Dear Mr. Missala February 5, 2000

I claim the privilege as a Jewish veteran of the First Polish Armoured Division, 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment to comment on the website of the Polish Home Army ex-Servicemen Association.
It has become clear to me, that the participation of Jews in the Armia Krajowa, or for that matter in the regular Polish armies, is not well know in both the Polish and Jewish communities in Canada.
As a keen student of the Jewish presence in Polish armies during WWII, I like to inform you of these very interesting statistics regarding the service of Jews in the Armia Krajowa:
Warsaw uprising 1944: Over a 1000 Jews in hiding joined Polish resistance.
Statistical breakdown of the 115 fighters, that fell during the Warsaw uprising 1944
20 were veterans of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising 1943
66 were members of the Armia Krajowa
25 were women, of these 9 were members of the AK
It would be great, if you see the way clear to up-date your website to include the facts, that Jewish resistance fighters were members of the Armia Krajowa.
There is mention in one of the links of your website, that 100,000 Jewish soldiers were in the ranks of the Polish army. It is assumed by many historians, that the figure should be over 150,000 men.
Now, I like to give you some additional somber statistics, of which you may or may not be aware of:
3200 Jewish prisoners of war (enlisted men only) murdered by the Nazis in the Lublin district during 1939-1943.
427 Jewish officers murdered by the Soviets in the Katyn massacre.
There were some 1000 Jewish soldiers in the Polish Second Corps, some 850 participated in the battle of Monte Cassino, 28 of whom were killed in battle.
A total of 136 Jewish officers and men were decorated with high military awards: Virtuti Military 6, Cross of Valour 68, Cross of Merit 52.
24 Jewish pilots of the Polish airforce gave their lives during the battle of Britain.
In my own division, the First Polish Armoured Division, we were between 700-800 Jewish officers and men. We lost 70 boys in combat.
Here are some names of Jewish casualties of the Armia Krajowa, chosen at random:
Armia Krajowa:
Golebioska-Gold, Alicja ps."Lusia", nurse in AK, "Zoska" unit, killed in Warsaw uprising 16.9.44 on 20 Krag Str., Buried Warsaw Powazki cemetery.
Anisfeld, Osjasz ps."Artur", AK, fell in Warsaw uprising August 8,1944, buried Jewish cemetery, Warsaw.
I like to point out, that all the facts and names listed, are contained in the five volume work titled: "Jewish Military Casualties in The Polish Armies In World War II" by my good friend Benjamin Meirtchak, President of The Association of Jewish War Veterans Of The Polish Armies in Israel.
 

Sincerely, Willie Glaser <velvel@istar.ca>

LETTER  TO  “THE CANADIAN  JEWISH NEWS”
(published  May 11, 2000)

Paying respect to murdered officers.
As a Jewish veteran of the First Polish Armored Division/ First  Canadian Army, I wish to draw your attention to media reports regarding the 60th anniversary of the “Katyn massacre.”  In 1940, nearly 15,000 Polish officers taken prisoners of war by the Red Army were executed by the Soviet NKVD in the Katyn forest near Smolensk.  In one of the many horrible tragedies suffered by Polish Jewry, some 700 Jewish officers, mostly reserve officers, were also murdered by Soviet authorities in this “Katyn crime.”   The Jewish officers, in particular doctors, lawyers and engineers, were liquidated, in a very short time. Among them was Major Baruch Steinberg, chief rabbi of the Polish army.  Jewish veterans of Polish army organizations have so far identified more than 400 officers by name. It is important that we pay our respects to the memory of these valiant Jewish officers of the Polish army.

 Willie Glaser
 St. Laurent, Que.

LIST OF JEWISH CASUALTIES, MEMBERS OF THE POLISH HOME ARMY (A.K.)
(supplied by Mr. Willy Glazer)

