What was the Massacre of Lwów professors?

The Massacre of Lwów professors was a mass murder event that occurred in July 1941, during which 25 Polish academics from the city of Lwów (now Lviv, Ukraine) and 25 of their family members were killed by Nazi German occupation forces. This act was part of a broader Nazi strategy to eliminate intellectual and leadership figures in occupied territories.

What was the primary motivation behind the Nazi forces targeting Polish academics in Lwów?

The primary motivation behind the Nazi forces targeting prominent citizens and intellectuals, including the academics, was to prevent anti-Nazi activity and to weaken the resolve of the Polish resistance movement. This was a pre-emptive measure to suppress potential opposition and maintain control under Nazi rule.

Which specific unit was responsible for carrying out the executions during the Lwów massacre, according to an eyewitness?

According to an eyewitness, the executions during the Lwów massacre were carried out by an Einsatzgruppe unit, specifically an Einsatzkommando zur besonderen Verwendung, under the command of Karl Eberhard Schöngarth. This unit was assisted by Ukrainian translators in German uniforms. Einsatzgruppen were paramilitary death squads of Nazi Germany responsible for mass killings, particularly of Jews and political opponents.

Describe the demographic and cultural significance of Lwów before September 1939.

Before September 1939 and the German invasion of Poland, Lwów, then part of the Second Polish Republic, had a population of 318,000 inhabitants. The city was ethnically diverse, with 60% Poles, 30% Jews, and about 10% Ukrainians and Germans. It was also one of interwar Poland's most important cultural centers, housing five tertiary educational facilities, including Lwów University and Lwów Polytechnic, and served as a home for many Polish and Polish Jewish intellectuals, political and cultural activists, scientists, and members of the intelligentsia.

What changes occurred in Lwów after its occupation by the Soviet Union in September 1939?

After Lwów was occupied by the Soviet Union in September 1939, Lwów University was renamed in honor of Ivan Franko, a major Ukrainian literary figure who lived in Lwów. Additionally, the language of instruction at the university was changed from Polish to Ukrainian, reflecting Soviet administrative and cultural policies in the newly annexed territories.

When did German forces capture Lwów, and what happened to the city's Jewish population during the subsequent German occupation?

German forces captured Lwów on June 30, 1941, following the German invasion of the Soviet Union. During the subsequent German occupation of Poland, almost all of the city's 120,000 Jewish inhabitants were killed, either within the Lemberg Ghetto or in the Bełżec extermination camp. By the end of the war, only 200-800 Jews survived, indicating a near-total annihilation of the Jewish community.

How did Nazi forces control the population of Lwów, particularly prominent citizens and intellectuals?

To control the population, Nazi forces either confined prominent citizens and intellectuals, particularly Jews and Poles, in ghettos or transported them to execution sites. These sites included the Gestapo prison on Pełczyńska Street, the Brygidki Prison, the former military prison at Zamarstynów, and fields surrounding the city, such as the suburb of Winniki, the Kortumówka hills, and the Jewish Cemetery.

What broader Nazi policy was the Lwów massacre a direct continuation of?

The Lwów massacre was a direct continuation of the infamous German AB-Aktion in Poland. The AB-Aktion (Außerordentliche Befriedungsaktion, or 'Extraordinary Pacification Action') was a Nazi German campaign during World War II aimed at eliminating the Polish intelligentsia and leadership class to prevent resistance.

When did the individual, planned executions of professors begin in Lwów?

The individual, planned executions of professors in Lwów began by July 2, 1941.

Who was Kazimierz Bartel, and when was he initially arrested?

Kazimierz Bartel was a professor and former Prime Minister of Poland. He was arrested by one of the Einsatzgruppen operating in the Lwów area at approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon on July 2, 1941.

Describe the arrests of professors and their families during the night of July 3/4, 1941.

During the night of July 3/4, 1941, several dozen professors and their families were arrested by German detachments. Each detachment consisted of an officer, several soldiers, and Ukrainian guides and interpreters, indicating a coordinated and targeted operation.

Who prepared the lists of professors for arrest, according to the source material?

The lists of professors for arrest were prepared by Ukrainian students who were associated with the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN).

Were all individuals on the arrest lists alive at the time of the arrests? Provide examples.

