Wieruszów County
Encyclopedia
Wieruszów County is a unit of territorial administration and local government (powiat
) in Łódź Voivodeship, central Poland
. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and only town is Wieruszów
, which lies 106 kilometres (66 mi) south-west of the regional capital Łódź.
The county covers an area of 576.22 square kilometres (222.5 sq mi). As of 2006 its total population is 42,336, out of which the population of Wieruszów is 8,759 and the rural population is 33,577.
A day later the same Germans who committed the murder came back and burned down 20 homes along with the livestock.
of Torzeniec. On 1 September 1939 Germans arrived during the night to the town, and started to set fire to barns and houses using bottles with gasoline
and gun
fire
with incendiary bullets. Villagers who tried to escape their burning homes were gunned down by the Germans who behaved as they were making a hunt
for animals. Eight people were murdered in this way alongside Barbara Pietrzak who tried to save her 2 year old child. Another eight were burned alive in the cellar as their only escape route was blocked by a burning barn. The only member of the family left outside, 70 year-old Antoni Kubera was shot dead on his backyard by the Germans just as his family was burning alive in the cellar .
On the same night
all men from the village were gathered by the Germans, and every second one was led to a group that was executed in front of all the villagers. 18 men were murdered this way. A Polish woman(Maria Stambuła) who according to Germans refused to watch the murder
was shot severely by the Germans as well. During the massacre a 40 year old Józef Sadowski and a husband
and father
of several children pleaded to be exchanged for his 70 year old father Stanisław Sadowski who was chosen by the Germans to be murdered. The Germans agreed and the son
saved his father's life by sacrificing himself.
Later during the night another massacre was made by the German soldiers. Four unidentified Polish PoWs were taken to the village and murdered. All together the cemetery in Wyszanów is the place of burial of 57 victims of German massacres.
to the north-east, Wieluń County
to the east, Olesno County
and Kluczbork County
to the south, Kępno County
to the west, and Ostrzeszów County
to the north-west.
s (one urban-rural and six rural). These are listed in the following table, in descending order of population.
Powiat
A powiat is the second-level unit of local government and administration in Poland, equivalent to a county, district or prefecture in other countries. The term powiat is most often translated into English as "county", although other terms are also sometimes used...
) in Łódź Voivodeship, central Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and only town is Wieruszów
Wieruszów
Wieruszów is a town with 8,849 inhabitants .Situated in the southwestern part of Łódź Voivodeship, From 1975-1998, it was part of Kalisz Voivodeship. The town is situated along the Prosna river. The biggest attraction is the Church and Monastery popauliński of 1676 in its limits, located on the...
, which lies 106 kilometres (66 mi) south-west of the regional capital Łódź.
The county covers an area of 576.22 square kilometres (222.5 sq mi). As of 2006 its total population is 42,336, out of which the population of Wieruszów is 8,759 and the rural population is 33,577.
Wieszanów Massacre
During the German Invasion of Poland in 1939, German soldiers conducted a number of massacres in the area. In the village of Wieszanów on 1 September 1939, 17 women and children (as young as 2 years old) were murdered en masse after two men were murdered by German soldiers. Women and children tried to hide themselves in cellars but were discovered by soldiers. Despite pleading to be allowed to get out, they were forced to stay as Germans threw down several grenades, murdering 14 women and children on the spot and wounding 3 of them.. Several local men were later kidnapped and sent to German concentration camps. At least two were executed already on their way to the camps.A day later the same Germans who committed the murder came back and burned down 20 homes along with the livestock.
Torzeniec Massacre
Several massacres were made by Germans in the villageVillage
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Torzeniec. On 1 September 1939 Germans arrived during the night to the town, and started to set fire to barns and houses using bottles with gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
and gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
with incendiary bullets. Villagers who tried to escape their burning homes were gunned down by the Germans who behaved as they were making a hunt
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
for animals. Eight people were murdered in this way alongside Barbara Pietrzak who tried to save her 2 year old child. Another eight were burned alive in the cellar as their only escape route was blocked by a burning barn. The only member of the family left outside, 70 year-old Antoni Kubera was shot dead on his backyard by the Germans just as his family was burning alive in the cellar .
