Tadeusz Zenczykowski
Encyclopedia
Tadeusz Żenczykowski pseudonym Kania, Kowalik, Zawadzki (born on 2 January 1907 in Warsaw
, died on 30 March 1997 in London – Polish lawyer, political activist, during the World War II
soldier of Armia Krajowa
(Home Army)), took part in the Warsaw Uprising
of 1944, immediately after the war a member of anti-communist conspiracy in Poland, since 1945 an emigration journalist and deputy chief of the Polish Section of Radio Free Europe
, historian and publicist.
), of the parliamentary group of the Camp of National Unity (OZN).
of the Headquarters of Armia Krajowa
(Home Army). He was chief of the Action "N" (anti-German subversive propaganda), while since 1943 he headed the Action "Antyk" (anti-Soviet propaganda) as well as of "Rój" - preparation of insurgent propaganda. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising
as chief of propaganda of Armia Krajowa. After the downfall of the uprising he was placed in German captivity.
. He was member of the Council of Trustees of Polska Fundacja Kulturalna (Polish Cultural Fund) in London. For many years he was collaborator of "Dziennik Polski i Dziennik Żołnierza" (Polish Daily and Soldier's Daily) newspaper in London. Żenczykowski was author of many historical works, including two volumes of his historical study on the initial period of communist-ruled Poland in 1944/1945, entitled "Polska Lubelska 1944" (The Lublin Poland of 1944) and "Dramatyczny rok 1945" (The Dramatic Year 1945). He was decorated with the Order of the White Eagle (Pol.: Order Orła Białego) in 1996, as well as the order Virtuti Militari
.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, died on 30 March 1997 in London – Polish lawyer, political activist, during the 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...
soldier of Armia Krajowa
Armia Krajowa
The Armia Krajowa , or Home Army, was the dominant Polish resistance movement in World War II German-occupied Poland. It was formed in February 1942 from the Związek Walki Zbrojnej . Over the next two years, it absorbed most other Polish underground forces...
(Home Army)), took part in the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
of 1944, immediately after the war a member of anti-communist conspiracy in Poland, since 1945 an emigration journalist and deputy chief of the Polish Section of Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
, historian and publicist.
Early life
In 1922, Tadeusz Żenczykowski became member of the Riflemen's Association. He was one of leaders of Związek Polskiej Młodzieży Demokratycznej (Association of Polish Democratic Youth). Since 1938 member of Polish parliament (SejmSejm
The Sejm is the lower house of the Polish parliament. The Sejm is made up of 460 deputies, or Poseł in Polish . It is elected by universal ballot and is presided over by a speaker called the Marshal of the Sejm ....
), of the parliamentary group of the Camp of National Unity (OZN).
Military career
In September 1939 Żenczykowski took part in the defence of Warsaw. After an escape from German captivity he was an organiser and president of the conspiracy organisation Związek Odbudowy Rzeczypospolitej (ZOR) (Union for the Reconstruction of the Commonwealth). Since 1940 he worked for the Bureau of Information and PropagandaBureau of Information and Propaganda
The Bureau of Information and Propaganda of the Headquarters of Związek Walki Zbrojnej, later of Armia Krajowa - in short: BIP) a conspiracy department created in spring 1940 during the German occupation of Poland, inside the Związek Walki Zbrojnej, then of the Supreme Command of Armia Krajowa...
of the Headquarters of Armia Krajowa
Armia Krajowa
The Armia Krajowa , or Home Army, was the dominant Polish resistance movement in World War II German-occupied Poland. It was formed in February 1942 from the Związek Walki Zbrojnej . Over the next two years, it absorbed most other Polish underground forces...
(Home Army). He was chief of the Action "N" (anti-German subversive propaganda), while since 1943 he headed the Action "Antyk" (anti-Soviet propaganda) as well as of "Rój" - preparation of insurgent propaganda. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
as chief of propaganda of Armia Krajowa. After the downfall of the uprising he was placed in German captivity.
After 1945
After his liberation Żenczykowski became editor of a conspiracy anti-communist periodical "Głos Wolności" (Voice of Freedom) in Poland under communist rule. In November 1945 he left Poland. In emigration he conducted political and publicistic activity. During 1954-1975 he was editor, then deputy chief of the Polish Section of Radio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
. He was member of the Council of Trustees of Polska Fundacja Kulturalna (Polish Cultural Fund) in London. For many years he was collaborator of "Dziennik Polski i Dziennik Żołnierza" (Polish Daily and Soldier's Daily) newspaper in London. Żenczykowski was author of many historical works, including two volumes of his historical study on the initial period of communist-ruled Poland in 1944/1945, entitled "Polska Lubelska 1944" (The Lublin Poland of 1944) and "Dramatyczny rok 1945" (The Dramatic Year 1945). He was decorated with the Order of the White Eagle (Pol.: Order Orła Białego) in 1996, as well as the order Virtuti Militari
Virtuti Militari
The Order Wojenny Virtuti Militari is Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war...
.
Books
- Generał Grot u kresu walki (General "Grot" at the end of his fight), Wydawnictwo Polonia, Londyn, 1983
- Polska lubelska 1944 (The Lublin Poland of 1944), Editions Spotkania, Warszawa 1990;
- Samotny bój Warszawy. Pisma historyczne (The Lonely Fight of Warsaw. Historical Writings), Wydawnictwo LTW, 2005 r., ISBN 83-88736-69-8;
- Dramatyczny rok 1945 (The Dramatic Year 1945), Wydawnictwo LTW, 2005 r., ISBN 83-88736-74-4;
- Edward Raczyński, Tadeusz Żenczykowski Od Genewy do Jałty. Rozmowy radiowe (From Geneva to Yalta. Radio Talks), Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego, 1991 r., ISBN 83-85291-19-9;
See also
- Bureau of Information and PropagandaBureau of Information and PropagandaThe Bureau of Information and Propaganda of the Headquarters of Związek Walki Zbrojnej, later of Armia Krajowa - in short: BIP) a conspiracy department created in spring 1940 during the German occupation of Poland, inside the Związek Walki Zbrojnej, then of the Supreme Command of Armia Krajowa...
- Operation N
- Operation AntykOperation AntykOperation Antyk also known as Department R was a complex of counter-propaganda activities of Polish resistance movement organisation Home Army, directed against pro-Soviet and pro-communist circles in Polish society, mostly members of the Polish Workers' Party...
- Radio Free EuropeRadio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...