August 8, 1944 – The Warsaw Uprising, Part 3

Continuing our blog series on the Warsaw Uprising, drawing from our award-winning book The Color of Courage, by Julian Kulski:

CHAPTER 6
AGE 15: 1944 — THE WARSAW UPRISING

pp. 297–299:

Tuesday, August 8 — The wedge of German steel today succeeded in advancing along Elektoralna Street to Brühl Palace, where Fischer [Ludwig Fischer, German Governor of the Warsaw District] and his staff have been surrounded since the first shot of the Uprising was fired on Suzina Street. Isolated in his fortress palace, defended by his Storm Troopers and select SS units, the Governor has been locked in a precarious position, not knowing when an attempt might be made to capture him. Fischer can have no illusions as to what will happen to him if he falls into our hands.

Today we heard a few details of what is happening there. Three days ago, General Erich von dem Bach took over as Commander-in-Chief of all German units. Soon after that, Home Army units surrounding Brühl Palace were pushed back, and von dem Bach sent Fischer instructions to leave the palace as soon as possible. Von dem Bach, charged personally by Hitler not to take prisoners, to kill women and children as well as civilian men, and to eradicate the city of Warsaw from the face of the earth, had been anxious to get Fischer out as soon as he arrived in Wola, the westerly suburb.

The next day, around ten o’clock in the  morning, under heavy guard, and with the protection of armored cars, Fischer’s entire staff started to leave the palace. As they were attempting the getaway, our units made a surprise attack. It was totally unexpected as the route was heavily guarded on both sides by thousands of German troops brought in earlier to push back the Home Army.

In the attack, Fischer was wounded, and several members of his entourage were either killed or wounded.