Chargé d’Affaires Commemorates 66th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising

3 August 2010

Unofficial flag of the Armia Krajowa

On Sunday, August 1, Chargé d’Affaires William Heidt attended a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising.  The ceremony was held in Pilsudski Square and presided over by Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.  It was attended by President-Elect Bronislaw Komorowski, Defense Minister Bogdan Klich and veterans of the Rising, among others.  On behalf of Ambassador Feinstein, Mr. Heidt laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  He said, “Americans have great respect for the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising.  It was an honor to represent the U.S. Embassy in commemoration of such a momentous event in Poland’s history.”

The Warsaw Uprising, the largest armed operation of the resistance movements in the Nazi-occupied Europe, began on Aug. 1, 1944 and ended after 63 days of heavy fighting. Almost 18,000 fighters were killed and 25,000 wounded. Civilian losses reached 180,000.