Mystery Bielski Remembered
July marks the 70th anniversary of the triumph of the most renowned Jewish partisan group in the forests of Western Belorussia (Eastern Poland) during World War II. It began with a handful of escapees from the Nazi obsession to liquidate them, and evolved into a legendary fighting force and rescue operation that provided a haven for over 1,000 doomed Jews. This summer also marks the 20th anniversary of the death of its “mystery man” — who was my father.
Lieutenant Yehuda Bielski (shown) was badly wounded. Despite the nightmarish, rapid advance of the million-and-a-half-man mechanized German invasion, his fellow troops had fought with much skill and great courage. Relentless air bombardment such as the Earth had never seen took a heavy toll. Dazed, disorganized, and dying, the outnumbered and poorly armed Polish army held out as long as it could and then retreated. “I must get to a hospital,” Yehuda thought.
Yehuda tried to ignore the throbbing pain in his wounded leg as he limped his way to a Warsaw hospital. The long rutted roads were full of vehicles, wagons, carts, and frightened people of all ages — pedestrians and those on horseback carrying bundles, suitcases, and assorted belongings. Soldiers were still carrying their weapons.
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