No, not all individuals on the arrest lists were alive at the time of the arrests. Specifically, Adam Bednarski and Roman Leszczyński were already deceased when the arrests were being carried out.

What happened to Roman Rencki, a director at Lwów University, prior to his arrest by German forces?

Roman Rencki, who was the director of the Clinic for Internal Diseases at Lwów University, had previously been held in an NKVD prison and was on a list of Soviet prisoners sentenced to death. He managed to hide in his cell and escape from the prison during a German bombing as the front approached Lwów, only to be arrested later by German forces.

Where were the detainees transported after their initial arrest, and what treatment did they receive there?

After their initial arrest, the detainees were transported to the Abrahamowicz's dormitory. Despite an initial intention to kill them, they were subjected to torture and interrogation at this location.

What unusual incident occurred during the detention at Abrahamowicz's dormitory involving Adam Ruff?

During the detention at Abrahamowicz's dormitory, Adam Ruff, who was the head of the department in the Jewish hospital, was shot during an epileptic attack.

What happened to the majority of the arrested professors and their families on the morning of July 4, 1941?

In the early morning of July 4, 1941, one of the professors and most of his servants were set free. The remaining detainees were either brought to the Wulka hills or shot to death in the courtyard of the Bursa Abrahamowiczów building.

What happened to the bodies of the victims after the massacre?

The victims were initially buried on the spot where they were killed. However, several days after the massacre, their bodies were exhumed and transported by the Wehrmacht to an unknown location, likely to conceal the crime.

What were the reported methods of killing used by German troops during the massacre?

There are accounts of four different methods used by German troops during the massacre: victims were either beaten to death, killed with a bayonet, killed with a hammer, or shot to death. The professors themselves were specifically shot to death.

Who made the highest-level decision regarding the Lwów massacre?

The decision for the Lwów massacre was made at the highest level of Nazi Germany's leadership. The decision regarding Kazimierz Bartel, a former Polish Prime Minister, was specifically taken by Heinrich Himmler, one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany.

Who was the direct decision-maker for the Lwów massacre at the regional level?

The direct decision-maker for the Lwów massacre was Karl Eberhard Schöngarth, who was the commander of the Sicherheitspolizei (Befehlshaber der Sicherheitspolizei und des SD - BdS) in the Krakau District of the General Government.

Name some of the Gestapo officers who participated in the Lwów massacre.

The Gestapo officers who participated in the Lwów massacre included Walter Kutschmann, Felix Landau, Heinz Heim (Chief of Staff Schöngarth), Hans Krueger, and Kurt Stawizki. These individuals were part of the Nazi security apparatus responsible for implementing terror and extermination policies.

Were any of the Gestapo officers involved in the Lwów massacre punished for their roles in this specific crime?

None of the Gestapo officers were ever punished specifically for their roles in the Lwów massacre. However, Karl Eberhard Schöngarth, Felix Landau, and Hans Krueger were punished for other crimes, with Schöngarth being executed in 1946.

What was the fate of Walter Kutschmann, one of the Gestapo officers involved in the massacre?

Walter Kutschmann, one of the Gestapo officers involved, lived under a false identity in Argentina until January 1975, when he was found and exposed by journalist Alfredo Serra. He was arrested ten years later in Florida, Buenos Aires, by Interpol agents but died of a heart attack in jail on August 30, 1986, before he could be extradited to then West Germany.

What is the controversy surrounding the involvement of the Nachtigall Battalion in the murders?

Some sources contend that members of the Ukrainian auxiliaries from the Nachtigall Battalion were responsible for the murders. However, this claim originated with Soviet sources and has been disputed by the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, which suggests it was KGB disinformation. While a Polish Institute of National Remembrance official stated Nachtigall soldiers participated in arrests but not murders, their role needs further investigation. Sociologist Tadeusz Piotrowski noted their presence in the town during the events, their undocumented activities, and that at the very least they are guilty of passive collaboration for not opposing the atrocities. A Lviv historian, Vasyl Rasevych, claims no archival evidence exists to support Ukrainian participation in the July 1941 massacre.

How did the Soviet Union attempt to diminish the Polish cultural and historic legacy of Lwów after World War II?

After World War II, the Soviet Union made attempts to diminish the Polish cultural and historic legacy of Lwów. This included restricting information on the atrocities that took place in the city, effectively trying to erase or downplay the Polish aspect of Lwów's history.

