Narcyz Wiatr
Encyclopedia
Narcyz Wiatr (born September 19, 1907 - died April 21, 1945 in Krakow
) was a Polish
populist
political activist, member of the agrarian Polish People's Party, a prisoner at the Bereza Kartuska prison
and during World War II
a leader of Peasants' Battalions (BCh) a anti-Nazi underground resistance movement
, with the rank of Colonel
,.
Before the war Wiatr studied Law and Economics
at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
, where he became active in youth organizations associated with the Ludowcy (agrarian) movement. Between 1937 and 1939 he was the chief of the People's Party (Stronnictwo Ludowe or SL) in Nowy Sącz
. He helped to organize a farmer's strike
in the Beskidy region, for which he was arrested and imprisoned at Bereza Kartuska for six weeks, along with other political activists.
He was one of the commanders of the organization "Chłostra" (an acronym of Chłopska Straż - Peasants' Guard).
From 1941 until 1945 he was the commander of the VI Region of the BCh in Małopolska and Silesia
, and was active in the organization SL-Roch (the wartime successor of People's Party). After the merger between BCh and the Polish Home Army (AK) (within which, BCh retained its own officers and command structure) he was the second in command of the Kraków
Region of the AK.
After the formation of the communist PKWN "Lublin Committee" and the subsequent political takeover of Poland by the communists, Wiatr issued an order to members of his organization (order No. 186) in which he recommended against SL and BCh members joining the structures of the new communist authorities. Because of the persecution directed at the former members of the anti-Nazi underground by the communist authorities, Narcyz decided to stay partially underground and did not "reveal" himself to the local secret police office.
Narcyz Wiatr was murdered in Planty Park
, in Kraków by members of the Myślenice
communist secret police
(UB), most likely on the orders of UB chief Stanisław Radkiewicz
. At the time it was claimed that Wiatr had been killed by "unknown perpetrators". and no investigation into his murder was conducted.
In 1990 the Krakow office of the Institute of National Remembrance
, charged with investigating historical crimes by Nazis and communists in Poland, began an official investigation into his death. In 1996, Stanisław P., who had been an agent of the Krakow communist secret police in 1945 and participated in the shooting during which Wiatr was killed, was charged with murder. Because of the ill health of the accused, the trial was postponed.
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
) was a Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
political activist, member of the agrarian Polish People's Party, a prisoner at the Bereza Kartuska prison
Bereza Kartuska prison
The Bereza Kartuska detention camp was a Polish prison, principally for political prisoners of the sanacja regime, that was operated in 1934–39 at Bereza Kartuska in the former Polesie Province ....
and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
a leader of Peasants' Battalions (BCh) a anti-Nazi underground resistance movement
Polish resistance movement in World War II
The Polish resistance movement in World War II, with the Home Army at its forefront, was the largest underground resistance in all of Nazi-occupied Europe, covering both German and Soviet zones of occupation. The Polish defence against the Nazi occupation was an important part of the European...
, with the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
,.
Before the war Wiatr studied Law and Economics
Law and economics
The economic analysis of law is an analysis of law applying methods of economics. Economic concepts are used to explain the effects of laws, to assess which legal rules are economically efficient, and to predict which legal rules will be promulgated.-Relationship to other disciplines and...
at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, where he became active in youth organizations associated with the Ludowcy (agrarian) movement. Between 1937 and 1939 he was the chief of the People's Party (Stronnictwo Ludowe or SL) in Nowy Sącz
Nowy Sacz
Nowy Sącz is a town in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. It is the district capital of Nowy Sącz County, but is not included within the powiat.-Names:...
. He helped to organize a farmer's strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
in the Beskidy region, for which he was arrested and imprisoned at Bereza Kartuska for six weeks, along with other political activists.
He was one of the commanders of the organization "Chłostra" (an acronym of Chłopska Straż - Peasants' Guard).
From 1941 until 1945 he was the commander of the VI Region of the BCh in Małopolska and Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, and was active in the organization SL-Roch (the wartime successor of People's Party). After the merger between BCh and the Polish Home Army (AK) (within which, BCh retained its own officers and command structure) he was the second in command of the Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
Region of the AK.
After the formation of the communist PKWN "Lublin Committee" and the subsequent political takeover of Poland by the communists, Wiatr issued an order to members of his organization (order No. 186) in which he recommended against SL and BCh members joining the structures of the new communist authorities. Because of the persecution directed at the former members of the anti-Nazi underground by the communist authorities, Narcyz decided to stay partially underground and did not "reveal" himself to the local secret police office.
Narcyz Wiatr was murdered in Planty Park
Planty Park
Planty is one of the largest city parks in Kraków, Poland. It encircles the Stare Miasto , where the Medieval city walls used to stand until the early 19th century. The historic Old Town is not to be confused with the Administrative District No. 1 Stare Miasto extending further east.The park has an...
, in Kraków by members of the Myślenice
Myslenice
Myślenice is a town in southern Poland, situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship , previously in Kraków Voivodeship . Population: 20,261.-Twin towns — Sister cities:Myślenice is twinned with: Bełchatów, Poland- Sports :...
communist secret police
Ministry of Public Security of Poland
The Ministry of Public Security of Poland was a Polish communist secret police, intelligence and counter-espionage service operating from 1945 to 1954 under Jakub Berman of the Politburo...
(UB), most likely on the orders of UB chief Stanisław Radkiewicz
Stanisław Radkiewicz
Stanisław Radkiewicz was a Polish communist activist with Soviet citizenship, member of the pre-war Communist Party of Poland and of the post-war Polish United Workers' Party...
. At the time it was claimed that Wiatr had been killed by "unknown perpetrators". and no investigation into his murder was conducted.
In 1990 the Krakow office of the Institute of National Remembrance
Institute of National Remembrance
Institute of National Remembrance — Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation is a Polish government-affiliated research institute with lustration prerogatives and prosecution powers founded by specific legislation. It specialises in the legal and historical sciences and...
, charged with investigating historical crimes by Nazis and communists in Poland, began an official investigation into his death. In 1996, Stanisław P., who had been an agent of the Krakow communist secret police in 1945 and participated in the shooting during which Wiatr was killed, was charged with murder. Because of the ill health of the accused, the trial was postponed.