August Kowalczyk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
August Kowalczyk
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August Kowalczyk.
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| Born | 15 August 1921 Tarnawa Góra, Second Polish Republic
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| Died | 29 July 2012 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | Polish |
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August Marian Kowalczyk (born August 15, 1921 – died July 29, 2012) was a famous Polish actor and director. He was also the very last person still alive who had escaped from the Auschwitz Concentration Camp during a mass breakout on June 10, 1942.
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August Kowalczyk's Early Life
August Kowalczyk was born in a place called Tarnawa Góra, in Poland. When he was 19 years old, on December 4, 1940, he was arrested. He was trying to cross the border into Czechoslovakia. His goal was to join the Polish Army, which was fighting in France.
Instead, he was sent to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. This was a very difficult time. He was forced to work there.
Daring Escape from Auschwitz
On June 10, 1942, August Kowalczyk managed to escape from the camp. He was one of 10 prisoners who successfully got away. Sadly, 13 others died during the escape attempt, and 20 more were caught again.
After his escape, he hid in a forest. Then, he was secretly kept safe in the attic of a house. This was in a village called Bojszowy, and he stayed there for seven weeks.
Later, he traveled using fake documents. He went to different parts of Poland, like Silesia and Kraków. He then joined the Armia Krajowa, which was a major resistance group in Poland. They fought against the occupation of their country.
Life as an Actor and Director
After the war ended, August Kowalczyk began a new life. On November 9, 1945, he started his career as a stage actor. He performed in Kraków with the Polish Theatre group from Warsaw.
He became a well-known actor and director. He worked in theatre, television, and films.
Later Years and Legacy
August Kowalczyk passed away on July 29, 2012. He was 90 years old. He died in Oświęcim, Poland, in a special care home. This was a place he had helped to create for others.
He was married four times during his life. He had two sons: Marek, born in 1950, and Marcin, born in 1957.
