A translation of some extracts of "Przebraże – bastion polskiej samoobrony na Wołyniu", author Władysław Filar.
Przebraże, the Polish Self Defence Bastion In Wołyn. author Władysław Filar
The attack by UPA on the Przebraże self-defence base (05 July, 1943)
For a long time UPA forces had gathered their strength and had made preparations to carry out on a wider scale, a strike against the Polish population gathered at Przebraże. At the start of July 1943 the Ukrainians decided to carry out their plan.
The action started on the night of 4/5 July, with the liquidation of Polish villages lying near Przebraże. Ethnic Polish places to the north of Przebraże were attacked and set aflame: Gruszwice, Łisa Góra, Zacisze, Cegielnia, Krakowszczyna, Chmielówka, Kruchlik, Horodyczyn, Łaka, Wielki Las, Pniów and Ignatowska. Polish homes in Ukrainian villages and farms in Trościaniec, Jaromel, Stara Czołnica, and also villages situated near Kiwerc. At daybreak a horde of over a thousand Ukrainian nationalists neared Przebraże. That night on the horizon the sky was lit up all around by the glow of fires. Those who survived the pogrom of the Poles fled to Przebraże, but only a few managed to save their own lives.
At 3.00 am UPA units started the attack, striking the outposts at Zagajnik, trying to wedge in the defensive formations in the north. The surprise and numerical superiority of the enemy forced Tadeusz Mielinik’s 3rd Platoon to retreat from the captured positions. The inhabitants of Zagajnik fled to Przebraże, where amongst the people, the first symptoms of panic broke out. A counteract by the reserve platoon led by Henryk Cybulski dislodged the Banderists from Zagajnik, and the situation in this section was under control. Meanwhile in the forests to the east of Przebraże, a few groups of the enemy came to reconnoiter the terrain. One of them coming from Majdan Jezierski stumbled upon defensive outposts. The Banderists were forced to retreat from machinegun fire, suffering heavy losses. In a similar manner another group of Banderists trying to enter Przebraże from the side of Jażwin were repulsed. The other sections were put on battle readiness. Young men, for whom there were not enough firearms, armed with pitchforks, scythes, and axes, formed a reserve to be used in the event of a penetration by the Banderists into the centre of the village.
The attack on Zagajnik was only a reconnaissance battle. UPA’s main strengths of were concentrated in the south-west and west. They blockaded Przebraże from that side, but had not yet been brought into action. A horse patrol led by Marcel Zytkiewicz which was sent in that direction, surprised and shot at a unit of Banderists marching in chaos, and forced them to retreat. Before noon the Banderists fired at Chołopiny, which resulted in a few being set ablaze. However it was not a signal for the start of a general attack on Przebraże. Around noon 5 July the action carried out by the patrol of Zygmunt Sinicki in the village of Majdan Jezierski
The defenders of Przebraże remained at the defence outposts through the whole night. In the morning, and armed patrol moved through the nearest colonies burnt down by the Banderists. In the regions of the colonies: Dermanka, Dobra, Marianówska, Huta, Józefin and Majdan Jezierski were encountered several dozen people saved from the slaughter and hiding in the cornfields or forests. In the villages and colonies through which the hordes had passed baying for Polish blood, lay the murdered. In the Ukrainian village near Łyczki, near Trościaniec the Banderists had murdered five members of the Zawadzki family, 60 year Gałęzowski, 30 year old Lyczyński and his Ukrainian wife. In the colony of Chmielówka a mother and her 15 year old daughter were murdered in a cruel manner. They were pierced with pitchforks and hacked with axes. In the colony of Czernia, a T-bar from a cart was used to murder A Szpryngla. In Horódyczyn, Łozinska and Kaminska were burnt alive in their blazing home.
