Helena Blaszczyk and her brother Stefan were members of the Polish underground. They were determined to fight the Germans every way they could. Their two-room home served as a repository for contraband, such as weapons and radios.
Helena and Stefan made a hiding place where they hid four Jews behind a wall. The Jews lived there for three years, never leaving in fear of being discovered. Helena, Stefan and their mother Agnieszka lived in one room since a German officer occupied the other room. It was dangerous when the officer was present, but safe when the officer was out. Since a German officer resided there, the Germans did not raid the home looking for Jews. One day Helena and Stefan’s secret escaped. Even though they were arrested and beaten, they did not betray the Jews.
The underground system managed to get Helena and Stefan released, and they returned to their home. Helena and her family continued to hide the four Jews until liberation in 1945. Stefan and Agnieszka died years ago; Helena continued to live in Czestochowa.
Edited by Matthew London
