The Secret State Series #6
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Albright, a biographical essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, an afterword by Zbigniew Brzezinski, previously unpublished photos, notes, further reading, and a glossary—is an apt legacy for this hero of conscience during the most fraught and fragile moment in modern history.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 #6:
The Secret State #6 “Hunted”
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
by Jan Karski: Highlights and excerpts by PL Sturgis:
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
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 #6:
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
“Hunted”
Bites #1-5,Hiding Out:
#2) Three Days of Confinement:
#3) Breach of Discipline:
#4) A Touch of Underground Measles:
#5) The Farmer’s Daughter:
#3) Breach of Discipline:
#4) A Touch of Underground Measles:
#5) The Farmer’s Daughter:
by Jan Karski :
#1) Hiding Out:
It had become necessary to lie low while my pursuers spent their energy in random movements. I learned, without surprise, that a close scrutiny was kept over the railroad stations and all roads leading from the town. All trains, vehicles, passengers, and pedestrians were halted and examined. However, nobody was arrested. The bribed Gestapo agent evidently had become alarmed and had fled. This led the culprits to believe he was the only one involved and vigilance was therefore somewhat relaxed. When later, I sought his fate, I was told by the organization authorities that he was fully exploited but future details were denied me. I spent three days in the barn. My benefactor was a kindly grizzled old Polish socialist who had fought the tzar under Josef Pilsudski in 1905. It was the military association of his party; the Polish Socialist Party, which had engineered my escape at the order of the commander of the Polish Underground, thus earning my deepest gratitude. It was curious, I reflected, that these simple workers who had saved my life were completely remote from me. For despite occasional meetings with them and reading newspaper accounts of their struggles for better working conditions, and political influence, I did not know very much about them. It was ironic that my first contact with them should have occurred in an affair about my very life at stake. When I discovered who had saved me I was amused at my mother’s solemn warning to guard myself against radicals.
#2) Three Days of Confinement:
My host had proved to be an expert at camouflage. I was so thoroughly draped with straw, boards, and a variety of agricultural implements that even his wife and children, who made frequent visits to the barn, were unaware of my presence. In my weakened and feverish state the nausea, the drone of peasant voices, sounds of the farm , the sunshine filtering through the cracks in the barn, made my self imposed imprisonment most difficult to bear. During the four weeks of prison, and all I was forced to endure, this unnatural excitement and tension served to sustain me. But now a reaction was setting in. A feeling of deep fatigue had taken possession of me but I was still unable to sleep. I could eat very little and was subject to fits of uncontrollable trembling. My host, who visited me at noon and at twilight, with rough tact and gentleness, pretended not to notice any signs of my weakness. He would urge me to eat and would dress my wounds which had not yet healed. On the third day when my confinement had become almost intolerable, the farmer arrived with a young man who had been sent by the authorities in the underground. He appeared to be a young Polish officer. In easy sociable tones, as if he were giving me an invitation to dinner, he notified me to prepare to leave the next day to a small estate in the mountains where I was to remain for the next four months.
#3) Breach of Discipline:
“You do understand the purpose of the underground orders?” asked the young officer who was appointed to move me to the estate in the mountains for four months. “Apart from the doctor who deemed it necessary for your full recuperation, all your tracks must be completely covered from the Gestapo. You must promise not to engage in any activities which will lead you to any cell of the movement unless the underground authorities issue a specific order to that effect. Should you do so it will be considered a breach of discipline.” I suppose the finality of his tone rubbed me the wrong way. Somewhat peevishly, I flung back at him. “You sound as if I am under suspicion. As if I have committed a crime in escaping! Do you think because I had fallen into the hands of the Gestapo I have become rash and cowardly? I can still be useful!” ------ “Of course you can” he answered. “But not by becoming impatient and undisciplined!” ----- “Listen!” he snapped. “No contact upward means it is the most elementary rule of the organization.” The principle of “no contact upward” was a precautionary measure adapted in the formation of the underground. It was originally designed against the organization of spies in our cells. As I reviewed the implicit meaning of this important rule I admitted that this young liaison was justified in rebuking me.
