Calendar. At night from August 25-26, 1939, just a few days before the outbreak of World War II, there were dramatic events in the Silesian Beskids – the so -called Jabłonkowski incident. Although in official textbooks and war stories it is rarely remembered, in fact it shows tension, chaos and drama of the last days of peace in Europe, when every day could be the beginning of a global conflict. Adolf Hitler planned to start an attack on Poland, known as “Fall Weiss”, August 26. As part of the preparation for this operation, it was assumed to use subversive groups that were to make it easier for the Wehrmacht to cross the border and occupy key points. One of these goals was the railway tunnel in the Jabłonków area – a strategic passage through the mountains, which enabled quick transport of troops and supplies on the route connecting Slovakia with southern Poland. The Germans were well aware that whoever controls the Jabłonkowski tunnel controls one of the most important communication corridors on the border. The task of winning a tunnel was entrusted to a group of about thirty diversants of Nazi militants, led by lieutenant Hans-Albrecht Herzner. Their mission was to quickly master the Mosty railway station near Jabłonków, and then seized the tunnel and keeping it until the arrival of regular Wehrmacht troops. The plan assumed an element of surprise and quick action, and the subversists were sure that the German army was already following them. However, the Polish side was aware of how sensitive the tunnel was. In June 1939, the decision was made to minimize it, so that in the event of an attempt to seize by an enemy it could be blown up and prevent the Germans from using this thoroughfare. The tunnel was planted with the army, and in nearby buildings Polish sappers were quartered. At night from August 25-26, not knowing about the cancellation of a German attack, Herzner’s subversants went to action. They opened fire to the Mosty railway station, as well as to the villa next to the villa, in which the Polish sapper branch was located. #historia #IIwieświatowa #1939 #Kampaniawrzśniowa #Jabłonków #tuneljałonkowski #fallweiss #polska #wiency #September39
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