Out of the Woods

The war was over for Poland's ludzie lesni (forest people). Last week hundreds of men and boys, singly and in straggling groups, came out of the woods, trudged to the nearest police station and surrendered their arms and themselves. Many had been underground since Poland's defeat in 1939. They had fought the Germans, the Russians and the postwar Polish Government they hated.

Now, many of them said, there was no point in fighting on against the Communist-dominated Government, which offered them amnesty during an eleven-week surrender period. It also offered them a priority rating for jobs and a little cash (about $5) to get started on.

In a Warsaw police station a veteran WIN (Liberty and Independence) fighter spoke what was in the minds of many. "There's nothing more we can do," said he. "I don't understand why the Americans insist on hoarding their atom bombs, instead of putting them to use. When they decide to bring them out, I'll be willing to fight again. Meanwhile, it's time to go back to work. I'm tired and I want to live with my wife, work in the daytime and sleep nights."

By this week the underground in Poland was almost entirely dissolved.

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