Beneath this plaque lies a harrowing tale. It speaks of courage and sacrifice during a dark chapter in Warsaw’s history. This is the AK bat. Parasol, ps. Juno, ps. Sokół Plaque.
The plaque commemorates soldiers of the AK bat. Parasol. They were Zbigniew Gęsicki ps. Juno and Kazimierz Sott ps. Sokół. These brave men participated in the assassination of Franz Kutschera. Kutschera was the SS and Police Leader of Warsaw. He was known as the “Hangman of Warsaw” for his brutal tactics.
On February 1 1944, the AK bat. Parasol executed Operation Kutschera. Following the successful assassination, Juno and Sokół were intercepted at the Kierbedź bridge. Facing impossible odds, they fought valiantly. Rather than surrender, they jumped into the Vistula River. They met their end in its icy currents. Some say they were shot while others say they drowned.
The Parasol Battalion also known as Batalion Parasol was a scouting battalion of the Armia Krajowa. The Armia Krajowa was the primary Polish resistance movement in World War II. The battalion primarily consisted of members of the Gray Ranks. It distinguished itself in numerous underground operations. The Parasol Battalion also took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It was part of the Radosław Group.
Initially, the unit was organized as “Agat” or Anti-Gestapo unit. This was organized by Adam Borys “Pług”. He was an elite soldier parachuted from England in 1943. After arrests, it was reorganized and renamed “Parasol”. The name referred to a parachute. The unit intended to join the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade.
The AK bat. Parasol gained renown for military actions in 1943-1944. They organized assassination missions. These missions targeted key Gestapo officers. They also targeted high-ranking Nazi officials. These officials were responsible for extreme terror in Warsaw.
Józef Szczepański a poet was among the commanders of the AK bat. Parasol. The poet Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński also fought in its ranks. He was killed in action by a German sniper during the Warsaw Uprising.
The AK bat. Parasol, ps. Juno, ps. Sokół Plaque stands as a testament. It is a testament to the unwavering spirit of resistance. It reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice made for freedom. Remember Juno and Sokół. Remember the Parasol Battalion. Remember their courage in the face of tyranny. Their memory lives on in this city.