KAZIMIERA ŻELAZNA

Kazimiera Żelazna Elbląg, 18 December 1947 Elbląg, Traugutta Street 18

To the Attention of the District Commission for the Investigation of German Crimes in Warsaw

Report

In response to your letter, I hereby submit information known to myself concerning the execution carried out on 2 September 1944 of a group of wounded taken from the hospital at Długa Street 7.

As regards point 1). Due to the high level of nervous tension that I was experiencing, I could not determine the military unit that occupied the hospital. I don’t know the surnames of the commanders.

As regards point 2). On 12 September at 08:00 the civilians left the premises of the hospital. Only seriously ill civilians and servicemen transferred from nearby first-aid posts remained, such as – for example – my brother from the anti-gas shelter at Długa Street 16 (he burned to death) and those civilians who did not want to be separated from their sick loved ones (e.g. a wife with her husband).

Course of events. At 10:00 or 12:00, when the Germans started gathering the first-aid point personnel downstairs and then leading them out of the Ministry building, I returned to the first floor to my brother and led him to the ground floor. The Germans were throwing grenades into the cellars in which the hospital was located. At the gate the Germans took my brother from me and, together with some 20 or 30 other people, grouped us in the courtyard. After some time, maybe ten or twenty minutes, they led these people (only the men) through the entrance door into Podwale Street. At this moment I took my brother under the arm and, together with members of the hospital personnel, led him to Wąski Dunaj Street. Suddenly, two Germans jumped up, took him away from me and, together with the others, drove him on foot along Wąski Dunaj Street, while the first-aid point personnel were taken under escort in the direction of Zamkowy Square.

As regards point 3). I don’t know who was shot by firing squad. I only know that there were a few of us women from whom the Germans took loved ones while we were passing through Wąski Dunaj Street. When I returned yet again, attempting to get my brother back, I could not get past Piekiełko and Piekarska streets; the Germans did not allow us to go any further, saying that they had killed my brother. I don’t know any surnames, for having detached myself from the group of female nurses, I lost contact with them. I only know that all these people were less severely wounded, for all of them were able to walk. Only my brother crawled on his knees and hands, because he did not have crutches or a stick. When I last looked back at them, he was climbing up a pile of rubble in Wąski Dunaj Street. These were civilians who were not participating in the uprising, but had been wounded during the bombings. There were also insurrectionists, all those who were unable to use the sewers to get to the Śródmieście district. The number of those murdered was around 20 – 30.

As regards point 5). I don’t know the methods used to carry out the execution. I learned from a priest who I met by chance in a church in the Wola district that the group of men had been shot dead and incinerated.

As regards point 6). I don’t know who managed to survive, nor do I know the surnames of those who may possess some detailed information. I myself would very much like to know, so I could learn something about the fate of my brother and determine where the bones of the wounded who were burned are buried.

Here are my brother’s personal details: Antoni Żelazny, pseudonym "Revers", aged 17, IV class student at the Mickiewicz secondary school, residing in Warsaw, Freta Street 32, flat 14; description: a tall dark-haired man, with greyish blue eyes, wavy hair, left leg amputated 10 cm above the ankle bone (short amputation). When I last saw him, his leg was bleeding due to being hit. He was dressed in light grey sports trousers and a willow green shirt, with a small (2 cm) rhinoceros sewn onto its pocket; he was shoeless.

There is nothing more that I can testify to, even though I would like to learn of his fate and find the place where his ashes rest.

Kazimiera Żelazna