ZMIDEK FAMILY

Warsaw

Mila 18 memorial

The site of the bunker used as the headquarters for the Jewish Combat Organisation (ZOB) during the Ghetto Uprising

On May 8, 1943, three weeks after the start of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the bunker was discovered by the Nazis. There were around 300 people inside. The smugglers surrendered but the ŻOB command, including Mordechaj Anielewicz, the leader of the uprising, stood firm. The Nazis threw tear gas into the shelter to force the occupants out. Anielewicz, and many of his fighters committed mass suicide by ingesting poison rather than surrender.

The bodies were never exhumed and the site today is both a memorial and a grave.

Yitzhak Suknik (or Sukenik)

Yitzhak's grandmother Mariam was David Zmidek's sister.

Yitzhak fought alongside, and saved the life of Mordechaj Anielewicz, leader of the ZOB.

On May 7, he and a small party left the bunker via the sewers to make contact with others outside the ghetto to try to find an escape route out of the ghetto. The group was ambushed when they exited the sewers and most were killed.

Memorial to Janusz Korczak at Okopowa cemetery

Janusz Korczak was a teacher, childrens' author and director of an orphanage in the ghetto. In August 1942, German soldiers arrived to collect the children for transportation to Treblinka. They offered Korczak sanctuary but he refused to be parted from the children. Instead, he accompanied them to the death camp, telling them they were going on a trip to the country.

Alex at the grave of Marek Edelman

Marek Edelman was a cardiologist and leading Polish political figure and activist.

Before World War II, he was a General Jewish Labour Bund activist. During the war he co-founded the Jewish Combat Organization (ŻOB). He took part in the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, becoming its leader after the death of Mordechaj Anielewicz. He also took part in the citywide 1944 Warsaw Uprising, and was the last surving leader of the uprising

photo : Thomas / Sue