The Secret State Series #8
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Albright, a biographical essay by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, an afterword by Zbigniew Brzezinski, previously unpublished photos, notes, further reading, and a glossary—is an apt legacy for this hero of conscience during the most fraught and fragile moment in modern history.
Jan Karski was born in ód , Poland, in 1914. 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.
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."
"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 #8:
The Secret State #8 “Underground Schools”
Top Officer in WW2 to German Slave
by Jan Karski: Highlights and excerpts by PL Sturgis:
Top Officer in WW2 to German Slave
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 #8:
Top Officer in WW2 to German Slave
“Underground Schools”
Bites #26-30,The Men who held the Destiny of Poland:
#27) The Delegate’s Speech:
#28) Poland Reborn:
#29) Concluding: A Well Armed Regulated Militia:
#30) Horror Beyond Description:
by Jan Karski :
#26) The Men who held the Destiny of Poland:
The door was opened by a young man with medium height. He was well built with a fresh, energetic manner. “Was there any trouble?” he asked. “No!” Ira said sharply. “But if you don’t change the meeting place there will be. He looked annoyed. “We have already arranged to change the meeting place!” he told her. Ira inclined her head in a manner of which could be interpreted as her way of bidding farewell. The man grinned as she left the room. “Tough old chicken, isn’t she?” ---”They don’t come tougher” I answered. “Where do we go now?” --- “Just follow me.” He led me in and out of several small rooms and narrow corridors in the old run down house. He stopped in the first large room where he asked me to wait. He stepped out and in a brief interval he returned and gestured me into the connecting room. As I entered I saw grouped around the table the men who held the destiny of Poland. The leaders of the major political parties, the Chief Delegate, the Commander and Chief of the Home Army, and the director of the Office of the Delegate. I knew them all quite well except for the leaders of the national and christian labor party. These were new men who had taken the place of the leaders who had recently been arrested by the Gestapo. They approached me with the obvious intention of putting me at ease. “When do you leave for England, young man?” -- “In about a week, Sir.” I answered. “I am waiting for a meeting first with Jewish leaders.” The Socialist leader suggested my trip be canceled. This brought forth scattered remarks as we seated ourselves around the table.
#27) The Delegate of Poland’s Speech:
At the secret meeting the Delegate who remained standing waited for the conversation to die down and then proceeded to open the meeting with a formal ceremonial speech. “I have the honor to open the meeting of the 32nd meeting of the Representation for Poland. Owing to the importance of our program I took the liberty to invite the Commander of our home army, whom I hereby welcome. The purpose of our meeting is to provide material for our courier Witold, who is going to report to our government in exile and to representatives of the political parties and emigration on the situation in Poland and the underground movement. He will also contact the authorities of the Allied Nations and inform them about the situation here. Our government is being cabled to this effect. Leaders of the individual parties will give Witold material for their expenditures in London at separate meetings.” the Delegate turned toward me and added: “We believe that Witold will conform this function impartially and convey material only to the designated persons without regard to his own opinions and convictions. Today at the joint meeting Witold will be given our official orders, instructions, and our view points on the important political problems. His mission is concerned only with political matters. Contact in military affairs has been established in another way.” -- The men present took turns speaking with the Delegate while the Director of the Delegate’s Office took short hand notes for my use. The stenogram was later transcribed into code and printed on film to be used as the basis of my report in London. The leaders spoke slowly, making calm judicious statements. They realized that their words and opinions would be accepted as final and decisive by the men in London. To the men in exile the message would voice the sentiments of occupied Poland.
#28) Poland Reborn:
Polish unity must be continued and strengthened. The government must be an all inclusive coalition. No party has the right to remain aloof and refuse to share the mutual responsibility for the work and policy of the government. The continuance of the Polish State must be unimpaired. The will of the nation to sacrifice continues undiminished. The rigid attitude toward the occupant Nazis will be maintained at all costs. Transgressors will be summarily liquidated. The continuity of the State does not mean the continuity of the last Polish regime. The new Poland will be democratic. The old Polish traditions of Parliamentarianism, strangely enough, has been reborn in the underground and will continue in post war Poland. The political parties are collaborating with each other with the fight against the occupants in the support of the Polish government but they certainly differ in their programs and they want to differ. Once liberated from the enemy we shall organize a general election to the parliament which will decide the political and social structure of Poland and will show the reliable strength of each of the parties. The chief task of those living abroad is to help their Allies to victory. To post war Poland they are expected to bring back their knowledge of the most progressive and enlightened institutions of America and England. the leaders of the democratic world should remember that whatever they say about Poland is taken literally here and not regarded as empty phrases. When it was said that the world pays tribute to the Polish Nation for its uniformity, noble and unyielding attitude in this war, and will remember it, the suffering inhabitants accepted that as a fact!...We believed that the world does pay tribute----and will remember!
#29) Conclusion: A Well Armed Militia!
