Boxers in the Warsaw Uprising: Remembering the Fallen

Today marks another anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. Remembering the bravery of those who fought and the tragedy suffered by the civilian population, we pay tribute to those who fell for freedom. We revisit an article by one of the founders of BOKSER.ORG, devoted to the Polish boxers who fought in the Uprising. It is also a moment to reflect on the fate of all the heroes of those 63 days.

From August 1, 1944, among the insurgents they were known as “Miecio”, “Docha” and “Neger”. Three friends from before the war, fellow competitors in the capital’s rings, they most likely never met during the fighting. They were among the “Warsaw’s children” who did not return alive from the battle.

Officer Cadet Sergeant “Miecio” served in the 2nd Security Platoon of the elite “Chwaty” Group, commanded by Second Lieutenant Stefan Berent, code-named “Steb.” The unit was tactically attached to the Information and Propaganda Bureau of the Home Army High Command. “Miecio” took part in armed, sabotage and diversionary operations. He also participated in loudspeaker patrols.

At the beginning of September 1944, he defended Kuczyński’s pastry shop, located at the intersection of Krucza Street and Jerusalem Avenue. He also fought at an insurgent outpost on the corner of Wiejska and Frascati streets. On September 13, he fell during the fighting to hold a tenement building near the Pension Fund building of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, at the corner of Frascati and Konopnicka streets.

Assembly of the 2nd Platoon of the “Chwaty” WZW Security Unit in the courtyard of a house on Bowdena Street.

“Docha,” a nickname derived from the surname of a well-known prewar Legia motorcyclist, held the rank of Officer Cadet Corporal when the Uprising broke out. He initially fought in the area of Powązki. On the command of his superiors, he withdrew to the Kampinos Forest. After several days, leading a 200-man unit, he broke through to lower Żoliborz. There he fought side by side with insurgents from the “Żbik” Group, commanded by Captain Witold Plechowski, code-named “Sławomir.”

On September 14, while defending a barricade on Dziennikarska Street, he disabled a German “Panther” by throwing bottles filled with gasoline at it. Six days later, he was sent to defend the insurgent hospital in the convent of the Sisters of the Resurrection, known as the Resurrection Convent Fortress. “Docha’s” unit arrived almost at the last moment. Hand-to-hand combat followed, after which the Germans were repelled.

According to surviving accounts, on September 30, 1944, “Docha” took part in an unsuccessful assault on the flood embankment. He later fought at Inwalidów Square, where he was wounded. One of the German soldiers recognized him; before the war, the man had competed against him in boxing tournaments. The wounded fighter was taken to a hospital in Tworki. He died there from his injuries.

The participation of the third of our heroes in the Uprising was curtailed by a serious wound sustained in February 1944. “Neger” was shot in the abdomen during one of the diversionary operations in Wola. His life was saved by a miracle. His brother and prewar friends from the boxing ring were instrumental in helping him, including Piotr “Klimek” Mizerski, who donated blood for a transfusion.

In the first days of the Uprising, “Neger,” a soldier in the 21st Company of the “Narew” Home Army Battalion, fought in Czerniaków. Wounded in the leg, he was taken to a hospital on Czerniakowska Street. On September 18, after the Germans captured the facility, he and the other wounded were evacuated under SS escort along Górnośląska and Rozbrat streets toward Szucha Avenue.

After several selections, the wounded were forced to march through Lubelska Union Square and Rakowiecka Street toward Narutowicz Square. “Neger,” barely able to stand, asked on behalf of the others that they slow the pace. One of the SS men ordered him out of the line and then killed him with a shot to the back of the head.

Insurgents from the “Chwaty” unit leave their positions after the capture of Holy Cross Church and the police headquarters.

The Heroes of the Story

“Miecio” – Mieczysław Całka (born in 1917) boxed in the welterweight division before the war. He represented the factory clubs RKS Elektryczność Warszawa and Centralne Warsztaty Samochodowe, or CWS Warszawa. In 1939, he fought a very even bout against Antoni Kolczyński. He lost after a controversial decision.

After the outbreak of World War II, he was mobilized and fought in the September Campaign. He was wounded on September 13. He shed his uniform to avoid captivity and quickly became involved in the underground resistance. He first operated within the Union for the Reconstruction of the Republic and, in 1943, joined the Home Army. Under occupation, he completed an underground officer-cadet course.

“Docha” – Henryk Doroba (born in 1915) was a mainstay of Warsaw Legia’s boxing section before the war. He won several capital championships. In 1937, he was among the country’s leading welterweights. Among others, he defeated Antoni Kolczyński, Józef Fabisiak and Henryk Całka. During the September Campaign, he was taken prisoner near Tarnów. He escaped soon afterward and made his way to occupied Warsaw, where he began underground activities.

“Neger” – Eugeniusz Cendrowski (born in 1909) was associated with Warsaw Polonia’s boxing section before the war. He began his career at the YMCA and later competed for the factory club Forty Bema. As an instructor and coach, as well as the regular second of the Warsaw team, he worked with, among others, Antoni Kolczyński. From 1936, he worked on the coaching staff of the Polish Boxing Association’s Olympic team.

He took part in the September Campaign. After his unit was routed, he was taken prisoner by the Germans, but escaped during transport to a prisoner-of-war camp. He returned to Warsaw. In time, he became a member of the Union of Armed Struggle and the Home Army.

Let us remember—not only on anniversaries—the people connected with the boxing community who gave their lives fighting for the independence of their homeland. It is worth it for Warsaw fans and supporters elsewhere to visit Powązki Cemetery, light candles and, following the example of Legia fans, care for the graves of the insurgents. We who draw joy from life in freedom owe these people our remembrance.