Zefiryn Machalla

Zefiryn Machalla
Born	(1915-08-01)1 August 1915 Września, Kingdom of Prussia
Died	10 January 1952(1952-01-10) (aged 36) Warsaw, Polish People's Republic
Allegiance	Second Polish Republic, Polish People's Republic
Service / branch	Polish Armed Forces Polish Armed Forces in the West Polish People's Army
Years of service	1939-1951
Rank	Major (Major)
Unit	5th Podhale Rifles Infantry Regiment 16th Infantry Regiment 14th Infantry Regiment Polish General Staff
Battles / wars	Second World War
Awards	(see below)

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 the communist-controlled Poland. In 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

• Silver Cross of Merit
• Medal of Victory and Freedom 1945.

Sources

• The Institut of National Remembrance, media view, 20.02.2007
• info at Adam Mickiewicz University in Posen