On the same night
Night
Night or nighttime is the period of time when the sun is below the horizon. This occurs after dusk. The opposite of night is day...
all men from the village were gathered by the Germans, and every second one was led to a group that was executed in front of all the villagers. 18 men were murdered this way. A Polish woman(Maria Stambuła) who according to Germans refused to watch the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
was shot severely by the Germans as well. During the massacre a 40 year old Józef Sadowski and a husband
Husband
A husband is a male participant in a marriage. The rights and obligations of the husband regarding his spouse and others, and his status in the community and in law, vary between cultures and has varied over time...
and father
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
of several children pleaded to be exchanged for his 70 year old father Stanisław Sadowski who was chosen by the Germans to be murdered. The Germans agreed and the son
Son
A son is a male offspring; a boy or man in relation to his parents. The female analogue is a daughter.-Social issues regarding sons:In pre-industrial societies and some current countries with agriculture-based economies, a higher value was, and still is, assigned to sons rather than daughters,...
saved his father's life by sacrificing himself.
Later during the night another massacre was made by the German soldiers. Four unidentified Polish PoWs were taken to the village and murdered. All together the cemetery in Wyszanów is the place of burial of 57 victims of German massacres.
Neighbouring counties
Wieruszów County is bordered by Sieradz CountySieradz County
Sieradz County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Łódź Voivodeship, central Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Sieradz, which lies west of the...
to the north-east, Wieluń County
Wielun County
Wieluń County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Łódź Voivodeship, central Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and only town is Wieluń, which lies south-west of the...
to the east, Olesno County
Olesno County
Olesno County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Opole Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Olesno, which lies ...
and Kluczbork County
Kluczbork County
Kluczbork County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Opole Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Kluczbork, which lies ...
to the south, Kępno County
Kepno County
Kępno County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Greater Poland Voivodeship, west-central Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and only town is Kępno, which lies ...
to the west, and Ostrzeszów County
Ostrzeszów County
Ostrzeszów County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Greater Poland Voivodeship, west-central Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Ostrzeszów,...
to the north-west.
Administrative division
The county is subdivided into seven gminaGmina
The gmina is the principal unit of administrative division of Poland at its lowest uniform level. It is often translated as "commune" or "municipality." As of 2010 there were 2,479 gminas throughout the country...
s (one urban-rural and six rural). These are listed in the following table, in descending order of population.
| Gmina | Type | Area (km²) |
Population (2006) |
Seat |
| Gmina Wieruszów Gmina Wieruszów Gmina Wieruszów is an urban-rural gmina in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. Its seat is the town of Wieruszów, which lies approximately south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
urban-rural | 97.1 | 14,176 | Wieruszów Wieruszów Wieruszów is a town with 8,849 inhabitants .Situated in the southwestern part of Łódź Voivodeship, From 1975-1998, it was part of Kalisz Voivodeship. The town is situated along the Prosna river. The biggest attraction is the Church and Monastery popauliński of 1676 in its limits, located on the... |
| Gmina Galewice Gmina Galewice Gmina Galewice is a rural gmina in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. Its seat is the village of Galewice, which lies approximately north-east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
rural | 135.8 | 6,183 | Galewice Galewice Galewice is a village in central Poland in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, established in the 15th century. It was first mentioned in 1458 in Judicial Chronicles. The origin of the name Galewice is ambiguous. It either comes from a word Gal, which means 'to serve' or it belonged to the first... |
| Gmina Sokolniki Gmina Sokolniki Gmina Sokolniki is a rural gmina in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. Its seat is the village of Sokolniki, which lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
rural | 80.0 | 4,875 | Sokolniki Sokolniki, Wieruszów County Sokolniki is a village in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Sokolniki. It lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
| Gmina Lututów Gmina Lututów Gmina Lututów is a rural gmina in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. Its seat is the village of Lututów, which lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
rural | 75.1 | 4,751 | Lututów Lututów Lututów is a village in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Lututów. It lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
| Gmina Łubnice | rural | 60.9 | 4,194 | Łubnice |
| Gmina Bolesławiec | rural | 64.6 | 4,116 | Bolesławiec |
| Gmina Czastary Gmina Czastary Gmina Czastary is a rural gmina in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. Its seat is the village of Czastary, which lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |
rural | 62.7 | 4,041 | Czastary Czastary Czastary is a village in Wieruszów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Czastary. It lies approximately east of Wieruszów and south-west of the regional capital Łódź.... |