"Dedicated to the memory of
my comrades in arms who fell in battle in the fight against the cruel Nazi
German enemy". Benjamin Meirtchak.
WE REMEMBER THE
FIGHTERS!
JEWISH MILITARY CASUALTIES IN THE POLISH ARMIES IN WORLD WAR II
By BENJAMIN MEIRTCHAK
BENJAMIN MEIRTCHAK
At a Reception at the Polish Embassy, Tel Aviv, 1999
|
On
14 Adar B' (25.3.2005) Son
of Rachel and Moshe, Beloved
Husband, father and grandfather. Chairman
of the Association of Jewish War Veterans of Polish Armies in General Secretary of the
Association of Polish Jews in Israel Author
of many books about the Jewish heroic fight against the Germans in WWII We
Shall Remember Meirtchak's Legacy! We shall not Forget! |
|
Eng. Benjamin Meirtchak who was born in He is researehing the
historv of active Jewish participation in fighth against Nazi Germany in the
ranks of the Allied Regular Forces and in particular in the Polish Armies in His monumental work "Jewish Military Casualties in the Polih Armies in W.W.II" was translated in Polnd in June 2001. During WWII Mr. Meirtchak
fought defending On On |
Author's
Farewell Words
|
A new Book by Benjamin Meirtchak was Published in 2003: "Jews - Officers and Enlisted Men in the Polish Army, Prisoners of War in German Captivity 1939-1945", Tel Aviv 2003
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Contents
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Foreword by Sir Martin Gilbert |
VII |
|
Acknowledgments |
IX |
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Author's Introduction |
XI |
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Chapter 1. Jews-Officers in the Polish Army, POW's in German Captivity |
1 |
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Chapter 2. Jews - Enlisted men in the Polish Army, POW's in German Captivity |
55 |
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Oflags & Stalags |
87 |
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Abbreviations |
91 |
|
Bibliography |
93 |
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Postscript |
97 |
|
Map & Plates |
99 |
Published by the Association of
Jewish War Veterans of Polish Armies in
Tel Aviv 63461
Tel. 972-(3) 522-5078, 546-4104. Fax. 972 (3) 523-6684, 527-4264
Tel Aviv 2001
Copyright (R) Benjamin Meirtchak
In 2001, Benjamin Meirtchak published a new book: "Jews-Officers in the Polish Armed Forces 1939-1945".
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The book contains 4 main lists with data of 4879(!) Jewish Officers:
#1 - Jews Officers in the Polish Army
September 1939
#2 - Jews Officers in the Polish Armed Forces in Exile
#3- Jews Officers in the Polish Peoples Army
#4 Jewesses Officers in the Polish Peoples Army
Published by the Association of
Jewish War Veterans of Polish Armies in
Tel Aviv 63461
Tel. 972-(3) 522-5078, 546-4104. Fax. 972 (3) 523-6684, 527-4264
Tel Aviv 2001
Copyright (R) Benjamin Meirtchak
The book was contributed by Benjamin Meirtchak to JewishGen , February 2003
In printing now (2003) is another book about Jewish Prisoners of War during WWII
Willie Glaser: Memoirs of a Young German Born Jew in the Polish Army 1941 - 1947
Hersz
Cukier Killed in Action in the September 1939 Campaign
JEWISH
MILITARY CASUALTIES IN THE POLISH ARMIES IN WORLD WAR II
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eng. Benjamin Meirtchak who was born
in
He is researching the history of active Jewish participation in fight
against Nazi Germany in the ranks of the Allied Regular Forces and in
particular in the Polish Army in
During W.W. II, Mr. Meirtchak fought defending
On
On
BENJAMIN MEIRTCHAK
A Polish Officer during WWII
BACKGROUND
AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE ENGLISH EDITION VOLUME I
Approximately 1.5 million Jewish officers and soldiers in the ranks of the Allied regular armies, in Underground national resistance movements, and in Partisan units participated in all theatres of the war fighting the Nazi Foe and Axis Powers. They fought bravely, proved their heroism, showed courage and dedication in their struggle. Their valor made a significant and impressive contribution to the ultimate victory of the Allied Forces in World War II.
