WORLD WAR II: The Incredible Story of Agent Zo

I wanted to take this week to highlight a lesser-known but remarkable Polish heroine: Elżbieta Zawacka—better known by her codename, Agent Zo. A soldier, resistance fighter, and later an academic, Zawacka’s life unfolded during some of the most turbulent chapters in Polish history—marked by war, occupation, political repression, and ultimately, the reemergence of a free Poland.

As the only woman among the elite "Silent Unseen" paratroopers during World War II, Agent Zo shattered the expectations of her era. She devoted her life to the cause of her country’s independence, demonstrating extraordinary courage and resilience.

This blog post delves into the incredible journey of Elżbieta Zawacka—not only as a fearless fighter in the deadliest conflict of our time, but also as a trailblazer navigating a world dominated by patriarchy.

Elżbieta Zawacka defined gender norms during WWII (Credit: General Elżbieta Zawacka Foundation)

 

EARLY LIFE

Elżbieta Zawacka was born on March 19, 1909, in the city of Toruń—then part of the German Empire. Raised in a deeply patriotic Polish family during a time of foreign rule, she developed a strong sense of national identity and purpose from an early age. Living under occupation also meant mastering the art of duality. On the surface, she conformed to the image of a proper German girl—even her name was Germanized. But inwardly, she remained unwaveringly Polish.

At the time, within the Prussian-controlled territories, Polish language and identity were actively suppressed. Poles were forced to conceal their heritage, adopt German customs, and speak the language of their occupiers to avoid persecution.

Despite these challenges, Elżbieta was a dedicated and gifted student. She went on to study mathematics at the University of Poznań after completing high school. Following her graduation, she became a teacher—a profession she both loved and deeply respected. Yet even as she taught in the classroom by day, she lived a parallel life as an instructor in the Polish Women’s Military Training, quietly preparing for the resistance that would one day define her legacy.

WORLD WAR II

The German invasion of Poland in 1939 dramatically altered the course of Elżbieta Zawacka’s life. At the time, she was in Lwów—now Lviv, Ukraine—where she took part in the city’s defense as a commandant in the Silesian branch of the Polish Women’s Military. One of her unit’s early tasks was deceptively simple yet strategic: scattering broken glass and other road hazards to slow the advance of German forces.

Not long after, she joined the Silesian division of the Związek Walki Zbrojnej (Union of Armed Struggle), which would later evolve into the Armia Krajowa (Home Army)—the largest underground resistance organization in occupied Europe. The name “Home Army” was literal: this was a civilian resistance rooted in homes, apartments, and hidden meeting places throughout Poland. Under the cover of ordinary life, the fight for independence carried on.

It was during this period that Elżbieta adopted her first codename, “Zelma,” which she later shortened to “Zo”—a name that would become legendary. Her ability to convincingly pass as German made her an invaluable courier for the Home Army, taking on the most dangerous assignments. The resistance had vital intelligence that needed to reach the Polish government-in-exile in London. Often, the quickest and safest way was through Berlin—right through the belly of the beast. These missions required incredible courage, deception, and resilience, as she navigated Nazi-occupied Europe with forged documents and a calm under pressure that inspired those around her.

In February 1943, Zo was appointed as an emissary of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Army—a rare and prestigious role for a woman at the time. Her journey took her through Nazi Germany, France, and then through neutral territories: Andorra, Spain, and Gibraltar, before she finally arrived in London. Her mission was twofold: to urge the Commander-in-Chief's staff to improve communication between London and Warsaw, and to deliver General Stefan Rowecki’s demands concerning equal recognition for women serving in the Polish military.

Though her mission in London was a success, returning to occupied Poland posed a new challenge. She was told the only way back was to parachute in—so she asked, “When is the next training?” Zo became the only woman accepted into the Cichociemni, or "Silent Unseen"—an elite group of special operations paratroopers trained by Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE). Though there’s some historical debate this as she didn't completed the full course, she was still the first woman from the SOE to be parachuted behind enemy lines.

Once back in Poland, Zo resumed her resistance work with the Silent Unseen. Her tasks included maintaining underground communications, aiding sabotage missions, and strengthening connections with Allied forces. She also played a key role in training new recruits and boosting morale among the resistance ranks.

