Jerzy Ivanov-Szajnowicz, photo 1937
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ID: OS-009865-P/189928

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz

ID: OS-009865-P/189928

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz

First name:

Jerzy

Last Name:

Iwanow-Szajnowicz

Maiden name or alternative names:

właśc. Jerzy Iwanow

Parents:

Władimir Iwanow i Leonarda Szajnowicz

Date of birth:

14-12-1911

Place of birth:

Warszawa

Date of death:

04-01-1943

Place od death:

Ateny

Age:

Profession:

scout, athlete

Honours and awards:

Krzyż Srebrny Orderu Wojennego Virtuti Militari (1945), Krzyż Jerzego (1962), Złoty Krzyż Męstwa (1976)

Biography:

Jerzy Ivanov-Szajnowicz (1911-1943), born in Warsaw, son of Vladimir Ivanov and Leonarda Szajnowicz, scout, sportsman and intelligence agent, hero of the Greek resistance movement during World War II.

He spent his youth in Greece, where he distinguished himself as an excellent swimmer and waterball player. He studied agriculture in Belgium and his knowledge of several languages facilitated his underground activities. In 1941, after training with the British Secret Service, he was dropped into Greece as an intelligence agent and saboteur. Working with the Greek Resistance, he successfully carried out espionage and sabotage operations, contributing to the destruction of many German and Italian aircraft and ships.

Arrested three times by the Gestapo, he managed to escape twice. Captured a third time in 1942, he was sentenced to a triple death sentence and executed in Athens in January 1943.

He was posthumously recognised as a hero in both Poland and Greece. Streets in several Polish cities and a sports hall in Thessaloniki were named after him. His story has been commemorated in literature and film, and in 2021. Polish Post issued a stamp with his image.

Publication:

20.03.2025

Last updated:

06.04.2025

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Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz

First name:

Last Name:

Maiden name or alternative names:

Parents:

Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Date of death:

Place od death:

Age:

Profession:

Honours and awards:

Biography:

Publication:

Last updated:

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