ZYGMUNT RUTKIEWICZ

Kielce, 31 March 1948, 8.00 a.m. Stanisław Kostera from the Criminal Investigation Section of the Citizens’ Militia Station in Kielce, on the instruction of the Prosecutor from the District Court in Kielce, with the participation of court reporter Marian Poniewierka, heard 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 Zygmunt Juliusz Rutkiewicz
Parents’ names Zygmunt and Stanisława, née Wach
Date of birth 12 May 1924
Place of birth Kielce
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Occupation hairdresser
Place of residence Kielce, Mazurska Street 19
Relationship to the parties none

Junacki Obóz Pracy [labor camp for young men] at the corner of Zagórska Street was established by the Germans in 1942 and was operational until July 1944. There were only Poles in that camp.

On average, there were some 300 people. During its period of operation, about 1,000 people passed through the camp.

In the summer months of 1944, when the Germans stopped at the bridgehead, there was some reorganization and the young men began to flee from the camp. The young men worked in "Kadzielnia" where they crushed stone for plunder and loaded it onto wagons, or else were [...], uncovering earth. The food was average and contained some fat, but the Poles used to steal it, especially the camp commander Tadeusz Wojciechowski. I heard rumors that he was hanged by the Poles.

There was an infirmary in the camp and the prisoners received medical assistance. Nobody died in this camp and there weren’t any executions. The prisoners were treated quite decently. The camp was run by a German called “Kapel,” and Biskup Węcel was his deputy. Inspector “Kopel” was said to have escaped, whereas Biskup Węcel and Wojciechowski were probably hanged by the resistance fighters.

At this point the report was concluded, read out and signed.