Today is marked as the 80th anniversary of the arrest of Polish Grey Ranks scout and the Home Army soldier, Jan Bytnar “Rudy”.
Jan Bytnar, also known by his pseudonym “Rudy,” was a Polish resistance fighter during World War II. Born on August 23, 1921, in Warsaw, Bytnar became involved in the resistance movement at a young age. He was a member of the underground scouting organization “Grey Ranks” and later joined the Home Army, the largest Polish resistance group.
Bytnar was a charismatic and daring figure, known for his bravery and leadership skills. He was instrumental in organizing and carrying out numerous acts of sabotage and guerrilla attacks against the occupying German forces. One of his most famous exploits was the attack on a German prison in Warsaw in January 1943, during which dozens of political prisoners were freed.
Unfortunately, Bytnar’s time in the resistance was cut short. On March 1, 1943, he was betrayed by a member of the Home Army and arrested by the Gestapo. Despite being brutally tortured, he refused to reveal any information about the resistance. On March 26, 1943, at the age of 21, he was executed by the firing squad along with several other members of the resistance.
Jan Bytnar’s bravery and sacrifice have made him a symbol of Polish resistance during World War II. He has been posthumously awarded numerous honors, including the Virtuti Militari, Poland’s highest military decoration, and the Cross of Valour, one of Poland’s highest civilian honors. He is also commemorated in numerous monuments and memorials throughout Poland, including a statue in his honor in his hometown of Warsaw.