Poland Holds State Funeral for 700 WWII Victims Executed by Germany in "Valley of Death"
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- 04 Sep 2024
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Poland recently held a state funeral for over 700 victims of mass executions carried out by German forces during World War II, in an area known as the "Valley of Death" near the town of Chojnice in northern Poland. These victims, largely unidentified, were buried in 188 coffins in a ceremony attended by local and national officials, including a representative of President Andrzej Duda.
The "Valley of Death" is a significant historical site where, between 1939 and 1945, German occupiers carried out brutal executions, particularly targeting members of the Polish intelligentsia as part of the "Intelligenzaktion Pommern" operation. The remains of these victims were discovered by researchers from the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) during archaeological work conducted from 2021 to 2024, along with evidence such as shell casings and bullets.
The funeral, held on the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland, served as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the war and the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition. IPN President Karol Nawrocki emphasized that these victims died due to "German hatred of Polishness," and efforts continue to identify more of the victims.
The event also highlighted the enduring impact of the war on Polish families, with the identification of victims like Irena Szydłowska, a member of the Home Army, bringing closure to her descendants after decades of uncertainty.
The funeral ceremony and the ongoing efforts to honor these victims underscore the deep scars left by the war on Poland and the nation's commitment to preserving the memory of those who suffered.