Nearly 200.000 Polish Jews fought against Nazi Germany in the ranks of the
Polish Armies on Polish soil and in Exile. They defended
In addition, many Polish Jews fought as part of the Polish, Russian, and French Underground movements. They were also a part of the Palestine Jewish Brigade. Polish Jews fought in the French Army, in the Red Army, and in the British Forces.
Despite the tremendous Jewish military contribution to the Polish war efforts, the official Polish historical bibliography of W.W.II ignores this Jewish phenomena.
The purpose of this book is to rectify this historical injustice and to commemorate the Jewish Fighters in the struggle against Nazi Germany.
Mil. Quarter
Unknown Soldier Memorial
5 VOLUMES:
|
Volume
I |
Dedicated to the memory of my comrades in arms who fell in battle in the fight against the cruel Nazi German enemy |
Jewish Soldiers and Officers of the Polish People's Army Killed and Missing in Action. |
||
|
Volume II |
Dedicated to the memory of my mother Rachel and my father Moshe murdered by the Nazis in Majdanek camp in May 1943. |
1.
Jewish
Military Casualties in September 1939 Campaign. 2. Jewish Military Casualties in the Polish Armed Forces in Exile. |
||
|
Volume III |
Dedicated to the memory of my brother Meir-David (Marek) murdered by the Nazis |
Jewish Prisoners-of-War Murdered by Germans in the Lublin District 1939-1943 |
||
|
Volume IV |
Dedicated to the memory of all Jewish soldiers in the Allied armed forces who fell while fighting Nazi Germany. |
1.
Jewish
Officers, Prisoners-of-War, Murdered by Soviets in "Katyn Crime" 2.
Jews,
Members of the Polish Underground, Fallen in Action 3. An addedum Supplement to Volumes I, II, III. |
||
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Volume V |
Dedicated to the memory of the Unknown Jewish soldier in the Polish Armies who fell while fighting Nazi Germany |
Supplement |
||
PRO MEMORIA
Military Cem. Mount Herzl Jerusalem
Copyright (C) Benjamin Meirtchak
Tel Aviv
All rights reserved
This material can be used for educational and research purpose only, and is fully copyrighted!
The Book may be purchased for USD$ 40.- each volume, (including
airmail postage and taxes) ordering from:
The Association of Jewish War Veterans
of Polish Armies in Israel
158 Dizengoff St.
63461 Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: 00-972-3-5225078
Fax: 00-972-3-5236684
Price of the whole 5 volumes series
is USD 150.-
Israelis should contact the
Association for price and order.
EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK
FORWARD
by Dr. Shmuel Krakowski (Volume I)
FORWARD by Sir Martin Gilbert (Volume II)
Benjamin
Meirtchak: JEWISH PRISONERS OF WAR IN GERMAN CAPTIVITY - A CONCISE REVIEW
(Volume III)
ANNEX: Jewish
Military Casualties In The Polish Resistance Movement In France (Volume IV)
THE LIST - MILITARY CASUALTIES (Volume V - Supplement)
PHOTOS (Volume V - Supplement)
SUPPLEMENT
Vol V
Tel Aviv 1999
This volume is dedicated to the memory of the Unknown Jewish
soldier in the Polish Armies who fell while fighting Nazi Germany.
|
Table of Contents |
Copyright (C) Benjamin Meirtchak Tel Aviv
All rights reserved
This
material can be used for educational and research purpose only, and is fully
copyrighted!
The Book may be purchased for USD$
40.- each volume, (including airmail postage and taxes) ordering from:
The Association of Jewish War
Veterans of Polish Armies in Israel
158 Dizengof St.
63461 Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: 00-972-3-5225078
Fax: 00-972-3-5236684
Price of the whole 5 volumes series
is USD 150.-
Israelis should contact the Association
for price and order.
