The Secret State Series #4
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Albright, a biographical essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, an afterword by Zbigniew Brzezinski, previously unpublished photos, notes, further reading, and a glossary—is an apt legacy for this hero of conscience during the most fraught and fragile moment in modern history.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 #4:
The Secret State #4 “A New Regime”
by Jan Karski: Highlights and excerpts by PL Sturgis:
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 #4:
“A New Regime”
Bites #26-30,In the Office of the Nazi Leader:
#27) The New Order:
#28) The clear Purpose of my interview.
#29) Getting Down to Business:
#30) Two Reasons I could not Accept
by Jan Karski :
#28) The clear Purpose of my interview.
#29) Getting Down to Business:
#30) Two Reasons I could not Accept
by Jan Karski :
#26) In the Office of the Nazi Leader:
“Will you come with me to the office?” the Lieutenant asked. For a moment I almost thought I had a choice. We walked through a musty corridor. He dabbed at his uniform removing the dust. The untidiness seemed to disturb him. The room to which he led me was furnished in an old fashion Germanic style, apparently redecorated for his special use. It was richly furnished. The walls had been decorated with large photos of Balder Von Schirach, the Leader of the Nazi Youth Movement, and Heinrich Hemmler, the Gestapo Chief. I averted my gaze from those pictures to a smaller picture of a middle aged lady with a young girl. “This is my mother and sister. My father died five years ago.” There was a moment of constrained silence. Despite his air of self confident masculinity he was obviously not a veteran in the branch of Nazi inquisitions. He seemed to be floundering about seeking a proper approach to whatever problem I represented for him. His uncertainty put me at an equal loss. With an air of abrupt determination he pointed dramatically at the picture of Schirach. “Look at him!” he said bitterly with a hurt expression on his face. “A wonderful man! I used to worship him. I thought I was his favorite! He stopped talking and paced the floor restlessly. I wondered where this would lead.
#27) The New Order:
This was getting scary. During the war I had seen many men of impassive exteriors who are reserved on the surface but nearly bursting with desire to talk about themselves. This Lieutenant behaved as if he had been aching to confide in someone who was not close enough to him to be dangerous. He talked to me in a confidential manner that was hard for me to understand or explain. I knew that recipients of similar confidences often suffered for the privileges of listening to them. Men like this young Lieutenant are usually ashamed later for their sentimental behavior and end up by resenting and hating the person who witnessed their weakness. There was no conceivable way to stop him. He placed a chair in front of me, sat down and leaning forward close to me he plunged into a recital of his life. From time to time he would get up as the recollection of some incident provoked an intense emotion in him and when this subsided he would sit down again. He had been raised in a typical Prussian household. He developed an intense hatred for his stern tyrannical father. At seventeen he was sent to a Nazi college. One of the colleges in which the elite of the “New Order” were trained. At that time, before Hitler’s rise to power, the Oldenburg (original order plan) had been operated secretly. His eyes blazed fanatically as he told me about the Oldenburg and his voice became hoarse with emotion as he relived the events of those years. When he was a student in the Germanic Monestary he met Buldar Von Schirach, who selected him for the favorite, visited him frequently and walked through the surrounding forests with him. In his third year of college he had been superseded in Schirach’s favor by a boy who sang German Songs. Reciting this incident seemed to open an old wound. the pain it gave him caused the recital to come to a sudden end. “I became an SS Officer of “The New Order” he said. .... “And I am proud of the work I am doing.”
#28) The Clear Purpose of my Interview:
At last, the clear purpose of my interview became clear to me as the Lieutenant continued his inquiry. “I wanted to see you because you impressed us. I am sure we can come to an understanding. I beg you to believe I am not going to do anything to harm you personally. Nor shall I ask you to betray anyone to become our agent. The matter I want to talk over with you is of vital importance for the future of Poland.” Now, I finally understood. I knew I was to be converted to the New Order by the offspring of purest Nazi breeding. I said nothing. I tried desperately to work out an inoffensive response to this implied invitation; to confess and confide in him. Although a great deal of his candor and charm had been provided for the purpose of luring me into the fold, I felt sure that this display was not entirely an act contrived solely for my benefit. It had too genuine and passionate of a ring. For an instant I thought that when his efforts proved fruitless and I failed to succumb to the alluring offers, he might still like and respect me, to sufficiently intervene on my behalf. It did not take much reflection to clear my head of this delusion. Apart from the plain psychological fact that he would turn on me all the more venomously because I had been the recipient of his confidences, I realized that he had been thoroughly indoctrinated with the Nazi principle of power and cruelty. He continued in his former vein of reminiscence, at once candid and boastful. “You know? he said. “National Socialist Party at its conception was based on purely masculine ideology. Let’s get down to business! He smiled slyly.
