A screening of “The Auschwitz Report,” a film about Poles who informed the world about the Holocaust, recently took place in the European Parliament. Directed by Krzysztof Brożek, the historical documentary details the West’s indifference to reports by the Polish Underground State during WWII. Documents discovered by Brożek in the British archives, including the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, prove that Poles regularly informed the West about what was happening in the extermination camps in occupied Poland.

According to MEP Ryszard Legutka, who helped sponsor the film screening, “These reports were sent to the Allies, primarily to London and the US, but unfortunately did not cause a reaction… from 1943 there was technically the possibility to destroy the system of concentration camps…but the Allies decided not to do it. Winning the war was their priority.”

As Brożek and others point out, the efforts of Jan Karski and Witold Pilecki to expose the horrors of the Holocaust are relatively well known, but the fact that Western governments received regular reports and decided not to act on them is not.

Along with archival research, the documentary includes archival interviews with now-deceased former prisoners of the KL Auschwitz camp. The film was produced by the NSZ 1980 Association with the premiere conducted under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Source: PAP

Officers from the Maritime Border Guard Department in Władysławowo are assisting in the investigation of an illegal tobacco factory in Pleszew poviat near Poznań.

Guards seized 2 tons of tobacco leaves and over a million counterfeit cigarettes along with production equipment including compressors, power generators and other components for production. According to lieutenant commander Andrzej Juźwiak from the Maritime Border Guard Department, the equipment could manufacture up to 3000 cigarettes per minute.

The total value of seized goods is estimated at nearly 3 million złoty. Three citizens of Belarus, aged 29-53, have been arrested in connection with the scheme.

According to Philip Morris International, between the years of 2005 and 2017 Poland had nearly 10 times more factories raided for alleged production of illicit tobacco products than any other country in Europe.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, stopillegal.com

Fans of football had something to celebrate last night as Poland defeated Slovenia 3:2 in the final round of the European Championship qualifiers.

Despite already being sure of their place at the top of Group G, the victory was seen by many as sweet revenge for the 2:0 loss Poland suffered against the Slovenes last September.

The Poles took the lead in the first five minutes with a strong opening shot by Sebastian Szymański, followed by goals from Robert Lewandowski early in the second half and the final blow delivered by Jacek Góralski at the 81st minute mark.

During the match, fans also officially bid farewell to defender Łukasz Piszczek, who left the team after last year’s World Cup in Russia.

Source: PAP

Survivalists, bushcraft aficionados and general enthusiasts of camping in the woods have something to celebrate; as of tomorrow it will be possible to legally spend a night in the wild in 43 selected forest areas across Poland.

Until now, camping outside of designated areas could result in a fine of several hundred PLN. After a series of consultations with outdoor enthusiasts beginning last year, the head of State Forests decided to launch the new access program, which will last from November 21 to April 23, 2020.

The new regulations cover some 65,000 hectares of previously restricted areas across Poland; in Pomerania it will be possible to sleep in the 1500-hectare forest area of ​​Zbychowo near Reda as well as the area of ​​Mechów near Puck. Some restrictions still apply, including a ban on open campfires, the requirement that users pack out all their rubbish, and a two-day, four person limit on camping in one place.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be cloudy and overcast with light rain showers possible in the early evening and continuing overnight. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than yesterday with a high of 9 degrees Celsius or 49 degrees Fahrenheit, and light winds from the southeast. Occasional rain showers and similar temperatures will continue throughout the week with more rain expected on Friday.|

RGEN