Why were crimes committed east of the Curzon Line not prosecuted by Polish courts after World War II?

Crimes committed east of the Curzon Line could not be prosecuted by Polish courts after World War II because this line largely defined the new eastern border of Poland, placing Lwów within Soviet territory. This meant the jurisdiction for prosecuting such crimes fell outside of Polish legal authority.

What was the outcome of Helena Krukowska's appeal to a Hamburg court in 1960 regarding the Lwów massacre?

In 1960, Helena Krukowska, the widow of Włodzimierz Krukowski, launched an appeal to a court in Hamburg. After five years, the West German court closed the judicial proceedings, claiming the people responsible for the crime were already dead. This decision was controversial, as Hans Krueger, a Gestapo commander supervising the massacres in Lwów, was being held in a Hamburg prison for other crimes at that time.

Was anyone ever held responsible for the killings of the academics in Lwów?

No one has ever been held responsible specifically for the killings of the academics in Lwów, despite investigations and attempts at prosecution.

How has Lviv commemorated the victims of the atrocity in recent decades?

In the 1970s, Abrahamowicz Street in Lviv was renamed Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński Street, in honor of one of the murdered professors. Various Polish organizations have made deputations to remember the victims with a monument or symbolic grave in Lviv. On July 3, 2011, a memorial dedicated to the Polish professors murdered by the Gestapo on July 4, 1941, was opened in Lviv, although a previous monument was defaced in May 2009 with anti-Polish graffiti.

What is the current status of the investigation into the murder of the professors?

The case of the murder of the professors is currently under investigation by the Institute of National Remembrance, a Polish institution dedicated to researching and prosecuting crimes against the Polish nation.

Who was Antoni Cieszyński, and what was his academic affiliation?

Antoni Cieszyński was a Professor of Stomatology at Uniwersytet Jana Kazimierza (UJK), which is Lwów University.

Who was Władysław Dobrzaniecki, and what was his professional role?

Władysław Dobrzaniecki was a Professor and head of the ordinary Department of Surgery at Państwowy Szpital Powszechny (PSP), the National Public Hospital.

Who was Jan Grek, and who was murdered with him?

Jan Grek was a Professor of Internal Medicine at UJK (Lwów University). His wife, Maria Grekowa, was murdered alongside him.

What was Jerzy Grzędzielski's position at Lwów University?

Jerzy Grzędzielski was a Docent (Doc Dr) and head of the Institute of Ophthalmology at UJK (Lwów University).

Who was Edward Hamerski, and what was his field of expertise?

Edward Hamerski was a Professor and Chief of Internal Medicine at Akademia Weterynaryjna we Lwowie (AWL), the Academy of Veterinary Sciences in Lwów.

Who was Henryk Hilarowicz?

Henryk Hilarowicz was a Professor of Surgery at UJK (Lwów University).

Who was Władysław Komornicki, and what was his connection to the victims?

Władysław Komornicki was a Reverend Doctor and theologian, identified as a relative of the Ostrowski family, who were also victims of the massacre.

Who was Włodzimierz Krukowski, and what was his professional role?

Włodzimierz Krukowski was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Electrical Measurement at Politechnika Lwowska (PL), Lwów Polytechnic.

Describe the family members of Professor Roman Longchamps de Bérier who were also murdered.

Professor Roman Longchamps de Bérier, who was the Chief of the Institute of Civil Law at UJK, was murdered along with his three sons: Bronisław Longchamps de Bérier, Zygmunt Longchamps de Bérier, and Kazimierz Longchamps de Bérier.

Who was Antoni Łomnicki, and what was his academic focus?

Antoni Łomnicki was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Mathematics at PL (Lwów Polytechnic).

Who was Witold Nowicki, and what was his son's name and profession?

Witold Nowicki was a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Anatomy and Pathology at UJK. His son, Jerzy Nowicki, was an assistant at the Institute of Hygiene at UJK and also a Doctor of Medicine.

Who was Tadeusz Ostrowski, and who was murdered with him?

Tadeusz Ostrowski was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Surgery at UJK. His wife, Jadwiga Ostrowska, was murdered with him.

What was Stanisław Pilat's area of expertise at Lwów Polytechnic?

