- Stanisław Basaj was active in the agrarian youth movement from an early age. His passion for the military over time became his vocation. He participated in the 1939 defensive war as a corporal of the 2nd Regiment of Horse Gunmen from Hrubieszów
- In 1942, Ryś organized a branch of the Peasants Battalions. His 1st Hrubieszowski Branch Battalion was the largest branch of the Peasants Battalions fighting Germany and Ukrainian Insurgency Army during planet War II
- Basaj's mission was not only to fight the German occupier, but besides to defend the life of the Polish population from UPA attacks. The largest run “Rysia” took place in late 1943 and 1944. And the Battalion fought many battles and battles with the German occupier and the Ukrainians, and came out victorious.
- On 25 March 1945, “Ryś” was ambushed in Kryłów. He ignored the warning. He was captured and brutally murdered. His body hasn't been found yet.
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From country musician to guerrilla commander
Stanisław Basaj was born in 1917 in Polany, and raised in Malków in folk, national and Christian traditions. From an early age he worked in the agrarian youth movement. He was besides a talented country musician. The squad formed by him integrated the agrarian community, which later helped him organize the conspiracy structures of the Peasants Battalions.. As a boy, Bashy was able to master, and the firearm he built attracted not only the attention of his peers, but besides the police. In time, his passion for the army became his calling.
As a corporal of the 2nd regiment of horse shooters from Hrubieszów he participated in the 1939 defensive war — he distinguished himself with valor in the conflict of Mokra. When Poland was under German occupation, Bashy didn't lay down his gun. On the contrary, his courage and integrity became the foundation for creating 1 of the most powerful guerrilla troops in Zamość.
He created the largest band of Peasants Battalions fighting Germany and UPA
In 1942, Ryś organized a branch of the Peasants Battalions. His 1st Hrubieszowski Branch Battalion was the largest branch of the Peasants Battalions fighting Germany and the Ukrainian Insurgency Army during planet War II. During the highest period of operation in 1944, he counted 670 Privates, 59 Petty Officers and 4 Officers. The initiative of the formation of the branch came from Chief Chief of the Peasants Battalions of Franciszek Kamiński. The 1st Battalion developed partisan activities in the final phase of the Zamość Uprising erstwhile Germany intensified the displacement of the population utilizing methods of extermination. In the territory of Hrubieszów, Ukrainian police led the displacement.
The “Rysia” branch was active in poorly forested areas, with a large density of Ukrainian population, well armed by the Germans. During the final period of occupation, in fear of the influx of Ukrainian UPA sots from the east, the Peasants' Battalion office agreed to tactical cooperation with the National Army and the russian partisans.
“Rys” was a fearless commander
Basaj's mission was not only to fight the German occupier, but besides to defend the life of the Polish population from UPA attacks. His soldiers repeatedly stood defender over the villages, resisting attacks and organizing diversionary actions.
The winter run “Rysia” at the turn of 1943 and 1944 was the largest in its operations. And the Battalion fought many battles and battles against the German occupier and the Ukrainians, and came out victorious. Bashaj gained the reputation of fearless commander, capable of inspiring and leading his people in the most hard conditions. His men took part in a large guerrilla conflict in the Solska Forest code name Sturmwind II (Wicher II) — 76 BCh guerrillas were killed in a heroic fight.
“He was crushed alive in a keerata rotated by a pair of horses”
Although the fight against Germany ended in 1944, for “Rysia” the war continued. In the face of the expanding UPA attacks, Bashy became active in organizing self-defense in the Lublin region. Unfortunately, On 25 March 1945, he was ambushed in Kryłowa, organized by the UPA branch of “Jahody”. He ignored the trap warning. He was captured and brutally murdered. His body has not yet been found, which further emphasizes the drama of his story.
Colonel Zbigniew Ziembikiewicz, a soldier of “Rysia”, described this in his book “In the Partisan at Rysia”: “He was beaten unconscious and bound with strings to the mostly inhabited Ukrainian town of Szychowice. There, in the ace of the cheering crowd of uppers, during the field mass celebrated by the pop, he was crushed alive in a farm kierat turned by a pair of horses.”
Earlier on July 10, 1943, the drama of the martyrdom of Sigismund Ruml – the commander of Volyn territory of the Peasants Battalions – torn by UPA sotni's horses took place.
The legend of “Rysia” is inactive alive
Stanisław Basaj is simply a symbol of patriotism and courage. His life shows that even in the most hard moments 1 can find the strength to fight for what is most crucial – freedom and justice, to defend the lives of a population threatened with cruel death. Remembering “Rysus” is our duty, and its past reminds us of how valuable the values we frequently respect as apparent present are.
Monuments in Krylov and Sandomierz, memorial plaques in Malkow and memory in the hearts of the inhabitants Lublin is proof that the legend “Rysia” is inactive alive.