In 1944, she participated in the Warsaw Uprising—a desperate and heroic attempt by Polish fighters to liberate their capital before the Soviet Red Army arrived. The resistance knew they couldn’t reclaim the entire country, but they hoped to free Warsaw themselves to ensure a sovereign postwar future.

AFTER WORLD WAR II

The end of World War II in 1945 brought the fall of Nazi occupation—but for Poland, liberation was short-lived. Soviet domination quickly followed, ushering in a new era of oppression. The communist regime viewed former Home Army members with suspicion, branding them as enemies of the state. Agent Zo, like many others, became a target.

Under Stalin’s watchful and ruthless eye, Elżbieta Zawacka was placed under surveillance and subjected to political persecution. For a time, she joined the anti-communist organization Freedom and Independence, but eventually resigned and returned to her lifelong passion: teaching. Yet under the communist system, teaching required government approval—and a clean political record.

In 1951, six years after the war ended, Zawacka was arrested by the Urząd Bezpieczeństwa (Security Services), the secret police of the Polish regime. She was subjected to brutal interrogations and falsely accused of espionage. Convicted on fabricated charges, she was sentenced to ten years in prison. She remained incarcerated until 1955, when she was released as part of a political thaw.

Despite the injustice she endured, Zawacka returned to teaching—an anchor in her life. She taught in schools in Sierpc and her hometown of Toruń. In 1965, she earned a doctorate in the humanities and began working as an assistant professor. However, after having to go through habilitation—a proof of loyalty to the communist regime—her open resistance to the regime cost her advancement. She failed the test, as can be expected. Still, she went on to serve as an associate professor of andragogy (adult education) at the University of Gdańsk. Later, she returned to Toruń and worked at Nicolaus Copernicus University until her retirement in 1978.

Even in her later years, Zawacka remained committed to preserving the truth of World War II. She dedicated herself to documenting the stories of the resistance, gathering testimonies, archiving documents, and speaking publicly about her experiences. All the while, the Security Services continued to monitor her, trying—unsuccessfully—to build a case against her up until the fall of the Iron Curtain.

AWARDS AND LEGACY

Elżbieta Zawacka lived to witness what she had spent her life fighting for: the fall of communism in 1989 and the rebirth of a democratic Poland. In her later years, her immense contributions gained long-overdue recognition, and she became a national symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering patriotism. Sadly, her legacy remains lesser known outside of Poland.

Zawacka was honored with numerous awards for her bravery and service. Among them was the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest civilian honor, awarded for her extraordinary dedication to the nation. She also received the Virtuti Militari, the country’s highest military decoration for valor, alongside many other medals and academic accolades celebrating both her wartime heroism and scholarly achievements.

Beyond her personal honors, Zawacka made lasting contributions to historical preservation. She was instrumental in founding the Pomeranian Archives of the Home Army, ensuring that the memory and legacy of Poland’s resistance would endure for future generations. Today, schools, streets, and institutions across the country bear her name—a testament to the deep respect she earned from her compatriots.

Elżbieta Zawacka passed away on January 10, 2009, at the age of 99—just two months short of her 100th birthday. Her funeral in Toruń was attended by government officials, military figures, academics, and everyday citizens, all united in honoring a true national heroine.

CONCLUSION

Elżbieta Zawacka’s life stands as a powerful testament to courage, integrity, and an unshakable commitment to freedom and love of country. She not only risked her life in the fight against tyranny, but also championed the recognition of women as equal contributors on the battlefield. With quiet strength and unwavering dignity, she served as a teacher, a resistance fighter, and later, a voice against political oppression.

Her legacy is more than history—it’s a reminder. In times of uncertainty and challenge, when the values of justice, truth, and resilience are tested, Zawacka’s story calls us to stand firm, to fight for what is right, and to remember that even in the darkest moments, one person’s courage can shape the future.

Her story deserves to be shared—and never forgotten.

Resources

• BBC: The woman who left Britain to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland
• The Financial Times: Agent Zo — a model of resistance
• General Elizabeth Zawacka Foundation: Elizabeth Zawacka
• SpyCast: Agent Zo & Poland's Wartime Resistance Movement