#29) Getting Down to Business:
Finally, out in the open! No doubt about it. When the Lieutenant said: “Let’s get down to business” my mind was cleared. “First,” he said...”I need to tell you I have had your status changed to that of a military prisoner and have issued instructions that you be treated accordingly. I am positive that after you hear my instructions you will wish to work for our cause and not against us.” I ventured a mild protest. “No, I do not work against you!” He interrupted my protest. “Please don’t bother! we have conclusive evidence that you work for the underground.” he said. “Don’t make a fool of yourself by denying it.” He shook his head in bewilderment. “I can’t understand you Polish people. You have no hope for victory. France has fallen. England bids for peace and America is thousands of miles away. Very soon the Fuhrer will dictate peace in London. In a few years he will proclaim the New Order on the steps of the White House in Washington DC! The new peace will be permanent. Not like the lying hypocritical Judeo Democrats, POX Germanica and all the great thinkers who have worked for the New Order have dreamed of. I know the world fears us. They are wrong. we do not want to harm anyone. Suddenly he changed his tone...and then continued-----”WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE JEWS! THEY WILL BE EXTERMINATED! THIS IS THE FUEHRER’S WILL! For the non German world we want to do justice. For work and loyalty to the Third Reich we will permit participation in our new civilization. As you can see... our conditions are generous.” I cut rudely into his speech! “What do you want from me?” --- “We only wish to be fair to you.” he said. “We know you carry information from the Underground Organization to France. We want a Polish/ German collaboration. If you love your country you will not reject our proposition. Do you accept my proposal?”
#30) Two Reasons Why I can not Accept:
The German Lieutenant looked at me encouragingly. “Once more! Do you accept my proposal?” I replied softly, surprised at my own firmness. “I can not accept for two reasons. I do not believe the result of force will achieve anything but evil. Collaboration can be based only on mutual respect, freedom, and understanding. Besides, even if I found your principles acceptable, there is still nothing I could do. You have over estimated my importance. I know nothing of the Underground Leaders. Believe me when I tell you that.” He looked at me with such fanatical savagery that I felt I had been utterly foolhardy in my response. “You continue that foolish comedy?” He said sarcastically. He rang a buzzer on his chair and the crippled soldier hobbled back into the room. then the Lieutenant ordered the crippled soldier to bring in the film and send in the guards. As the soldier hobbled out the Lieutenant paced around the room muttering to himself and flashing looks of hatred at me. I could see that he despised me, not solely as an enemy of his country, but as one who showed himself unworthy of collaboration, and who deceived him. The guard came into the room and handed the prints to the Lieutenant. Two more Gestapo guards followed him. The Lieutenant handed the prints over to me. These are the prints from the film you threw in the water. We saved a small portion of them. It was a very important portion. He ordered me to look at them. “A short time ago I respected you as a Polish citizen. Now you are nothing but a dirty rotten coward, hypocrite, and fool. He slashed the whip against my cheek. The Gestapo guards flung themselves on me. My world crumbled about me as I was forced to receive their cruel blows. In my cell I felt no sense of triumph that I had survived their cruel beatings once more. I knew I had arrived at the end. I would never survive another beating. I would never be free again. The only thing for me to do was to use the razor blade hidden in my mattress and take my own life. (end of Series 4)
(to be continued) ....
(To be continued )
Daily Bites of The Secret State Series #5
“Forbidden to Die”
#2) In a Slovakian Hospital:
#3) Unwanted Blood Transfusion:
#4) Planning a Second attempt to Die:
#5) Mingled Emotions:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
#3) Unwanted Blood Transfusion:
#4) Planning a Second attempt to Die:
#5) Mingled Emotions:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
“From The Secret State”
#1) The Hour of Decision:
#2) The Socialists and Nationalists:
#3) The Polish Peasant Party:
#4) The Christian Labor Party:
#5) Creating a Special Underground Center:
#6) The Greatest Difficulty:
#7) My Most Honorable Appointment:
#8) Returning to France:
#9) An Uneasy Feeling:
#10) Debating the Cause:
#11) Through the woods, the Rain, and the Mud:
#12) Risking our Lives for One Night’s Rest:
#13) Caught by the Gestapo:
#14) Cast into a Dingy Cell:
#15) Tortured and Interrogated:
#16) Do or Die:
#17) Underground: Under Fire:
#18) Faithful in the spotlight:
#19) My Second Interrogation:
#20) Inspector Pick:
#21) Severe Brutality:
#22) Sticking to my Story:
#23) Beaten to unconsciousness:
#24) Their Psychological Approach:
#25) Skillful Deception:
#26) In the Office of the Nazi Leader:
#27) The New Order:
#28) The clear Purpose of my interview.
#29) Getting Down to Business:
#30) Two Reasons I could not Accept:.
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