Baltazar Trybulski an inhabitant of Dermanka who survived the pogrom wrote this about the nightmare of the scene of the crime and the death of his nearest relatives, “On that bleak night as my place of vigil, I decided together with my brother with my brother on the roof dungeon of the building directly adjoining the homestead. Outside it was relatively quiet. In the distance only the dark forest stirred and the lone trees loomed. Suddenly at midnight a UPA band burst into the place. My wife and two children were dragged out with their mouths tied with barbed wire. First my boys were killed against the walls of the home, and then they set about murdering my wife with knives. I thought that my heart had frozen at the sight of the torture that was taking place, and that I would perish in a similar death with my brother. In spite of looking at this from the roof dungeon, we stopped each other with our hands to each other mouths, so as not to explode in groans and not collapse completely.
54 M. Łozinski, B Rosiński Obrońcy Przebraża, Lublin 1997 p25-26
Stanisława Bermacka, one of the surviving refugees, with words full of experience, draws the last moments of her village. “The furious bandits with flaming firebrands made short work, going from cottage to cottage like vultures, setting fire to everything to everything that was in their path. As I lay with my family in the corn I watched how the armed rabble surrounded the house of Aleksandr Kownacki in which we had hid that night. I had the feeling I would never see my elderly mother who could not keep up with us when we jumped out of the cottage, she remained in it with a small girl. Dazed in all the tragedy, we prayed in person for our dearest going away from us and suddenly something incredible. In the middle of the flames my mother appeared holding the little girl in her arms, melting away in her bare feet over the glowing coals. The breath stopped our lungs. What had happened was that she had crawled out from under stove, and unnoticed by the Banderists she had crossed fortunately through the whole hell of the fires.
S5 Tamże 21
These was only a few of the victims of the slaughter carried out by the Banderists in the onslaught on Przebraże on the nights of 4/5 July, 1943. At that time in total several hundred Poles were killed at the hands of the Ukrainian Nationalists. All the people that were found alive, wounded or murdered were transported to Przebraże. The living and wounded were given help, and the murdered were buried in a newly created cemetery.
The analysis of the course of the first organized attack, carried out by the self-defence command found many shortcomings and deficiencies. Attention was drawn on the too few number of pillboxes and barbed wire entanglements, as well as the unsatisfactory state of the trenches It was necessary to turn out changes in the dispositions of forces in the system of defence as well increasing patrolling of the outer perimeter.
The most serious threats occurred in the sector at the village of Zagajnik
Raid on the UPA base at Trościaniec
After the unsuccessful attack on Przebraże on 4/5 July, 1943 the Banderists withdrew to Ukrainian villages lying within a short distance. In that way 100 man UPA units surrounded the self-defence base in a tight ring and at any moment they could engage in a new probe to destroy the Polish population. With the aim of preventing Banderist attacks on Przebraże from such a short distance the leaders of the self-defence decided to carry out several accosting and preventive campaigns on the UPA garrisons.
The first of theses campaigns was the raid on Trościaniec, a village seven kilometers from Przebraże, to which groups of Banderists groups of Banderists always retreated to after contact with Poles. The action was carried out on 12 July. Taking part in it was a battalion assembled from 3 companies led by Henryk Cybulski. At 11am on 11 July, they were concentrated at the Mosty colony, from where they moved marched out towards Trościaniec. The attack was carried out at dawn.
- 1 platoon from 4 company led by Franciszek Zylkiewicz approached Trościaniec from the south side and closed the road going in the direction of the forest. The remaining forces of 4 company blocked the road leading to Żurawicz.
- 2 platoons from 2 company led by Henryk Cybulski. Controlled the road in the direction of Kołki and the wide half roads of Łyczki
- I company led by Franciszek Malinowski attacked the school in which the Banderists were quartered as well the district agricultural college.
Surprised by the unexpected attack, the UPA unit was beaten. The Banderists saved themselves by escaping, seeking shelter in the corn and haystacks. A UPA relief column coming from the side of Łyczki was forced to retreat. A portion of the buildings in the village were set on fire and its residents were ordered to relocate to other villages further from Przebraże. The fall of Trościaniec was a warning to Ukrainian nationalists. For the Polish population in Przebraże the action had a big psychological meaning, because it raised the morale of the defenders and population.
Repulse of the UPA assault ( 30 August,1943)*
*An elaboration based on the work of magistrate Stefan Chojnecki “ Samoobrona Ludności na Wołyniu w latach 1943-1944 [ The self-defence of the population in Volynhia during 1943-1944] ”.
