Henryk Sucharski

Henryk Sucharski

Henryk Sucharski (12 November 1898 – 30 August 1946) was a Polish Army officer, best known for his command during the World War II Battle of Westerplatte, which marked the start of the German invasion of Poland. Sucharski's leadership during the siege has made him a symbol of resistance and heroism in Polish military history.

Early Life and Military Career

Henryk Sucharski was born in Gręboszów, Austria-Hungary (now in Poland). He joined the Polish Army in 1918, serving in the Polish-Soviet War. After the war, he continued his military career, attending various military academies and rising through the ranks.

Battle of Westerplatte

On 1 September 1939, Major Sucharski was in command of the Polish garrison at Westerplatte, a small military transit depot in the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), when it was attacked by German forces, marking the outbreak of World War II. Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, Sucharski's forces managed to hold out for seven days against the German onslaught, far exceeding the expected resistance time of 12 hours. This act of defiance became a significant symbol of Polish resistance against the German invasion.

Later Life and Legacy

After the capitulation of Westerplatte, Sucharski was taken prisoner by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in various POW camps. He was released in 1945 and returned to Poland, where he died a year later, on 30 August 1946, in Kraków. Posthumously, he has been honored with several military decorations and has become a symbol of heroism and resistance in Polish culture. The Westerplatte peninsula and the remains of the military outpost have been preserved as a war memorial, and Sucharski's role in its defense is widely commemorated.

Honors and Memorials

Sucharski was awarded multiple military honors for his leadership and bravery, including the Virtuti Militari, Poland's highest military decoration. Memorials and monuments dedicated to him and the defenders of Westerplatte can be found in Gdańsk and other parts of Poland, serving as a reminder of their courage and sacrifice.

In Popular Culture

The story of Henryk Sucharski and the defense of Westerplatte has been depicted in various forms of media, including films, books, and songs, contributing to the enduring legacy of his and his soldiers' heroism during the early days of World War II.