https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/tragic-end-polish-movie-star-nazi-resistance-fighter-witold-zacharewicz [login to see] /
Incredible story of bravery and love of country--Warning: this is a difficult story (emotionally) to read
On Sept. 17, the Soviets invaded. United Artists offered to intervene and try to bring Zacharewicz from Poland to the U.S., but he declined. “For him, the choice was obvious to stay there and defend Poland along with all his friends and countrymen,” his granddaughter says. “So he actually said, ‘No, thank you,’ to Hollywood.”
“After the battles stopped in the winter of ’39 to ’40, men went into the underground” as part of the resistance movement, explains Zuzanna. “They went into cells not bigger than 10 people. You knew only the people in your own cell. That way, if the Germans discovered your cell and arrested you, the other cells remained secure.” Zacharewicz’s cell consisted of himself and his mother, a priest, four municipal officials, the owner of a coal depot and a photographer known as “Mr. K.” The cell was responsible for the creation of false documents for Jews that gave them Catholic identities, which allowed them to move between borders, giving them a chance at survival. Mr. K took the ID photos and prepared the documents.