After repeated unsuccessful probes to destroy Przebraże, UPA decided to gather sufficient forces, so that a general assault would liquidate the Polish self-defence base. In the second half of August 1943 it started to concentrate units in the regions of Kołki, Rudnik, Swoz, Czetwertni, and Żurawicz. There they brought in 100 man units from more distant regions, formed new units and also organised greedy looters from groups of Ukrainian peasants coming from Żurawicz, Mykowa, Silna, Domaszowa, Jaromel, Trościaniec, Sitmcy, Słowalycz, Swoz, Starej Czołnicy, Dodowycz, Kołki as well as from other villages and farms. For stories were told of riches and all kinds of goods, that the Poles has amassed in Przebraże. In Rudnik and the surrounding district UPA carried out the mobilisation of men from the ages of 16 to 50. The great weight which the command of UPA applied to the business of destroying Przebraże, is evidenced by the fact it deployed from Eastern Malopolska selected 100man units with battle experience (around 3,000 troops). Joint UPA forces concentrated with the aim of breaking up the Przebraże self-defence numbered around 6,000 men as well the same number of so-called axmen and robbers. For fire-support there was amassed 66 heavy machine guns, 20 light machine-guns, 17 mortars and 2 artillery guns.
To carry out the campaign, the “Ukrainian staff for the attack on Prezbraze” was appointed, with its headquarters in Swoz, which issued the secret “Order and plan to destroy ‘kubłla’ Prezbraze.” Probably included in them were:
- the concentration before the coming dawn, of all the essential existing forces and means of fire in the vicinity of Przebraże
- firing off at 04.45hours, several artillery rounds from the village of Wincentówka to Przebraże at the moment of confusion, disorientation and panic among the ‘Lachy’, the raising threat of building fires, the campaign will start on the western side - from the direction of Bodziazczow, Nowy and Stary Czołnicy and Swoz, to keep the enemy convinced that the offensive had started in eaenest
- positioning four 100man units in the area of Siekierzyce with the aim of cutting off the roads of retreat from Przebraże in the south west direction to Kiwerce
- concentrated concealed forces would strike at the east of Przebraże in the regions of: Marianówka, Budy, Majdan Jezierski, Zofiówka, Las Jaromelski, Józefin and give protection with strong ambushes
- gathering of transports and wagons provided for loot at Zofiówka
- at 15.00 hours the general attack would commence, the united ‘unexpected’ and strong strike from the eastern direction- the ultimate destruction of ‘kubłla’ Prezbraze
Before the attack UPA forces participating in the campaign on Przebraże were concentrated in the forests of Jaromel, Puczacki, Palecki, and Sierkiecyce from where stonas (100 man units) and kurens (400/800 man units) had a short distance to their marked out launching positions.
The principal idea was the execution at dawn of a surprise blow from the west and an invasion of the fortified camp which would tie up the main Przebrażan forces, and next the forces amassed in the forests to the East of the base would move in a general assault with the aim of liquidating the self-defence base and the populace gathered there.
The leadership of the self-defence in Przebraże became aware about the increased movement of UPA units. Information and intelligence about this flowed in from various sources. The outer perimeter of Przebraże was constantly patrolled by the soldiers of the self-defence: regions further away were controlled by long range mounted reconnaissance patrols. The concealed approaches of the Banderists to the region of Majdan Jezierski were detected effectively and early, and reported to the staff of the Przebraże defence by the commander of the positions at Chołopiny. Therefore the intentions of the Banderists for a surprise attack were not to be fulfilled. At dawn on 30 August, 1943 the fortified camp of Przebraże was alive with military life. Soldiers were armed and hurried to their prepared outposts. Due to the high discipline of the staff and the commanders of the outposts, even before the Banderists had stepped on the attack all the sectors of the defence were ready for combat.
Taking part in the in the defence of Przebraże were:
- 1 Company led by Franciszek Malinowski defending the sector from the groves (1Km north east of the Korma colony) to the road leading to Stara Czołnica, with the task to protect any approaches from the south west side.