The meeting lasted many hours and was concluded by a speech from the commander of the Home Army. In his passionate address, the phrase “More Arms” sounded like a tonic chord returned to and repeated constantly. “More Arms!” As much equipment as possible! Everything will be used. Nothing will be wasted. Each bullet, rifle, stick of dynamite, and hand grenade will be used with maximum effectiveness. The Office Director sighed wearily, closed his stenographic pad, and the meeting was over. A coded message was sent by short wave to the government in London and France. “Karski leaving soon: Goes through Germany, Belgium, France, Spain: Two week stay in France: Two week stay in Spain: Pass Word: “Coming to see Aunt Sophie.” Announce him as Karski:
#30) Horrible Beyond Description:
Before I was due to leave Poland another meeting had been arranged for me on the order of the Polish government in London and of the Commander of the underground army. I was to meet with two men, who formally eminent in the Jewish community were now, directing the work of the Jewish underground. One was the head of the Zionist Organization and the other was the head of the Jewish Socialist Alliance and also had the dangerous task of directing the work of the special department of the Delegates of the Polish Government which organized relief for the Jewish population and attempted to smuggle the most valuable inhabitants of the ghetto. We met at twilight in a huge empty and half ruined house in the suburbs. the fact that both these men were present at the same time was significant. it meant that the material I was to be given to transmit to the Polish and Allied governments contained nothing of a political matter and was not limited to either group. It constituted the expressions and contained the information sentiments, requests, and instructions of the entire Jewish population of Poland as a unit. -- A population that was, at that moment, dying as a unit. What I learned at that meeting we held at that house, and later when I was taken to see the facts for myself, was horrible beyond description. Never in history of mankind did anything compare with what was inflicted on the Jewish population in Poland. (end of Series 8)
(to be continued) ....
The Secret State: Series 8:
To be Continued in the Next Daily Bites of “The Secret State Series #9”
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Polish unity must be continued and strengthened. The government must be an all inclusive coalition. No party has the right to remain aloof and refuse to share the mutual responsibility for the work and policy of the government. The continuance of the Polish State must be unimpaired. The will of the nation to sacrifice continues undiminished. The rigid attitude toward the occupant Nazis will be maintained at all costs. Transgressors will be summarily liquidated. The continuity of the State does not mean the continuity of the last Polish regime. The new Poland will be democratic. The old Polish traditions of Parliamentarianism, strangely enough, has been reborn in the underground and will continue in post war Poland. The political parties are collaborating with each other with the fight against the occupants in the support of the Polish government but they certainly differ in their programs and they want to differ. Once liberated from the enemy we shall organize a general election to the parliament which will decide the political and social structure of Poland and will show the reliable strength of each of the parties. The chief task of those living abroad is to help their Allies to victory. To post war Poland they are expected to bring back their knowledge of the most progressive and enlightened institutions of America and England. the leaders of the democratic world should remember that whatever they say about Poland is taken literally here and not regarded as empty phrases. When it was said that the world pays tribute to the Polish Nation for its uniformity, noble and unyielding attitude in this war, and will remember it, the suffering inhabitants accepted that as a fact!...We believed that the world does pay tribute----and will remember!
#29) Conclusion: A Well Armed Militia!
The meeting lasted many hours and was concluded by a speech from the commander of the Home Army. In his passionate address, the phrase “More Arms” sounded like a tonic chord returned to and repeated constantly. “More Arms!” As much equipment as possible! Everything will be used. Nothing will be wasted. Each bullet, rifle, stick of dynamite, and hand grenade will be used with maximum effectiveness. The Office Director sighed wearily, closed his stenographic pad, and the meeting was over. A coded message was sent by short wave to the government in London and France. “Karski leaving soon: Goes through Germany, Belgium, France, Spain: Two week stay in France: Two week stay in Spain: Pass Word: “Coming to see Aunt Sophie.” Announce him as Karski:
#30) Horrible Beyond Description:
Before I was due to leave Poland another meeting had been arranged for me on the order of the Polish government in London and of the Commander of the underground army. I was to meet with two men, who formally eminent in the Jewish community were now, directing the work of the Jewish underground. One was the head of the Zionist Organization and the other was the head of the Jewish Socialist Alliance and also had the dangerous task of directing the work of the special department of the Delegates of the Polish Government which organized relief for the Jewish population and attempted to smuggle the most valuable inhabitants of the ghetto. We met at twilight in a huge empty and half ruined house in the suburbs. the fact that both these men were present at the same time was significant. it meant that the material I was to be given to transmit to the Polish and Allied governments contained nothing of a political matter and was not limited to either group. It constituted the expressions and contained the information sentiments, requests, and instructions of the entire Jewish population of Poland as a unit. -- A population that was, at that moment, dying as a unit. What I learned at that meeting we held at that house, and later when I was taken to see the facts for myself, was horrible beyond description. Never in history of mankind did anything compare with what was inflicted on the Jewish population in Poland. (end of Series 8)
(to be continued) ....
(To be continued )
Daily Bites of The Secret State Series #9
Hitler’s Jewish Extermination:
Top Officer in WW2 to German Slaves,
to Top Underground Courier:
to Top Underground Courier:
#2) Heart Wrenching News:
#3) A Glimmer of Hope:
#4) A message to the United Nations:
#5) Demonic Deception:
by Jan Karski 1944 :
“From The Secret State”
LibertygroupFreedom
https://redd.it/6y400k
Hitler’s Jewish Extermination:
Top Officer in WW2 to German Slaves,
to Top Underground Courier:
to Top Underground Courier:
"FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY"
Stand Up To Government Corruption and Hypocrisy
NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICES
BY OUR VETERANS Note: We at Friends of Liberty cannot make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information.
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