Mala Zimetbaum, a Belgian-Jewish woman of remarkable courage, intellect, and compassion, is remembered as the first woman to escape from Auschwitz. Her story is one of resistance, heroism, and, ultimately, tragedy, as her daring escape attempt ended with a brutal punishment that shocked even the hardened prisoners of the infamous concentration camp.
Mala’s Early Life
Born on January 26, 1918, in Brzesko, Poland, Mala moved with her family to Belgium when she was a child. Known for her intelligence and linguistic skills, she became fluent in several languages, including Polish, German, and French. When the Nazis invaded Belgium in 1940, Mala, like many other Jews, was forced into hiding.
Despite her efforts, she was captured in 1942 and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Her linguistic abilities quickly set her apart from other prisoners, earning her a role as an interpreter and courier within the camp. This position gave her limited privileges, which she used to help her fellow inmates.
Life in Auschwitz
Mala was assigned to work in Auschwitz-Birkenau’s administration, where she was responsible for translating documents and accompanying female prisoners to forced labor assignments. Her position allowed her to move between sections of the camp, where she provided moral support, shared news from the outside world, and smuggled food and supplies to those in need.
Prisoners often described Mala as a beacon of hope in the hellish conditions of Auschwitz. Despite the constant threat of death, she displayed incredible courage and empathy, often risking her life to comfort and assist others.
The Daring Escape
In the summer of 1944, Mala and a fellow prisoner, Edek Galinski, a Polish political prisoner, plotted their escape. The two had fallen in love and decided to flee together, determined to expose the horrors of Auschwitz to the outside world.
On June 24, 1944, dressed in stolen SS uniforms and armed with forged papers, Mala and Edek managed to walk out of the camp undetected. They planned to cross the border into Slovakia and join the resistance. However, their freedom was short-lived.
Capture and Betrayal
A few days after their escape, Mala and Edek were betrayed by a local farmer and captured by the Gestapo. They were returned to Auschwitz, where they were subjected to brutal interrogations. Despite severe torture, neither betrayed their comrades or revealed the details of their escape plan.
Mala’s Defiance in Death
The Nazis decided to make an example of Mala and Edek to deter future escape attempts. Mala was sentenced to death by burning in the camp’s crematorium, a horrifying punishment intended to instill fear in the other prisoners.
On the day of her execution, Mala maintained her composure and defiance. Accounts from survivors describe how she slapped a guard and shouted at her captors, condemning their cruelty. Some reports claim that she attempted to take her own life by slitting her wrists with a razor blade she had hidden, determined to deny the Nazis the satisfaction of killing her.
Her captors dragged her, still alive, to the crematorium, where she was burned alive. Her death was a devastating loss to the prisoners, who had drawn strength from her bravery and kindness.
Edek’s Execution
Edek was executed in a similarly brutal fashion. He was hanged in front of other prisoners, forced to endure a mock trial before his death. His final words reportedly praised Mala’s courage and expressed hope for the downfall of their oppressors.