- 2 Company led by Marcel Żytkiewicz encompassing the sector from the road to Stara Czołnica to wood pile (1km to the north west from grid ref 204,4), with the task of protecting the base from the west and north west.
- 3 Company led by Tadeusz Meilnick, defending the sector from the wood pile to the roads entering the forests at the western edge of Zagajnik from the north.
- 4 Company led by Tadeusz Wojinski encompassing the sector from western edge of Zagajnik to Jażwin, protecting approaches from the direction west to Chołopiny.
The status of individual companies attained at the time ranged from 150 to 200 men, from this it may be deduced that across the whole lines of defence there was about not more than 600 to 800 defenders. The defence positions were assembled in supporting strong points with interconnecting crossfire, constituting a defence system adapted to circular defence.
The southern direction was defended by the self-defence in Rafalowce (about 170 armed men) and the fortifications of the self-defence at Kormarowka (about 30). As well protecting the defenders was the extensive Blola Werchany, which was hard to traverse. At the time in the region of Rafalowce and Kormarowka, there was stationed a unit of AK partisans led by lieutenant Rertki “ Drzazgi”, which could at any moment reinforce the southern sector of the defence or make contact in order to penetrate into the heart of the enemy’s defence.
Held in the reserve of the command of the self-defence was Stanislaw Koprowski’s mounted unit as well as a reserve company armed with different types of firearms, numbering over 200 men. It was to counterattack the Banderists, in the event that they were to break through the defence lines of Przebraze. A few kilometres from Przebraze in the forests near the wilderness of Hynin, was the resting place for a unit of Prokopuik Soviet partisans of, with whom there had been concluded a treaty of mutual assistance.
When at 04.45, 30August 1943 the Banderists opened fire with their artillery and mortars, which were deployed in the region of Wincentowka, it did not surprise the defenders. Przebraze was ready for battle. Only a few buildings were set ablaze from the rounds fired at the base, however there no casualties among the populace. After a short “artillery preparation” the Banderists attacked with impetus, the Kowali sector defended by 2 Company. With supporting fire from 2 artillery guns, the soldiers of 2 Company repelled the attack. From the UPA side, it was only a diversionary action, with the aim of drawing away attention from the main assault. In the east (in the region of Jozefina) the main forces and firepower of the Banderists were ready to act decisively at the appropriate moment of the assault. On the sector of 1 Company the Banderists advanced to the barbed wire, dug in and harassed the defenders with sporadic fire. Taking advantage of the passiveness of the attackers, a counterattack in that direction beat and pushed back the Banderists. In the region of Wydranek and Zagajnik, on the juncture point of 2 & 3 companies, strong columns of Banderists moving forward on the Troscaniec-Jeziero road were repelled by 2 company. Fresh troops entered in a skilful breach, the entry of, controlling the roads and blocking the flow of Ukrainian reserves from Kolek. In the direction of 3 company, the enemy’s penetration into the heart of the forest to the north of Zagajnik ended unsuccessfully.
The command of the forces attacking Przebraze relied on the tactics of arranged attacks on individual sectors, with the aim of wearing out the defenders, so as to ensure that in this way that the general assault would succeed. Having the advantage of strong reserves, fresh troops were constantly brought into battle. The Banderists had the situation in place, when they approached to within 500 metres of the Polish positions, however the fire of hand held and machine guns of the defenders forced them to retreat every time. In difficult situations on the most threatened sectors of the self-defence three members of the leadership of the self-defence appeared: Ludwick Malinowski “Lew”, Henryk Cybulski “Harry”, Albert Wasilewski “Orzech”, lifting the spirits of the fighters with their own examples. Fear was overcome. The situation became extremely grave.
After undertaking the identification of the Banderists forces at the individual sectors, it was affirmed that Przebraze was surrounded by significant Ukrainian forces from the west, north and east, and that on the south side only the patrols of the enemy were operating. After considering the great advantage of the Banderists, the command of the self-defence took upon itself to turn for help to the commander of the Soviet partisan unit, colonel Prokopuik. This unit consisted of about 150 infantrymen and sixty cavalry that were in the woodlands region of Dobra, where a plan was set to ambush the Banderists.
