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The uprising took place in Poland's capital city, Warsaw.

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The uprising started the 1st of August 1944 and ended on the 2nd October 1944.

( Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021).

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It had lasted a total of 63 days. However, it was not intended to last that long. It was planned and discussed to last around 3-4 days.

(M. Kmetova, M. Syrny. 2020).

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It was an insurrection acted out by the Polish Home Army, ‘Armia Krajowa’ (A.K). Against the Nazi German occupiers.

(Holocaust Encyclopaedia, 2019).

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The main motivation for the uprising occurring, was the Nazi's occupation in Poland. By the time of the uprising the German’s had been residing in Poland for nearly 5 years (invading on the 1st September 1939).

(M. Kmetova, M. Syrny, 2020).

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Within those five years Poles were subjected to the extreme pressures and terror by the Germans; civilians were unjustly arrested, publicly executed, deported to concentration, and forced labour camps.
(M. Kmetova, M. Syrny. 2020).

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The Home Army and civilians did not want to wait to be liberated by the allies or the near coming Red Army, they wanted to liberate themselves, a demonstration of defiance, even after almost five years of terror and oppression.

(M. Kmetova, M. Syrny, 2020).

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The Germans claimed victory over the A.K. on the 63rd day of uprising (1st October 1944), regaining control of Warsaw.

o The total deaths afterwards (both non-military and military) was estimated to be 200,000.

(Gluckstein, 2012).

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The A.K would be heavily punished facing a guaranteed death. 15,000-16,000 ended up in captivity in POWs (Prisoner of war camps). Polish civilians were also punished for the uprising at the hand of the Nazis. Officials such as Heydrich Himmler ordered for their punishment without any discrimination (in other words facing execution).
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Even though the Poles had not been victorious in the fight against the Nazi’s, this uprising displays an immense strength and morale of the Polish people, a great example of determination and sacrifice for the right of freedom.

(Gluckstein, 2012).

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'It is not the defeat of our nation [...] there will rise a new Poland'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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When we consider who participates in and is a part of current and historical conflicts. We picture adults who are strong, fit, and well-trained and educated for the job they are about to take on.

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However, the Warsaw uprising, the 'people's war' as considered by many, saw children fighting and helping, during the 63 days of conflict.

(The National WWII Museum, 2021).

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Individuals aged 11-18 were fully qualified members of the A. K (Polish Home Army).

(The National WWII Museum, 2021).

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These child soldiers where highly valued, working an underground network in the city's sewers.
(Stancyzk, 2015).

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"Boys strong as steel"~"Chłopcy silni jak stal".

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"Chłopcy silni jak stal" - Song of The Warsaw Uprising

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The child insurgents that actively participated in the uprising were a part of the Gray Ranks.

(The National WWII Museum, 2021).

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The Gray Ranks was the name for the Polish Scouting Association, and were working underground (in secrecy as a precaution from the Germans to avoid punishment, such as being sent to prisoner of war camps).

(Baldachin, 2021).

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‘[I will] not hesitate to sacrifice my life’

This phrase comes from the scouts' promise, which states that they are committed to their cause and willing to lay their lives on the line for freedom.

(Baldachin, 2021).

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Within the Gray Ranks there were sub-units depending on the individual's age:

Ages 12-14: Known as 'Zawisza,' this unit specialised in sabotage, transporting items such as medicine and ammunition, and serving as messengers for the Scouting Postal Service.

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Ages 15-17: Progressed into combat schools, working for surveillance and propaganda. Taking up tasks like, faking Nazi newspapers and leaflets, distributing them to locals and even local German troops.

Ages 17+ Assault groups, well trained for fighting. They also attended university to become educated with skills and knowledge to contribute to the rebuilding of Poland when independence would finally arrive.

(Baldachin,2021),  (The National WWII Museum, 2021).

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Born 3rd March 1929

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).

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“in a free and independent Poland”.

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).

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He lived a regular childhood in Poland, like many other children, until the Nazis occupied his homeland in 1939.

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Julian had joined the boy scouts, then known as the Zoska Strom Battalion, prior to the uprising.

(Kulski, 2014), (The National WWII Museum, 2021).

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He officially joined the Underground Army in 1941, he was 12.
And when the uprising finally came, he was 15.

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).

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Even at his age, Kulski was determined to defend his homeland. Spite of the warnings that adult’s expressed to their children, to obey their invaders and to not rebel in any way.

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).

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His defiance against the occupiers started as ‘small acts of sabotage’. Which then progressed when he became a ‘fully-fledged solider’.

(Kulski, 2014).

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He, like many other youths who joined the Underground Army, had to go through training:

“How to fight [without] a gun”.

“How to kill a person with a knife, or with your hands”.

“How I should answer under torture”.

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).

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He had fought in the uprising from the 1st August, 1944 to 30th September, 1944. A total of 62 days.

(Kulski, 2014).

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(02:12- 02:23) “Everyone had been planning and dreaming […] to be able to fully get back at the Germans”.

(10:10-10:22) “Fighting for my house, my family, my friends, Poland”.

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Nicholas Richardson talks to Warsaw Rising Veteran Julian Kulski (6)

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Recording life as a resistance fighter, and child solider.

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Recording life as a resistance fighter, and child solider.

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'I am determined to show them that younger boys can fight as men'- Kulski, aged 13.

(Kulski, 2014).

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Throughout his 62 days of service, Kulski kept a diary of his life whilst fighting in the uprising.

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On the first day of the uprising (August 1st) he had recorded the happiness of the people:

‘[an] old lady […] crying with joy and excitement because […] the uprising had really come at last’.

(Kulski, 2014).

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He mentions how he and his comrades had to wear outdated military uniform and construct their own arms.

'I was dressed in my father's thin uniform from the First World War [...] most of the others were as inadequately dressed as I am'.

'Homemade grenades which had often proved to be very unsafe'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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(Publishing House of the Ministry of National Defense, 1973).

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Julian "Goliath" is pictured, in the back (left).

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'Much of Warsaw is ours again! The red and white flag of Poland is flying over the scarred but proud city for the first time in almost five years'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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Julian shares in his entries the struggles he faced mentally during the drawn-out conflict.

'I sat on the scorched grass. How much longer?'

(Kulski, 2014).

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When falling ill he expresses his disappointment of being inactive in combat, in an almost childish way.

'I feel very depressed because while all my friends are fighting, I am flat in my bed'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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He dose not fall short in displaying regular adolescent boy behaviour, talking about girls.

'I have my share of such attention'.
'I am most popular, and my friends are quite jealous at the attention I receive'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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The end of the uprising led to Kulski and his division surrendering, in his diary he recorded his emotions when facing their oppressor and capturer.

'A thrill of terror shook me as I saw the faces and uniforms off the hated enemy at such a close range'.

(Kulski, 2014).

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After the surrender of the Home Army Julian, just like many of his comrades were sent to prisoner of war camps.

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He later became a architect upon his realise from the camp.

However he did continue to discuss his experiences of life as a Polish civilian and child solider during WW2 and the Warsaw uprising, publishing his diary along with other written work, speeches and interviews.
Educating people on the efforts of the child scouts in the fight for freedom. Speaking for those who had fallen for their cause.
Also the influence in which the uprising had on the future and fate of Poland.

(Warsaw institute, 2018).

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The publishment of his diary is a lens into the humanity of the resisters, normal people, children. Whose vigour and determination of even the youngest minds was strong for the fight for liberty.
Julian's legacy and efforts have continued to live on even after his death at 92.

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'if it wasn't our actions in '44 [...] Poland wouldn't be free'.

(United States Holocaust Museum, 2014).