Rakowiecka 61: massacre in the Jesuit Writers' House

Gathering the victims

Aleksander Kisiel testified on 7 October 1946 that a group of about 20 German soldiers, identified as SS men, entered the house. They accused those inside of firing at their positions. The witness denied that there were weapons in the building. After a search, people were taken to the basement and then to a small room; their watches were taken as they passed through. [1]

Grenades and finishing off

In Kisiel's account, grenades were thrown into the room and then a soldier shot those lying down. He responded with fire to the sounds of the wounded. When signs of life appeared, the perpetrator returned and fired again. This is testimony to the deliberate finishing off of defenseless people, not merely a general report of deaths during fighting. [1]

Survivors and the remaining testimony

Krzysztof Dorosz compares accounts by several Jesuits who survived. Survivors got out from under the bodies and hid in neighbouring coal and wood stores. Later, Germans poured petrol over the bodies and set them on fire. Not every person mentioned observed every phase of the crime. We therefore do not attribute the author's whole reconstruction to a single witness. [2]

Memory based on documents

Dorosz gives about 40 people murdered and describes the later discovery of the remains and their burial in a chapel. His article appeared in the ‘IPN Bulletin’ and was republished on the Jesuits' website. This is one work available in two places, not two independent studies. We identify Kisiel's record separately as a personal source. [2] [1]

Limits of the findings

The surviving accounts differ in details. The description of bodies being set on fire does not itself prove that every person there was still alive. The article and its reprint are counted as one study. [1] [2]

Sources and notes

Footnote markers identify the basis for specific findings. Bibliographic records remain in their original language; the notes indicate how each source is used.

The bibliographic record and source-use note are retained in Polish to preserve the original scholarly citation.

1. Aleksander Kisiel. Zeznanie Aleksandra Kisiela o zbrodni w klasztorze jezuitów, 7 X 1946. Główna Komisja — transkrypcja w Wikiźródłach.

   zeznanie świadka · Nr 42, sygn. 1100 z/III, Inw., k. 627 · Dostęp: 2026-09-05.

   Use of this source: Zgromadzenie ludzi, rabunek, granaty i wielokrotne dobijanie.

2. Krzysztof Dorosz SJ. Męczennicy z ulicy Rakowieckiej: 2 sierpnia 1944. „Biuletyn IPN” 7–8/2024, przedruk Jezuici.pl.

   opracowanie instytucjonalne · Oryginał s. 106–115; „Stos ofiarny” i „Ocaleni z mokotowskiej zagłady” · Dostęp: 2026-09-05.

   Use of this source: Około 40 ofiar, identyfikacja formacji, ucieczki i podpalenie ciał.