Barbara Banach and Lucjan Kasperek would spend every holiday with their grandparents in Cieszków. That was the carefree, joyful time full of childhood adventures. They were always in close relations with the grandparents, so were their spouses: Grzegorz Banach and Maria Kasperek. this made it possible they become familiar with the wartime stories.

On a cold autumn night in 1942, Sala and Abram Działoszycki and their children – 8-year-old Regina and 5-year-old Isaac knocked on the Przeniosło house’s door in Cieszków. The family lived in Wiślica. They had a textile shop and knew Maria and Jan Przeniosło well. Poles, despite the fact that they risked their and five of their children’s lives decided to take their Jewish friends in. That moment they did not expect it would continue for 3 years …

There was a food-cellar under the house; it was about 8 meters long and about 1.5 meters wide. The Przeniosło family built an additional wall there and made a additional place to hide in. Jan arranged the attic-side entrance. There was a special covered with hay and grain chaff. One had to use a ladder to enter and exit. The Działoszycki children came home for the night and they slept together with the Przeniosło children in their beds – says Lucjan Kasperek.

No one knew there were people in the hiding, even one of the Przeniosło daughters’ fiancé, although he was a frequent guest in the house. They had to be very careful. When the Przeniosło family was in the field, they made sure there was no chimney smoke. When shopping, they had to be careful about the amount of products they bought. The frequent German controls were the greatest challenge. Germans also came to collect quotas. Grandmother was the most cunning – the grandchildren all agree. She talked to the Germans, offered them sour milk, apples. She made sure they do not have much time to inspect the buildings.

One day the Germans arrived. Isaac suffered from whooping cough. When the Germans were in the kitchen, those in hiding could not make any noises.

The father of the 6 years old boy decided that if there was no other possible solutions, he would suffocate the son to save all other. He knew that he would save his daughter and wife and 7 people from the Przeniosło family. The father gagged the son with his hand, he only let some air in. Once he heard the signal – banging on the wall. Then he released his son. He had been determined to strangle his own child … the only son –Grzegorz Banach tells the story unable to conceal his emotions.

The Przeniosło family knowing that they could be killed any day. That was the stress hard to bear. Some day Jan and Maria resolved that they were exhausted with constant fear. They offered Działoszycki all possible support and food yet asked them to leave their home. The Działoszycki children are said to kneel down before the grandfather and grandmother. They kissed in their hands saying: Mr Przeniosło, do not chase us away! Do not force us to leave! They were crying. And grandpa said: right. We will all die, but we will let you stay in – says Grzegorz Banach.

The Działoszycki family lasted out until the end of the war in the hiding place at Przeniosłos’ home. A dozen or so Jews were hidden in the barn and food storage at different periods. There were about 15 people in total.

Jan and Maria Przeniosło and their children: Anna, Stanisław, Honorata, Józefa and Władysław were awarded the “Righteous Among the Nations” medal in 1988. The family and those who were offered the hiding place are still in touch.

Marlena Płaska