Colonel Hartman – 'the father of Polish cichociemni'
The article discusses the historical significance of Colonel Józef Sławomir Hartman in the context of the Polish cichociemni, special forces operatives during World War II.
Colonel Józef Sławomir Hartman is recognized as a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Polish cichociemni, a group of special operatives trained during World War II to undertake secret missions in occupied Poland. The article recounts a critical operation named 'Adolphus' that commenced on the evening of February 15, 1941, involving an aircraft from the Stradishall airfield in eastern England. The plane was carrying a British crew and three Polish operatives, who were aware of the high stakes associated with their mission. Their goal was to infiltrate and provide support to resistance movements in Poland by delivering essential supplies including weaponry and communication equipment.