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02.03.2022

New post stamp to commemorate Józef Franczak “Laluś” — the last Polish pro-independence underground partisan

Presentation of the stamp took place on 1 March 2022 in the IPN’s 8 Strzelecka Str. Memorial Chamber in Warsaw. The stamp was presented by the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance Karol Polejowski, Ph.D. and the Vice President of the Polish Post Wiesław Włodek.

On the Cursed Soldiers National Remembrance Day, a post stamp commemorating the figure of Józef Franczak "Laluś" — a partisan of the Polish pro-independence underground who had fought against the Communist for 18 years — went into circulation. At the same time, the Polish Post opened an exhibition presenting the latest publications related to the Cursed Soldiers. The exhibition will be displayed in several places in Poland, including the Institute of National Remembrance.

Józef Franczak "Laluś" — a hero of the Polish pro-independence underground — remained in conspiracy even when his commanders died. Poland was not an independent state for him and he decided to fight until the end.  He became the last soldier of the Republic of Poland - said Karol Polejowski, Ph.D., during the press conference at which the stamp was presented.

The stamp with the image of "Laluś" was based on a photograph taken around 1938. The author of the stamp design Adam Kultys placed the Polish flag colors in the background of the stamp. The site of the official presentation of the stamp was hardly accidental. At 8 Strzelecka Street, in the years 1944—1945, the headquarters of the NKVD were located. Polish members of the independence underground, including former Home Army soldiers, were imprisoned and brutally tortured there.

In addition to the stamp, the FDC (First Day Circulation) envelope also entered in circulation. The image on the envelope shows a photo depicting Józef Franczak among the commanders of "Uskoka" unit during a meeting. The photograph was taken in May 1948 and comes from the IPN’s Archives.

Sergeant Józef  Franczak  “Laluś”  was  the last partisan of the pro-independence underground who perished in combat. He was soldier of the 1939 Defensive War, active in the Union of Armed Struggle and then in the Home Army. In August 1944, forcedly conscripted into the Polish 2nd Army formed by the Soviets. Józef Franczak deserted in early 1945 after witnessing the murders committed by the communists on Home Army soldiers.  He managed to hide from the law enforcement agencies for 18 years. He fought under command of “Zapora”.  “Laluś” was mortally wounded in the firefight against Citizens’ Militia operational group on 21 October 1963.

More about Cursed Soldiers


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