Olga Bancic facts for kids

Olga Bancic (born Golda Bancic; also known as Pierrette) was a brave Jewish woman from Romania. She was born on May 10, 1912, and sadly passed away on May 10, 1944. Olga is remembered for her important role in the French Resistance during World War II. She was part of a group called the FTP-MOI, led by Missak Manouchian.

Early Life and Activism

Olga Bancic was born in a city called Chișinău, which was then part of the Russian Empire. When she was just 12 years old, she started working in a mattress factory. This was a time when many workers faced tough conditions.

Olga soon joined the labor movement, which worked to improve workers' rights. She took part in a strike and was arrested. She later became a member of the Romanian Communist Party, which was not allowed at the time. Because of her activism, she was arrested several times.

In 1936, Olga traveled to France. There, she helped activists send weapons to Spain to support the Republican forces fighting in the Spanish Civil War.

Joining the French Resistance

Just before World War II began, Olga had a daughter named Dolores with her husband, Alexandru Jar. When Nazi Germany occupied France, Olga made a difficult choice. She left Dolores with a French family to keep her safe.

Olga then joined a group in Paris called the Francs-tireurs et partisans – main-d'œuvre immigrée. This group was part of the French Resistance, fighting against the German army (called the Wehrmacht). Olga was involved in about 100 acts of sabotage, which means she helped damage things to stop the enemy. She also helped make and move explosives.

Capture and Legacy

On November 6, 1943, the Gestapo (the German secret police) arrested Olga. They tried to make her tell them about her friends and comrades, but she refused to give any information, even when she was treated harshly.

After Olga and her group were arrested, the Gestapo created posters called l'Affiche Rouge. These posters showed members of the group, including Olga, and called them "terrorists" as a way to spread propaganda.

On February 21, 1944, Olga, Missak Manouchian, and 21 other people were sentenced to death. The men were executed that same day. However, because of a law that prevented women from being executed in France, Olga was sent to Stuttgart, Germany.

Olga Bancic was executed in a prison courtyard in Stuttgart at 6 AM on her 32nd birthday, May 10, 1944. She was buried that same day. On her way to the execution, she wrote a letter to her daughter Dolores on a piece of paper and threw it out the window.

After the war, Olga's husband, Alexandru Jar, returned to Romania. Many streets and small monuments were named in Olga's honor. Her bravery and sacrifice for freedom are still remembered, especially in France, where she is seen as a hero of the anti-fascist resistance.

Images for kids

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  Memorial plaque for Olga Bancic in Paris.

See also

In Spanish: Olga Bancic para niños