In memory of the last surviving leader of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising

(Photo by: Mariusz Kubik)

For three weeks in 1943, a group of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto fought against the Nazis, even though they had few guns and almost no food. It was doomed from the start, but it was a brave attempt to stall the liquidation of the ghetto, as transports took Jews away to death camps. Unfortunately, 55,000 people were killed or deported when it failed. After the uprising, most of the leaders died by their own hand rather than be captured by the Nazis. Marek Edelman escaped with others and joined a partisan group who continued to resist Nazi oppression. After the war he stayed in his beloved Poland, becoming a doctor. He fought against communism and was a member of Solidarity, the movement that eventually brought the downfall of the communist regime in Poland.

Warsaw Ghetto uprising leader Edelman dies: 90-year-old fighter defied Nazi extermination in doomed 1943 struggle

The Nazis "wanted to destroy the people and we fought to protect the people in the ghetto, to extend their lives by a day, or two or five," he said.

Warsaw ghetto uprising head dies


Wikipedia article for Marek Edelman