Wojciech Piechowski Paintings

Wojciech Piechowski was a Polish engineer, writer, and a notable World War II resistance fighter, best known for his daring escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp. Born on October 3, 1919, in Rajkowy, Poland, Piechowski grew up in a time when his country faced significant challenges, including its occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II. Despite the oppressive regime, Piechowski became involved in the Polish scouting movement, which was part of the broader Polish resistance effort against the Nazis.

In 1939, following the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, Piechowski found himself actively participating in the Polish resistance. His activities, however, led to his arrest by the Gestapo in 1940, and he was subsequently imprisoned in Auschwitz, designated prisoner number 918. Within this grim context, Piechowski's most remarkable act of defiance took place. On June 20, 1942, together with three other inmates, he executed an audacious escape from the camp. The group managed to steal SS uniforms, arm themselves, and drive out of the camp's main gate in a stolen SS staff car, a feat so bold that it was almost inconceivable to the camp guards. This escape was one of the earliest from Auschwitz and served as a beacon of hope and resistance during a time of widespread despair.

After his escape, Piechowski continued to fight against Nazi oppression as part of the Polish Home Army, the main resistance movement in Poland. Following the war, he faced further challenges under the new communist regime, which viewed former Home Army members with suspicion. Piechowski pursued studies in engineering and embarked on a career in this field, but his wartime activities cast a long shadow over his life in post-war Poland.

Despite the hardships he endured, Piechowski lived to be a witness to history, sharing his experiences through writing and public speaking. His story gained wider recognition toward the end of his life, highlighting not only the atrocities of the Holocaust but also the resilience and bravery of those who resisted. Wojciech Piechowski passed away on December 15, 2017, leaving behind a legacy of courage and a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resistance and survival in the face of ultimate evil.