Fall of the Old Town

On August 31, the remnants of „Wigry” defended positions at the Church of the Dominicans on Freta Street, as well as on Brzozowa and Krzywe Koło Streets, where the situation was the most dire. At the last moment, Lieutenant „Prokop,” with the remnants of the assault company, came to the aid of the defenders. The „Wigry” soldiers managed to annihilate a surprised German unit in the Old Town Market Square.

On September 1, the surviving defenders of the Old Town began to descend into the sewers, aiming to reach the City Center (Śródmieście) through this route, including the „Wigry” battalion. The battalion assigned three patrols to cover the evacuation.

The grueling march through the narrow sewers was only feasible for soldiers who could walk under their own power. Heavily wounded soldiers had to remain behind, which often meant death at the hands of the advancing Germans. These heartbreaking decisions were made by „Doctor Bela,” the battalion’s chief medical officer.

The last „Wigry” soldiers descended through the so-called „main hatch” at Krasinski Square in the early hours of September 2. As daylight began to break, the hatch came under German fire. The group led by Captain „Brzoza,” which was covering the retreat, failed to make it in time. Similarly, a group of „Wigry” medics remained behind, risking their lives to rescue the injured left behind. Father Tomasz Roztworowski, the battalion’s chaplain, also chose to stay, asserting that his duty was to remain with those in need until the end.