Witold Pilecki

Description: (Polish World War II Cavalry Officer, Intelligence Agent and Resistance Leader)

Witold Pilecki was a Polish army officer, intelligence agent, social worker, and community leader, who is remembered for deliberately entering the ‘Auschwitz ‘concentration camp as a prisoner, with the intention of gathering information. He also managed to escape the camp with important German documents after 3 years and lived to tell the tale in the report known as the ‘Witold's Report.’ The Roman Catholic also fought in various wars and was part of the Polish army in the Polish–Soviet War, the Second Polish Republic, and the Second World War. Known as one the greatest wartime heroes, Pilecki also fought in the Warsaw Uprising until he was arrested and sent to a camp in Bavaria. Although he was a loyal officer and was remembered for his patriotism, Pilecki was accused of various charges, such as working for “foreign imperialism” and indulging in illegal trading, and was held guilty after trial. He was sentenced to death and was executed in 1948. Films such as ‘The Death of Captain Pilecki’ (2006) and ‘Pilecki’ (2015) were made to honor his legacy. He was also mentioned in documentaries such as ‘Against the Odds: Resistance in Nazi Concentration Camps’ (2004) and ‘Heroes of War: Poland’ (2014).

Overview

Birthday May 13, 1901 (Taurus)
Born In Poland
Died on May 25, 1948
Spouse/Ex- Maria Pilecka
Parents Ludwika Pilecka
Julian Pilecki
Children Andrzej Pilecki, Zofia Pilecka
Relatives Józef Pilecki, Maria Pilecka

Did you know

What was Witold Pilecki's role during World War II? Witold Pilecki was a Polish resistance fighter who volunteered to be imprisoned at Auschwitz to gather intelligence and organize a resistance from within.
How did Witold Pilecki escape from Auschwitz? Witold Pilecki escaped from Auschwitz in April 1943, with the help of the underground Polish Home Army.
What was the fate of Witold Pilecki after the end of World War II? Witold Pilecki was arrested by the communist authorities in Poland in 1947, and was executed after a show trial in 1948.
What is Witold Pilecki's legacy? Witold Pilecki is remembered as a hero who risked his life to gather crucial intelligence on Auschwitz and fight against the Nazi occupation of Poland.
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