Edward "Edek" Galiński

From Find A Grave Memorial# 16796215

Edward, who was known as Edek, was born in Wieckowice, Poland. Those who knew him said he was very handsome, brave, and manly, a person who was willing to take risks. Despite his youth, he served in the Polish Army after the Nazi invasion of his homeland. He was arrested as a political prisoner and taken to the Tarnów prison sometime after Poland fell to the Nazis. On 14 June 1940, he was one of 728 male Polish political prisoners who made up the first deportation to Auschwitz, which at the time was "only" being used as a camp for criminals and political prisoners, not Jews and Gypsies as well. Edek was assigned work as a mechanic, a line of work which brought him into contact with several civilians who were working on the camp's construction. His work as a mechanic also enabled him to have access to some of the sub-camps, among them the women's camp at Birkenau, where in late 1943 or early 1944 he met and shortly fell in love with Mala Zimetbaum, who worked as a messenger, a very privileged position that enabled her to save many, many lives. Just twenty years old at the time, Edek was over five years younger than Mala. At this point in time, Edek, in spite of his age, was also one of the camp elders, having the very low number of 531. Not very many people from that original transport, or any of the very early transports, were still alive by then. Mala and Edek had one of the few successful love relationships in the camp, with fellow inmates putting their lives on the line to let them secretly see one another (albeit with very little privacy or romantic atmosphere) and to keep the knowledge of the affair from the camp authorities.

From MALA AND EDEK: TRAGIC CAMP LOVE Oś—Oświęcim, People, History, Culture magazine

The love story of two Auschwitz prisoners, Mala Zimetbaum, a Jew, and Edward Galiński, a Pole, along with their bold escape, makes up one of the most moving chapters in the history of the camp—and also one of the most tragic. It seemed as if love would win out and their effort to break free of the world of Auschwitz would succeed. Things turned out differently. They were caught and forced to return to the camp. They were executed 65 years ago, on August 22, 1944.

From Mala Zimetbaum and Edward (Edek) Galinski - also known as Romeo and Juliet from Birkenau.

Most romantic and tragic history of love ever:

Jewish woman (of Polish origin) and Polish political prisoner – both arrested and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp ( built and operated by Nazis in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II) – Mala in 1942, Edek in 1940. They met, they fall in love in a place which was all about death and destruction.

Edward planned to escape from the camp with his friend Wieslaw Kielar, The plan fell through when Kielar lost a pair of SS guard’s uniform pants needed as a disguise for their escape. Edek told his friend that he would escape with Mala instead.

The plan was as follows: Edek would dress up as the SS guard and escort Mala through the perimeter gate, pretending that he was escorting a prisoner to install a washbasin.

The plan was put into action in June 1944, and the couple succeeded in escaping to a nearby town. After their escape, Edek hid nearby as Mala went into a store to try to buy some bread with gold she and Edek had stolen from the camp. The passing German patrol became suspicious and arrested Mala. Edek watched from a distance as Mala was arrested.

Knowing she would be killed for the escape, he turned himself in to the German patrol since they had promised not to separate.

Edek and Mala were taken out to be executed at the same time, in the men’s and women’s camp respectively.

According to surviving witnesses, Edek tried to jump into the noose ahead of time, hoping to kill himself before the Nazis could, but was pushed back so the verdict could be read. His last words were said to be "Long live Poland." One of the inmates told the others to remove their caps as a sign of respect to their fallen comrade; when they did, one of the guards was enraged.

• The Romeo & Juliet of Auschwitz Google Slide Show
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mala_Zimetbaum