The Secret State Series #3
Story of a Secret State stands as one of the most poignant and inspiring memoirs of World War II and the Holocaust. With elements of a spy thriller, documenting his experiences in the Polish Underground, and as one of the first accounts of the systematic slaughter of the Jews by the German Nazis, this volume is a remarkable testimony of one man's courage and a nation's struggle for resistance against overwhelming oppression.
Karski was a brilliant young diplomat when war broke out in 1939 with Hitler's invasion of Poland. Taken prisoner by the Soviet Red Army, which had simultaneously invaded from the East, Karski narrowly escaped the subsequent Katyn Forest Massacre. He became a member of the Polish Underground, the most significant resistance movement in occupied Europe, acting as a liaison and courier between the Underground and the Polish government-in-exile. He was twice smuggled into the Warsaw Ghetto, and entered the Nazi's Izbica transit camp disguised as a guard, witnessing first-hand the horrors of the Holocaust.
Karski's courage and testimony, conveyed in a breathtaking manner in Story of a Secret State, offer the narrative of one of the world's greatest eyewitnesses and an inspiration for all of humanity, emboldening each of us to rise to the challenge of standing up against evil and for human rights. This definitive edition—which includes a foreword by Madeleine Albright, a biographical essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, an afterword by Zbigniew Brzezinski, previously unpublished photos, notes, further reading, and a glossary—is an apt legacy for this hero of conscience during the most fraught and fragile moment in modern history.
Karski was a brilliant young diplomat when war broke out in 1939 with Hitler's invasion of Poland. Taken prisoner by the Soviet Red Army, which had simultaneously invaded from the East, Karski narrowly escaped the subsequent Katyn Forest Massacre. He became a member of the Polish Underground, the most significant resistance movement in occupied Europe, acting as a liaison and courier between the Underground and the Polish government-in-exile. He was twice smuggled into the Warsaw Ghetto, and entered the Nazi's Izbica transit camp disguised as a guard, witnessing first-hand the horrors of the Holocaust.
Karski's courage and testimony, conveyed in a breathtaking manner in Story of a Secret State, offer the narrative of one of the world's greatest eyewitnesses and an inspiration for all of humanity, emboldening each of us to rise to the challenge of standing up against evil and for human rights. This definitive edition—which includes a foreword by Madeleine Albright, a biographical essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, an afterword by Zbigniew Brzezinski, previously unpublished photos, notes, further reading, and a glossary—is an apt legacy for this hero of conscience during the most fraught and fragile moment in modern history.
Jan Karski was born in ód , Poland, in 1914.
He received a degree in Law and Diplomatic Science in 1935 and served as a liaison officer of the Polish Underground during World War II. He carried the first eyewitness report of the Holocaust to a mostly unbelieving West, meeting with President Roosevelt in 1943 to plead for Allied intervention. Story of a Secret State was originally published in 1944, becoming a bestseller and Book of the Month Club selection. After the war, Karski earned his PhD at Georgetown University, where he served as a distinguished professor in the School of Foreign Service for forty years. He died in Washington, DC, in 2000. Karski has been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. In 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by our President.
"His wartime saga as officer, as Soviet prisoner, as escapee, in the hands of the Gestapo, and as a Polish Underground activist and courier, is beyond remarkable. In a world today where words such as 'courage' and 'heroism' have been so overused—applied freely from sports to entertainment to politics as to be rendered practically meaningless—Jan Karski was the rare human being who embodied both."
He received a degree in Law and Diplomatic Science in 1935 and served as a liaison officer of the Polish Underground during World War II. He carried the first eyewitness report of the Holocaust to a mostly unbelieving West, meeting with President Roosevelt in 1943 to plead for Allied intervention. Story of a Secret State was originally published in 1944, becoming a bestseller and Book of the Month Club selection. After the war, Karski earned his PhD at Georgetown University, where he served as a distinguished professor in the School of Foreign Service for forty years. He died in Washington, DC, in 2000. Karski has been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. In 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by our President.
