World War II was rife with brutal atrocities, and among the most horrific was the Nazi practice of public executions by hanging, particularly targeting Polish women. These executions, often conducted in full view of local communities, were designed to instill fear and crush resistance to German occupation. For many, the sight of women—often innocent civilians or resistance fighters—being hanged became a grim symbol of Nazi oppression.
Nazi Occupation and the Repression of Poles
When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the occupation unleashed a campaign of terror. Poles, considered "subhuman" under Nazi racial ideology, were systematically targeted for extermination, enslavement, or brutal repression. This included not only Jewish Poles but also the Polish intelligentsia, resistance members, and ordinary citizens who dared to defy German rule.
Women were no exception. Many were involved in underground resistance movements, smuggling food, carrying secret messages, or aiding Jewish families. For their bravery, they were often subjected to arrest, torture, and execution.
The Public Hangings
One of the Nazis' favored methods of execution for Polish women was public hanging. These executions were carried out in towns and villages across occupied Poland, often on makeshift gallows erected in marketplaces or town squares. The victims were typically resistance fighters or those accused of aiding partisans, though accusations were often baseless and arbitrary.
The purpose of these hangings was twofold: to punish perceived enemies of the Reich and to serve as a warning to the local population. Bystanders were often forced to watch these executions, creating a climate of fear and submission.
Notable Incidents
1. Szarajówka Massacre (1943)
In March 1943, the village of Szarajówka became the site of a particularly brutal Nazi atrocity. In retaliation for resistance activity in the area, German forces rounded up civilians, including women and children. Several women were publicly hanged in front of their families and neighbors, while the rest of the village was burned to the ground. This horrific act was part of the larger campaign of terror meant to suppress Polish resistance.
2. The Hanging of Wanda Gertz’s Operatives
Wanda Gertz, a Polish resistance leader, commanded a group of female operatives who carried out sabotage missions against the Nazis. Many of her comrades were captured, tortured, and executed by hanging. These women, who risked their lives for Poland’s freedom, were often displayed as examples of what would happen to those who defied the Nazi regime.
3. The Execution of Emilia Malessa (Lila)
Emilia Malessa, known as “Lila,” was a key figure in the Polish underground movement. Although she was eventually captured and executed, her bravery and sacrifice inspired many to continue fighting against the Nazi occupiers. The manner of her death, like so many others, was intended to degrade and dehumanize her in her final moments.
Conditions Leading to Execution
Women sentenced to hanging often endured horrific conditions before their execution. They were held in overcrowded cells, subjected to physical and psychological torture, and given mock trials with predetermined outcomes. Once sentenced, they were marched to their deaths, sometimes barefoot and starved, forced to endure the humiliation of public spectacle.
The method of execution itself was deliberately cruel. Unlike modern methods designed to minimize suffering, the Nazi hangings were slow and excruciating, ensuring the victim suffered in their final moments. This added to the psychological torment inflicted on those who witnessed the executions.