On 9 October 1975, Polish-language editor Alexander Milewski of Deutsche Welle collapsed in Cologne and was found dead by the Fühlinger Lake the following day.
Early Life and Military Service
Alexander Milewski was raised in Płock, Poland, where he survived the final year of World War II as a teenager. After the war he completed his schooling in Lippstadt, then entered the Polish Seminary in Paris and was ordained in 1958. He later worked for the Polish Armed Forces as a chaplain and served in the United States Armed Forces, a role that brought him into contact with American intelligence.
Career in Radio and Dual Allegiances
In 1970 Milewski joined the Polish desk of Deutsche Welle as associate editor. Known for his five‑language fluency and commanding voice, he became a key figure in the Polish‑language broadcast. Simultaneously, according to declassified records, he maintained contact with the Polish State Security (Służba Bezpieczeństwa) and was listed by Western intelligence as a double agent under the codename “Ergo.”
Accusations of Espionage
During the 1970s the Polish Counter‑Intelligence Service (SZW) conducted several operations aimed at tracking Milewski. Documents reveal a 1968 recruitment plan, an 1974 investigation that classified him as an “eliminated agent,” and a 1975 report alleging that he cooperated with both Polish and American agents.
Mysterious Death and Aftermath
On 9 October 1975 at 18:30 Milewski collapsed during a shift at Deutsche Welle. The body was recovered from the Fühlinger Lake on 10 October. No autopsy was performed. The police report noted “detected heart disease” as the cause of death, but investigations remained inconclusive. Subsequent police files were destroyed, and the case was closed as a presumed natural death.
Legacy and Recent Interest
In 2017 a tribute in the Warsaw newspaper “Życie” confirmed Milewski’s death date and highlighted his abrupt passing. In 2025, a new article by Deutsche Welle has reignited public interest, drawing attention to his complex career and the unresolved questions surrounding his final days.