Cold War Poland: Martial Law (December 1981)

Figure 1.-- Here we see Polish T-55 tanks on the streets during Martial law in Poland on the day martial law was imposed (December 13). The photograoh was taken sureptiously on Swierczewskiego Street (now Senatorska Street) in Zbąszyń, Poland. The T-55 did not have modern features like auto load. Even so the Russians have pulled them out of storage to use in war against the Ukraians. They have one advantage, only limited training is reqired. Photographer: J. Żołnierkiewicz

Polish authorities to avoid Soviet intervention declared martial law and arrestwd Solidarity leaders (December 13, 1981). The Council of State autorized the action and Gen. Jaruzelski announced the introduction of martial law in a televised speech. Hundreds of union leaders were arrested and interned throughout the country. Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski was the Polish Army commander who orderedv the crack down on Lech Walesa's Solidarity Movement (1981). The Polish Government officially disbands Solidarity, but a underground resistance continued (1982). Precisely what happened is still not know with any certainty. General Jaruzelski apparently attempted to use emergency powers to force the moderates in the Polish Communist party and in Solidarity to rally around the banner of national unity. But of course only Solidarity leaders were being arrested. Jaruzelski has been heavily criticized and charged with attempting to crush Solidarity. This is probably true, although this does not mean that his inttentions were to brutalize the Polish people. Based on his own personal experience, he saw a Soviet military intervention as the worst of all possible outcomes. Something to be prevented at all costs. Jaruzelski's actions have to be assessed taking into account that he had no way of knowing that Mikhai Gorbachev woukd take power in the Soviet Union and back away from using force to maintain the Soviet empire. If Gorbechev had not taken power, it is almost certain that the Soviets would have intervened if needed in Poland to maintain a Communist Government. There were protests throughput Poland. Military and Party para-military groups violently suppressed all resistance. They used water cannons, tear gas, batons, truncheons, and clubs, but for the most part not deadly gun fire. There was on exception. The Zmotoryzowane Odwody Milicji Obywatelskiej (Motorized Civic Militia -- ZOMO) units at Wujek were given a 'shoot-to-kill' order. ZOMO was a militia group especially equipped and trained to deal with public protestors. ZOMO units also shot into crids from the roof of their hadurters in Warsaw. The Army and police had been found to perform badly in 1956 anti-Sovie disturbancs. The ZOMO unit at Wujek reportedly killed 9 and wounded 21 protestors. This was a Solidarity hot bed, centered on the Wujek Coal Mine in the sprawling industrial city of Katowice. While there is no precise numbers of deaths in all of Poland, they are believed to be less than 100 individuals. In terms Communist barbarities, this is not a large number, suggesting a degree of restraint on the security services.

Created: 12:17 AM 6/3/2024
Last updated: 12:17 AM 6/3/2024