"His wartime saga as officer, as Soviet prisoner, as escapee, in the hands of the Gestapo, and as a Polish Underground activist and courier, is beyond remarkable. In a world today where words such as 'courage' and 'heroism' have been so overused—applied freely from sports to entertainment to politics as to be rendered practically meaningless—Jan Karski was the rare human being who embodied both."
"In the words of James Russell Lowell's rousing hymn:
'Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side.' Perhaps more than most of us, Jan Karski faced such a choice in the starkest of possible terms, and made his decision as courageously as one could. . . . Jan Karski was a patriot and a truth teller; may his words always be read and his legacy never forgotten.
"Secret State is an indispensable and compelling historical document of World War II and the Holocaust, written by a supremely courageous humanitarian."
"Secret State is an indispensable and compelling historical document of World War II and the Holocaust, written by a supremely courageous humanitarian."
The Secret State Series #3:
The Secret State #3 “Open Contact”
by Jan Karski: Highlights and excerpts by PL Sturgis:
The Secret state Series 1: “The Underground” by Jan Karski:
Introduction: During my four and a half months absence while captured by the Russians and the the Germans, Conditions in Poland had changed considerably. The first few conversations made me conscious of the fact that the consolidation of the underground had practically been achieved. The movement had crystallized into the major organization: The coalition of the four largest political parties;
1) The Peasants
2) The Socialist
3) The Christian Labor
4) The Nationalist.
This was the official military organization which had been recognized by the government as a military unit enjoying equal rights with the Polish Army in France. The most important need for that third party was to unite and agree on a chief delegate. The government was not interested in the personality of the candidate, nor his political affiliation, nor was he to become involved in party representation. The government would confirm the appointment of any individual who possessed authority and had the confidence of the population.
(hmmmm? 1940 sounds familiar in 2017)
The Polish underground State to which Karski belonged was under the authority of the Polish government in London. He admitted that besides this organization there were other organizations carrying on their activities under the direct influence of Moscow. Being the first active member of the Polish Underground and in the fortunate position to publish some aspect of its story, he hoped that it would encourage others to relate their experiences and that out of such narratives the free people all over the world would be able to form an objective opinion as to how the Polish people reacted during the years of German conquest.
Daily Bites of The Secret State Series #3:
“Open Contact”
Bites #11-15,Border Meetings:
#12) My Light Afflictions:
#13) Meeting the Top Contact:
#14) Recovering in Budapest:
#15) German Deception Leads to Slavery:
by Jan Karski :
Along the border between Slovakia and Hungary the organization had established many points as places for meeting, for arrangements for transportation to facilitate the exodus of the young Polish citizens to the army in France, and to provide contacts for the couriers (messengers sent in haste). There were considerable numbers of these points and they operated with relative care. The Hungarian officials were apparently, not at all anxious to interfere with their industrious activities. My two young friends proceeded to a station where they were to await their turn to be sent on to France. I went to the city of Kocise, where an agent of the Polish underground lived, whose address and pass word had been given to me before the trip. He was well supplied and had good connections. I arrived there shortly before noon. Two hours later, having eaten a good lunch, cleaned up and changed into civilian clothes, I was seated into a powerful car, with the agent and a powerful chauffeur, on my way to Budapest. Kocise is in the southern foothills of the mountains. After we had been driving for a while the country leveled off into an open plain. We passed by a succession of small farms resting peacefully under a blanket of snow with orchards of pear and apple trees with gray leafless branches:
#12) My Light Afflictions:
There must have been something strained or wary about my expression for my companion took the trouble to inform me that I could relax and be comfortable for a while. There was nothing to fear since the Hungarian police never stopped or inspected cars and in the improbable event of any difficulty he would be able to get me out of it. I attempted to follow his advice and leaned back to relax but my relaxation brought in its wake a series of discoveries.---- I was suffering from a variety of minor physical aches which I had been too preoccupied to notice until then. My throat was so sore and inflamed that shortly afterward I began coughing and sneezing violently. My hands were chapped, irritating in appearance, and bleeding slightly in several places. Worst of all were my feet, which soon began to ache intolerably. I removed my shoes and socks to examine them. My ankles and feet were swollen and sensitive to the slightest touch. My companion watched with some amusement. When I was through probing and groaning he remarked dryly: “I didn’t notice anything until a moment ago!” I said ruefully. “No one ever does.” He replied without much concern. “Don’t let it disturb you. It is a small penalty to pay for such a pleasant trip. Besides, there are excellent hospitals in Budapest and you will receive good treatment. We have a well organized point in Budapest. It will hardly be risky. You will be supplied with all the necessary papers and be able to move about quite freely.