Stanisław Pilat was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Technology of Petroleum and Natural Gases at PL (Lwów Polytechnic).

Who was Stanisław Progulski, and who was murdered with him?

Stanisław Progulski was a pediatrician at UJK. His son, Andrzej Progulski, was murdered with him.

Describe the Ruff family members who were murdered.

Dr. Stanisław Ruff, who was the Chief of the Department of Surgery of the Jewish Hospital, was murdered along with his wife, Anna Ruffowa, and his son, Inż. Adam Ruff, an engineer.

Who was Włodzimierz Sieradzki, and what was his academic role?

Włodzimierz Sieradzki was a Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Court Medicine at UJK (Lwów University).

Who was Adam Sołowij, and what was his former professional role?

Adam Sołowij was a Professor and former Chief of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the PSP (National Public Hospital).

Describe the Stożek family members who were murdered.

Professor Włodzimierz Stożek, who was the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics at PL, was murdered along with his two sons: Inż. Eustachy Stożek, an assistant at Politechnika Lwowska, and Emanuel Stożek.

Who was Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński, and what were his diverse professional roles?

Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński was a prominent writer and gynaecologist, and he was also the Chief of the Institute of French Literature. He was among those murdered in the Wulka hills.

Who were Henryk Korowicz and Stanisław Ruziewicz, and when were they murdered?

Henryk Korowicz was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Economics at Akademia Handlu Zagranicznego we Lwowie (AHZ), and Stanisław Ruziewicz was a Professor and Chief of the Institute of Mathematics at AHZ. Both were murdered on July 12, 1941.

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Overview

A Targeted Eradication

In July 1941, a horrific act of violence unfolded in Lwów (present-day Lviv, Ukraine), where 25 distinguished Polish academics, alongside 25 of their family members, were systematically murdered by Nazi German occupation forces. This event was not random but a calculated strike against the intellectual elite of the region.

Suppressing Resistance

The primary objective behind targeting prominent citizens and intellectuals was to preemptively dismantle any potential anti-Nazi activities and to debilitate the Polish resistance movement. By eliminating key figures, the Nazi regime sought to instill fear and prevent organized opposition against its brutal rule.

Perpetrators and Methods

Eyewitness accounts confirm that the executions were carried out by an Einsatzgruppe unit, specifically an Einsatzkommando zur besonderen Verwendung, under the direct command of Karl Eberhard Schöngarth. These units were notorious for their mass murder operations. Ukrainian translators, clad in German uniforms, were also reported to have participated in these grim proceedings.

Historical Background

Lwów: A Polish Cultural Hub

Prior to September 1939 and the German invasion of Poland, Lwów was a vibrant city within the Second Polish Republic, boasting a population of 318,000. Its demographic tapestry included a majority of Poles (60%), a significant Jewish community (30%), and smaller populations of Ukrainians and Germans. The city was a pivotal cultural and academic center, home to five tertiary educational institutions, including the esteemed Lwów University and Lwów Polytechnic. It nurtured a rich community of Polish and Polish Jewish intellectuals, artists, scientists, and political figures.

Soviet Occupation and Transformation

In September 1939, Lwów fell under Soviet occupation. During this period, Lwów University was notably renamed in honor of Ivan Franko, a prominent Ukrainian literary figure. Concurrently, the language of instruction was shifted from Polish to Ukrainian, marking a significant cultural and administrative change under Soviet rule.

German Invasion and Atrocities

German forces captured Lwów on June 30, 1941, following their invasion of the Soviet Union. The arrival of Wehrmacht, Abwehr, and SS units heralded a new wave of terror. The German occupation led to the systematic extermination of nearly all of the city's 120,000 Jewish inhabitants, confined within the Lemberg Ghetto or transported to the Bełżec extermination camp. By the war's end, only a few hundred Jews survived, a stark testament to the scale of the genocide.

Suppressing the Intelligentsia

To assert control and crush any potential dissent, the Nazi regime systematically targeted prominent citizens and intellectuals, particularly Poles and Jews. These individuals were either imprisoned in Gestapo facilities like Pełczyńska Street and Brygidki Prison, or executed in various locations around the city, including Zamarstynów, Winniki, Kortumówka hills, and the Jewish Cemetery. This mass murder was a direct continuation of the infamous German AB-Aktion in Poland, designed to decapitate Polish society and prevent any organized resistance against Nazi occupation.

