Kielce, 9 February 1949. Marian Poniewierka from the Citizens’ Militia Station in Kielce, with the participation of court reporter Stefan Młodawski, interviewed the person named below as a witness. Having been advised of the criminal liability for making false declarations and of the wording of Article 140 of the Penal Code, the witness testified as follows:
Name and surname | Franciszek Wiatrak |
Parents’ names | Józef and Anna |
Age | 61 years old |
Place of birth | Suchedniów, Kielce district |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | warehouseman |
Place of residence | Kielce, Hoża Street 52 |
From 1940 to 1944, I worked as an office worker in the "Henryków" factory. Because I witnessed it personally, I know that on the order of the German Gestapo two executions by hanging were carried out: once three Jews were hanged and the second time, one Jew.
As for the surnames of the hanged Jews, I recall that one of them was called Śpiewak and resided in Kielce. I heard that beyond the factory fence, the Germans executed Jews who attempted escape.
I don’t know how many Jews were shot.
I would like to add that I witnessed how in 1943, the German Gestapo brought ten Poles from the prison and hanged them on the premises of the "Henryków" factory.
These Poles remained hanging for the whole day, and in the evening the Jews were ordered to take them down and the bodies were transported in a cart out of the factory premises.
At this point the report was concluded, read out and signed.