#13) Meeting the Top Underground Contact:
We arrived at Budapest after a journey of about 8 hours. It was shortly after nightfall and the streets of Budapest were brightly lit compared to the capital I had left behind. We stopped at the house of a man who was the most important contact in Hungary between the Polish Government in France and the underground in Warsaw; the Director of the Hungarian link in the liaison system. He lived in a quiet residential section and fortunately there was no one about. I found it nearly impossible to put on my shoes and I had to carry them in my hand as I hobbled up the steps. My companion stayed only long enough to introduce me and clear up a few routine matters. The Director, as he was called, a lean faced, brisk, and efficient man---- had some ointment and bandages brought to me. He questioned me while the medication was applied and then showed me to my bedroom after assuring me that I would be in the hospital the next day and would have time to look around Budapest afterwards. My cold kept me awake most of the night and I got up late the next afternoon. The swelling of my feet and ankles had abated enough for me to be able to put on my shoes, although with considerable pain. After I had a suitable breakfast the Director called me to his room and gave me my papers. among them was a document proving that I had been in Budapest since the war and was a patient in the hospital. there was also a card which indicated I was a bonafide registered Polish refugee. He informed me that a passport to France would be obtained for me shortly, as well as railroad accommodations. In the mean time I would go to the Budapest Hospital for treatment and with whatever time I had left I would be at perfect liberty within the limits of ordinary discretion.
#14) Recovering in Budapest:
I spent three days in the hospital and emerged cured of my cold with my extremities reduced to normal size and almost completely healed. I remained in the city four more days making the rounds, sometimes in the company of two of the Director’s assistants and sometimes alone. Budapest has always been one of the world’s most elegant and exciting capitals. The war had only served to increase its hectic charms and to add a variety of uniforms to its elegance. I went to the famous Hungarian Baths on the Marquerite Islands in the Danube River which put me in excellent condition. We visited a few cafes and attended a performance in the Opera House. The existence I had come from was so radically different that I could not adjust myself quickly enough to draw much delight from the luxury. I felt clumsy, badly dressed, and out of place. Besides my mind sped restlessly to my mission in France. To me the most exciting moment of the day invariably occurred when I met the Director and asked him if things were ready for my departure. Everywhere in Budapest I encountered manifestations of wide spread sympathy felt by the Hungarians for their unfortunate Polish neighbors. Once when I was sitting with my companions in an over crowded cafe we were overheard speaking Polish. Before we knew what was happening we were surrounded by a group of Hungarian sympathizers who offered to buy us drinks and assisted on paying our bill. Numerous incidents of this measure made my short stay in Budapest a pleasant one. At the end of the week I received my passport and railroad ticket.
#15) German Deception leading to Slavery:
From Budapest I took the Semplon-Orient Express route through Yugoslavia to Milan, a ride of sixteen hours. I left the imposing railroad station erected by the fascists and hurried to inspect the famous Cathedral, which for some mysterious reason, has always been for the Polish people, one of the most highly revered and venerated buildings in the world. then a short train ride brought me to Modane on the french/ Italian border. At Modane I first encountered the atmosphere of suspicion and harrassed caution that surrounded all the activities of the Polish Government in France. It was due to the constant menace of German espionage. Their spies and agents had filtered into France in droves and placed themselves into strategic positions from which it was difficult to oust them. The Polish Government had organized in Modane an intelligence office to scrutinize every individual arriving from Poland in order to prevent German spies from smuggling themselves into France under the guise of Polish refugees or underground agents. Several of these individuals had already been caught and most of their methods were known to us. In Hungary, and in every place, where they could contact Polish refugees, the German spies would buy and trick their passports from them. Mostly they would work on simple peasants, offer them a fantastic price for their passports and provide them transportation back to Poland, assuring them that once they returned to their native land they would be given back their farm possessions and receive grants for their land. When the duped refugees actually did return to Poland they were sent to forced labor camps or compelled to work for the Germans under slavery conditions.
