Polish WWII Hero Dies

Kean Wong:
In Warsaw the death of a 98 year old woman who saved thousands of Jewish children during the war has sadden many. This amazing woman risked her own life as a social worker, to enter the Nazi-made Ghetto to get the children to safety. Let's see how she's remembered.

Students at a Warsaw school take part in a name changing ceremony in honour of World War Two hero, Irena Sendler.

In the early hours of the morning in the same city, the 98 year old
ex-social worker passed away in hospital after a long illness.

Sendler saved around 2,500 Jewish children during the war by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto in boxes, suitcases, she even hid them in
trolleys.

The children were then placed with families outside of the Ghetto.

Poland's chief Rabbi said as well as saving lives she saved the soul of
Europe.

[Michael Schudrichm, Polish Chief Rabbi]:
"She rescued our hopes that there are still good people. People who
against all odds are ready to help others."

One survivor said Sendler did everything she could to help her.

[Ewa Filcowska, Holocaust Survivor]:
"I felt this help like the help of a mother. It's terribly sad that
she is no longer here, to ask for her advice and listen to what she has to
say.''

Sendler also experienced some unexpected help during the war.

In 1943 she was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo. She escaped death
when those she worked with bribed some Nazi officers.

Instead of executing her they left her unconscious and with broken legs in
woodland.

Despite her repeated acts of bravery, Sendler always denied she was a hero.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

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• warsaw
• holocaust
• nazi
• ghetto
• jewish
• irena
• sendler
• brave
• poland
• saving
• lives
• survivor

[strongman325]

yes i have everybody has and d-day happened in 1944 when germany was already going to lose, same in 1943 when usa entered north africa. Have you heard of the Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Poles breaking the enigma code, the yalta conference which was a HUGE betrayal by usa and britain towards Poland. You only know about d-day and omaha beach because of stupid hollywood movies. read a book and you will know everything BEFORE the d-day invasion was the most improtant you idiot.

[sasiadplgb]

Good to be Polish :) good to be have charakter like IRENA ...DO ZOBACZENIA IRENA

[zentrallondon]

Poles are the best! Forgotten by ww2 elites, afraid of Stalin. Warsaw Uprising, , Irena Sendler, Stanislaw Mitsuda, Jan Korczak, Stanislaw Skalski ''Spitafire Ace'' I mean Hollywood is making some sci-fiction Inglorious Bastards and i think polish underground fighting against the Nazis could be enough for thousands of brilliant scripts in order to make fantastic movies, research Stanislaw Mitsuda, capturing German tanks and using then to liberate Jews in a death camp in Warsaw. i mean ''hello''!

[pixi3dixi]

Sad and ironic. Somehow the world, steered by the Hollywood machine, applause and advertise only Oscar Shindler, who was a member of nazi party (and saved less human lives). But she will be remembered in hearts of all people who know somehow know that she existed.

[tiptas]

without Her this will be impossible

[TapOnX]

Actually, Polish Underground State (in detail "Zegota" - Council to Aid Jews) saved about 150 000 Jews during the II WW.

[piotrowscy2006]

Not She alone. It would be simply impossible.

Not She alone but They had saved 2,500 children.

They ie. people from Polish Underground State.

However it is true that Her personal role was brilliant and she was a great human being.

[tiptas]

She save 2,500 children

[TheAlejSelam]

Irena Sendler didn't act alone. It would be simply impossible. She rescued Jewish children as a member of "Zegota", an organisation established by the underground Polish Governement.

[GlobalVillager2]

What a woman!! Such people give hope about humanity!

[soleanderson]

What a lovely tribute to a very courageous and truly wonderful individual. God Bless you Irena, you should be sainted for your actions. None of us can possibly know the pain of that very cruel and barbaric time in our history unless of course you were their. Please show some respect and honour to this very dear lady. Thank you. In goodness, love and peace. Joanne XXX