Henry Zguda collection

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn515264
• English
• 1937-2003
• box 1
• Updated 7 months ago

The Henry Zguda papers include biographical material, correspondence, publications, subject files, and photographs relating to Henry’s experience in Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Flossenberg, and Dachau concentration camps as well as material relating to his immigration to the United States through Poland and Belgium, and attempts to establish a life in New York. This collection also includes restitution files for damages and medical claims. Biographical materials include Henry’s United Nations refugee card, Polish ID card, Polish military ID card, Committee of Physical Culture instructor card, an...

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn515268
• English
• overall: Height: 5.125 inches (13.018 cm) | Width: 3.875 inches (9.843 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

Polish Union of Swimming badge awarded to Henryk Zguda between 1947-57 when he was a sports trainer and swim coach for the Polish Army. In 1952, he took the Polish water polo team to the Olympics. The badge features the Polish eagle, the national crest of Poland, represented without the crown during the Communist era. Henryk, a 25 year old Catholic, was arrested in occupied Krakow by the German SS on May 30, 1942. On June 15, Henryk was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. He was given a red triangle with the letter P to identify him as a political prisoner. He was transferred to Buche...

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn515270
• English
• overall: Height: 2.875 inches (7.303 cm) | Width: 18.750 inches (47.625 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

Blue and white armband with a red triangle and the letter P owned by Henryk Zguda, a survivor of several concentration camps from 1942-1945. The armband was made postwar to commemorate his experiences. It has his prisoner numbers from Auschwitz and Buchenwald and the blue and white stripes are reminders of the concentration camp uniforms. Henryk, a 25 year old Catholic, was arrested in occupied Krakow by the German SS on May 30, 1942. On June 15, Henryk was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. He was identified as a political prisoner by a red triangle patch on his uniform. Henryk was ...

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn515271
• English
• overall: Height: 11.125 inches (28.258 cm) | Width: 3.625 inches (9.208 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

Silver-plated engraved axe and sword shaped letter opener awarded to Henryk Zguda before the war when he was a competitive swimmer with the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association.) The opener was made by Emil Goldwasser, a prominent jeweler in Krakow. Goldwasser's daughter was in Auschwitz when Henryk was. One night, Henryk and his friend, Kazio snuck into the women's camp to visit her and take her supplies. Kazio was a skilled trader and paid the guards to not shoot. He and Henryk used an open barrel to hold up the electric fence and to crawl through. Henryk, a 25 year old Catholic, was a...