SERVICE OF THE MEMBERS

of the Women’s Military Training

IN WARSAW UPRISING

st. sierż. Alicja Sieciechowicz (z d. Pniewska) ps. “Alka”

5 I 1923 - 27 III 2019

Miner in the Women's Mine Patrol, Protective Unit of the Military Printing Works

She attended the C. Waszczyńska Secondary School in Łódź until December 1939. Before Easter 1940, she and her mother were forcibly resettled to Warsaw as part of a major resettlement action, which also affected Łódź, incorporated into the Third Reich. In Warsaw, she continued her education in secret classes (officially in a tailoring school). In the afternoons, she worked in a German post office. She joined the conspiracy through her Women’s Military Training instructor from the Łódź secondary school, Irena “Alina” Bredel. She took the oath on a scout badge in 1941 when joining the ranks of the Women’s Mine Patrol. During the uprising, she served in the Women’s Mine Patrol as part of the Protective Unit of the Military Printing Works north to Śródmieście. Initially under the command of Irena Bredel, who died on the second day of the uprising. At the end of the uprising, she was promoted to sergeant by order and awarded the Cross of Valor. After the cessation of hostilities, she passed through prisoner-of-war camps in Lamsdorf and then in Milford, ultimately ending up in Stalag VI-C Oberlagen camp. After liberation, she joined Anders’ army. She still wanted to fight for freedom. She ended up in the geographical company stationed at the Leopardiani Institute in Porto Recanati, Italy. She died on March 27, 2019, in Toronto, Canada.

Marksmanship

In the PWK program, we find a section called “Marksmanship Training”. It included three sections:

  • Theoretical Weaponry Training
  • Shooting School
  • Practical Shooting

The first section aimed to familiarise students with the structure and functioning of weapons, the interaction of mechanisms, the principles of explosives, and the processes affecting the trajectory of the projectile.

In the second section, specific exercises were examined to develop the technique of skillful weapon handling. This involved correct trigger pull, breath control, and stance. The desired result of the training was the learning of patience, composure, and precision.

The firearms handling course covered both handguns and long guns. Initially, small-calibre, relatively light, and quiet firearms that did not cause recoil were used for training to avoid discouraging novice shooters. Later, training moved on to the use of military firearms.

As for practical shooting, activities at the shooting range taught young women to aim for the target despite initial setbacks. This built self-confidence, especially when high scores were achieved at competitions despite initial fears of firearms. Firearm handling training or shooting competitions were not aimed at frontline combat but rather at preparing for subsequent auxiliary service or self-defence.

Women's Mine Patrols

In March 1940, Dr. Zofia “Doktor” Franio formed the first female mine team, which became part of the
Union of Retaliation (the sabotage and diversion section of the Union of Armed Struggle). Until the end of its existence, she remained the commander of the WMP. In 1943, the mine team consisted of about 50 women, and in this strength, the unit entered the Uprising.

The training of the miners consisted of learning the principles and techniques of underground work and a mining course with practical exercises. The miners learned not only the construction and operation of technical devices but also methods of disruption and destruction using explosives and arson. The training was co-conducted by sappers. The miners produced, transported, and stored diversionary materials and weapons and carried out tasks for the Sapper Technical Research Bureau. Individual patrols were specialized as a result of performing specific tasks. Trained for railway and telecommunications sabotage, during the uprising they were to blow up bridges, telephone boxes at stations, and destroy telephone lines. Each patrol was assigned an action area, which was thoroughly explored during exercises in the years 1943-1944. From the outbreak of the Uprising, the WMP ceased to exist as a separate unit of the Home Army Warsaw District. The female miners were assigned to various units, including the Female Sapper Unit led by Dr. Franio. The tasks of the insurgent miners changed compared to the assumptions. In addition to mine tasks, they also undertook those within the scope of sanitary service or production tasks.

During the occupation and the Uprising, the Women’s Mine Patrols lost a total of 10 people, while 8 were wounded.

Archival photographs

  1. Alicja Sieciechowicz / Warsaw Uprising Museum
  2. Members of the Women’s Military Training are standing at assembly – in front of them is a Polish Army officer. The photographed individuals are: Róża Giergielewicz, Nela Garczyczkiewicz, Zofia Zielińska (née Kiernikówna), Zofia Kuczyńska, Maria Nowicka, Natalia Żukowska (née Kowalewska). Date: August 1939 /Warsaw Uprising Museum
  3. Zofia Franio “Doktor”/public domain
  4. North Downtown. II Mining Patrol in the area of the Pociejów market between Zielna and Bagno Streets. Leading the column are: Barbara Bańkowska-Gumień “Dorota”, Capt. Józef Paroński “Chevrolet”, 2nd Lt. Wiktor Wirszyłło “Wiktor”. The shot is directed eastward. In the background, visible buildings at Zielna Street 34 and 32 (on the right). Photo by Eugeniusz Lokajski / public domain