But with air supply, the unit managed to organize an active defense using the terrain conditions, prevented the destruction of the division and at the end of February 1942, it successfully broke through the front line to join the main army forces.

From 16 to 29 June, he was the chief of staff of the unit, and then was appointed commander of the 220th Rifle Division on the Kalinin and Western Fronts.

During the Rzhev-Vyazma Offensive in March 1943, his division fought over 170 kilometers and crossed six rivers on the move, preventing German troops from gaining a foothold along their lines.

In September 1944 he was transferred to the Ludowe Wojsko Polskie (Polish People's Army) as one of the many Soviet officers who were to ensure that this allied formation remained loyal to communist ideals.

His units took parts in the breakthrough of the Pommernstellung (Pomerania Wall) fortification line, securing the Baltic Sea coast, crossing the Odra and Elbe rivers and the Battle of Berlin.

He was wounded eight times in the war and showed high organizational skills in planning combat operations, and commanding troops.

For skillful command and control of troops in breaking through enemy defenses on the Oder River and in the battles for Berlin on 29 May 1945, Poplavsky was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

He replaced General Eugeniusz Luśniak in this position, who was forced to resign in a wave of purges in the army of pre-war officers.

His funeral was attended by a Polish delegation led by Minister of National Defense, General Wojciech Jaruzelski.

The original title was to be On the land of forefathers (Na ziemi przodków, За землю предков), but it was changed by the censors.