Armed Forces Day- Southport

During World War II, the Polish resistance embodied unwavering courage and a deep-rooted belief that Poland would once again rise as a free and sovereign nation. Despite brutal occupation and oppression, thousands of Poles risked their lives to fight against the Nazi regime, determined to protect their homeland and preserve its spirit. This presentation tells the story of Halina Leonhard, a young woman from Poznań whose bravery symbolizes the struggle of the Polish underground. In early 1940, Halina was captured on the streets of Poznań and forced in to work at the Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) ammunition factory in Poznań—a site known for having the highest mortality rate among members of the Armia Krajowa (AK) in Poznań. Using her bilingual skills, Halina secretly copied classified documents and export routes for ammunition and military weapons, risking everything to undermine the Nazi war machine. Her resistance continued until January 1945, driven by hope for a free Poland. This powerful story is told by her granddaughter Dagmara Wojciechowicz, honouring a legacy of defiance, sacrifice, determination and unbreakable patriotism.