The Killings

The Night of Arrests and Interrogations

The systematic executions commenced by July 2, 1941. On this day, Professor Kazimierz Bartel was arrested by an Einsatzgruppe unit. The night of July 3/4 witnessed a widespread roundup, as German detachments—each comprising an officer, several soldiers, and Ukrainian guides and interpreters—arrested dozens of professors and their families. These lists of targets were reportedly compiled by Ukrainian students associated with the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Some individuals on these lists, such as Adam Bednarski and Roman Leszczyński, were already deceased. Detainees were transported to the Abrahamowicz's dormitory, where they endured torture and interrogation. Tragically, Adam Ruff, head of a department in the Jewish hospital, was shot during an epileptic seizure.

Execution and Disposal

In the early hours of July 4, one professor and most of his servants were released. However, the remaining detainees faced a brutal fate: they were either taken to the Wulka hills or summarily executed in the courtyard of the Bursa Abrahamowiczów building. The victims were initially buried at the execution sites. Days later, their bodies were exhumed by the Wehrmacht and transported to an undisclosed location, an attempt to erase the evidence of the atrocity. Accounts detail various methods of killing, including beating, bayoneting, hammering, and shooting, with the professors themselves primarily executed by gunfire.

Murdered in the Wulka Hills:

The following individuals were among those tragically murdered in the Wulka hills. Their professional affiliations highlight the profound loss to the academic community of Lwów:

Name	Affiliation	Role
Prof Dr Antoni Cieszyński	UJK	Professor of Stomatology
Prof Dr Władysław Dobrzaniecki	PSP	Head of Surgery
Prof Dr Jan Grek	UJK	Professor of Internal Medicine
Maria Grekowa	—	Wife of Jan Grek
Doc Dr Jerzy Grzędzielski	UJK	Head of Institute of Ophthalmology
Prof Dr Edward Hamerski	AWL	Chief of Internal Medicine
Prof Dr Henryk Hilarowicz	UJK	Professor of Surgery
Rev Dr Władysław Komornicki	—	Theologian, relative of the Ostrowski family
Eugeniusz Kostecki	—	Husband of Prof. Dobrzaniecki's servant
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Krukowski	PL	Chief of the Institute of Electrical Measurement
Prof Dr Roman Longchamps de Bérier	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Civil Law
Bronisław Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Zygmunt Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Kazimierz Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Prof Dr Antoni Łomnicki	PL	Chief of the Institute of Mathematics
Adam Mięsowicz	—	Grandson of Prof. Sołowij
Prof Dr Witold Nowicki	UJK	Dean of the Faculty of Anatomy and Pathology
Dr Med Jerzy Nowicki	UJK	Assistant at the Institute of Hygiene, son of Prof. Witold Nowicki
Prof Dr Tadeusz Ostrowski	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Surgery
Jadwiga Ostrowska	—	Wife of Prof. Ostrowski
Prof Dr Stanisław Pilat	PL	Chief of the Institute of Technology of Petroleum and Natural Gases
Prof Dr Stanisław Progulski	UJK	Pediatrician
Andrzej Progulski	—	Son of Prof. Progulski
Prof Dr Roman Rencki	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Internal Medicine
Dr Med Stanisław Ruff	Jewish Hospital	Chief of the Department of Surgery
Anna Ruffowa	—	Dr Ruff's wife
Inż. Adam Ruff	—	Dr Ruff's son
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Sieradzki	UJK	Dean of the Faculty of Court Medicine
Prof Dr Adam Sołowij	PSP	Former Chief of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Stożek	PL	Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics
Inż. Eustachy Stożek	Politechnika Lwowska	Assistant, son of Prof Włodzimierz Stożek
Emanuel Stożek	—	Son of Prof Włodzimierz Stożek
Dr. Tadeusz Tapkowski	—	Lawyer
Prof Dr Kazimierz Vetulani	PL	Dean of the Faculty of Theoretical Mechanics
Prof Dr Kasper Weigel	PL	Chief of the Institute of Measures
Mgr Józef Weigel	—	Son of Prof Kasper Weigel
Prof Dr Roman Witkiewicz	PL	Chief of the Institute of Machinery
Prof Dr Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński	—	Writer and Gynaecologist, Chief of the Institute of French Literature

Abbreviations: UJK = Uniwersytet Jana Kazimierza (Lwów University); PSP = Państwowy Szpital Powszechny (National Public Hospital); PL = Politechnika Lwowska (Lwów Polytechnic); AWL = Akademia Weterynaryjna we Lwowie (Academy of Veterinary Sciences in Lwów); AHZ = Akademia Handlu Zagranicznego we Lwowie (Academy of Foreign Trade in Lwów).