The free road of escape (the lane between the trenches of Przebraze going towards Jaromel) was blocked by Koprowski’s mounted unit. Prokopuik’s cavalry cut off the escape routes to the east and to the North West
This is how the great expedition of the Ukrainian nationalists finished. Despite the decisive advantage in forces and resources, the Banderists did not achieve their planned aims. The self-defence fought for the lives of the inhabitants gathered in Przebraze. The morale of the defenders was high as they realised that for them there was there was no retreat. The civilian populace also passed the test, in the base there were no signs of panic. The health services and the quartermasters functioned well. The command of the self-defence led ably. Due to the victory, the plans of the Banderists for an easy conquest of Przebraze were dashed. For a long time the threat of a direct attack had eased.
Campaigns of the Przebraże defenders against UPA bases
After repulse of repeated assaults by Banderists, and in particular the last one, the Poles who were gathered at the base considered Przebraże a secure place, that allowed the harshest times to be waited out and for the saving of life. The number of people staying at the base of base of Przebraże constantly increased. Winter was approaching. This placed a responsibility on the self-defence leadership not only for the defence against the Banderists, but also to safeguard materials for survival in winter.
Even though the harvest season had passed, the continuation of expeditions under escort were organised to lands under threat, to gather the remains of crops left in the fields. Sorties were also organised for building materials, wood, metal kitchen sheets and other materials, which remained in burnt-out and abandoned Polish villages. Everything that could be used in the building of new dugout shelters and homes, or for improving protection against the forthcoming winter was collected.
Matters relating to the assurance of security for the Polish population staying at the base were not neglected. In reality after sustaining the severe defeat of 30 August, it was difficult for the Ukrainian nationalists to gather the necessary forces for an assault on Przebraże, but it was necessary to count on units of Banderists stationed in the nearby districts to be able to undertake attempts to surprise the defenders with an unexpected attack.
For that reason the self-defence strengthened its ability to defend, perfecting the rebuilding of the defence system, and replenishing ammunition shortages. New Polish families arrived from Łuck and Kiwerc, bringing with them a number of young men who reinforced the military units of the self-defence. On 30.12.1943, the AK unit of Władysław Kochański “Bomba” under the command of 2nd Lt Feliks Szczepaniak “Słuck” arrived from Zasłucza and was dispersed in the region of Zagajnik, actively joining in the defence of the Polish population gathered at the base.
Former experiences of the Przebraże self-defence indicated, that is was not possible to only organise a passive defence and await Banderist attacks in stationary positions. In order not to allow for the certainty of an attack, the command of the self-defence itself attacked know UPA bases, which were found in the near vicinity of Przebraże. One such strong UPA base was Hauczyce, from which there were regular attacks on Rafałówka. Negotiations with the Banderists did not achieve any results, and the Rafałówka self-defence did not have at its disposal sufficient forces to liquidate this UPA base. At the end of September 1943, a force consisting of 100 man unit from Przebraże, commanded by Władysław Górala and Zygmunt Sinicki, members of the outposts at Komarów and the self-defence unit from Rafałówka under the command of Apolinary Oliwa destroyed the UPA garrison at Hauczyce. The village was totally burnt down and its residents were ordered to relocate to Kotów, a village further way from Rafałówka.
At the beginning of October 1943, the command of the self-defence received a proposal from captain Kowalenko (the deputy of colonel Prokopiuk) for a joint operation on Omelno, where a NCO academy was located. Reconnaissance undertaken by Drzewiecki and his agents established that the Banderists in Omelno had at their disposal over 200 armed men, of whom 120 were cadets of the NCO academy. The village was fortified from the south. The plan for the raid on Omelno was arranged by the command of the self-defence with captain Kowalenko, in the Hynin wilderness. 150 troops from Prokopiuk’s unit and over 300 Przebraże took part in the in the performance of the operation. The units marched out in the evening from two places. The attack was carried at dawn on the signal of a mortar round. The first to strike was the Soviet unit of captain Kowalenka, reinforced by one Polish unit, who forced the Banderists from the village. The Ukrainians attempted to withdraw to Sitnica and Kolek, but here they across the entrenched troops of Cybulski and most of them were killed. Another UPA base was liquidated in this way.
