Beneath our feet lies a story of courage. It is a story etched in glass and memory. We stand before the Wojtek Zalewski Plaque. This plaque commemorates a young hero of the Warsaw Uprising.
Wojciech Zalewski, nicknamed “White Eagle”, was just eleven years old. He joined the Chrobry II grouping. This was during the desperate days of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The Wojtek Zalewski Plaque marks the very spot where he died on August 21, 1944.
Imagine Warsaw then. The city was a battlefield. Amidst the chaos and destruction, young Wojtek served as a vital link. He was a courier for the resistance fighters. Despite his age, Wojtek earned the respect of his comrades. He was brave and resourceful.
One story tells of Wojtek slipping through German lines. He went into the heavily guarded Main Station. There he gathered crucial intelligence about enemy forces, their weapons and positions. Another time, he led an surrounded platoon to safety. He used secret passages known only to him.
For his bravery, commanders recommended Wojtek for the Cross of Valour. Sadly, he never received it. On that fateful day, August 21, Wojtek was carrying a message. A German bullet struck him down. Fellow soldiers risked their lives under fire to recover his body.
The insurgents held a funeral for Wojtek Zalewski in the courtyard of a building. After the war, his body was never found. Yet, his spirit lived on.
The Wojtek Zalewski Plaque is screen printed on satin glass. The image shows in black over a white underprint. Stainless steel points attach the plaque.
This Wojtek Zalewski Plaque was unveiled on August 21, 2019. This marked the 75th anniversary of his death. Anna Szarejko, a community activist, initiated the memorial. A symbolic tomb was created at the Powązki Military Cemetery. This shows the scene of his body being carried. Roman Kołakowski, a composer, dedicated a song to him called “White Eagle.”
So let us remember Wojtek Zalewski. He represents the countless children. They fought and died for freedom. The Wojtek Zalewski Plaque reminds us of their sacrifice.