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Escapes from Stalag XXA and the Memory of Those Who Helped

During visits to Toruń, stories often resurface—stories that, although from the past, still stir strong emotions. One such story is that of escapes by prisoners of war from Stalag XXA, a German POW camp located in the city of Toruń. Over the years of guiding the families of former POWs, we have noticed that there are two most commonly repeated types of escapes from the camp.

Spontaneous escapes – impulse and hope for freedom

The first type involves spontaneous escapes—prisoners slipping away from work assignments, most often from farms, taking advantage of guards' carelessness or sudden opportunities. Unfortunately, these attempts usually ended in failure. After a few days, exhausted and hungry, the escapees were brought back to the POW camp under escort.

Planned escapes – the power of cooperation and courage

The second type involved carefully planned escapes, which required time, trust, and cooperation from many people. A key element was a well-prepared route and a convincing "legend"—a story explaining the escapee’s presence in a particular location. To move around safely outside the POW camp, prisoners acquired civilian clothing, forged documents, and even learned basic German. Members of the Polish resistance movement also took part in these operations.

It was precisely the documents—ID cards, permits, certificates—that were essential to every successful escape from the camp. Over time, we began to wonder where these papers came from and who was behind them.

Nun who became a heroine 

One such person was Władysława Kamińska. Before the war, she was a nun in Bydgoszcz, but during the German occupation, she returned to her hometown of Toruń. She found work at the Municipal Board of Toruń (Zarząd Miejski w Toruniu), in the office responsible for issuing personal identification cards. Her involvement in the underground resistance came naturally. Władysława began supplying forged documents to members of the resistance, which were later passed on to prisoners of war to facilitate their escape from the POW camp.
Szczytna street. Leon and Wladyslawa were neighbors.

Saddler who supported the fight in silence

Her contact was Leon Sander, the owner of a saddlery workshop in Toruń’s Old Town. At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary local craftsman, but his role in the underground movement was invaluable. He helped prepare and deliver the documents, risking his life for a greater cause. He and Władysława were neighbors—connected not only by proximity but also by shared courage and determination.
Arrests, execution, and an unknown fateIn the 25.08. 1943, Leon was arrested by the Gestapo. It was a coordinated Gestapo operation. On a single day, agents raided 11 apartments and arrested 100 people. This action is widely considered to mark the end of the resistance organization to which both Władysława and Leon belonged.

Strumykowa street. Here Leon had his workshop

 The date of Władysława Kamińska’s arrest is recorded as September, and while the exact day remains uncertain, it is likely that she and Leon were captured during the same wave of arrests, given their connection to the same underground network.

Bydgoska street. Former Gestapo headquater

After brutal interrogations, they were taken to Gdańsk, where on September 23, 1944, they were executed. Their deaths were a severe blow not only to the local resistance network but also to the prisoners who were still planning escapes from the POW camp. The arrests triggered further investigations and searches, including inside Stalag XXA.To this day, Leon Sander's family does not know the location of his grave. There are also no official records regarding the fate of Władysława Kamińska’s body, and it is likely that her family, too, was deprived of this knowledge.

Remembering the unsung heroes 

I write these words to honor those lesser-known heroes. Władysława Kamińska and Leon Sander were ordinary people who, in inhuman times, demonstrated extraordinary bravery. Their lives and actions form an important chapter in the history of Toruń—one worth remembering, not only while exploring the city.

Apart from the legacy of resistance and sacrifice, Szczytna Street also commemorates the Jewish history of Toruń, as it was once home to a synagogue that served the local Jewish community until its destruction in 1939.

Commemoration of the synagogue



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