TEKLA KWAŚNIEWSKA

In Krzyżanowice-Leszcze, on 11 September 1948 at 11.00 a.m. I, Bolesław Ścisłowski from the Citizens’ Militia Station in Chroberz, acting on the instruction of the Deputy Prosecutor pursuant to Article 20 of the provisions introducing the Code of Criminal Procedure (KPK), Article 257 of the KPK, due to the absence of the Judge, taking into account that any delay could lead to a loss of traces or evidence of the crime, which would have been obliterated before the arrival of the Judge, following the procedures set out in Articles 235–240, 258 and 259 of the KPK, interviewed the person named below as a witness. Having been advised of the significance of the oath, the right to refuse to testify due to the reasons provided in Article 104 of the KPK, and the criminal liability for making false declarations as stated in Article 140 of the Penal Code, the witness took the oath and testified as follows:


Name and surname Tekla Kwaśniewska
Parents’ names Paweł and Anastazja
Age 69
Date and place of birth 1881, Probołowice, Czarnocin commune
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Occupation laborer
Place of residence Krzyżanowice-Leszcze, Zagość commune, Pińczów district

With regard to the present matter, I know the following: I testify that in 1943 the following people were executed by the German gendarmerie: Mieczysław Czerw, Mieczysław Rejdak, Jan Sarna, Czesław Skonieczn[y]. The above mentioned were shot dead at […] in Krzyżanowice. After the execution of the above, people from Leszcze started saying that those shot had been denounced by Julian Kowalski from Leszcze, Zagość commune, Pińczów district, and that the above-mentioned were guerillas.

One month later the Germans shot dead my son Wojciech in my house, through the window. A few days after my son Wojciech had been shot I was carrying milk to the creamery. I was passing the house of Mrs. Krzystowska (whose first name I cannot remember) from Leszcze, Zagość commune. She is dead now, because she was shot dead by the guerillas. When I was passing the house of the above-mentioned, she came out to meet me on the street and told me not to be morose about my son’s death. She said: “I’m not to blame for this. It’s Julian Kowalski – because when I was robbed Julian Kowalski, residing in Krzyżanowice-Leszcze, Zagość commune, Pińczów district, told me to go to the Germans and report that those people, those who had been shot, they had guns and they would wander around at night.” And so she had reported that to the Germans, as instructed by Julian Kowalski.

At that I conclude my testimony and sign after it has been read out.