'm full of worries of Polands future. We joined EU and NATO, so for now we are safe and should become prosperous in a matter of time. But things like EU can fall apart rapidly as history proves. Me and hundred of thousands Poles have to migrate to get a work to do not live in debasement that our instable goverments has to offer. Poles (older generations) has been destroyed mentaly by the communism they lived in. To understand how big that illness is you would need to experience this reality yourself. Communism was the worst thing that happenned to Polish people. The same old politicians keep power either by being elected or holding key companies bigest shares. They were allways loyal to Russians so they are traitors in my eyes.Poles where and are to poor to buy companies that were privatised so most of them were sold to foreign capital, similar thing with lands and best properties. Putin don't like as, Germans make a deal with them over our heads. There is so many topics I would talk about... On the end I have to say that I`m a patriot and really hope and wish that one day I will be able to go back and live in independent Poland, but it's propably that Polish utopian romanticism in me ,-fighting for the case that's lost already, I hope- not. Anyway, thanks for your interest. Regards

Hello Jeffrey
I am very interested in getting a copy of the program. My Father was in the Resistance in Warsaw but was arersted before the uprising & sent to a concentration camp.

My wifes mother was in the uprising and this would be a great gift for her.

I would be more than happy to pay for the copy and post and packaging etc.

If this is OK please reply and we can arrange the details.
Best Regards

Nicholas Kuzniarski

[Edited by: admin on 14-May-2006 15:21]
Please note, we are unable to post personal information, such as email addresses and contact details, on the forum.

Thanks - your observation.

However, reference arton this subject- it appears the moderator may be suggesting copies may become available or have I misread the art item.

Perhaps you would let me have your opinion.

I will of course get any information to you if I manage to get a copy.

John.

I'm sorry but I think there has been a slight misunderstanding with regards copies of the Timewatch programme 'Battle for Warsaw'. I'm afraid that there are not copies available of this programme and at present there are no plans to repeat this programme.

[Edited by: Mercia on 02-May-2006 10:05]

Hello,
The Ghetto uprising took place in april 1943, as a last stand of defiance by Jewish fighters, who opted to die fighting (with a slim chance of survival) rather than being led to their deaths passively. Help was asked in the form of weapons. The Polish resistance gave some weapons, and initiated some diversionary actions, but generally wasn't very forthcoming with help. In their defence it has to be said that the AK (Polish Home Army) was already preparing for the larger Warsaw uprising in 1944, and didn't want to give expend too much valuable weapons or men for an essentially suicidal mission. A few hundred Jewish fighters managed to escape the carnage and would fight later alongside the AK during the Warsaw uprising.

If you are able to locate a copy please let me know.

I will let you know if I am able to get a copy.

I did copy it but when I was setting it up to record it from my recorder,I mistakenly hit the wrong button and wiped the recording - so I was unable to watch the recording.