Additional Victims

Beyond the Wulka hills, other individuals were murdered in separate incidents related to the massacre:

Murdered in the courtyard of Bursa Abrahamowiczów (July 4):
- Katarzyna Demko, English language teacher
- Dr Stanisław Mączewski, head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the PSP
- Maria Reymanowa, nurse
- Wolisch (forename unknown), merchant
Murdered on July 12:
- Prof Dr Henryk Korowicz, Chief of the Institute of Economics, AHZ
- Prof Dr Stanisław Ruziewicz, Chief of the Institute of Mathematics, AHZ
Murdered on July 26 in Brygidki Prison:
- Prof Dr Kazimierz Bartel, former Prime Minister of Poland, former Rector of PL, Chairman of the Department of Geometry, PL

Responsibility

High-Level Directives

The decision to execute the Lwów professors was not a localized initiative but originated from the highest echelons of Nazi Germany's leadership. Specifically, the direct order for the massacre was issued by Karl Eberhard Schöngarth, who served as the commander of the Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police) and SD (Security Service) in the Krakau District of the General Government. This underscores the systematic nature of the Nazi regime's policies against the Polish intelligentsia.

Key Gestapo Officers Involved

Several Gestapo officers were directly implicated in the Lwów massacre, including Walter Kutschmann, Felix Landau, Heinz Heim (Schöngarth's Chief of Staff), Hans Krueger, and Kurt Stawizki. While none of these individuals were ever brought to justice specifically for their roles in the Lwów killings, some did face consequences for other atrocities. Schöngarth himself was executed in 1946 for unrelated crimes. Walter Kutschmann managed to evade justice for decades, living under a false identity in Argentina until his discovery in 1975 and subsequent arrest in 1985. He died of a heart attack in jail in 1986 before he could be extradited to West Germany.

The Role of Ukrainian Auxiliaries

The involvement of Ukrainian auxiliaries, particularly members of the Nachtigall Battalion, in the Lwów massacre remains a contentious historical debate. Some sources suggest their participation in the murders, a claim that has been disputed by organizations such as the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, which attributes it to Soviet disinformation. Documents published by Memorial also point to KGB disinformation regarding Nachtigall's involvement. The Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) indicates that Nachtigall soldiers participated in the arrests but not necessarily the murders, suggesting further investigation is needed. Sociologist Tadeusz Piotrowski notes their presence in the city during the events, the lack of proper documentation of their activities, and suggests at minimum a passive collaboration for not opposing the atrocities. Conversely, a Lviv historian, Vasyl Rasevych, asserts that claims of Ukrainian participation in the July 1941 massacre are unfounded and lack archival evidence.

Aftermath & Legacy

Post-War Historical Suppression

Following World War II, the Soviet Union actively sought to diminish the rich Polish cultural and historical legacy of Lwów. Crimes committed east of the Curzon line, which became the new Soviet-Polish border, largely fell outside the jurisdiction of Polish courts, making prosecution difficult. Information concerning the atrocities that occurred in Lwów was deliberately restricted, contributing to a historical silence surrounding these events for many years.

Elusive Justice

Efforts to seek justice for the Lwów massacre proved largely futile. In 1960, Helena Krukowska, the widow of Professor Włodzimierz Krukowski, initiated an appeal to a court in Hamburg. However, after five years, the West German court closed the proceedings, asserting that those responsible for the crime were already deceased. This claim was made despite Hans Krueger, a Gestapo unit commander who supervised the Lwów massacres, being held in a Hamburg prison at the time for other mass murders of Polish Jews. Consequently, no individual was ever held accountable for the killings of the Lwów academics.