Altman (Hagelic) Stanislaw; Fighter in Warsaw Ghetto uprise; Z.Z.W. _ A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
"Andzia", N.N.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto uprise Z.O.B.; member of A.K. in Warsaw Uprising; killed by Germans on
Promyka Str.; buried Zoliborz September 1944.
Anisfeld Ozjasz ps."Artur"; A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 8 August 1944; buried Jewish Cemetery in Warsaw.
Baran Elias b.1912 Wilno; member A.K.; murdered in Ponar 11 November 1943.
B.Bernard; A.K. platoon command. Killed in action in Warsaw Uprising August 1944 on Sienna Str.; awarded "Virtuti
Military" cross; buried Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
Berlinski Hirsz; b.1908 Lodz; ps. "Jelen"; Z.O.B. - A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944 Zoliborz quarter; buried
Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
Bilinkowski Szlomo; member Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Bimblich Szaja; member Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising survived; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
"Irka"; in Warsaw from 1943, in A.K. patrol "Rog"; fought in Warsaw Uprising in "Old City"; murdered in hospital on
7, Dluga Str.; buried on mil.cem. Powazki; quart B-24.
Borensztajn Moszek; Pte. In A.K.; fell in action 1944; buried Lipce Rejmontowskie, cat.cem. comm.grave quart 38.
Bresler Mossze; Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, survived; fell in Warsaw uprising August 1944.
Byczek Heniek; Z.O.B. - A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising on Starowka quart in "Szare Szeregi" unit.
Chaskler Artur b.Radom; engineer; member A.K. Fell in Warsaw Uprising, Aug.1944 on Plac 3 Krzyzy (The 3 Crosses Sq.);
Buried Warsaw Jewish Cemetery.
Chmielewski Henryk; ps. "Hektor"; L/Sgt. A.K.; detachment "Zoska"; fell 10.8.1944 in Warsaw. Buried Jewish Cemetery.
Cukierman Baruch; Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising Aug. 1944.
Dawidowicz; member A.K. in Bialystok area; fell 1943.
Dembowy Franciszek; Lieut. A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 3 September 1944; buried Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
Demersztajn Jakub; A.Z.Z. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Edelman Dawid; b. in France; member A.K.; released from "Gesiowka" camp; fell in battle in Warsaw Uprising Aug. 5,44.
Elsner Anna; A.K. member.
Feldman Aron; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Feller Alicja; ps."Lusia"; nurse A.K. "Kilinski" unit; killed in Warsaw Uprising 29.8.1944.
Findeison Stanislaw Roman; b.1922; ps.Olszyna; Sgt.Cad./Off; member "Zoska" batt.A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising
29.8.1944 on Sapiezynska Str.; buried Cem.Powazki 1 Milt.Quart.
Finkelsztajn Jakow; Z.Z.W.- A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Florman Cadok vel Kaniowski Tadeusz, ps.Kuba; A.K., comp.comm.; killed in Warsaw Uprising Aug.1944, Lwowska Str.
Fridenthal Zofia; ps. Stasia; liason officer A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising Czerniakow; buried Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
Gal Helena; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; fighter in Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising September 1944.
Gasiorowska Halina (Bornsztajn Chaja); b.1927 Tatnow; ps. Halina (sister Bornstein Ester Fajga); nurse in A.K. detachm.
"Gustaw"; killed in Warsaw Uprising 26.8.1944 in hospital on Kilinski Str.
Gasiorowska Irena (Bornsztejn Ester Fajga); b.1925; ps.Irka; nurse in A.K. "Gustaw" detachm.; killed in Warsaw Uprising
In hospital Kilinski Str.
Godlewska Ida; courier A.K.; killed in Warsaw 1943.
Golebiowska-Gold Alicja; b.1932; ps.Lusia; nurse in A.K. "Zoska" unit; killed in Warsaw Uprising 16.9.1944 on
20,Krag Str.; buried Warsaw Powazki Cem.
Grinspan Henryk; Lieut.; comm.A.K. "Zuber" unit; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Grunspan Henryk; b.1913 Bielsk; ps."Henryk" engineer; lieut. A.K.;killed in battle in Warsaw Uprising on
6,Krechowiecka Str.; exh.Jewish Cem.Warsaw.
Gutman Samuel vel Godlewski Grzegorz; officer in A.K. unit "Odwet"; killed in battle.
Haberberg Abram; A.K.
Handelsman Marceli; professor; A.K. staff member,murdered by Gestapo 1944.
Hagedis Olga; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Jaglom Henryk, b.1898; ps.Julek; fell in Warsaw Uprising 30 September 1944; member A.K.; buried Jewish Cem.Warsaw
