Witold Pilecki, a member of the Polish resistance and an officer in the Polish Army, crafted an audacious plan to infiltrate Auschwitz, one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps, in order to gather intelligence and report on the atrocities occurring there. In September 1940, he voluntarily allowed himself to be arrested during a German round-up in Warsaw. This bold act was driven by the belief that revealing the horrors of the concentration camps was crucial for rallying support for the resistance efforts across Europe.

Once inside Auschwitz, Pilecki organized the inmates and gathered critical information on the systematic extermination of Jews and the inhumane conditions of the camp. He established a network of resistance, known as the ‘Związek Organizacji Wojskowej’ (Union of Military Organization), which coordinated efforts to fight back against the oppressors, provide morale-boosting supplies, and facilitate escapes. Pilecki transmitted reports on the unfolding genocide to the Polish government-in-exile, and even wrote a detailed account of his experiences that would later serve as invaluable testimony about the Holocaust.

Despite the extreme risks, Pilecki remained committed to his mission until early 1943 when he eventually escaped from the camp after nearly three years inside. He subsequent reports helped document the evidence of war crimes occurring during the Holocaust and inspire actions for both national and international resistance. His story remained largely unrecognized until decades later, revealing a remarkable tale of courage and sacrifice.