The day started as had so many others in the Ghetto with the SS marching in to exact their daily toll in the final “resettlement” of the Warsaw Jews. The roundups started as usual: with sirens, shots, screams and sorrow. But this day, fewer than usual heeded the summons to surrender. Suddenly, Emilia Landau, age 17, opened the unexpected battle by hurling a grenade into a cluster of SS from a rooftop. Incredulous, SS non-coms regrouped their forces to attack the house when into their midst, without warning, erupted a sortie from the ZOB headquarters bunker at Mila 18, personally led by commander Mordecai Anielewicz. His men, armed with Antique rifles, stolen revolvers, smuggled grenades, and Molotov cocktails quickly scattered the bewildered Germans. With yells of triumph born from years of torment, ragged Jews rushed along the street and scooped up the weapons of the fallen.
