Tadeusz Żenczykowski

Tadeusz Żenczykowski pseudonym Kania, Kowalik, Zawadzki (born on 2 January 1907 in Warsaw, died on 30 March 1997 in London) was a Polish lawyer, political activist, during World War II soldier of Armia Krajowa (Home Army)), took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, immediately after the war a member of anti-communist conspiracy in Poland, since 1945 an emigration journalist and deputy chief of the Polish Section of Radio Free Europe, historian and publicist.

In 1922, Tadeusz Żenczykowski became a member of the Riflemen's Association. He was one of leaders of Związek Polskiej Młodzieży Demokratycznej (Association of Polish Democratic Youth). Since 1938 member of Polish parliament (Sejm), of the parliamentary group of the Camp of National Unity (OZN).

Military career

In September 1939 Żenczykowski took part in the defence of Warsaw. After an escape from German captivity he was an organiser and president of the conspiracy organisation Związek Odbudowy Rzeczypospolitej (ZOR) (Union for the Reconstruction of the Commonwealth). Since 1940 he worked for the Bureau of Information and Propaganda of the Headquarters of Armia Krajowa (Home Army). He was chief of the Action "N" (anti-German subversive propaganda), while since 1943 he headed the Action "Antyk" (anti-Soviet propaganda) as well as of "Rój" - preparation of insurgent propaganda. He took part in the Warsaw Uprising as chief of propaganda of Armia Krajowa. After the downfall of the uprising he was placed in German captivity.

After 1945

After his liberation Żenczykowski became editor of a conspiracy anti-communist periodical "Głos Wolności" (Voice of Freedom) in Poland under communist rule. In November 1945 he left Poland. In emigration he conducted political and publicistic activity. During 1954-1975 he was editor, then deputy chief of the Polish Section of Radio Free Europe. He was member of the Council of Trustees of Polska Fundacja Kulturalna (Polish Cultural Fund) in London. For many years he was collaborator of "Dziennik Polski i Dziennik Żołnierza" (Polish Daily and Soldier's Daily) newspaper in London. Żenczykowski was author of many historical works, including two volumes of his historical study on the initial period of communist-ruled Poland in 1944/1945, entitled "Polska Lubelska 1944" (The Lublin Poland of 1944) and "Dramatyczny rok 1945" (The Dramatic Year 1945). He was decorated with the Order of the White Eagle (Pol.: Order Orła Białego) in 1996, as well as the order Virtuti Militari.

Books

• Generał Grot u kresu walki (General "Grot" at the end of his fight), Wydawnictwo Polonia, Londyn, 1983
• Polska lubelska 1944 (The Lublin Poland of 1944), Editions Spotkania, Warszawa 1990;
• Samotny bój Warszawy. Pisma historyczne (The Lonely Fight of Warsaw. Historical Writings), Wydawnictwo LTW, 2005 r., ISBN 83-88736-69-8;
• Dramatyczny rok 1945 (The Dramatic Year 1945), Wydawnictwo LTW, 2005 r., ISBN 83-88736-74-4;
• Edward Raczyński, Tadeusz Żenczykowski Od Genewy do Jałty. Rozmowy radiowe (From Geneva to Yalta. Radio Talks), Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego, 1991 r., ISBN 83-85291-19-9;