One of the most well-known photographs from the Rising. The Polish soldiers are manning the shooting position at the entrance to the partly destroyed Holy Cross Church. The Poles seized the temple on Krakowskie Przedmieście on August 23, 1944. The victorious attack lifted the spirits of both the Insurgents and civilians. Unfortunately, in two weeks the building will once again be in the enemy’s hands. In September the Germans will place two remote-controlled “Goliath” demolition vehicles inside the temple. The detonation will cause enormous damage, estimated at 45 percent, to the building. But for now, the church is in the hands of the Insurgents. Documented in such a state by photographer Sylwester Braun “Kris”.
Photo by Sylvester Braun "Kris"
Downtown North. Insurgents in the ruined entrance to the Holy Cross Church. In the background, ruins of tenements at 8 and 6 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street.
Polish helmet, model 31 OPL, worn by the air defence team.
Five-shot carbine, model 98 (Mauser), caliber 7.92 mm, produced in Germany.
German helmet, model 17, belonging to Rifleman Zbigniew Kołodziejak “Kruk” from the “Kryska” Group.
St Cross Church at 3 Krakowskie Pzedmieście Street. Baroque temple built between 1682-1696. Before the entrance, statue of Christ carrying a Cross (author: A. Pruszyński), placed there in 1858.
Church initially damaged in September 1939 and then destroyed in the Warsaw Rising (the Germans detonated two combat vehicles loaded with explosives). Rebuilt in the years 1945-1953. In 2002 gained the status of a minor basilica.
