Zefiryn Machalla

Zefiryn Machalla (August 1, 1915 – January 10, 1952), was a major of the Polish Army and participant of the Polish September Campaign. In the interbellum period, his talent was highly praised by the Polish Army Headquarters, for his outstanding bravery, Machalla was nominated for the Virtuti Militari cross.

In late 1939, after Polish defeat, Machalla was captured by the NKVD and sent to Siberia. Two years later, he managed to reach the Anders Army and then, together with the whole army, fought the Germans in Italy.

After World War II, Machalla, unlike most of his fellow soldiers, decided to return to communist-controlled Poland. In the late 1940s he was sentenced by communist judge Stefan Michnik to death for alleged spying. He was not allowed to have a lawyer and was executed on January 10, 1952. His wife found out about the execution a few years later.

Awards and decorations