i. The January (Second) Aktion

Before this could happen, however, between January 18-22, the Nazis began the second Aktion. Even though the Underground was not prepared, it managed to fight and the Nazis were taken aback.

The Underground tried two different tactics:

- The first was to pounce on the Nazis as Jews were being deported, but this was not at all successful and many Jewish fighters were killed.

- The second method was to lure Nazis into a building and then kill or wound them. This proved very successful and became the standard technique. We now know that the Nazis intended to take 8,000 Jews in this Aktion, yet they withdrew with "only" 5,000, so the Underground's success was really outstanding.

After January the Underground regrouped. They had learnt much from the Aktion and now began preparing for the inevitable final assault. Jews in the Ghetto no longer retained any illusions about the Nazis' purpose and the Underground became the real leadership.

Almost everyone contributed in some way, mainly by preparing hiding places and donating supplies. The Polish Underground was so surprised that the Jews had actually resisted, that they donated a further small amount of arms. Despite, or perhaps because of the hopelessness of the situation, the Underground and the Ghetto were prepared to die fighting.