Żagiew

Żagiew (the Torch, known in Polish as "Żydowska Gwardia Wolnosci") was a collaborationist Jewish organisation in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, founded in February 1943, during World War II at the beginning of the Jewish uprising. [Jerzy Ślaski, Jerzy Piesiewicz, "Polska walcząca: 1939-1945", Published by Instytut Wydawniczy Pax, 1990; ISBN 8321114288, 1055 pages.] Its primary goal was to infiltrate the Jewish resistance and reveal its connections with the Polish underground aiding and hiding Jews in Nazi controlled General Gouvernement. The organization was able to inflict considerable damage on both fronts. [Henryk Piecuch, "Syndrom tajnych służb: czas prania mózgów i łamania kości", Published by Agencja Wydawnicza CB, 1999; ISBN 8386245662, 362 pages.] Many Żagiew members were related to the Group 13. The Nazis had over a thousand Jewish Gestapo agents in the organization.en icon cite book | first =Tadeusz | last = Piotrowski | authorlink= Tadeusz Piotrowski (sociologist)| title =Poland's Holocaust: Ethnic Strife, Collaboration with Occupying Forces and Genocide… | year =1997 | editor = | pages = p. 74 |publisher =McFarland & Company | location = Jefferson, NC and London| id =ISBN 0-7864-0371-3 | format = | accessdate = ] They were permitted by the Gestapo to possess and bear firearms.

Żagiew agents were instrumental in organizing the Hotel Polski affair in Warsaw. The organization operated primarily within the Warsaw ghetto and most of its members were killed during Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by members of the Jewish resistance (ŻOB). The remainder joined the Jewish faction of German secret police. [Bolko Mieszkiewicz, "Antysymityzm?" Published by "s.n.", 84 pages.]

Notes

ee also

* Group 13
* Abraham Gancwajch — the leader of Żagiew