On May 25, 1948, Captain Witold Pilecki was executed by communist authorities in Mokotów Prison, Warsaw. Born into a noble family with strong independence traditions, Pilecki’s early years were marked by his commitment to Poland’s freedom, a legacy that began with his grandfather’s exile to Siberia for participating in the January Uprising.
From Warsaw Defender to Auschwitz Infiltrator and Resistance Leader
Pilecki’s military career took off during the Polish-Bolshevik War, where he defended Warsaw in 1920. Following his military service, he attempted to live a civilian life, studying fine arts at Vilnius University. However, financial difficulties forced him to abandon his studies and manage the family estate. With the outbreak of World War II, Pilecki returned to military service, fighting in the 1939 campaign against the Nazis and later joining the underground resistance, co-founding the Secret Polish Army (TAP) in Warsaw.
In a bold and unprecedented move, Pilecki voluntarily allowed himself to be captured and sent to Auschwitz in September 1940. Using the alias Tomasz Serafiński, he formed the Union of Military Organizations (ZOW) within the camp, establishing a clandestine network to relay information about Nazi atrocities to the outside world. His reports were among the first to provide comprehensive accounts of the genocide occurring in Auschwitz.
Captain Witold Pilecki: From Auschwitz Hero to Martyr of Communist Oppression
After escaping Auschwitz in April 1943, Pilecki rejoined the Home Army (AK) in Warsaw, participating in the Warsaw Uprising and leading the “Witold’s Redoubt” group. Following the defeat of the uprising, he was imprisoned in a German POW camp until the war’s end. Post-war, under Soviet influence, Pilecki returned to Poland on General Anders’ orders to gather intelligence on the communist regime, which led to his arrest in May 1947. Despite severe torture, he remained resolute, and after a farcical trial, he was executed on May 25, 1948.
During WW2, Witold Pilecki volunteered to enter German KL Auschwitz to organize resistance and collect information about the camp.
— Institute of National Remembrance (@ipngovpl_eng) May 25, 2024
In 1948, communists put him on a staged trial, sentenced to death and executed #OTD that year. His remains haven’t been found to this day. pic.twitter.com/xQr0vbg5Fi
Pilecki’s burial place remains unknown, likely among the anonymous victims of communist terror in Warsaw’s Powązki Military Cemetery. His story, suppressed during the communist era, only came to light after 1989. Posthumously honored with Poland’s highest awards, including the Order of the White Eagle, Captain Witold Pilecki stands as a symbol of unparalleled bravery and dedication. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of his execution, we remember his enduring legacy and reaffirm our commitment to the values of human dignity and freedom that he so valiantly defended.