Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army, photo Rada OPWiM, 1998
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Photo showing Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army
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ID: WOJ-000707-W/163458 (UA-0368)

Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army

ID: WOJ-000707-W/163458 (UA-0368)

Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army

In July 1943, based on the structures of the Włodzimierz Wołyński District of the Home Army, a Polish self-defence base "Bielin", also known as the "Bielin Republic", was established. The commander of this extensive and strong base was Jan Wyszomirski "Mirek", a member of the AK underground. From August 1943, a detachment of the Home Army, Lieutenant Władysław Cieśliński "Piotrus", was associated with the self-defence. The base had a developed alarm system and rules for mutual assistance by the crews of neighbouring settlements. In the "Bielin Republic" crowds of refugees from the southern part of the Vladimir district and from the Horochow district found shelter. Bielin's residents provided the refugees with shelter, food and medical care. The forces of the "Osnowa" Grouping of the 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the AK were concentrated in Bielin and were preparing for the "Storm" action. In the village itself, a supply centre was organised for the division's needs, which included mills, windmills, bakeries, butchers, a coffee roasting plant, warehouses, gunsmith's, shoemaker's, tailor's and similar workshops. Home Army soldiers stationed here fought battles with the Germans and units of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

In April 1944, the Germans engaged in a decisive battle with the Home Army grouping in Bielin with the intention of completely liquidating the centre. On 5, 7, 9 and 10 April the village was bombed. As a result, many houses were destroyed, some burnt down, and many people were killed. The Germans drove out from Bielin and its surroundings partisan units from the "Osnowy" grouping resisting them, and shot a dozen or so men from among the civilian population who had collaborated with the Polish underground.

Soldiers killed in battles against the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the Germans in 1943 and 1944, as well as civilians (who died mainly as a result of German bombardment), were buried in two cemeteries in Bielin - one cemetery was set up by the church (about 30 soldiers were buried here), and the other in the forest (about 80 soldiers are buried here).

The church cemetery was neglected for many years. In the 1990s, on the initiative of the 27th WDP AK environment, it was restored; the work was financed by the Council for the Protection of Struggle and Martyrdom Remembrance. At present it is not possible to establish the names of the soldiers buried in this cemetery. A common plaque commemorating all the fallen - those with known and undetermined personalities - is located in the forest cemetery. In the church cemetery a plaque with the inscription: "War cemetery / of soldiers of the 27th Volhynian / Division of the Home Army / in Bielin 1939-1944 / 20 X 1992 Compatriots".

Publikacja:

10.09.2024
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Photo showing Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army
Churchyard of soldiers of 27th Volhynian Infantry Division of the Home Army, photo Rada OPWiM, 1998

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