I'm getting a canvas print of Witold Pilecki. He's an amazing WW2 hero who fought courageously against the Nazis in many ways, but when the war was over he continued resistance against the Soviet occupiers, and was betrayed by his own people and executed for 'treason' in resisting the Soviet occupation. Now I have two photos, and I'm split between which to hang in my apartment. The military photo seems more aesthetic, presents him in a more positive light, but the photo of him at the trial seems more chilling. It cuts right to the heart of the sadness of his story. So, which should I get?
I haven't heard about the man, but I instantly liked the second one better. The look on his face says "I did what I thought was right, and you can't take that away from me."
I think it was around 1941, Pilecki, a Polish cavalry officer, forged papers to make it appear he was a Jew. He was subsequently arrested and sent to Auschwitz...basically volunteering. Once inside he set up covert communications to relay to the Allies, what was going on inside these camps...getting the message out regarding the Reich's intent to exterminate or enslave the Jews. The Allies knew about the Final Solution...they knew Jews were being rounded up and sent to concentration camps like Auschwitz...they knew Jews were being gassed, they knew Jews were being killed en masse...and they did nothing...particularly Churchill...did nothing.
Pilecki should be honored for having the moral courage to inform the World about what was going on in these concentration camps located in Poland. The World stood by and did not act...had it been British POWs, they would have done something than simply throw up their hands "oh well." We can't do anything about this. Anti-semitism had been festering in all of Europe prior to the Reich's commitment to literally exterminate them. Britain fought for Britain..and no one else...if not for the military blunder to allow British soldiers to escape at Dunkirk....the face of the European theater WW2 would have changed, . Britain would be speaking German if not for the ineptitude of Adolph Hitler. He had them surrounded at Dunkirk. I would take one Pilecki over a thousand Churchills...Pilecki's legacy is by and large unknown, while Churchill is relegated as some sort of Saint...far from it.
The wall where it will be placed is yellow - not my choice of color but I'm too lazy to repaint the place. So the first looks a little better with the color, but not much. - - - Updated - - - Yes, he was an absolutely amazing man. Most Poles didn't even know about him until the fall of the Soviet Union. The USSR clamped down on that kind of information. So, which picture do you like better
I'd go with No. 2. Casual observers will assume you are a commie/nazi because they won't recognize the uniform he is wearing.
lol, thanks. The other guy I was considering was something of an 'accidental' Nazi. Larry Thorn was born in Finland and fought against the Soviets in the Winter War, and was so deadly that the Soviets put a bounty on his head (if memory serves, it was 3 million Finnish Marks). During the peace that followed many Finns thought that the Soviets would be back, and so Thorn and some others went to Germany for specialized training. While there the Soviets broke through, and Thorn was unable to get a ride back to Finland before the Soviets came. So what did he do? Since he was there, and the Soviets were there, he joined the SS for six months and in that time became a decorated German war hero. When he finally returned to Finland he was wanted for treason and so left to go to America - where he joined the US Army. With the US Army he continued to fight Communism in Vietnam, where he lost his life.
I like the military picture myself. Are you a Pole? or do you just like the man? What is your interest in Pilecki? Not exactly a household name from WW2.
No, but he should be. I'm not Polish, though I am Lithuanian (which some people would say "counts"), but that of course has nothing to do with my interest in him. He's an unsung hero, and one of the best of them. His story itself is probably the most tragic story of any hero to come out of WW2 - betrayed by men he fought to free.
Just my opinion, but the second pic could be perceived as possibly a defendant at a war crimes trial. Since you're determined to honor this man, post his military pic with a small plaque on the frame with his name, country of service, dates, etc., or something along those lines. It sounds like a good thing you're doing. There a too many heroes who will never be identified. Enjoy!
Remarkable man. Do you want to honor and remember him in the more aesthetic and positive light? Or for the more chilling sadness he suffered at the end? Which do you think he would want to be best remembered for? In my opinion the former picture depicts a dashing and noble charm. The latter a betrays a cornered victim in Stalin's den. I know which I would choose.
