Weapons Airdrops for the Home Army as a Matter of Concern of the Security Apparatus in Poland During Stalinism

Abstract

An important element in strengthening the military potential of the Home Army during the Second World War was armaments delivered by air. Airdrops had not only a physical form – rifles, pistols, grenades, explosive materials and money, but as also a great psychological meaning. It was the confirmation of the Home Army participation in the Allies military activity and it enhanced hope for defeating the Third Reich. This psychological impact was maintained also after the war, especially when a new armed conflict was in perspective. Many Polish citizens hoped that World War III would provide political and structural changes in the Polish People’s Republic. This presented the authorities, especially the security apparatus with a severe operational challenge. The officials tried to inspect whether the so-called enemy forces would be able to draw on solutions from the previous war and empower the anti-communist underground in Poland by weapons airdrops in the perspective of a new armed conflict. Therefore, operational action was undertaken to detect airdrop locations used during World War II and to find the people who organized their reception. These tasks were carried out between 1949 and 1955 under the code-name “Monopoly”.