#4) A Touch of Underground Measles:
As far as the Underground Authorities were concerned I had been tainted. “You know you have the underground version of the measles?” the young officer said jokingly. then he added slyly, “With the kind aid of a portion of the Gestapo we manged to arrange for your escape. Therefore, you need to submit to voluntary quarantine for a short time.” This is a formality but one that permits no exceptions. Have your baggage ready tomorrow for a little pleasure trip. You will stay at an out of the way estate, far from the German officials. It is nice there and you will have a good time.” My little pleasure trip began the next day at dawn when a rickety old wagon was backed into the barn. I was placed in a barrel which was carefully hoisted in the wagon by my host and a bearded farmer, of whom I barely caught a glimpse. It seemed as if half the agricultural produce of Poland was dumped around, above, and under me. A profusion of straw, hay and vegetables surrounded my crowded and cheerless quarters. I experimented for a while with various positions in the barrel and finally adopted one in which my chin rested against my drawn up knees, while my arms were locked around my legs. The wagon rattled and creaked on for what seemed an eternity. In a short time my elbows, knees and shoulders were a mass of bruises from the bouncing and jostling. Finally, at what I judged to be about noon, a merciful halt was called.
#5) The Farmer’s Daughter:
Finally, we reached our destination! I could hear the farmer jump heavily from his seat to the ground, climb aboard the wagon and tunnel his way through the vegetables strewn around my compartment. I uncoiled myself and climbed out of the barrel. I stood on the loose boards of the wagon blinking in the sunlight. It took some time to get my bearings. we were in a forest clearing. The fresh green grass looked extremely soft and inviting. I kept inhaling deep breaths of clear country air. This was luxury beyond my dreams. The farmer broke into my trance. “Don’t you think it is time to get off the wagon and meet the girl who is waiting for you?” I was startled. “What girl?” I asked. He pointed in the direction behind me and grunted: “Turn around and look!” To my amazement, I saw a young girl standing by a carriage. She eyed me with frank curiosity. I jumped rather stiffly and clumsily from the wagon and awkwardly thanked the farmer who was grinning from ear to ear. Feeling a bit silly I walked over to the girl. I must have cut a sorry figure to her cool appraising eyes. My trousers were three sizes too big for me and unconsciously I had been holding them up with my left hand. My right hand was clutched into a fist holding the cyanide pill. I wore no shirt and my chest dripping with perspiration was completely bare. For a moment I thought she was going to burst into giggles and I was slightly irritated. However, she remained solemn and mildly aloof. She seemed pert and child like. Her slender figure and general air of grace and well being combined to make her singularly attractive and appealing. I was gazing at her with frank admiration.
(to be continued) ....
(To be continued )
Daily Bites of The Secret State Series #6
“Hunted:”
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
#7) Out of my Shell:
#8) Trading the old Coat for the New:
#9) At Home on the Farm:
#10) Getting Acquainted:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
“From The Secret State”
#1) Hiding Out:
#2) Three Days of Confinement:
#3) Breach of Discipline:
#4) A Touch of Underground Measles:
#5) The Farmer’s Daughter:
#6) Meeting the New Me:
#7) Out of my Shell:
#8) Trading the old Coat for the New:
#9) At Home on the Farm:
#10) Getting Acquainted:
#11) The First Three Weeks:
#12) My Role as a Gardener:
#13) Midnight Underground Guest:
#14) A Familiar Voice:
#15) Returning to Underground Work:
#16) Back in the Saddle:
#17) My Letter to the Polish Citizens:
#18) Creating a Masterpiece:
#19) Denationalizing Poland:
#20) Suspecting a Traitor:
#21) The Fraudulent Letter:
#22) The Underground Stranger:
#23) A Secret Task:
#24) A Favor Based on Trust:
#25) Mysterious Rescue:
#26) A Bloody Fight:
#27) Emotions of Guilt:
#28) Committing a Crime or Saving a Life?
#29) Destroying documents:
#30) Leaving for Cracow:
LibertygroupFreedom
https://redd.it/6y400k
“Hunted”
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
From Polish Officer to German Slave: 1944
"FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY"
Stand Up To Government Corruption and Hypocrisy
NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES
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