INTRODUCTION
The study "Jewish Military Casualties in the Polish Armies in World War II" was published in four volumes.
Volume I - Jewish Soldiers and Officers of the Polish Peoples Army killed and missing in action, Tel Aviv 1994.
Volume II
- Jewish Military Casualties in September 11939 Campaign.
- Jewish Military Casualties in the Polish Armed Forces in Exile, Tel Aviv
1995.
Volume III - Jewish Prisoners of War murdered by Germans in the Lublin District, Tel Aviv 1996.
Volume IV
- Jewish Officers Prisoners of War murderedd in Katyn Crime.
-Jewish Military Casualties in the Polish RResistance Movement.
- An Addendum, Tel Aviv, 1997.
Volume V - Supplement, Tel Aviv 1999.
In those volumes we commemorate 7607 Jews, soldiers and officers in the Polish Armed Forces, who fell and died when fighting the Nazi Foe on Polish soil and in Exile.
The volumes were well received by historians, and public and found a place on the bookshelves of the most prestigious libraries, institutes, universities; as by the Library of Congress - Washington, Imperial War Museum - London, Holocaust Museum - Washington, Yad-Vashem - Jerusalem, Wiener Library - London, Hebrew University -Jerusalem, and many other libraries and institutes in USA, England, Germany, Poland, Canada, Russia. They found place on the bookshelves of the President of the State of Israel, President and Prime Minister of Poland, Military Archives, scholars and hundreds of war veterans, brothers-in-arms, families, friends of the fallen.
We were fully convinced that despite our best efforts, the lists of those fallen soldiers are incomplete and do not constitute a full record of every Jew who died while serving in the Polish Armed Forces.
On the 60 anniversary of the German aggression on Poland I am presenting the fifth volume of the series - "Supplement".
The volume is dedicated to my brothers in arms who fell in battle, died of wounds, were missing, and murdered as P.O.W. who have not been listed in the four volumes for lack of information.
After obtaining additional proven information and evidences we are able to publish this "Supplement" volume with 283 names of fallen.
On the threshold of the Millennium not many World War II Veterans are still able to relate the story of bravery, heroism and suffering. With pride and sorrow they remember the years dedicated to fight for freedom, and dignity against the cruelest enemy of Mankind, and the Jewish People - the Nazi Foe.
After 6 years of intensive study, research, compiling evidence, and testimony we were able to present in 5 volumes an authentic and credible document presenting Jewish casualties when fighting in the ranks of the Polish Armed Forces, on the Polish soil, and on the battle fields of Europe, and Africa against Nazi Germany, altogether 7890 men.
Even now the list of fallen is not complete. However we decided not to delay the publication of this "Supplement" volume.
Our time, the time of the Second World War Veterans, is limited.
On the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzel in Jerusalem an impressive Memorial was erected by the Association of Jewish War Veterans of Polish Armies in Israel under the auspices of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, in honor of the fallen Jewish soldiers who served in the ranks of the Polish Armed Forces in W.W. II fighting the Nazi Foe.
"Much
effort has been invested in this (well thought out) work and I much admire the
initiative and accomplishment. This is a significant achievement which reveals
the Jewish contribution and sacriffice in the Second World War that was
previously unknown..."
Prof. Israel Gutman, Yad -
Vashem, The Holocaust Martyrs, Heroes Remembrance Authority.
This commemorative undertaking has
contributed to the histography of Jewish status in W.W.Il. The metohod and
diligence is conspicuous in each line and every word. The lists of fallen and
wounded only adds to the authenticity and credibility of the details..."
Prof. Dov Levin, Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Hebrew University,
Jerusalem.
"Let me praise this unique
contribution in upholding the memory of Jewish fighters on an important front,
that brought about the defeat of Nazi Oppressor..."
Yosef Rav, "Moreshet" Mordechai Anielevich Study and Research
Center.
"It is only due to the hard
and painstaking work carried out over many years by Mr. Meirtchak that has
enabled the completion of this important list of soldiers and ofticers who fell
in action between 1943-1945.
