T E X T : GRZEGORZ ZAJĄC P H O T O : SYLWIA CHUDZIŃSKA, OLEK LEYDO
IN A STIFLING ROOM FILLED WITH CIGARETTE SMOKE, FIVE MEN SAT IN COMPLETE SILENCE.
OUTSIDE THE CLOSED AND SHUTTERED WINDOWS, THE DAY WAS LAZILY FADING AWAY. IN THE
SURROUNDING HOUSES, THE LAST REMNANTS OF LIGHT FLICKERED OUT ONE BY ONE, ANNOUNCING
TO THE WORLD THE END OF ANOTHER DAY OF WAR AND THE OMNIPRESENT BLACKOUT.
D
espite the late hour, the faces of tho-
se gathered showed focus and re-
adiness. They had met in this group
many times before, but today, contrary to ro-
utine, they would not spend the night in their
uncomfortable beds.
This night, Zryw, Ostroga, Hatrak, and Ro-
somak—four Cichociemni (Silent Unseen)—
dressed in protective coveralls over civilian
clothes, will depart from a small airfield in
Campo Casale, Italy. Aboard a Liberator of
the RAF No. 1586 (Polish Special Duties)
Flight with a Polish crew, they will set off for
their occupied homeland. Among the many
instructions received, one seems to require
particular sacrifice: under no circumstances
and categorically are they allowed to con-
tact family or friends.
Together, they will carry out another inser-
tion of resources as part of air operation
Weller 16: 12 containers and 6 packages of
equipment, $270,000 in cash, and $13,000 in
gold. Their mission also includes supporting
and training Home Army (Armia Krajowa or
AK, Polish Resistance) soldiers. The planned
drop zone code-named "Klosz," ("Lampsha-
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