1. Romuald Rajs, nom de guerre "Bury", was a Polish soldier, a member of Home Army and National Military Union, an anti-communist insurgent and war criminal.
17 Facts About Romuald Rajs
1. 2.
Romuald Rajs was sentenced to death in a show trial held by the Polish communist government in 1949, charged with membership in delegalized NZW.
3.
In 1934 Romuald Rajs graduated from the School for Non-commissioned Officers in Konin and took the parachute course in Biedrusko near Poznan.
4.
Romuald Rajs led by example, often serving as the lead attacker in his group.
5.
Romuald Rajs is noted for his successful defense of the village of Mikuliszki during a German manhunt, in which heavy losses were inflicted on the Germans.
6.
In July 1944 Romuald Rajs took part in Operation Ostra Brama against the Germans.
7.
In September 1945 Szendzielarz disbanded the brigade, but Romuald Rajs decided to continue to fight and made contact with Major Jan Szklarek of the National Military Union.
8.
Romuald Rajs pushed for action, and in particular ruthless action against the soldiers of the Polish People's Army and the local Belarusian population.
9.
From August 1946 Romuald Rajs's brigade was dispersed, and divided into small teams.
10.
In October 1946 Romuald Rajs disbanded the brigade, and went to his family in Elblag.
11.
Romuald Rajs attempted to collaborate with the communists, and provided information on the structure of anti-partisan underground.
12.
Romuald Rajs was found guilty of massacring Belarusian civilians and sentenced to death by shooting.
13.
The initial inquiry that was launched that determined that the victims were not involved in the structure of the communist state and that therefore Romuald Rajs' crimes were classified as crimes against humanity.
14.
Romuald Rajs remained relatively obscure until his memory was taken over by the National Radical Camp, a nationalist group, which actively promotes him as a hero.
15.
Since 2015 posters of Romuald Rajs are displayed in Independence day marches by the group's supporters.
16.
Along the border with Belarus, glorification of Romuald Rajs has become a way to express anti-Belarusian sentiments.
17.
Since 2016, a march to commemorate Romuald Rajs is held by ONR in the town.