Kaufman Lucjan; A.K. "Zywiciel" unit; fell in Warsaw Uprising 1944; exh.,buried Powaski cem.,quart 1.
Kenigswejn Szmuel (Stanislaw Ciwinski); Sgt.; platoon comm. in A.K. "Wygry" battal; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Kleinwajs Hanoch; b.1917; ps."Heniek","Michalek"; Z.O.B.-A.L.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; escaped and joined
"Mordechaj Anielewitch" part. unit in Wyszkow forest; returned to Warsaw; fell in Warsaw Uprising as
A.K. soldier September 1944.
Kopelewicz Jozef vel Sliwa Jozef; member A.K. in Warsaw Uprising; wounded in battle; died of wounds.
Landau Ludwik; b.1901; member A.K.; fell in Warsaw Ghetto ruins on 24.2.1944
Laufner Michael; dr.med. in A.K.; fought in Warsaw Uprising "Old City"; murdered by Germans.
Lederman Henryk; ps. "Heniek"; Off./Cadet in A.K. "Zoska" unit; killed in Warsaw Uprising on 5.9.1944 on Drewniana St.
Leszno Aleksander (Stefan); b. 2.9.1921; ps. "Orzel"; Corp. member A.K. "Baszta" unit; fell in Warsaw Uprising 27.9.1944;
buried on Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
"Maria" in A.K. liaison off.; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Mendelson Kalme; ps. "Kolmyk"; Lieut.; member Z.Z.W.- A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Moryc Dawid; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; Lieut.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Najman Ruth vel Kowalska Irena; b.24.8.1925 Tel Aviv; member A.K.; fell in action 4 Sept.1944 in Warsaw Uprising.
buried Jewish Cemetery Warsaw.
Nelken Anna; b. 1926; ps. "Inka"; member A.K. "Zoska" batt.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 23.9.1944 on Solec str.
Netzer Anna; member A.K. "Kryska" detach.; fell in Warsaw Uprising; buried Powazki Cemetery quart 1.
Parecki Leon vel Perec Arie; member A.K.; Lieut. In "Sokol" unit; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Pasternak Abraham; Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
"Pawel"; Jewish officer from Hugarian Army; platoon comm. in A.K. unit; fell in Warsaw Uprising 22.9.44 in Czerniakow.
Pohorska Ewa; b.1918; ps. "Iza"; liaison off. A.K.; fell in 11.2.1944 in Warsaw Ghetto ruins.
Poznanski Henryk; b.20.10.1916; ps. "Bystry"; A.K. "Parasol" detach.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 17.9.1944 in Okrag Str.
Rochman Herman vel Romanski Henryk; b. 1908; member A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 24 August 1944.
Rot Milaczek (?); Lieut. Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Rydler Ludwik; b. Lwow; member A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising 18.8.1944 in Old City.
"Rybak" (?) in A.K. "Kryska" detach.; fell 14.9.1944 in Warsaw Uprising on Czerniakowska Str.
Rozensztaf Marian Z.Z.W.-A.K. in "Baszta" unit; officer, lawyer; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944 on Towarowa Str.
Scheutz Waclaw; b. Lwow; member in A.K. district staff; chemist; moved to Warsaw in charge of production hand
grenades; killed in Warsaw Uprising.
Segal Moshe; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944 on Towarowa corner Panska Str.
Sitman (Skolski) Aleksander; A.K.
Sitman (Skolski) Szmuel; A.K.
Sliwa Jozef vel Kopelowicz Jozef; member A.K.; wounded in Warsaw Uprising; died of wounds.
Szner Halina; b. 1923; ps. "Kalina"; liaison A.K. ; fell in Warsaw Uprising September 1944 in Grochow.
Tenenbaum Fiszel vel Krawiec Boleslaw; A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Wagner Jakow; Z.Z.W. - A.K.; fighter in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Weisbrod Konrad; ps. "Konrad"; Corp.Cad/Off. A.K. "Baszta" detach.; fell25.9.44 in Warsaw Uprising on Goszczynski St.
Widerszal Ludwik; A.K.; deput. Head of infantry departm; betrayed; murdered May 1944 in Warsaw.
Wolf Helena; b. 1915 Warsaw; ps. "dr.Anka"; Dr.med.; member A.K.; fell in Starachowice Forest 30.10.1944.
Zielski Szymon; Z.Z.W.-A.K.; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.
Ziper vel Dombrowski Stanislaw;16 year old; A.K.member; fighter in Old City in Warsaw Uprising; murdered by Germans.
Zipper Olek vel Fajcuk Jan; A.K. "Szare Szeregi" detach.; fell in Warsaw Uprising.
Zelazo Stanislaw; A.K. member; fell in Warsaw Uprising August 1944.

To see more about Jewish Military Casualties in The Polish Armies in World War II, see:       http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/4017/meirtchak/meirtchak.htm