The Military History Society of NSW

Record of Society member Les (Lech) Gade’s experiences in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. As told to Reconnaissance editor John Muscat on 22 February 2018. Originally appeared in the Autumn 2018 edition of Reconnaissance, the Society's quarterly magazine. Editor: After Hitler’s occupation of Poland in September 1939, the Polish Government-In-Exile in London sponsored an underground movement within Poland, including a military force called the Home Army or Armia Krajowa (“AK”). As the Red Army approached Warsaw in late July 1944, Soviet authorities encouraged the Polish underground to launch an uprising against the Germans, promising all necessary aid. For their part, AK leaders were concerned that Stalin would extend the control he acquired over eastern parts of Poland to the rest of the country, leading to the imposition of a post-war Communist regime.  Hoping to take Warsaw before it was “liberated” by the Red Army, the AK acted on the Soviet call to revolt. Under Com...

Statement of the Council of the Military History Society of New South Wales on the proposed Australian War Memorial expansion, adopted at the Council’s meeting on 6 April 2019 We note that 83 familiar academics, bureaucrats, journalists, professionals, writers and activists signed an open letter dated 23 March 2019 expressing opposition to the Commonwealth Government’s plans to expand the Australian War Memorial for an estimated cost of $498 million. Essentially, the Memorial argues that the redevelopment is necessary to (1) create more spaces where veterans and families can find a quiet moment to reflect, (2) plan for the entire precinct’s future including visitor parking, transport options, heritage significance, ceremonial areas and connection with Anzac Parade, (3) cater for visitors as diverse as veterans and families, school groups, national and international tourists, amateur and academic researchers, (4) create more gallery spaces for items from ongoing war, peacek...