Akcje „Taśma” i „Łańcuch” na terenie Okręgu AK Kraków .......... 179

“TAŚMA” AND “ŁAŃCUCH” OPERATIONS IN THE HOME ARMY KRAKOW DISTRICT

In 1943, the Home Army Headquarters decided to carry out two restricted actions in occupied Poland – codenamed “Taśma” (“Tape”) and “Łańcuch” (“Chain”). In both cases, the aim was to strike simultaneously in various regions of the country on German customs and border guards (Zollgrenzschutz) posts, to capture them and to obtain weapons necessary for future insurgent operations. These actions were also undertaken in the Home Army Krakow District and its subordinate Home Army Rzeszów Sub-District – striking at German posts located on the border of the General Government with the Reich and Slovakia. Both nationally and locally in Małopolska and Podkarpacie regions, the strikes failed to produce the expected results, due to the inadequate preparation of the units carrying them out and the strength of the German garrisons. However, the actions constituted a combat practice for the partisans. They were also a manifestation of Home Army activity, important from the point of view of the positive image of the underground among the civilian population.