#12) My Light Afflictions:
There must have been something strained or wary about my expression for my companion took the trouble to inform me that I could relax and be comfortable for a while. There was nothing to fear since the Hungarian police never stopped or inspected cars and in the improbable event of any difficulty he would be able to get me out of it. I attempted to follow his advice and leaned back to relax but my relaxation brought in its wake a series of discoveries.---- I was suffering from a variety of minor physical aches which I had been too preoccupied to notice until then. My throat was so sore and inflamed that shortly afterward I began coughing and sneezing violently. My hands were chapped, irritating in appearance, and bleeding slightly in several places. Worst of all were my feet, which soon began to ache intolerably. I removed my shoes and socks to examine them. My ankles and feet were swollen and sensitive to the slightest touch. My companion watched with some amusement. When I was through probing and groaning he remarked dryly: “I didn’t notice anything until a moment ago!” I said ruefully. “No one ever does.” He replied without much concern. “Don’t let it disturb you. It is a small penalty to pay for such a pleasant trip. Besides, there are excellent hospitals in Budapest and you will receive good treatment. We have a well organized point in Budapest. It will hardly be risky. You will be supplied with all the necessary papers and be able to move about quite freely.
#13) Meeting the Top Underground Contact:
We arrived at Budapest after a journey of about 8 hours. It was shortly after nightfall and the streets of Budapest were brightly lit compared to the capital I had left behind. We stopped at the house of a man who was the most important contact in Hungary between the Polish Government in France and the underground in Warsaw; the Director of the Hungarian link in the liaison system. He lived in a quiet residential section and fortunately there was no one about. I found it nearly impossible to put on my shoes and I had to carry them in my hand as I hobbled up the steps. My companion stayed only long enough to introduce me and clear up a few routine matters. The Director, as he was called, a lean faced, brisk, and efficient man---- had some ointment and bandages brought to me. He questioned me while the medication was applied and then showed me to my bedroom after assuring me that I would be in the hospital the next day and would have time to look around Budapest afterwards. My cold kept me awake most of the night and I got up late the next afternoon. The swelling of my feet and ankles had abated enough for me to be able to put on my shoes, although with considerable pain. After I had a suitable breakfast the Director called me to his room and gave me my papers. among them was a document proving that I had been in Budapest since the war and was a patient in the hospital. there was also a card which indicated I was a bonafide registered Polish refugee. He informed me that a passport to France would be obtained for me shortly, as well as railroad accommodations. In the mean time I would go to the Budapest Hospital for treatment and with whatever time I had left I would be at perfect liberty within the limits of ordinary discretion.
#14) Recovering in Budapest:
I spent three days in the hospital and emerged cured of my cold with my extremities reduced to normal size and almost completely healed. I remained in the city four more days making the rounds, sometimes in the company of two of the Director’s assistants and sometimes alone. Budapest has always been one of the world’s most elegant and exciting capitals. The war had only served to increase its hectic charms and to add a variety of uniforms to its elegance. I went to the famous Hungarian Baths on the Marquerite Islands in the Danube River which put me in excellent condition. We visited a few cafes and attended a performance in the Opera House. The existence I had come from was so radically different that I could not adjust myself quickly enough to draw much delight from the luxury. I felt clumsy, badly dressed, and out of place. Besides my mind sped restlessly to my mission in France. To me the most exciting moment of the day invariably occurred when I met the Director and asked him if things were ready for my departure. Everywhere in Budapest I encountered manifestations of wide spread sympathy felt by the Hungarians for their unfortunate Polish neighbors. Once when I was sitting with my companions in an over crowded cafe we were overheard speaking Polish. Before we knew what was happening we were surrounded by a group of Hungarian sympathizers who offered to buy us drinks and assisted on paying our bill. Numerous incidents of this measure made my short stay in Budapest a pleasant one. At the end of the week I received my passport and railroad ticket.
