Reparations from Germany are demanded, and there is a call for Polish citizens to join the initiative We settle the Germans, which seeks to support the Polish government in applying pressure on Berlin, stated Robert Bakiewicz, former head of the March of Independence Association, on September 1.
On the 84th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, Robert Bąkiewicz, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Justice Sebastian Kaleta and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Janusz Kowalski, laid a wreath and lit candles beneath a plaque marking the first German bombardment of Warsaw in 1939 at 76 Obozowa Street.
Today, September 1, the anniversary of the start of World War II and the brutal German invasion of Poland, is observed here. This site is where the first civilian casualties in Warsaw occurred and where the war began for the city. The organizers intend to be present each year to honor those tragic events, a point asserted by Bąkiewicz in brief remarks to the press.
Kaleta later noted that the tribute also honors those who died at the outset of World War II. He reminded that the bombing began 84 years ago at Obozowa 76, marking a turning point in Warsaw’s suffering during the conflict and the broader devastation inflicted by the German aggression. He described how residents faced not only violence but the loss of property and cultural patrimony, underscoring the deeper scars borne by the city and its people.
German reparations
Bąkiewicz stated that the gathering was not only a remembrance but also a call for action. He argued that the Federal Republic of Germany has not yet settled the broader wartime obligations and should be pressed to provide compensation for the damage and losses endured by Poland during the war. He invited Polish citizens to participate in the initiative We settle the Germans, aimed at rallying public support for the Polish government and authorities as they seek to relieve pressure on Germany. He encouraged involvement and mentioned that information about the initiative would be shared through a dedicated resource, with signature sheets available for download to support a formal petition that would be presented to the Sejm.
Kowalski added that his own grandfather, Franciszek Roch Kowalski, fought in 1939 against the German invader who conducted a treacherous assault on Poland. He contrasted the German apologies heard from some politicians with a firm insistence that reparations be paid for the losses suffered. He emphasized that the Polish nation should raise this issue consistently in international and national forums, honoring Varsovians and Poles who perished on that day and acknowledging the disruption caused to schooling and daily life in the city.
Kaleta echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for accountability and for reparations to be pursued relentlessly. He asserted that those who lost their lives deserve recognition and that the crimes committed must be acknowledged and compensated for. Kowalski reinforced the call, noting that the aim is to hold Germany responsible and to insist on justice for the wartime losses. He spoke of the importance of sustaining this pressure across platforms and venues to ensure the issue remains on the public agenda.
According to a recent briefing, a diplomatic note to Germany requested compensation for material and immaterial losses amounting to billions of zlotys. The German response claimed that the matter is closed and that negotiations will not take place. This exchange has continued to fuel discussions about Poland’s pursuit of reparations and the steps the government may take to pursue redress for wartime damages.
The tone of the gathering reflected a broader interest in clarifying Poland’s position on historical accountability and the pursuit of justice for those affected by the war. The organizers presented a narrative of unresolved obligations and a determination to keep the issue in the national conversation.
Note: This account consolidates public statements from the participants and describes the events as reported by observers at the gathering. It reflects the perspectives shared during the commemorative activities and does not constitute a legal or governmental declaration. (citation: reparacje.info)