This publication is the only Memorial
of the heroism of the fallen Jewish soldiers whc
fought with the Polish People's
Army...
There is nobody left to remember
them. We who have survived, must not forget them"
Henry Morris, AJEX London 1994
"...This is a monumenta! book
worthy of every praise".
Chaim Lasar, Museum of the Combatants and Partisans, Tel Aviv.
"...Benjamin Meirtchak work is a remarkable and an important publication. It is remarkable because it represents a considerable amount of extremely hard and patient work, and it is important because it adds a dimension to our knowledge of the Jewish contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany".
"The military participation
of Jews in the struggle against Nazism is less welI-known. In this sphere,
Benjamin Meirtchak is engaged in a work of crucial importance".
Sir Martin Gilbert, Historian, Fellow of Merton College, Oxford.
"...It is easy to appreciate
the huge effort required to gather together the names of those Jews who
sacrificed their lives in the wars against the Nazis and thanks to publication
of these volumes their names and personal history will now become known.
May your efforts be rewarded and let
us hope that you will have the strength to complete the project you have undertaken".
Supreme Court Justice (retired) Moshe Bejski
"...Your book is a very
special contribution, a kind of Kaddisch for those martyrs who gave their lives
for God and the Jewish people and did not leave anyone to Kaddisch and mourn
for their souls. May you be blessed for this undertaking".
Dr. Pinchas Rosengarten
Chief Rabbi of the Anders Army and the 2nd Polish Corps in Italy
"... Many blessings to
you..."
Eli Wiesel, Boston University
"...Accept my blessings on
the publication of this important book which is a memorial to those Jewish
soldiers and Prisonemurdered by the Nazis. I am sure that you will continue
this holy workand complete the planned series. May you strength increase. I
don't anybody besides you who have the ability to do this holy work..."
Dr. Shmuel Krakowski, Yad Yashem,
"...Your publication will
serve our office as an immense assistance in our studies in commemorating Jews -
servicmen in the Polish Armed Formations fallen or murdere in the time of the
Second World War..."
Andrzej Przewoznik, Council for the Protection of Memory of Combat and
Martyrdom, Warsaw, Poland.
I gratefully acknowledge the valuable help to those men, who on my request provided me with evidences, testimonies, and printed sources about fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, and friends, who went to fight and did not return from the war whose names have not been listed in previous volumes for lack of information.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to Sir Martin Gilbert, to prof. Dov Levin for the attention they devoted to tsubject of my study, and for theirs words praise and encouragment.
Words of gratitude to all theswhencouraged me to complete the study, and above all to my comrades - in - arms, and to my wife Fela, for her constant support during the years.
And a special debt of gratitude to Mrs. Alicja Fedenczuk for the hard work
performed in collecting and sorting materials, and typing, and retyping the
manuscript.
Benjamin Meirtchak, Tel Aviv 1999
This study includes details for
identification (if known) arranged in the following order:
|
Family name |
Given name |
Father's name |
Mother's name |
|||
|
Date of birth |
Place of birth |
Military rank |
Unit |
|||
|
Date of death |
Place of death |
Burial place |
|
|||
Lists are arranged according to Polish alphabetical order and spelling. A list of abbreviations, a select bibliography, and notes are attached.