#15) German Deception leading to Slavery:
From Budapest I took the Semplon-Orient Express route through Yugoslavia to Milan, a ride of sixteen hours. I left the imposing railroad station erected by the fascists and hurried to inspect the famous Cathedral, which for some mysterious reason, has always been for the Polish people, one of the most highly revered and venerated buildings in the world. then a short train ride brought me to Modane on the french/ Italian border. At Modane I first encountered the atmosphere of suspicion and harrassed caution that surrounded all the activities of the Polish Government in France. It was due to the constant menace of German espionage. Their spies and agents had filtered into France in droves and placed themselves into strategic positions from which it was difficult to oust them. The Polish Government had organized in Modane an intelligence office to scrutinize every individual arriving from Poland in order to prevent German spies from smuggling themselves into France under the guise of Polish refugees or underground agents. Several of these individuals had already been caught and most of their methods were known to us. In Hungary, and in every place, where they could contact Polish refugees, the German spies would buy and trick their passports from them. Mostly they would work on simple peasants, offer them a fantastic price for their passports and provide them transportation back to Poland, assuring them that once they returned to their native land they would be given back their farm possessions and receive grants for their land. When the duped refugees actually did return to Poland they were sent to forced labor camps or compelled to work for the Germans under slavery conditions.
(to be continued) ....
(To be continued )
Daily Bites of The Secret State Series #3
“Open Contacts:
“Open Contacts:
#17) On the Train to Paris:
#18) No Turning Back:
#19) The Phony War in Paris:
#20) Leaving for Angers:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
#18) No Turning Back:
#19) The Phony War in Paris:
#20) Leaving for Angers:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
“From The Secret State”
The Secret State: Series 3:
#1 A Worthwhile Task:
#2) By the Light of the Moon:
#3) Through Forests and Fields:
#4) Across the German Border:
#5) The Next Train Out:
#6) The New Plan:
#7) Two Different Worlds:
#8) Trust not in a Brother:
#9) Escaping from Lwow:
#10) Mission to France:
#11) Border Meetings:
#12) My Light Afflictions:
#13) Meeting the Top Contact:
#14) Recovering in Budapest:
#15) German Deception Leads to Slavery:
#16) Coping with German Spies:
#17) On the Train to Paris:
#18) No Turning Back:
#19) The Phony War in Paris:
#20) Leaving for Angers:
#21) Creating a Free Militia:
#22) Unfortunate Pre- War Rulers:
#23) Post War Poland:
#24) Remember the History of Poland:
#25) Not an Ordinary War:
#26) The Doctrine of the Polish Underground:
#27) Creating a Third Branch:
#28) Selecting Chief Delegates:
#29) The Fatal Error:
#30) Manifesto 0f Walnosc (Liberty)
#1 A Worthwhile Task:
#2) By the Light of the Moon:
#3) Through Forests and Fields:
#4) Across the German Border:
#5) The Next Train Out:
#6) The New Plan:
#7) Two Different Worlds:
#8) Trust not in a Brother:
#9) Escaping from Lwow:
#10) Mission to France:
#11) Border Meetings:
#12) My Light Afflictions:
#13) Meeting the Top Contact:
#14) Recovering in Budapest:
#15) German Deception Leads to Slavery:
#16) Coping with German Spies:
#17) On the Train to Paris:
#18) No Turning Back:
#19) The Phony War in Paris:
#20) Leaving for Angers:
#21) Creating a Free Militia:
#22) Unfortunate Pre- War Rulers:
#23) Post War Poland:
#24) Remember the History of Poland:
#25) Not an Ordinary War:
#26) The Doctrine of the Polish Underground:
#27) Creating a Third Branch:
#28) Selecting Chief Delegates:
#29) The Fatal Error:
#30) Manifesto 0f Walnosc (Liberty)
LibertygroupFreedom
https://redd.it/6y400k
To be Continued in the Next Daily Bites of “The Secret State Series #3”
"FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY"
Stand Up To Government Corruption and Hypocrisy
NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES
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