[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A passport and other documents, decorations and everyday objects of the legendary Silent Unseen from Babice have been acquired by the Museum of Remembrance of Land of Oświęcim Residents.
James Bond from Oświęcim
Piotr Szewczyk’s biography is a script fit for not one, but a several action films. The accumulation of improbable events and twists and turns in his life surpasses the stories of James Bond.
A rather forgotten Polish hero, he was a policeman, a participant in the September campaign, fought against the Germans for Narvik in Norway, and then for France in Brittany, served in England in the Independent Parachute Brigade of General Sosabowski, later found himself in the elite group of 316 Silent Unseen – especially trained parachutists, dropped during the German occupation onto Polish territory. He was also a Home Army diversion officer – he operated in Lviv and participated in its liberation. After the end of the war, he remained in the underground.
He has its own street in town
In 1947, he was sentenced to death by the Communist authorities. After the intervention of the inhabitants of Babice, Bolesław Bierut changed his sentence to 15 years in prison. Piotr Szewczyk only regained his freedom in 1956. He died in Oświęcim in 1988.
Four years later, one of the streets (formerly Hanki Sawicka) in Oświęcim was named after him.
Dr Adam Cyra from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum popularized the knowledge of the hero from Babice. He is the author of a book about Piotr Szewczyk entitled “Cichociemny z Babic”. (The Silent-Unseen from Babice)
In 2000, Major Piotr Szewczyk was named patron of the Municipal Junior School No. 1 in Rajsko. Mementoes were also loaned to the school at the time. After the education reform, the Junior School was closed and the valuable objects were returned to the owners. The Remembrance Museum was keenly interested in the securing and subsequent exposition of these very valuable objects, which were once owned by Czer, one of the many pseudonyms he used. As a result, they were transferred by the family to the Remembrance Museum. After conservation, they will become an important part of the permanent exhibition currently being prepared.
Now in the Remembrance Museum’s collections are Szewczyk’s passport, driver’s license, Virtuti Militari Silver Cross, War Cross with Sword – the highest decoration of the Kingdom of Norway, wallet, glasses, spoon from the prison in Wronki.
A few weeks ago, the Remembrance Museum acquired some of the equipment of the pharmacy of the heroic pharmacist from Breszcze – Maria Bobrzecka.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_message]The Remembrance Museum of the Land of Oświęcim Residents is interested in all documents, photos, diaries, everyday objects, etc. Eye witness accounts of historical events are also of extreme importance.
If you would like to share your historical mementoes or share your memories of World War II with us, please contact:
– by telephone – 33 447 40 84
– e-mail – biuro@www.muzeumpamieci.pl
– in person – Oświęcim, ul. Wyspiański 10 (building of the Job Centre) II floor, room 215[/vc_message][vc_empty_space][thb_image retina=”retina_size” full_width=”true” lightbox=”true” image=”2026″]Piotr Szewczyk’s passport issued under a false name – Brzeg[/thb_image][vc_empty_space][thb_image retina=”retina_size” full_width=”true” lightbox=”true” image=”2028″]From left, the Virtuti Militari Silver Cross, next to the War Cross with the Sword – the highest decoration of the Kingdom of Norway. Only 12 Poles fighting for Narvik, including Piotr Szewczyk, received this award during their lifetime.[/thb_image][vc_empty_space][thb_image retina=”retina_size” full_width=”true” lightbox=”true” image=”2030″]The spoon Piotr Szewczyk used while in prison.[/thb_image][/vc_column][/vc_row]
