Ludwik Widerszal (1909-1944). Z kręgu historyków wokół Instytutu Wschodniego
Journal Title: Przegląd Wschodni - Year 2017, Vol 14, Issue 55
Abstract
The article is dedicated to Dr Ludwik Widerszal (1909-1944), a prominent historian during the interwar period. His academic career was connected to the University of Warsaw, just like many other leading Polish historians during this period. His doctorate deserves special mention, published in Warsaw in 1934 and entitled Sprawy kaukaskie w polityce europejskiej w latach 1831–1864 (Caucasian Affairs in European Politics: 1831–1864). Thus, the author became one of the pioneers of research on the Caucasus in Poland. Testifying to the significance of this work, it was republished in 2011. In his later work, Widerszal also conducted research on the 19th century history of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula and cooperated with the Eastern Institute. After introducing this initial period of the brilliant young historian’s career, the article presents Widerszal’s experiences during World War II. He soon joined the ranks of the Home Army’s (AK) Union of Armed Struggle (ZWZ). There, he worked in the Bureau of Information and Propaganda (BIP) in the ZWZ-AK’s headquarters, preparing reports on the wider issue of minorities (Jews, Ukrainians and others). The information he collected on the genocide of Jew’s was transmitted to the West, and he also personally organised aid for Jews. The underground cell he worked for also prepared reports on the international situation, though working in an occupied country, they did not possess a complete document data-base. Ludwik Widerszal was murdered on 13 June 1944. The same day, his superior – Major Jerzy Makowiecki, head of BIP – was also killed. Both incidents were the result of the activity of Andrzej Sudecki’s forces, on the orders of a far right mafia, consisting of a number of AK counter intelligence officers, who historians have been unable to closer identity. The background and cause for the fratricidal murders of these distinguished underground soldiers has never been fully established by historians, however academic and popular discussions continue to take place. These appear in an ever-increasing number of publications, helping to expand our knowledge of the Polish Underground State (PPP).
Authors and Affiliations
Grzegorz Mazur
Keywords
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