Memorial Stone of the ‘’Ruczaj” Group

Memorial Stone of the ‘’Ruczaj” Group (Piękna Street, on the corner of Mokotowska Street)

Fighting in the Warsaw Uprising the “Ruczaj” group has a long conspiratorial genealogy. Its origins date back to November 1^st 1939, when Józef Suliński pseudonym “Zawisza” formed a combat organization called “Independent Poland” (Polska Niepodległa). Just before the outbreak of the Uprising, in the last days of July 1944 the group under the command of the Captain Czesław Grudziński pseudonym “Ruczaj” was created. During the “W-hour” (Godzina W) action, “Ruczaj” was designated to control the objects in the German police district at Aleje Szucha Street and Aleje Ujazdowskie Street. This task was impossible to do. Some squads from the group have suffered enormous losses and the formation was later transformed into a battalion. “Ruczaj” operated in the area of ​​the streets: Koszykowa, Mokotowska, Chopin, Pius XI and Marszałkowska from Wilcza to Zbawiciel Square. On  August 15^th , the insurgents captured the headquarters of the SS and Police at Aleje Ujazdowskie 23 Street, called Kutschera’s bunker. On August 23^rd , the separated groups of “Ruczaj” took control of the building of the “Little PASTA” (Mała PASTA) telephone exchange. Throughout August and September fierce battles were fought for the Swiss Valley (Dolina Szwajcarska) at Chopin’s Street. The fights were so fierce that a double ceasefire was ordered to collect the fallen on both sides. The battalion consisting of about 1500 soldiers, suffered the following losses during the uprising: over 250 killed and over 500 wounded.

In honor of the insurgents a square located in the area of the battlefield is called “Ruczaj” Battalion. For the fallen soldiers of the 7th Group “Ruczaj”of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) their companions funded the monument. Its ceremonial unveiling took place on May 28^th 1993. The plaque on the monument was designed by Helena Dmochowska pseudonym “Dick” – shooter from the ‘’Ruczaj” group.