TheSub-district I of Ochota (of Armia Krajowa) (Polish:Obwód IV Ochota) – one of territorial organisational units of theWarsaw District (Armia Krajowa) (Pol.:Okręg Warszawa Armii Krajowej), which operated during theGerman occupation of Poland 1939–1945. It comprised the area of theOchota district of the city ofWarsaw.
Conspiracy activities inOchota began in the end of 1939. They were organised by lieutenantZygmunt Żółtkowski pseudonym "Odwet" ("Revenge"), who acted in the framework of theSłużba Zwycięstwu Polski organisation (later renamed into theArmia Krajowa -Home Army).
The formation of first units of the line was commenced in May and June 1940. Two platoons were created, each of them c. 30 people. The command of the 1st one was taken by second lieutenantWitold Daab pseudonym "Stefan" (Stephan), while the commandment of the 2nd one was taken by second lieutenantStanisław Chabros pseudonym "Dybowski". The 3rd platoon was formed in the mid 1941. It comprised c. 30 people commanded by lieutenantJózef Stępkowski.
Since mid-1941, due to recruitment carried by theZwiązek Walki Zbrojnej, a quick increase of the effective strength of the units took place, as well as by inclusion of military groups of other organisations struggling for Poland's independence.
In summer 1944 the staff of the Area was composed of:
The Area of Ochota included 3 regions (Pol.:rejon):
The military strength of the Area was composed of c. 30 platoons organised into concentrations (groupings), battalions and companies. The effective strength of the Area amounted to c. 1,500 soldiers. The Area included also theWomen Military Service (Pol.:Wojskowa Służba Kobiet) which amounted to c. 400 persons in sanitary and liaison units.
In case of uprising, the military units of the Area of Ochota ought to conquer the following:
The insurgent units were also to close and keep control of transit roads in that city district, thus covering Warsaw from south-east.
On1 August c. 600 soldiers turned up on places of concentration. Also, not the whole warfare to be in disposal of the Area's units arrived on place in time. In the face of a large advantage of the enemy in number and firepower as well as the loss of an opportunity to surprise the enemy, attacks taken up at theHour "W" were not successful. Most of the units were withdrawn outside Warsaw.
On2 August theBattle of Pęcice was fought, in which c. 100 soldiers fell. Then the units withdrew to a concentration place in Chojnowo forests.
Units, which remained in Ochota, assumed defence and created two redoubts:
TheWawel group bore in its positions until11 August, when - in face of lack of ammunition and possibility to continue combat - withdrew through underground drains into southern part of Śródmieście district of Warsaw. There it was included into the "Iwo" reserve battalion and took part in its military actions. Since the beginning of September, as part of the "Odstoja" battalion, it repelled Germans advancing along Aleje Jerozolimskie. There it endured until the capitulation of the Warsaw Uprising.
TheKalisz group fought in the region of Kaliska and Barska streets. It kept its positions until10 August, when, having used up all possibilities to continue combat, withdrew to a concentration place in Chojnowo forests. After reorganisation and replacements, the unit commanded by lieutenant "Stach" returned to Warsaw and took part in combats inWilanów, inSadyba, inCzerniaków and inMokotów until the end of the Warsaw Uprising.
One of chaplains wasJan Salamucha.
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