Witold Pilecki
On May 13, 1901, Witold Pilecki was born in Karelia, Russia. While still in his teens, Pilecki became a member of the ZHP Scout Organization and later fought in the army during World War I (“Witold Pilecki.”).
Bravery was required when Pilecki willingly entered the concentration camp, Auschwitz. He used the pseudonym Tomasz Serafinski. During his time there, he sent information to the Allies about what was going on in the concentration camp and anything that he found out about Axis Powers. He also organized and led a resistance group. The group was small in number, only five men were members for safety reasons. This group helped brainstorm plans to free the inhabitants of Auschwitz. They soon realized that the Allies were not focused on demolishing these camps. Pilecki later escaped the camp, accompanied by two other prisoners. He had spent about two and a half years working at Auschwitz (“Witold Pilecki.”).
Pilecki was captured during the war and survived the rest of the world war as a prisoner of war. After the war, Pilecki was spying on the Poles for the Soviets. During this time, he was captured. He was later tortured then sentenced to death. He was killed on May 25, 1948. Even after his death, Witold Pilecki’s legacy of bravery and goodness lives on. In 1995 he was awarded the Polonia Restituta. Later in 2006, he earned the highest Polish honor of the Order of the White Eagle (“Witold Pilecki.”).
By: SJL
Bravery was required when Pilecki willingly entered the concentration camp, Auschwitz. He used the pseudonym Tomasz Serafinski. During his time there, he sent information to the Allies about what was going on in the concentration camp and anything that he found out about Axis Powers. He also organized and led a resistance group. The group was small in number, only five men were members for safety reasons. This group helped brainstorm plans to free the inhabitants of Auschwitz. They soon realized that the Allies were not focused on demolishing these camps. Pilecki later escaped the camp, accompanied by two other prisoners. He had spent about two and a half years working at Auschwitz (“Witold Pilecki.”).
Pilecki was captured during the war and survived the rest of the world war as a prisoner of war. After the war, Pilecki was spying on the Poles for the Soviets. During this time, he was captured. He was later tortured then sentenced to death. He was killed on May 25, 1948. Even after his death, Witold Pilecki’s legacy of bravery and goodness lives on. In 1995 he was awarded the Polonia Restituta. Later in 2006, he earned the highest Polish honor of the Order of the White Eagle (“Witold Pilecki.”).
By: SJL
Maurice Thorez
Maurice Thorez was born in April of the year 1900. He became a coal miner at an early age and later joined the Socialist Party in his young adulthood. Thorez’s political beliefs led him to change membership to the Communist Party. After spending brief times in prison for political reasons, Thorez continued his work in the Communist Party. He worked his way up in the ranks, and by 1930, he became the secretary-general for the party. Although he was a leader in the party, Thorez changed his party membership once again after a meeting with Soviet Leaders. The party he had newly joined was called the Popular Front (“Maurice Thorez.”).
After World War II had begun, Thorez changed his mind from joining the army to following the Communist Party in their illegal activity. The party had recently been outlawed due to its disapproval of the war. After a trial, it was decided that Thorez was to lose his nationality due to his participation in the party. He later moved to Russia (“Maurice Thorez.”).
The Allies soon freed France and a pardon was sent out Thorez and people in his similar situation after a new government was established. Although his participation in politics continued, his party had lost popularity over time. Although he will be remembered for his leadership in politics, Maurice Thorez was also an author. He wrote and publish two books, Son of the People and Politics of French Greatness. His loyalty and love for politics followed him throughout his whole life, but came to an end when Maurice Thorez died on July 11, 1964 (“Maurice Thorez.”).
By: SJL
After World War II had begun, Thorez changed his mind from joining the army to following the Communist Party in their illegal activity. The party had recently been outlawed due to its disapproval of the war. After a trial, it was decided that Thorez was to lose his nationality due to his participation in the party. He later moved to Russia (“Maurice Thorez.”).
The Allies soon freed France and a pardon was sent out Thorez and people in his similar situation after a new government was established. Although his participation in politics continued, his party had lost popularity over time. Although he will be remembered for his leadership in politics, Maurice Thorez was also an author. He wrote and publish two books, Son of the People and Politics of French Greatness. His loyalty and love for politics followed him throughout his whole life, but came to an end when Maurice Thorez died on July 11, 1964 (“Maurice Thorez.”).
By: SJL