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Tribute to Polish resistance fighters killed by communists 75 years ago

30.08.2021 07:45
Officials in Poland have paid tribute to two members of the country’s wartime underground Home Army (AK), Danuta Siedzikówna and Feliks Selmanowicz, who were executed by the communist regime after World War II.
Inka and Zagończyk were killed on August 28, 1946 by the Soviet-backed communist regime that came to power in Poland after World War II.
Inka and Zagończyk were killed on August 28, 1946 by the Soviet-backed communist regime that came to power in Poland after World War II. Image: pamiec.pl

Siedzikówna (also known as Inka, her nom de guerre) was a medical orderly and was executed when she was just 17 years old.

She was killed together with Selmanowicz (codename Zagończyk) in the northern city of Gdańsk on August 28, 1946, by the Soviet-backed communist regime that came to power in Poland after World War II.

Many who had served in the Home Army (AK), the underground force loyal to the Polish government-in-exile in Britain, were victims of a wave of terror after the war, were vilified as enemies of the state, killed and buried secretly in unnamed graves.

Inka’s and Zagończyk’s remains were found in late 2014 by a team from Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) led by Krzysztof Szwagrzyk.

During memorial ceremonies in Gdańsk, on Poland's Baltic coast, on Saturday, the current head of the Polish history institute, Karol Nawrocki, laid flowers on their graves to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their death.

An open-air exhibition honours Siedzikówna in the Polish Baltic city of Gdańsk An open-air exhibition honours Siedzikówna in the Polish Baltic city of Gdańsk. Photo: PAP/Adam Warżawa

"Siedzikówna and Selmanowicz looked with contempt into the rifle barrels of the firing squad," Nawrocki said. "Their last words were not a plea for mercy, but reflected what had been in their hearts all their lives. They shouted, 'Long live Poland!'"

Five years ago, a state funeral with special honours took place in Gdańsk for the two resistance fighters.

The 2016 funeral ceremonies, which marked the 70th anniversary of their execution, were attended by senior Polish officials, including President Andrzej Duda.

A decision to posthumously promote the two heroes was announced during a Mass before the funeral.

Duda said at the time: "A country needs heroes to be strong and to be able to bring up the next generations."

A funeral with special honours was held for the two resistance fighters in Gdańsk, on Poland's Baltic coast, three years ago. A funeral with special honours was held for the two resistance fighters in Gdańsk, on Poland's Baltic coast, five years ago. Photo: Krystian Dobuszyński/IAR
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Source: IAR, PAP