Acts of Remembrance

In the 1970s, Abrahamowicz Street in Lviv was renamed Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński Street, honoring one of the murdered professors. Various Polish organizations have consistently advocated for a monument or symbolic grave in Lviv to commemorate the victims. The Institute of National Remembrance continues its investigation into the murder of the professors. A somber incident occurred in May 2009 when the monument to the victims in Lviv was defaced with red paint and anti-Polish graffiti. Despite such challenges, a memorial dedicated to the Polish professors murdered by the Gestapo on July 4, 1941, was finally unveiled in Lviv on July 3, 2011, serving as a permanent reminder of this tragic event.

The Victims

Academic and Family Losses

The massacre claimed the lives of 25 Polish academics and 25 of their family members, representing a devastating loss to the intellectual and social fabric of Lwów. These individuals were professors, doctors, engineers, and their spouses and children, whose lives were brutally cut short in a targeted act of terror. Their deaths left an irreplaceable void in various fields of study and in the broader community.

Comprehensive List of Murdered Individuals:

This list details the victims of the Lwów massacre, including their professional roles and affiliations where known. The abbreviations denote the institutions they served:

UJK: Uniwersytet Jana Kazimierza (Lwów University, now Ivan Franko National University of Lviv)
PSP: Państwowy Szpital Powszechny (National Public Hospital)
PL: Politechnika Lwowska (Lwów Polytechnic, now Lviv Polytechnic National University)
AWL: Akademia Weterynaryjna we Lwowie (Academy of Veterinary Sciences in Lwów)
AHZ: Akademia Handlu Zagranicznego we Lwowie (Academy of Foreign Trade in Lwów)

Murdered in the Wulka Hills (July 4, 1941):

Name	Affiliation	Role
Prof Dr Antoni Cieszyński	UJK	Professor of Stomatology
Prof Dr Władysław Dobrzaniecki	PSP	Head of Surgery
Prof Dr Jan Grek	UJK	Professor of Internal Medicine
Maria Grekowa	—	Wife of Jan Grek
Doc Dr Jerzy Grzędzielski	UJK	Head of Institute of Ophthalmology
Prof Dr Edward Hamerski	AWL	Chief of Internal Medicine
Prof Dr Henryk Hilarowicz	UJK	Professor of Surgery
Rev Dr Władysław Komornicki	—	Theologian, relative of the Ostrowski family
Eugeniusz Kostecki	—	Husband of Prof. Dobrzaniecki's servant
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Krukowski	PL	Chief of the Institute of Electrical Measurement
Prof Dr Roman Longchamps de Bérier	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Civil Law
Bronisław Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Zygmunt Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Kazimierz Longchamps de Bérier	—	Son of Prof. Longchamps de Bérier
Prof Dr Antoni Łomnicki	PL	Chief of the Institute of Mathematics
Adam Mięsowicz	—	Grandson of Prof. Sołowij
Prof Dr Witold Nowicki	UJK	Dean of the Faculty of Anatomy and Pathology
Dr Med Jerzy Nowicki	UJK	Assistant at the Institute of Hygiene, son of Prof. Witold Nowicki
Prof Dr Tadeusz Ostrowski	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Surgery
Jadwiga Ostrowska	—	Wife of Prof. Ostrowski
Prof Dr Stanisław Pilat	PL	Chief of the Institute of Technology of Petroleum and Natural Gases
Prof Dr Stanisław Progulski	UJK	Pediatrician
Andrzej Progulski	—	Son of Prof. Progulski
Prof Dr Roman Rencki	UJK	Chief of the Institute of Internal Medicine
Dr Med Stanisław Ruff	Jewish Hospital	Chief of the Department of Surgery
Anna Ruffowa	—	Dr Ruff's wife
Inż. Adam Ruff	—	Dr Ruff's son
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Sieradzki	UJK	Dean of the Faculty of Court Medicine
Prof Dr Adam Sołowij	PSP	Former Chief of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Prof Dr Włodzimierz Stożek	PL	Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics
Inż. Eustachy Stożek	Politechnika Lwowska	Assistant, son of Prof Włodzimierz Stożek
Emanuel Stożek	—	Son of Prof Włodzimierz Stożek
Dr. Tadeusz Tapkowski	—	Lawyer
Prof Dr Kazimierz Vetulani	PL	Dean of the Faculty of Theoretical Mechanics
Prof Dr Kasper Weigel	PL	Chief of the Institute of Measures
Mgr Józef Weigel	—	Son of Prof Kasper Weigel
Prof Dr Roman Witkiewicz	PL	Chief of the Institute of Machinery
Prof Dr Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński	—	Writer and Gynaecologist, Chief of the Institute of French Literature

