The resistance organization functioning in conspiracy on Polish state territory during World War II. It was supervised by the supreme commander and the Government-in-Exile. It emerged as a result of reorganization of its direct predecessors: the Service for Polish Victory (Służba Zwycięstwu Polski, created on September 27, 1939 and reorganized into the Union for Armed Struggle (Związek Walki Zbrojnej ZWZ) on November 13, 1939 and finally was renamed into Home Army on February 14, 1942. Its successive commanders, were Generals Stefan “Grot” Rowecki (1942-1943), Tadeusz “Bór” Komorowski (1943-1944), and Leopold Okulicki (“Niedźwiadek”) (1944-1945).
The primary task of the Home Army was to conduct an armed resistance against the German occupier (intelligence, sabotage, self-defense, diversion, revenge) and to make preparations for the nationwide uprising planned for a moment of allied armies enter Polish territories. The initial plans concerning the uprising had to be changed as it became clear that it would be the Soviet Army first to enter. The alternative plan of action called Operation “Tempest” was prepared in 1943 and the conspiracy organization called “Nie” was organized at the end of 1944 with a task to continue a resistance after the Red Army enter.
The Home Army troops conducted numerous combat and diversionary actions. In Spring and Summer 1944 they started Operation “Tempest” in which large AK troops fought several full-scale battles against the Germans behind the front line. At the end of July 1944 the AK commanders decided to include Warsaw into Operation “Tempest” which resulted in the outbreak of the Warsaw Rising in August 1944.
The Home Army at its peak estimated of around 380,000 soldiers including 10,000 officers. It was officially disbanded on January 19, 1945 by the order of the supreme commander, however many of its soldiers continued the fight in various resistance organizations.
In 1944-1945 thousands of Home Army soldiers were arrested and deported to the territory of the USSR. In Poland until 1956 Home Army soldiers suffered severe repressions, many were arrested and sentenced to death or long imprisonment.