Krystyna Wituska
Krystyna Wituska | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 May 1920 |
| Died | 26 June 1944 (aged 24) |
| Occupation | Resistance fighter |
Krystyna Wituska (12 May 1920 - 1944) was a Polish resistance fighter during World War II.[1]
Early life
[edit]Born in Jeżew near Łódź, she came from a wealthy family and grew up on a large sugar beet plantation owned by her father. Wituska received her early education at home from governesses.[2] On the eve of World War II, Wituska was attending finishing school in Switzerland but returned to Poland.[3]
Resistance activities
[edit]At the age of 20, she joined the Polish Underground resistance movement. As a member of the resistance, Wituska engaged in activities against the German occupation forces.
In 1942, Wituska was captured by the German Gestapo. During her imprisonment, she wrote letters that were later published, providing insight into her experiences and thoughts while incarcerated.[4]
While in prison, Wituska formed connections with other prisoners. Notably, she received a farewell letter from Maria Terwiel, another resistance member, who offered legal advice and formulated appeals for clemency on behalf of fellow prisoners.[3]
Execution
[edit]Despite efforts to save her, Krystyna Wituska was executed by the Germans in 1944 at the age of 24. Her letters and story have become part of the historical record of Polish resistance during World War II, offering a personal perspective on the struggles and sacrifices made by young people fighting against occupation.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Krystyna Wituska (1920–1944)". www.porta-polonica.de. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
- ^ "Krystyna Wituska: Her Life and Literary Afterlife". Retrieved 2025-03-20.
- ^ a b Wituska, Krystyna (2006). Inside a Gestapo Prison: The Letters of Krystyna Wituska, 1942-1944. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8143-3294-8.
- ^ "I Am First a Human Being: The Prison Letters of Krystyna Wituska · Canadian Book Review Annual Online". cbra.library.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
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