- It shall be the duty of every Polish citizen to defend the Homeland
article 85 of the Polish constitution
Warsaw was cold this time of year the streets were filled with noise from trams, cars and horse carts.
It had been almost pleasant earlier Last month now it was cold damned cold.
Bicycles made of iron and scrap were constantly on the move,
Frequently crossing tram tracks going to one side of the street and to the other.
They rode the bikes in an effort to overtake the trams in some macabre form of race where the winner gets frostbite .
More cars then horses were on the street today both proving little more then hindrances to those sweating hard while they pedal to keep the blood pumping in the cold day.
Traffic piled up on the tracks and everything was moving at a snails pace.
Everyone was nervous, the city had been under constant attack by the Luftwaffe since yesterday.
War had been declared Hitler had called for the German race to expand. The field was all set for a war.
Lebensraum he called it, legal rights for invasion, vengeance for the Gleiwitz incident a series of attacks by
alleged Polish soldiers against various places including a radio station.
Stan did not buy it , no one believed the crap Hitler was peddling not that it mattered now.
Stan was running late for his army examination. Stan had just been conscripted.
Letter in hand he looks at it once more to see if there was anything crucial he missed.
Nothing obvious popped out just like the other 10 times he read it.
---------------------Conscription letter---
Location : Warsaw Poland Date of making 1939 September 2
The Minister of the Army Min. Spraw Wojskowych
Walerian Czuma Commander of the Border Guards
To Stan Prayden
Order number -Redacted
Greetings :
Having submitted yourself to a local board composed of your neighbors for the purpose of determining
your availability for training and service in the armed forces of Poland, you are hereby notified
that you have now been selected for training and service in the 28th Infantry Division from Warszawa
You will, therefore , report to the local board named above at Fort Mokatow Warsaw
at 7 am on the 7th day of January 1939.
At this time you will be interviewed with regard to your to your suitability for various postings in the Army and other matters of national service. Therefore please bring with you any documents you may have, such as certificates relating to your
educational or occupational qualifications.
You should also bring this letter and you Certificate of Registration along with you marriage certificate if you are married.
If you wear glasses be sure to bring them with you.
Please be punctual to avoid Inconvenience not only to yourself but also to others who will be attending at the same time.
If because of illness or other quite unavoidable circumstances you should be , unable to attend.at the time stated or if you will be temporarily absent from the district and it would be more convenient to arrange a examination elsewhere .
Please advise me immediately so that other arrangements can be made.
It is in your interest to do so , because failure to comply with this notice or be subjected to a medical examination is
an offence under the National Service Act.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
After the examination you will be advised in writing whether you have been called up for service
Yours Faithfully
Walerian Czuma
Commander of the Border Guards
Note arrangements will be made after your examination to refund approved expenses
incurred by you by reporting for examination.
-----------------------------
Taking off at a slow pace Stan looked for the tell tale signs of bureaucracy and found it almost immediately.
A large line of young recruits standing out in the freezing snow getting frostbite.
Relieved he knew that meant being late was a fortunate turn of events. This morning was rather cold after all.
Jostling on the spot to stay warm the crowd of youths slowly moved forward in an orderly fashion.
Soon it was Stan who was called up by the official.
"Name ?"says the Officer in an almost monotone voice.
"Stan Praydon Sir" was the reply given
"Alright Stan you are the last one for today" The officer intones with a sigh.
"Lets just see your papers and we can go join everyone for the oath." quietly the officer stamped a form
"As you know we have had no time to properly prepare for this war"
"What is your former occupation ?" He asks and Stan quickly replies "Linesman sir"
Nodding the officer says "we need all the communication's operators we can get welcome to the 28th"
Stan is given a letter with his enlistment data and sent to a crowded room.
There waiting are all the men waiting to be sworn in.
The Officer steps up to the podium.
he speaks to the crowd of youthful men in a spirited manner.
"Now we will begin our soldiers duty by swearing in , Repeat after me "
The Officer then proceeds to say the polish oath .
I swear to God Almighty my faithful allegiance to my Fatherland, Republic of Poland.
I swear always to stand by the military banners, to uphold the constitution and
guard the honour of the Polish soldier, to be obedient to the law and to the President of Poland,
to faithfully carry orders of my commanders and superiors, to keep the military secrets,
to fight for my Fatherland to the last breath in my breast, to always behave so as to live and die as a true Polish soldier.
So help me God! Amen.
"Amen" Stan responded glad the oath was over as he stood waiting among the other youth here today.
The room was warmer now and he was glad to see how well everyone was treating each other.
Servicemen were a good natured lot and he was pleased to stay indoors out of the snow.
Once again a line was forming, recruits lining up to do some more paperwork by the looks.
He joined the line and waited his turn to see what it was all about.
Soon the very same Officer walked out and made an announcement
"We appreciate your patience and will be handing out remuneration along with your gear".
So he was in the correct line that was a relief.
It didn't take long before Stan was called by the Officer and handed his cash and a stub with linesman written on it.
As soon as the banknotes were placed in his hand Stan simply closed it tight and buried fist and money inside his pocket.
He had to be extra careful as some heartless prick could steal it.
Time was up at the designated recruitment venue and Stan took a moment to view his orders and stub.
---Orders-------
Report immediately to the 28th Infantry Division from Warszawa led by płk Broniewski to defend the homeland.
Good luck soldier may god have mercy on us this day.
Stub - Linesman
Please Collect the following standard soldiers Kit and depart post haste.
01 – wz.1939 “rogatywka” garrison cap
02 – wz.1937 “rogatywka” field cap
03 – wz.1937 steel helmet
04 – wz.1936 jacket
05 – dog tag
06 – WSR wz.1932 gas mask in a tarpaulin bag
07 – personal dressing
08 – leather ammo pouches
09 – wz.1933 breadbag
10 – leather main belt
11 – wz.1938 canteen
12 – wz.1928 bayonet cover
13 – folding shovel in a leather cover
14 – wz.1933 backpack with blanket
15 – standard army biscuit
16 – wz.1931 mess kit
17 – spoon + fork kit
18 – owijacze- belts of cloth used instead of socks
19 – boots
20 – GR-31 grenade- frag
21 – GR-31 grenade- concussion
22 – 7,92 mm Mauser 1898a rifle
23 – 7,92 mm ammo clips
24 – wz.1924 bayonet
25 – wire cutting shears
26 - Long nose pliers
27 - 1 Marconi transmitter
28 - 1 Telegraph wire roll.