Jerzy Łakomski, a Warsaw Uprising veteran known by the nom de guerre “Kajtek,” has died at the age of 94, according to a Tuesday statement from the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Łakomski served as a youth auxiliary in the “Baszta” regiment, transporting explosives and provisions during the 1944 fighting, and later maintained close ties with the museum through annual commemorations and holiday gatherings.
Life and Service in the “Baszta” Regiment
Born on March 31, 1932, Łakomski was attending primary school on Grottgera Street in Warsaw when the German occupation took place. According to his recollections recorded in the Warsaw Uprising Museum’s Oral History Archive, his parents encouraged him to aid the insurgents because they considered him a clever boy capable of running errands. He began by transporting petrol bottles and “sidolówka” hand grenades to fighters, tasks he viewed as completely normal at the time rather than frightening.
During the uprising, young “Kajtek” carried out auxiliary duties for the “Baszta” regiment, which involved delivering explosive materials and food supplies directly to the front lines. During an insurgent attack on an armored vehicle near Belwederskiej Street, German forces wounded him in the head. Despite the injury, he returned to active service after two days.
Did You Know? Following the capitulation of the uprising, Jerzy Łakomski was forcibly displaced with his family to a transit camp in Pruszków, from where they were transported to Kraków and placed with a host in Kaczkowice before he finally returned to Warsaw in March 1945.
Tributes and Funeral Arrangements
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski paid tribute to the veteran on the social platform X, describing him as an extremely warm person who always eagerly shared his knowledge with young people. “Panie Jerzy, Warszawa dziękuje za wszystko i nigdy o Panu nie zapomni,” Trzaskowski wrote in his farewell message. The Warsaw Uprising Museum similarly remembered him as a dedicated friend who regularly attended anniversary commemorations and insurgent Christmas Eve events.
The funeral for the veteran will take place on Monday, September 7, at 12:00 PM at the Northern Cemetery in Warsaw, as announced by the BohaterON profile on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jerzy Łakomski?
Jerzy Łakomski, known by the pseudonyms “Kajtek,” was a Warsaw Uprising veteran who served as a youth auxiliary in the “Baszta” regiment and lived to be 94 years old, according to the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
What were his primary duties during the Warsaw Uprising?
According to his statements in the museum’s Oral History Archive, his duties included transporting petrol bottles, “sidolówka” grenades, and food supplies to the insurgents, during which he sustained a head wound from German forces near Belwederska Street.
When and where is the funeral scheduled?
The funeral will be held on Monday, September 7, at 12:00 PM at the Northern Cemetery in Warsaw, according to the BohaterON Facebook profile.
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