Propaganda and diversion are important elements in an armed conflict. Poles did not forget about it during World War II. The conspirators from Operation “N” (the first letter of the word Niemcy – Germany in Polish) led the German occupiers heading to the front, literally into fields. The Polish Underground State conducted activities in the genre of subversive and propaganda plots.

Poland during World War II was occupied by the Third German Reich and the Soviet Union. In order to fight the invaders, the Poles created the Polish Underground State, which had its own military and civil command and an army.

Propaganda against Germany

War is not only about weapons and battles – but it also includes diversion and propaganda. The Independent Sub-Department “N” of the Information and Propaganda Bureau of the Union for Armed Struggle-Home Army (previously Department “N”) was responsible for this part of the struggle in the Polish Underground State. Its activities were known under the name of Action “N”.

The organization was established by General Stefan Rowecki a.k.a “Grot”. In 1940, it was managed by Tadeusz Żenczykowski a.k.a “Kania”. Its actions were directed against the Germans. That is why the group consisted of people who knew the occupiers and their mentality inside out. Not only the language, geography and history of this country but also dialects and typical professional phrases.

Calling up to the front

One of the subversive and propaganda actions carried out as part of Action “N” was false conscription to the army. It was organized in Silesia, which during the Second World War was incorporated into the Third Reich. The members of Action “N” sent the Volksdeutsches perfectly forged mobilization cards to the German army. The Volksdeutsches were Poles who adopted German nationality as they had German ancestors. For Poles, the act of adopting German nationality was a betrayal.

Much toil for nothing

The mobilization assumed that the recruit must perform certain activities before going to the front. First, he had to go to the city office with his conscription card and report information about his departure. The next step was to quit work and train another employee to take his place. Then he had to get a certificate of his professional competence. Before leaving, a conscript had to hand over food booklets and stock up on travel ration stamps. Finally, the conscripts were obliged to go to the school, which was located more than 150 km from their place of residence.

Everyone who followed the instructions experienced quite a shock on the spot because there was no school in the designated town.