THE WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING   - continued   The ZOB however, did not accept candidates who did not share the same  political views. Similarly, other Jewish   underground based on communist or Bund factions were as selective in choosing its membership. The ZOB was created   on the basis of political objectives and no group was accepted without a political affiliation.  There were 23  resistance groups   among which were the Bund (4), the Communists (4) and the Zionists(15).  Their goal was to form a link with the communist   Underground because they believed that they could count on the Soviets for help.   The leadership of the ZZW on the other hand was revisionist, but also included  one member from the Bund, one communist,   and one Arudat.  Despite overtures by the ZZW, the ZOB refused to merge with them because they were opposed to any   fascists-revisionists.  Irregardless, the ZOB did agree to divide the Ghetto with the ZZW into two military districts, each   controlling their sector.  Although there was no agreement of cooperation, the ZZW did give the ZOB some of its weapons,   owing to its weaker position. But the problem of weapons shortage was severe, among the Jewish and Polish Underground   groups.   During the first hours of the Uprising, the ZOB succeeded in setting a German tank on fire and killed 20 German soldiers.   After 16 hours of battle the ZOB retreated.  The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasted for 11 days, from April 17 to April 27. The   longest battle took place in the ZZW district on Muranowski Square.  The Polish and Jewish  flags visibily marked their   territory.   A tunnel from its headquarters at No. 7 Muranowski Square led to many sections of the ghetto through which   weapons and ammunition were smuggled.   Amidst the fierce battle, Josef Lejbski of the Polish Home Army, on the night of   April 18-19 even transported through the tunnels, a heavy machine gun for the Jewish fighters.   It had given the ZZW new   strength in maintaining a strong resistance.   On April 27, squads from the Polish Home Army infiltrated the Ghetto to unite with the ZZW to fight the Germans. There were   many casualties among the underground warriors.  Major Iwanski was injured and his sons were killed. David Apfelbaum   was severely wounded and died the next day. On April 29tth, the remnants of the ZZW retreated and escaped via the tunnel to   Michaelin Forest.  The battle was over, yet small groups of Jewish criminals, not affiliated with the ZZW or ZOB continued   skirmishes against the Germans.  It ended on June 5th.   From April 29 to May 6, the Germans began the destruction of the Ghetto bunkers.  The 2,359 remaining Jews who were in   hiding, were all discovered and murdered by the Nazis. There were few German casualties.   At the height of the destruction of the Ghetto, a courageous band of ZZW warriors returned to the Ghetto to evacuate the   remaining Jewish civilians. They were all killed in the attempt.   The ZOB found its way out of the Ghetto through the sewer system.   In their escape they refused to take Jews who had no political affiliations.                                                                         WARSAW GHETTO UPRISING PHOTO GALLERY                                                                                                           HOME