The „Cichociemni” Paratroopers of the Home Army were a group of soldiers of the Polish Army during World War II that had been carefully selected and trained in special operations, sabotage, communications, intelligence, forging various types of documents, ID cards and money, daring car and motorcycle driving, use of many types of firearms, hand-to-hand combat, and survival in extreme weather and terrain conditions. Through ongoing murderous exhausting courses and trainings during which they risked their lives and health on numerous occasions, they became a real commando elite of the Polish Armed Forces and the Home Army and the predecessors of the contemporary special operations formations of the Polish Army. They proved their value and devotion to their homeland in combat both in occupied Poland and in other parts of Europe. Many paid the highest price for their patriotism and faithful service to Poland.
Their glorious combat traditions and values have now been taken over by the Special Operations Formation GROM, one of the best special units in the world. The aim of this book is to provide the enthusiasts of the Special Forces of the Polish Army with general and intelligible information on „Cichociemni” Paratroopers, their initial recruitment procedures, selection, and combat training, as well as with examples of weapons and equipment used by these unique men both during their tough, dangerous, and exhausting training and during their missions in occupied Poland during World War II.
