Educational purpose only. This post documents historical events related to World War II and condemns the Nazi regime, war crimes, and all totalitarian ideologies. We do not glorify violence or hate.
Mala Zimetbaum: The First Woman Who Escaped Auschwitz – Executed for Her Defiance in 1944
Mala Zimetbaum is one of the greatest symbols of courage at Auschwitz – a young Jewish woman of Belgian-Polish descent, whose intelligence, compassion, and resilience made her a legend among the prisoners.
Born on January 26, 1918, in Brzesko, Poland, and raised in Antwerp, she was fluent in six languages and supported her struggling family from a young age.
When the Germans invaded Belgium in 1940, Jews were stripped of their rights, forced to register, wear yellow stars, and eventually deported. Mala refused an opportunity to flee to the United States because she did not want to abandon her parents.
Arrested in 1942, she was taken to Breendonk, then Mechelen, and finally deported to Auschwitz.
1. The “Runner” Who Saved Lives
Thanks to her linguistic abilities, Mala became a “runner” in the camp, allowed to move between barracks and offices. Unlike many privileged prisoners, she used her position selflessly – secretly passing messages, food, medicine, and photographs; rescuing children from transport lists; assigning lighter labor to weaker women; and warning prisoners in advance about selections.
Survivors remember her as fearless, compassionate, and always dignified.
2. The Forbidden Love and Escape Plan
At Auschwitz, she met Edward “Edek” Galiński, a young Polish political prisoner. Their forbidden love inspired a bold plan: they would escape, reach Slovakia, and alert the Allies about the atrocities inside Birkenau.
On June 24, 1944, disguised as an SS guard escorting a prisoner, Edek led Mala out of the camp. For two weeks, they evaded capture – until Mala was caught at a village shop, and Edek surrendered to stay by her side.
3. Return to Auschwitz: Torture and Public Execution
Back at Auschwitz, both were tortured and sentenced to public execution.
On September 15, 1944, Edek shouted “Long live Poland!” from the gallows. According to survivor testimonies, she slit her wrists, slapped a guard with her bloody hand, and cried out to the prisoners: “Be strong – freedom is near!”
Dragged away, she was killed shortly after – whether by shooting, lethal injection, or being thrown alive into the crematorium remains unclear. But her legacy did not die.
4. A Legacy That Lives On
Dozens of women testified that Mala had saved their lives. Many children were named after her. A monument was erected in her honor.
She resisted to her final breath.
Primary Sources:
Yad Vashem – Mala Zimetbaum records
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum archives
Survivor testimonies
Wikipedia – Mala Zimetbaum / Edward Galiński