The term "Polish death camps" is deeply erroneous as it suggests that Poland was responsible for the death camps established during the Holocaust. In reality, these camps—such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Sobibór—were conceived, built, and operated by Nazi Germany during its brutal occupation of Poland.
Why the phrase Polish death camps is problematic?
In 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, initiating a period of immense suffering for the Polish people.
During the Holocaust, approximately 1.1 million people were murdered at Auschwitz, with Jews making up the largest group, around 1 million victims. Poles were the second-largest group, with about 70,000 individuals, followed by around 21,000 Romani and Sinti.
Additionally, about 14,000 Soviet prisoners of war and 12,000 people from various other nationalities, including Czechs, Belarusians, Yugoslavs, French, Germans, and Austrians, perished in the camp, according to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
In Nazi-occupied Poland, assisting Jews, who were persecuted by the Germans and forced into hiding for their survival, was strictly prohibited, with the death penalty imposed on both the helper and their entire family.
Despite this, countless Poles risked their lives to save Jews through underground efforts, including the Żegota organization. Resistance activities also included sabotage of German operations, often at great personal cost.
Poles paid with their lives for sabotaging Nazi death camp railways
Auschwitz, one of four German Nazi concentration and extermination camps founded in occupied territory that was part of the prewar Polish state (the other three were at Majdanek, Warsaw, and Płaszów), was the largest Nazi concentration camp. Photo: Karsten Winegeart/Unsplash.om/CC0
Regardless of the immense danger, some Poles courageously sabotaged railway lines leading to Nazi death camps, aiming to disrupt the transport of victims and impede the operation of the camps. These acts of defiance often came at the highest price—many of these brave individuals were captured, tortured, and ultimately perished in the very camps they sought to undermine.
Among them was one of my relatives, Adam Piorun, who sabotaged railway tracks near his home in southeastern Poland. Arrested by the Nazis, he was sent to Auschwitz, where he endured 9.5 months of brutal conditions before tragically dying in 1942 at the age of 21.
Adam never had the chance to see his son, who was born after he was taken to the death camp while his wife was still pregnant. His sacrifice, along with those of countless others, serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and moral courage of the Polish resistance during one of the darkest periods in history.
Adam Piorun (prisoner number 13948), born April 4, 1920, was arrested by the Nazis in 1941 and died in Auschwitz on January 23, 1942, after enduring 9.5 months of brutal conditions. He sabotaged Nazi trains and helped rescue Jewish children. He left behind a wife and unborn son, whom he never had the chance to meet, as he was taken to the death camp while his wife was still pregnant. His prison uniform bore the letter "P" for Polish nationality.
The dangers of the Polish death camps misconception
Using the phrase "Polish death camps" distorts historical reality and unfairly shifts responsibility for Nazi crimes to Poland. This not only misrepresents the truth but also deeply offends Poles, diminishing their suffering and dishonoring the memory of Holocaust victims.
Accurate terminology, such as "Nazi death camps in German-occupied Poland," clearly identifies the perpetrators while preserving the historical context. Historians, educators, and governments emphasize the importance of precise language to ensure truthful and responsible discourse about this period.
Poland’s efforts to correct the misuse of the term
The false notion of "Polish death camps" frequently appears in foreign media. Photo: PR/Łukasz Haponiuk
Poland has worked tirelessly to counter the misuse of "Polish death camps" through diplomacy, education campaigns, and legal measures. These efforts aim to correct public narratives and safeguard Poland’s historical reputation.
The Polish government has formally protested instances where media outlets or public figures use the phrase. In many cases, these interventions have led to corrections and apologies. Such actions are not attempts to rewrite history but to ensure it is presented accurately, honoring both the victims and the resistance against Nazi oppression.
In 2018, Poland introduced legislation penalizing the attribution of Nazi crimes to the Polish state or nation. Although controversial, this law underscored Poland’s commitment to protecting its historical narrative. The ensuing international debate highlighted the complexities of balancing collective memory with freedom of speech and academic inquiry.
Additionally, Polish diplomats have supported educational initiatives to raise awareness of Poland’s role during World War II. These efforts emphasize Poland’s resistance, the heroism of those who saved Jews, and the severe consequences faced under German occupation.
Honoring truth and memory
By advocating for historical accuracy and combating disinformation, Poland seeks to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and the bravery of those who resisted Nazi atrocities.
The term "Polish death camps" not only misrepresents the truth but also undermines the shared responsibility to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and to prevent the distortion of history. A commitment to truth ensures that the lessons of the past remain a guiding light for the future.
Monika Piorun
The author is a journalist with Radio Poland.
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Auschwitz II-Birkenau, Oświęcim-Brzezinka, Poland. Photo: Alexey Soucho/Unsplash.com/CC0
An EXPLAINER is a type of article or media piece designed to clarify complex issues, address common misconceptions, or debunk misinformation in a straightforward and accessible way. It breaks down topics into understandable terms, often using clear language and factual evidence to inform readers.
From the perspective of Radio Poland, an EXPLAINER serves as a valuable tool to address inaccuracies and misunderstandings about Poland's history, culture, and role in global events. This is particularly important when it comes to correcting disinformation, such as the misuse of the phrase "Polish death camps," which distorts the historical record of World War II.
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