Flame Henryk

Henryk Antoni Flame (1918–1947) was a lance corporal pilot of the Polish Army, captain of the National Armed Forces, commander of forest units of the VII NSZ District in Silesia, a participant in underground activities during and after World War II. He was born on 15 January 1918 in Fryštat. He began his military service in the aviation of the Polish Army, where he served among others in the 123rd Squadron of the 2nd Aviation Regiment, achieving the rank of lance corporal pilot. After the defeat of the September Campaign of 1939 he became involved in underground activities. During the German occupation he joined the National Armed Forces, operating in the structures of the VII Silesian District. He held the position of commander of forest groups, being responsible for organising partisan units and armed operations against the occupier. He used the pseudonyms “Grot” and “Bartek”. After the end of World War II he continued his activities in the anti-communist underground, remaining in hiding under conditions of repression by the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic. He was killed on 1 December 1947 in Zabrzeg during operational activities conducted by the security apparatus. Flame was decorated with, among others, the Cross of Valour. His figure has become one of the symbols of the post-war independence underground.