At 0511Z THU 27JUL 2000, after sunrise, a figure armed with an AK-47, wearing civilian clothes was seen waving at the Recon Party, currently in an abandoned Command Post Bunker approximately 1.5 km S of Jedzerjow. 2LT Duffy, 1SG Keller and Jan approached in the G2 Ops HMMWV, attempting to make contact with this armed civilian standing on a large rock approximately 500 m NNE of the bunker.
The young man in his early 20s, Szymon Urbaś, claimed that he was a leader of militia from Nagłowice, a crossroads village approximately 10 km to the W. He stated they were scouting in Jedzerjow looking for trade contacts, but the town is abandoned. After more discussion, he revealed that they were aware of the stalled convoy the Recon Party encountered and were hopeful of ambushing them, but the convoy had moved on. They confirmed that the convoy was a Wargin Organization convoy. Urbaś offered to trade with the Americans. 1SG Keller noticed the party was well equipped with military kit. Jan pointed this out, and suspecting Urbaś was not being forthcoming, insisted that Urbaś explain certain inconsistencies in his story.
Urbaś admitted he was withholding facts. A Lublin Government (pro-Soviet) Reconnaissance Unit had arrived in his village two days ago, numbering 9 men. Yesterday a logistics convoy arrived, and a forward depot was being established (this information was partially corroborated by Signals Intelligence gathered the previous day indicating that a Lublin Government reconnaissance unit was operating in the area). Reinforcements were arriving in the next few days, and Urbaś was scrounging for supplies and aid as he, 11 members of the Militia and 14 other family members were planning to steal supplies and vehicles and make for Silesia. He related that they had information from his brother that Raciborz was safe and food and shelter were secure in Silesia and the Margraf accepts recruits with military experience.
Urbaś offered to guide the recon party to meet his uncle and split all loot and vehicles with them. 2LT Duffy considered this. 1st Lieutenant Scott then went to deliver rations for Urbaś and his eight personnel and asked further questions about the militia, Nagłowice, and the situation. Urbaś related that the Nagłowice militia numbered 25 in total, but only 11 or 12 could be relied upon in any action against the Lublin Government Troops. The rest wouldn’t oppose but would remain neutral. He further related that Nagłowice had been a Free Polish Partisan base and that he and his family had cooperated with NATO Special Forces. He incidentally related that they had cooperated with a Joint Detachment of German/Italian Special Forces, who they last saw a month ago. The Italians related that they had information that Trieste is well organized, a strong, effective local government has been established. The Italian troops were heading there.
The Recon Party considered all this information and contacted 2LT Twarowski and the rest of the detachment. It was decided that the Command Post Bunker on the abandoned Jedzerjow would be a suitable independent base of operation for the Detachment outside of Krakow, but near Krakow and that the Deuce would proceed there with all personnel and cargo. A small party would be left there, and the rest of the Detachment and all vehicles would proceed to a rendezvous site near Nagłowice, transporting Urbaś and his party there.
The Detachment departed at 1556Z, leaving SFC Diaz, SPC Rzad, SPC Jacobs and PVT Rzad at the bunker. They proceeded via back roads in the mountains guided by directions provided by Urbaś, eventually ending up on a route called the Pankowa road in a rural area south of Nagłowice. As they approached the rendezvous location, PFC Ramirez noticed that they passed a group of armed men on the side of the road who darted into the treeline adjacent. 1701 THU 27 JUL 2000 Session End.