Stanisław Ostwind-Zuzga
| Stanisław Ostwind-Zuzga | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | „Kropidło”, „Bolesław” |
| Born |
April 26, 1899 Warsaw, Poland. |
| Died |
February 4, 1945 (aged 45) Warsaw, People's Republic of Poland |
| Allegiance |
 Poland |
| Service/branch | National Armed Forces |
| Years of service |
1915-1920 1942-1945 |
| Rank |
 Major |
| Commands held | National Armed Forces |
Stanisław Ostwind-Zuzga (code-names "Kropidło", "Bolesław", born 26 April 1899, died 4 February 1945 in Warsaw) – Polish Jew, Master Sergeant of Polish Army, major of National Armed Forces (NSZ), local commandant of NSZ in Węgrów, highest ranked Jewish officer in Polish conspiration during World War II.
Life
He was born in Warsaw as Szmul Ostwind son of Wolf (Władysław) Ostwind and Rebeka (Regina) nee Saudel. Between 1915 and 1917 he fought in the Polish Legions, in the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Regiment, led by Major Edward Śmigły-Rydz. He participated in the Battle of Kostiuchnówka, among others. After the Oath crisis he was interned by Germans in Szczypiorno. In 1919 he graduated from military acedemy as master seargant, wfter which he was assigned to 36th Infantry Regiment, and participated in Polish–Soviet War of 1920.[1] Stanislaw decided to be baptised in the Catholic Church in 1920.
After Germany invaded Poland in 1939, he lived under the false name "Zuzga". Since 1942 he was a member of the National Military Organization in Łuków County, later he transferred to the National Armed Forces (NSZ). He finished his training in the NSZ training facility "Dym" (Smoke) in Jata, after which he conducted operations in Siedlce area. In May 1944 he became a leader of regional command of NSZ in Węgrów. He was the top-ranked Polish Jewish officer in Polish (noncommunist) resistance. On 1 June 1944 he was promoted to the rank of Major. One of his first actions as a leader was an attempt to negotiate joining forces with Home Army, an attempt which most likely failed. On 3 January 1945, he was arrested by the newly-established (after Soviet occupation of Poland), Communist secret police (Ministry of Public Security). He was later transferred to a prison in Otwock and tortured during questioning. After his Jewish origin was discovered, the Communists attempted to convince him to switch sides, an offer which he refused. He was executed on 4 February 1945.[1][2][3][4]
References
- 1 2 Mariusz, Bechta. Między Bolszewią a Niemcami. Konspiracja polityczna i wojskowa Polskiego Obozu Narodowego na Podlasiu w latach 1939-1952. Instytut Pamięci Narodowej. p. 519. ISBN 978-83-73-99373-0.
- ↑ Charczuk, Wiesław. "Przeobrażenia personalne w Podlaskiej Komendzie NSZ w latach 1945-1947" (PDF). Wschodni Rocznik Humanistyczny (1/2004): 257. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ↑ Tomaszkiewicz, Tadeusz (1993). Narodowe Siły Zbrojne. Pow. Węgrow 1942-1950. Warsaw. p. 116.
- ↑ Muszyński, Wojciech. "Antysemityzm dotyczył Niemców, a nie Polaków". Retrieved 23 February 2016.