`
|
POWAZKI MILITARY CEMETERY -
WARSAW |
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|
Pte. Lancman Abram |
Pte. Sztyft Abram |
Pte. Rynek Szaja |
|
Pte. Grynbaum Gitel |
Pte. Fajner Jcek |
Pte. Szafir Mojzesz |
|
Pte. Lajzerowicz Mordka |
Pte. Tatarzyn Eliasz |
Pte. Goldman Mordka |
|
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|
Pte. Lewkowicz Chaim |
THE LIST - MILITARY CASUALTIES (Supplement)
|
art. |
artillery |
|
a.-tank.art.reg. |
anti-tank artillery regiment |
|
arm. brig. |
armoured brigade |
|
b. |
born |
|
bat. |
battalion |
|
bty |
battery |
|
BMC |
British Military Cemetery |
|
brig. |
brigade |
|
bur |
buried |
|
Cad/Off. |
Cadet Officer |
|
Capt |
Captain |
|
comp. |
company |
|
Comm. |
Commander |
|
conc. camp |
concentration camp |
|
d. |
daughter |
|
div. |
division |
|
Dr. med |
doctor medicine |
|
distr. |
district |
|
eng. |
engineer |
|
F/sgt |
First Sergeant |
|
gr. |
grave |
|
Gren. |
Grenadier |
|
hosp. |
hospital |
|
H.Art.Brig. |
Heavy Artillery Brigade |
|
Highl. |
Highland |
|
H.O. |
Head Quarter |
|
inf. |
infantry |
|
inf.reg. |
infantry regiment |
|
lntell. c. |
intelligence corps |
|
Lieut. |
Lieutenant |
|
2/Lieut. |
Second Lieutenant |
|
L/corp. |
Lance Corporal |
|
MC |
Military Cemetery |
|
mil. hosp. |
military hospital |
|
mot. brig. |
motorized brigade |
|
oper. |
operation |
|
PMC |
Polish Military Cemetery |
|
P.O.W. |
Prisoner Of War |
|
Pte. |
Private |
|
reg. |
regiment |
|
s. |
son |
|
sgt |
sergeant |
|
tank brig. |
tank brigade |
|
transp. brig. |
transportation brigade |
|
Warr. Off |
Warrant Officer |
|
Y |
died |
1. Documents and evidences received from private persons:
1. Pawlowski Edward (editor), Ksiega pochowanych zolnierzy polegtych w II wojnie swiatowej, "supplemernt" Publ. "Ajaks" 1998.
2. Rosengarten Pinchas, dr. Rabbi "From the chaplain - rabbi diary", Jerusalem 1998 (in Hebrew).
3. Jan Bogdan Glinski. Slownik biograficzny lekarzy i farmaceutow, ofiar drugiej wpjny swiatowej.
4. Jewish Historical Inst. Warsaw, Jagielski Lists.
5. Smolinski Jozef, 2 Dywizja Strzelcow Pieszych. Francia - Szwajcaria.
6. Lista Starszenstwa Oficerow Wojsk Polskich ne Srodkowym Wschpdzie, Dow. W.P. Sztab Oddzial V z dnia 1 marca 1942.
1. Other Sources
Grave stones on Powazki MC in Warsaw, Kolobrzeg MC, Jewish C. Warsaw, Okopowa str.
It has taken me six years to accomplish this study "Polish Armies in Word War II".
In the five volumes of this series we listed 7888 Jewish servicemen who fell serving in the ranks of the Polish Armed Forces while fighting the German enemy.
Even now, despite our best efforts, the list of fallen soldiers is incomplete.
The study was published in English to enable as many students. soldiers and historians as possible from various nations to become acquainted with the Jewish contribution to the victory over Nazism.
I was deeply touched when in July 1999, the Polish Publishing House "Bellona" in Warsaw made an offer to me to obtain the rights to translate this study into Polish and to publish it in Poland. I accepted this offer. This study in the Polish language will serve the younger generation of Polish students and scholars as a credible source of information about Jews, and their part in establishing Polish independence during centuries of living together.
I pray for strength and health to carry out my next project in commemorating the Jewish presence in Poland: "Jews-Officers in the Polish Armed Forces".
MILITARY CEM. MOUNT HERZL
JERUSALEM
The Monument is dedicated to the memory of Polish Jewish soldiers who fell
in action in World War II in the ranks of the Polish Armies (Gen. View)
Copyright
(C) Benjamin Meirtchak Tel Aviv
All rights reserved
This
material can be used for educational and research purpose only, and is fully
copyrighted!
The Association of Jewish War
Veterans of Polish Armies in
158 Dizengof
63461 Tel
Tel: 00-972-3-5225078
Fax: 00-972-3-5236684
Last Updated