The dispute over Elżbieta Zawacka – the soldier and educationalist

Abstract

The author appreciatively welcomes the release of a new work by Katarzyna Minczykowska Cichociemna. Generał Elżbieta Zawacka „Zo” devoted to the biography, military and scientific merit of Elżbieta Zawacka – the teacher, soldier, the professor and the general of the Polish army. The book’s author is a former co-worker of professor Zawacka. Not only did she analyse the resources of the Foundation of General Elżbieta Zawacka (Fundacja Generał Elżbiety Zawackiej), but also she visited the archives of the Institute of National Remembrance (Instytut Pamięci Narodowej), the University of Gdansk and the University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Torun. Moreover, the author analysed the materials deposited in London, where the headquarters of Commander-in-chief were placed and which, in 1943, captain Zawacka reached as a courier from the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) in Warsaw. Collected materials allowed to present in detail Zawacka’s school life and youth, the period of her studies and activities in the Military Service of Women, NSZ and AK formations, then, in the post-war period as a student and later as a doctoral student, the teacher of school for adults. Considerable amount of information is devoted to arrest and persecution of imprisoned national heroine and her release. The author of the article disputes with K. Minczykowska and indicates negligence in the use of works published in 2009, information about Zawacka’s habilitation and her proceedings to qualify for a professor’s degree, vaguely treating her activity in International Council for Distance Education and academic work at the University of Gdansk and Torun. Basic works have not been included in the rich biography, there are some facts left unsaid and number of generalities require corrections. The author of the analysis attempts to present the life and merit of Elżbieta Zawacka.