SECRET UNDERGROUND STATE
The Polish Underground State was formed by the Political Agreement Committee comprised of the representatives of
Poland's political parties. Their main objective was to establish policies that would be implemented in a post-war
democratic Poland. On January 9, 1944, it was renamed Rada Jednosci Narodowej(RJN), the Council of Unity. On
March 15, 1944, a declaration was made entitled, "For What the Polish Nation Fights" which outlined the political, economic
and social objectives of the Polish nation. It sought a free and independent Poland, with the restoration of it's eastern
boundary along the Riga Line, as established by the Riga Treaty with the Soviets in March 1921. It also called for a
parliamentary and democratic system, with a strong central government. Reforms were planned concerning land
ownership, granting peasants more autonomy, industrial development, encouraging private enterprise, as well as that of
small and medium-sized businesses. The goal was to lay the groundwork for a more equitable society for all classes.
Special consideration was given to families with children, the youth, peasants, and the working class. All were to be given
an equal opportunity to progress. Education was to be made free for those who could least afford it.
While the Polish government-in-exile was lead by President-General Wladyslaw Sikorski, the underground government in
Poland was represented by the Delegatura Rzadu ( Home Government) directed by Vice-Premier Jan Stanislaw Jankowski,
and several Ministers. Jankowski held the position from March 1, 1943 until March 28, 1945 when he was arrested with the
other members of the Delegatura, by the Soviet NKVD.
The Home Government consisted of five branches;
Administrative Branch
The head of this branch was the Chief Delegate of the Government, the Regional Delegates who controlled twelve
departments, and the Directors who were equivalent to the Ministers of the Polish-government-in-exile. Their objective was
in organizing and maintaining the autonomy and secrecy of it's administration. One should not overlook the fact that neither
the Home Government nor the Polish-government-in-exile, ever collaborated with the Germans. Unlike other Nazi-occupied
countries, there was no Quisling in Poland. In fact, every decree issued by the Underground commanded total allegiance of
the Polish people, and warned that not a single German law or decree was to be obeyed. In every city, every county, every
community, there was an underground official whose authority was recognised by the Polish State, and through whom the
Polish people were informed of policies.
Military Branch
It was headed by a Commander-in-Chief and Regional Commanders. Their authority was approved by Presidential decree.
They had the right to issue edicts, guide the population, and conscript men for military service.
Political Representation The Underground Parliament represented each of the four major political parties. Though each
party conducted it's own propaganda and resistance, they were all united under one official body, to which the Chief
Delegate and the Commander- in-Chief of the Army were responsible. Parliament controlled the finances of the
underground and made decisions concerning the representation and administration of its' offices, that is, the Secret Deputy
Administration, and the Chief and Regional Delegates. Through its' representatives sent to London, the political parties had
considerable influence on the Polish-government- in-exile. Together they formed the Political Government Coalition.
The Directorate of Civil Resistance
As it's main objective they encouraged all Poles to participate in the resistance, and discouraged any Pole from
collaborating with the hated Nazis. There existed Regional branches secretly operating from within central Poland, that is the
Nazi's General Gouvernement. There were also secret tribunals where Polish traitors were accused and sentenced. . Any
Pole who disobeyed orders or was unable to justify his behaviour with the enemy was convicted of infamy and ostracized,
until criminal proceedings would resume after the war. There was no appeal.
The Outskirts
This branch refers to Polish individuals and groups scattered throughout Poland who did not have formal connections with
any of the other four branches of the Underground State. Consequently, they did not have access to military and financial
resources, but they were able to keep up morale through a variety of covert activities in political economic, religious, and
educational concerns. They also printed underground newspapers. The combined forces of the Underground State, and the
will of the Polish people " had perfectly institutionalized Polish hostility to the invaders". This unyielding spirit never relented
throughout the war. The Home Government addressed a wide range of concerns through its various departments:
Department of Internal Affairs focused on plans for a future national police force.
Department of Information and the Press was dedicated to planning and carrying out counter-propaganda.
Department of Education and Culture ensured the continuation of secret education in Nazi-occupied Poland. The
Nazi's had closed all schools and universities, except grade school, and forbade the use of the Polish language. In
1942, almost two million children were receiving an underground education. In some sectors of Warsaw there were
almost three times as many students enrolled than before the war.
Department of Labor and Social Welfare. It's mission was to protect the valuable members of Polish society - the
intelligentsia; professors, writers, artists, doctors, scientists, lawyers, and many more, but especially the families of
political prisoners. It's budget in 1942 was approximately 5 million zloty, far surpassing that of any other Department
Department of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Justice, Liquidation of the Results of the War, Public Works,
Treasury Post and Telegraph, and Transportation. The major task of this department was to observe and analyze
the policies of the occupying force in specific regions and to record the losses incurred as a result of their activities.
Department of National Defense. A great deal of time and attention was given to unifying the disparate military units
of various political parties - the National Military Organization of the National Party, the Peasant's Battalion of the
People's Party, and the Socialist Military Organization of the Polish Socialist Party. However, the National Armed
Forces (NSZ) did not come under the command of the Home Army (AK) even though it had official recognition of the
Polish-government-in-exile.
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