Stefan Korboński 1901–1989, ed. Małgorzata Ptasińska-Wójcik, Warsaw 2009, 320 pages

Stefan Korboński was an important participant of the Polish political life until 1947, an activist in political life in exile, and finally - a significant symbolic figure for the ‘Solidarity’ underground of the 80s. He was a lawyer, statesman, one of the leaders of the Polish Underground State in 1939-1945 and the Polish People’s Party in 1945-1947, the author of widely read books about the Polish underground and the postwar period. Therefore, a reminder of his achievements as a soldier, lawyer, politician, writer and journalist, for the first time in such a comprehensive monographic approach, is particularly desirable in the 70. anniversary of the outbreak of World War II and 20. anniversary of the political collapse of the communist system in Poland and Central Europe.

Stefan Korboński represented the generation who fought for the independent and democratic Poland and who paid a very high price for this struggle. Korboński was born at the beginning of last century in a small town called Praszka. He experienced the hell of the First World War and with hope was witnessing the rebirth of the Polish state. He fought in defense of Lvov and participated in the third Silesian Uprising. After graduating from a law school he began a brilliant career as a lawyer in Warsaw and also started political activity in the PSL Liberation, and later in the Polish People’s Party. Until the end he remained loyal to people’s movement.

During the German occupation of 1939-1944/45 Korboński was an outstanding activist in the Polish Underground State. He headed the Directorate of Civil Resistance, organised and saved a radio communication network with London, telling the world about Nazi crimes against Jews and about the struggle of the Home Army. After the collapse of the Warsaw Uprising he was actively involved in the reconstruction of Polish Underground State structures, also under the new Soviet occupation. After the arrest of Jan Stanislaw Jankowski by the NKVD, Korboński took over his responsibilities as the Polish Government Delegate to the country. For his attitude, courage and determination he was awarded the 5. class Virtuti Militari medal and the Gold Cross of Merit with Swords.

In July 1945, already besieged by the NKVD after turning in the Delegate position, Korboński actively joined the fight of the legalised Polish People’s Party against the Soviet communization of Poland. Like other people’s leaders he was threatened with arrest by Bezpieka, but managed to escape abroad in 1947. Already in the United States he began another chapter in his life devoted to further struggle for the independent Poland - especially as the spokesman for the alliance of nations subordinate to the Soviet Union and as the president of the Assembly of Captive European Nations.

The communist authorities for many years have invigilated Korboński, his family, friends and colleagues and also tried to reach him in exile. After the defeat of these actions, the Security Service has listed Korboński on the index of persons adverse to People’s Republic of Poland. At the same time Korboński has fought as a writer and journalist. His books, including On behalf of the Republic, On behalf of Kremlin, On behalf of the struggling Poland and The Polish Underground State, became bestsellers, and played a great social role after their publication in the ‘second circulation’ in the 80s. In all these battles Korboński was always accompanied by his wife Zofia, the love of his life.