The next operation of the self-defence was the campaign on Słowatycz, which lay about 20 km from Prebraże. Taking part in the was a unit composed from 2 companies (about 200 men), commanded by Tadeuz Wojnicki and Szczepan Kamiński, a platoon from the “Drzazgi”partisan unit and a unit of Prokopiuk’s partisans. In the evening of 27 October, 1943 the unit moved out for the operation from Wydranek, and at the Tworymerski farms district and met up with Prokopiuk’s partisans led by captain Kowalenko. The task of the Prezbrażians was to take over the cemetery on the eastern edge of Słowatycz, and to occupy positions of advantage and to await the assault from Kowalenko’s unit, which after going around the village was to strike from the west. The Poles very quickly and without any losses, took over the cemetery, which was manned only by enemy sentries, and occupied defensive positions. During this time Kowalenko’s unit had not yet managed to skirt around the village and go through on the attack. The alerted Banderists therefore struck at the self-defence unit at the cemetery. The Przebrażians withheld their fire until the attackers got close to their positions, and then decimated them with machine gun fire. When the Soviet partisans arrived, the attack of the Banderists collapsed. Ukrainian losses were several dozen killed and many wounded. In the UPA base, there happened to be a unit of Uzebs, made up of deserters from the German services. The Uzbeks surrendered as a whole unit. About 100 went over to Prokopiuk’s unit.
Of great significance to the population gathered at Przebraże was the raid on Żurawicz. A reconnaissance had detected that there Banderists were holding about 1,000 head of cattle, which had been robbed from Poles. The reconnaissance had also detected that there was quartered a UPA unit of several hundred men in strength, as well the chief of staff of the group, on the grounds of the former children’s sanatorium of Kirylenki, only separated from the village by broad meadows,. Access to the village itself was obstructed from the south and north-west, but the eastern part of the village was protected by a boggy valley, through which flowed a river. Three roads led to Żurawicz (from Horodyczyn, Mykowa, and Kłobuczyna) through three causeways about ½ km in length. When drawing up the plan for the operation, the command of the self-defence took into account the harsh terrain. Most of all it counted on the element of surprise, as Żurawicz lay away from roads and railway lines, the Banderists regarded this area as calm and not likely to be attacked. The drawn up plan envisaged that the village would be attacked at dawn 26.11.1943. On the evening of 25.11.1943, the battalion of the self-defence (approximately 700 on foot and 40 from the mounted reconnaissance unit) was assembled in the Zagajnik district, from where they marched out in the direction of Żurawicz. After five hours marching, bypassing Jaromel and Domaszow, the battalion reached the district in the destined vicinity, the companies separating at the causeways. In concealment and silence they awaited the signal to attack. At breaking dawn, the assault on the village began. The main force (3&4 Companies under the command of Henryk Cybulski) attacked the village through the causeway at the Horodczyn side of the village. 1 Company commanded by Franciszek Żytkiewicz attacked through the causeway on the Kłobuczyn side. 2 Company and the mounted reconnaissance unit passed through the causeway, first galloping through the village, occupying the posts to the north and drawing fire from the Banderists quartered at the sanatorium. The rest of the companies after crossing the causeways quickly occupied the whole village. They did not encounter any Banderists in it. It turned out they were only quartering in the sanatorium. After the sanatorium was attacked by the main force, the Banderists did not engage in combat and withdrew to the forest. The aim of the mission was accomplished. The cattle that had been robbed from Polish people were found in Ukrainian towns outside Żurawicz: in Rudniki, Czorniź and other places, and recovered. A large amount of wheat and flour was requisitioned from the mill which was working to supply the needs of UPA. The returning mission was shot at from at distance by Banderists without any loss to the self-defence soldiers. On returning the cattle was divided in the order of need, milk cows were divided amongst families with children, beef cattle was handed over to companies, and a portion of the cattle were allotted for the short term needs of newly arrived people.
The railwaymen from Kiwerce were also aware of our needs. Having contacts with railwaymen from all of Poland Poznan and Wołyn, Warsaw and Kiev Warsaw
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