Fear is a human thing. Władysław Dec’s wife did not want him to help the Jews. They had three small children and she well knew what the Nazis could do for such help. Therefore, in his struggle for the love of the Jews in hiding, Władysław could only count on his brothers.
The Jews were hiding in a forest near Pantalowice, in the Podkarpacie Province. It was his family village. Among those in hiding were Juda Harmfemst, Jankiel Nadel, Hana Nadel, Józef Hoch, Brandla Hoch and Berek Adler. The Dec family brought them food and they received help from other Poles also
In December 1942, Małka Szinfeld, one of the people in hiding, was caught by the Germans. She could not withstand the torture and gave up the names of the people who were helping them.
“I well remember my father being arrested”, said Irena, Władysław Dec’s daughter. “The Germans came, searched the house and took everything that had any value. They led my father out barefoot, ordered him to take off his shoes and took them. They shot him in the backyard of a house which belonged to one of the residents of Pantalowice.”
After they murdered Władysław Dec, the Germans went to Hadle Szklarskie, a nearby village at night, where they shot his brothers, Stanisław, Bronisław, and Tadeusz.
Only Irena’s mother returned to the house after the Germans had left, as she had been warned about the tragedy taking place there. When, on the following day, she found a couple of Jews sleeping in the stable, she ordered them to leave.
