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| Blaichman in Polish partisan uniform, 1945 |
This month, Jewish partisan
Frank Blaichman celebrated his 88th birthday. Frank was only 16 years old when the Germans invaded Poland. Month by month, life became harder until in 1942, the Jews of Frank's hometown of Kamionka, were to be resettled in a ghetto. Determined to keep his freedom, Frank left his family and eventually joined other Jews hiding in a nearby forest. When Frank was only 21 years old, he became the youngest platoon commander in a partisan unit. Frank met his wife, Cesia, while they were both in partisan units.
Frank has documented his stories and experiences from his life as a partisan in his book:
Rather Die Fighting.
Purchase this incredible resource here.
Frank has appeared in multiple JPEF documentaries including "
Antisemitism in the Partisans" and "Introduction to the Partisans."
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Eta Wrobel portrait, 1945 |
Polish Jewish partisan
Eta Wrobel (z"l) was also born on December 28, 1918. She was the only child in a family of ten to survive the Holocaust. Eta described herself to be "born a fighter." In 1942 Eta's ghetto was forced into concentration camps, but Eta and her father escaped into the woods. Eta helped to organize an all Jewish partisan unit of about 80 people. At one point Eta was shot in the leg and dug the bullet out of her leg with a knife.
Because of her exceptional military skills, she was active on missions with men and made important strategic decisions.
Eta is featured in the JPEF film, "
Women in the Partisans," and she also inspired the original JPEF poster and sticker images.
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