Murdered in the courtyard of Bursa Abrahamowiczów (July 4, 1941):

Katarzyna Demko, English language teacher
Dr Stanisław Mączewski, head of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the PSP
Maria Reymanowa, nurse
Wolisch (forename unknown), merchant

Murdered on July 12, 1941:

Prof Dr Henryk Korowicz, Chief of the Institute of Economics, AHZ
Prof Dr Stanisław Ruziewicz, Chief of the Institute of Mathematics, AHZ

Murdered on July 26, 1941, in Brygidki Prison:

Prof Dr Kazimierz Bartel, former Prime Minister of Poland, former Rector of PL, Chairman of the Department of Geometry, PL

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References

Zygmunt Albert, KaÅºÅ profesorÃ³w lwowskich w lipcu 1941 roku, Warszawa 2004. (in Polish)

MaÅy Rocznik Statystyczny 1939 (Polish statistical yearbook of 1939), GUS, Warsaw, 1939

Roger Dale Petersen, Understanding ethnic violence: fear, hatred, and resentment in twentieth-century Eastern Europe, Cambridge University Press, 2002, p. 124

Grzegorz Hryciuk, Mordy w wiÄzieniach Lwowskich w czerwcu 1941 roku, WrocÅawskie studia z historii najnowszej, vol. 7, Instytut Historyczny Uniwersytetu WrocÅawskiego, 1997, p. 64

Jak ginÄÅy elity Rzeczypospolitej, dziennik.krakow.pl, 23 April 2007.

The decision regarding Kazimierz Bartel, former Polish Prime Minister, was taken by Heinrich Himmler.

Biuletyn IPN â KaÅºÅ profesorÃ³w lwowskich w lipcu 1941 roku], ipn.gov.pl; accessed 4 December 2014.

[1], radiosvoboda.org; accessed 4 December 2014.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Massacre of Lwów professors Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional historical or political analysis. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for scholarly historical research or expert analysis. The events described are deeply sensitive and complex, involving profound human tragedy and contested historical narratives. Interpretations of historical events, especially those involving wartime atrocities and ethnic tensions, can vary significantly.

Always consult reputable historical sources, academic works, and diverse perspectives for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of such complex topics. Never disregard professional historical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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The Lwów Atrocity

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview ℹ️

🕯️ A Targeted Eradication

🚫 Suppressing Resistance

⚔️ Perpetrators and Methods

Historical Background 🌍

🏛️ Lwów: A Polish Cultural Hub

☭ Soviet Occupation and Transformation

🇩🇪 German Invasion and Atrocities

⛓️ Suppressing the Intelligentsia

The Killings 🩸

🗓️ The Night of Arrests and Interrogations

💀 Execution and Disposal

Murdered in the Wulka Hills:

💔 Additional Victims

Responsibility ⚖️

🏛️ High-Level Directives

👤 Key Gestapo Officers Involved

❓ The Role of Ukrainian Auxiliaries

Aftermath & Legacy 🕰️

🤫 Post-War Historical Suppression

🚫 Elusive Justice

🕊️ Acts of Remembrance

The Victims 💔

🎓 Academic and Family Losses

Comprehensive List of Murdered Individuals:

Murdered in the Wulka Hills (July 4, 1941):

Murdered in the courtyard of Bursa Abrahamowiczów (July 4, 1941):

Murdered on July 12, 1941:

Murdered on July 26, 1941, in Brygidki Prison:

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

A Targeted Eradication

Suppressing Resistance

Perpetrators and Methods

Historical Background

Lwów: A Polish Cultural Hub

Soviet Occupation and Transformation

German Invasion and Atrocities

Suppressing the Intelligentsia

The Killings

The Night of Arrests and Interrogations

Execution and Disposal

Additional Victims

Responsibility

High-Level Directives

Key Gestapo Officers Involved

The Role of Ukrainian Auxiliaries

Aftermath & Legacy

Post-War Historical Suppression

Elusive Justice

Acts of Remembrance

The Victims

Academic and Family Losses

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice