

Personal
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Learn the history
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BALISZEWSKI Family - The family were deported to Siberia, where their two young children died. On release, Czeslaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign, while his wife Anna was sent to a camp in Africa. After the war, they lived in several resettlement camps in the UK. Here, their son Jan describes life at the Marsworth Polish Resettlement camp.
Bozena BALUT - Bozena Balut’s address to the Polish-Canadian Group on November 11, 1995. Inspired by her parents’ and grandparents’ generations, and by Polish soldiers serving in the Allied forces and in the Home Army. Dedicated to the memory of Jozef Majcher, soldier of the Polish Second Corps (and her mother’s older brother), killed in action in Italy in1944, and Stefan Jerzy Zukotynski, Flying Officer, RAF, Polish Squadron 300 (and her paternal grandmother’s youngest brother), shot down over France in 1943.
Marian BELC - Marian served as a pilot during the September Campaign in Poland. He evacuated to France and later to the UK where he participated in the Battle of Britain. He was killed in a training exercise on 27 August 1942. Marian was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, the Cross of Valour (3 times), and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Kazimierz BELDA - Kazimierz Bełda's account of deportation. He was deported from Wołyn but tells in this account of how half of his train was joined to half of a train coming from the Grodno region. His future wife, Wanda Laskowska was on the Grodno part of the train. They both ended up in Nikulinskaya Baza.
Danuta LUKOMSKA - Deported with her parents and three sisters to the Arkhangelsk region of Siberia. Her father died in a Siberian jail, and one sister died on a ship on the Indian Ocean. Danuta spent some time at the camp in Valivade, India, and in Koja, Uganda. After the war, sje settled in Canada.
Maria BLUSZCZYNSKA - Deported to Siberia, she then joined the Polish army formed in the USSR and evacuated to the Middle East. She later joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish Air Force in the UK. Maria lost her entire family during the war, and her memoir describes the heart-breaking details. After the war, Maria settled in the UK.
BUCZAK Family - Deported to Siberia, Szczepan and Kazimierz joined the Polish 2nd Corps on release, while Katarzyna and the 3 children spent the war years at the Polish refugee camp in Mombassa, Africa. The family lived in the Marsworth Camp in the UK after the war.
Stefan BURACZEWSKI - Forcibly drafted into the Russian army, Stefan was then sent to a labour camp in Siberia. On release,he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and evacuated to Persia. He then joined the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade in Scotland. He participated in 21 jumps, including Operation Market Garden over Arnhem, Holland.
Zygmunt CHOJECKI - Deported to a slave labour camp with his family, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps on release, trained with them in the Middle East, and participated in the Italian Campaign, including the battle of Monte Cassino. He settled in England after the war, where he met his wife who had played a major role at Bletchley Park.
Michal CZUBRYT - Michal was deported to Siberia with his wife Anna, and their infant son Jozef. Michal joined the Polish army, while Anna and Jozef spent 6 years at the Polish settlement in Valivade, India. Michal served in the3DSK of the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. After the war, the family settled in Canada.
Wladyslaw Marian DĄBROWSKI - Wladyslaw was a Police Officer before the war, and was arrested by the Russians and sent to Siberia. His wife and two sons were later also deported to a different place in Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, trained in the Middle East, and fought in the Italian Campaign. His older son also joined the 2nd Corps and they eventually found each other in Iraq. They both returned to Poland after the war, where the mother and younger son had been repatriated.
Franciszka DOBROWLANSKA - Born in 1906, she writes a detailed account of her life from early childhood. After their husbands were arrested by the Russians, she and her sister were deported to Siberia with their children. On release, they spent the war years in the Koja Polish refugee camp in Uganda, Africa. She settled in the UK and later emigrated to Canada.
Ludwik DOMON - Lt. Colonel Ludwik Domon served in the Polish Army in Poland. He was captured by the Russians after the September Campaign and sent to a POW camp. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign, where he was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS. After the war, he emigrated to Argentina then returned to Poland in the 1950s.
Mieczyslaw DRELICH - Mieczyslaw fought in the September Campaign, then evacuated to Romania and made his way to the Middle East to join the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade. with whom he fought at Tobruk. He also fought in the Italian Campaign with the Polish 2nd Corps. Among the medals he received was the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS. After the war, he settled in Australia.
Jan DREWNIAK - Born in 1919 in the Postolowka settlement of Tarnopol province, he was forcibly conscripted into the Russian Army in 1940. Released on 'amnesty', he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, evacuated to the Middle East, and later fought in the Italian Campaign. He met and married Lucia Materiale and lived in Italy after the war, before emigrating to Canada in 1948.
Wiska DREWNIAK - This is an incredibly detailed and heart-breaking diary by a 17-year-old deported to Siberia with her mother and sister. It includes details of their life in the labour camp, their perilous journey south, their evacuation to Persia with the Polish army, and life in the camps in Teheran.
General Bronislaw DUCH - Participant in the September Campaign in Poland, he evacuated to France and then England. He was in charge of the 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland until 1943, and then took charge of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade during the Italian Campaign. After the war, he settled in England.
Irena EHRLICH - Deported to Siberia with her parents and siblings. On release, she joined the Polish 2nd Corps, her brother joined the Cadets, and the rest of the family spent 5 years in a Polish settlement in East Africa. She emigrated to Canada after the war, first to Saskatchewan, and then to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Miroslaw FERIC - Highly decorated pilot of the Polish Air Force in Poland, then in France, hen in the 303 Squadron in the UK. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and several Crosses of Valour with bars. He was killed in a training flight over Northolt on 14 Feb 1942.
Alfons and Wanda FILIPAK - Alfons served in the Polish Air Force in Poland, evacuated to France, transferred to the UK and served in the Polish 301 Squadron. Wanda had been deported to Siberia with her family. On release, she joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish Air Force. They settled in the U.S.
Ludwik FINKELSTEIN - Deported to Siberia with his family, he eventually settled in the UK where he became Dean of the School of Engineering and later serving as its pro-vice-chancellor. He joined the Civil Defence Corps in 1952 and rose to become the chief regional adviser for Greater London. He was awarded the Civil Defence Medal, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and, in 1990, was appointed OBE for his contributions.
Krzysztof FLIZAK - After his father was sent to a POW camp in Siberia, Krzysztof was deported to a different labour camp in Siberia with his family. Although he was only 10 years old, he journeyed south to find his father who had joined the Polish army being formed in the southern USSR. He joined the Polish 2nd Corps Cadet School and was the youngest cadet. After the war, he settled in the U.S.A.
Bronislawa FRANCUZ - Intellectually and physically disabled, she was deported with her family to Siberia, then evacuating with the Polish Army to Persia (Iran) and spent 6 years at the Polish settlement at Valivade in India before settling in the UK. She ended up being left alone in the UK when her family moved to the US, and she ended up in a mental institution for some years, before being moved to a Care Home.
Czeslaw FRANCZYK - The family were deported to Siberia in 1940. On release, Czeslaw's father Wojciech, and brothers, Karol and Zdzislaw, joined the Polish 2nd Corps, while Czeslaw, his mother Rozalia, and his sister Genowefa, spent 7.5 years in the Massindi Polish settlement in Uganda. After the war, the family settled in Canada.
Lech FULMYK - Deported to Siberia with his family. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps but was discharged on medical grounds a month later. He was sent to the Polish settlement in Mombassa, Tanzania, East Africa, where he completed his education. After the war, he spent some years in England before emigrating to Canada.
GABRYSZEWSKI Franciszek - (aka Francis Gabreski) was born in the USA of Polish parents. He was a member of the US Air Force when the war raged in Europe, and asked to be assigned to the Polish 315 Squadron. He was later reassigned to a US Squadron in the UK. He was a highly decorated pilot who retired as a Colonel.
GABSZEWICZ Aleksander - Aleksander was a highly decorated Polish Air Force ace. He participated in the September Campaign, then evacuated and made his way to France where he served in L'Armee de l'Air. He then served in several squadrons in the Polish Air Force in the UK. He settled in the UK after the war.
GAC Family - Deported to Siberia, father and son joined the Polish 2nd Corps when 'amnesty' was declared. The rest of the family spent some time in Persia, then moved to the Polish settlements of Country Club and Valivade in India. After the war, the family reunited in England, and eventually emigrated to Canada.
Andrzej GARLICKI - After his father was arrested by the Russians, he and his mother and brother were deported. His father was later executed by the Russians at Katyn. On release, Andrzej joined the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. After 5 years in the UK, Andrzej emigrated to Canada.
Jan GARLICKI - After his father was arrested by the Russians, he and his mother and brother were deported. His father was later executed by the Russians at Katyn. On release, Jan joined the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. After spending a few years in the UK, Jan emigrated to Argentina and later to Canada.
Marian GAWIAK - This is Marian's testimony before the U.S. Congregational Committee investigating the KATYN massacre. He was arrested by the Russians and spent time in the camps where Polish soldiers were executed. He provides vivid testimony of what all the prisoners went through. He and other survivors were convinced that the hundreds of soldiers who were disappearing from the camps were being executed, and they endeavoured to keep a list of as many names as possible. They later provided the list to General Anders.
Witold GLINSKI - Deported with his family, he was separated from them and ended up in a labour camp near the Chinese border. He escaped, along with 6 other prisoners, and they made the incredible trek to India. Only 4 of them survived the journey. Witold joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division in England. He settled in the UK after the war.
Teodor GNIDEC - Arrested by the Soviets and sent to several prisons and a camp in Arkhangelsk. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, trained in the Middle East, and fought in the Italian Campaign. After the war he came ot Canada on a two-year work contract and eventually settled in London, Ontario.
Bronislaw GODLEWSKI - As a Polish-American, he volunteered for the Polish Air Force in the UK and was grievously injured during a bombing raid over France, where he continued to direct the pilot in spite if his injuries. He lost both arms at the elbows as a result, and was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS for his extreme bravery. He returned to the U.S. after the war
GORAL and RADOMSKI Families - The families were deported from the Eastern Borderlands in Feb. 1940. On release, they made their way to join the Polish 2nd Corps, evacuating to the Middle East, and eventually settling in the UK. Their story is told in the books: "Midnight Train to Siberia" and "Escaping Siberia".
Piotr & Wladyslawa GRABOWSKI- Piotr fought in the September Campaign, was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in a German Prisoner of War Camp. Wladyslawa was arrested by the Germans and sent to a Slave Labour Camp in Germany. A portion of their histories is presented here as excerpts from their daughter's book titled "The Soul's Journey".
Jozefa GRZESKOWIAK-KIERKIEWICZ - She describe the journey south in the USSR after they were released by the 'amnesty', and then the journey to reach the Polish Abercorn settlement in East Africa. Jozefa also provides details about the settlement and what it was like to live there for 4 years before returning to Poland.
Father Rafal GRZONDZIEL - A legendary Franciscan priest, who was a pastor, a lecturer in political science, a scoutmaster, and especially an outstanding social activist for the Canadian Polish community. It is to him that the “discovery of the Ontarian Kaszubians” is attributed. During WW2 Father Grzondziel had served in the Carpathian Rifle Brigade of the Polish 2nd Corps. He was awarded many medals for his participation in the Italian Campaign, including the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS. After the war he spent some time in the UK, then the US, and eventually settled in Kaszuby, Ontario, Canada.
Aniela GRZYBOWSKA-KLOSINSKA - Aniela was deported to Siberia with her family. On release, her father joined the Polish army, while her mother and siblings remained behind. Aniela's siblings evacuated to Persia with an orphanage, and her mother later died, leaving her alone at 9 years of age. She was repatriated to Poland in 1947, and learned that he father and two surviving siblings had settled in England.
Helena GRZYBOWSKA-JASKOWSKA - Helena was deported to Siberia with her family. On release, her father joined the Polish army, while her mother and siblings remained behind. Helena was evacuated to Persia with an orphanage. She spent five years at the Polish Valivade camp in India before settling in the UK after the war.
Eugeniusz HORBACZEWSKI - Eugeniusz Horbaczewski was a Polish fighter pilot, a flying ace of World War II, also known as "Dziubek" (literally the diminutive of 'beak' in Polish). According to official lists, Horbaczewski was the third highest scoring Polish fighter ace, with 16.5 confirmed kills (16 individual and one shared) plus one probable kill. He was killed in action in 1944.
Jerzy IWANOW-SZAJNOWICZ - Jerzy was a Polish intelligence operative in the General Staff Section II until he was stolen by the British SIS. They really wanted that daredevil of superb physique, sharp mind, and command of six languages. In the space of ten months, he did the German occupying forces plenty of irreparable damage. Eventually captured, Jerzy was executed by a firing squad.
Waclaw IVANUK - Wacław Ivanuk was a poet, literary critic, translator and ... an anti-aircraft artillery officer in the 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment of the 1st Polish Armored Division of General Stanislaw Maczek. He was an outstanding but underappreciated figure in Polish literary life and the cultural heritage of Poles in the 20th century.
Janina JAGODZINSKA - Janina (nee Makowska) was deported to Siberia with her family. Her step-mother and younger brother died there. On release, the siblings were separated: Boleslaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps, Maria joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish Air Force in the UK, and Janina ended up in the Santa Rosa Polish settlement in Mexico. She then lived in Chicago. before emigrating to Canada. In the 1960s she returned to Chicago.
Anna JAKUBOWSKA - As a member of the Home Army (AK), Anna participated in the Warsaw Uprising. She was subsequently captured by the Germans and spent time in three camps, the last one being Oberlangen that was liberated by the 1st Armoured Division. She married a soldier from that division, and they returned to Poland in 1947.
JAROSZEWICZ family - The parents were deported with 7 children.. On release, the father joined the Engineering Corps of the Polish 2nd Corps, and the oldest daughter joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps. The mother, 3 daughters and one son spent the war years in the Tengeru Polish settlement in Africa. The family spent a few years in the UK after the war, then settled in the USA.
Stanislawa JASIONOWICZ - Deported at age 9 with her family to the gold-mining town of Dzytygara in Northern Kazakhstan. Released on 'amnesty', the family journeyed south to find the Polish Army being formed in the USSR, Her brother Edward joined the Cadets of the Polish 2nd Corps. The rest of the family spent the war years in Lebanon, before moving to the UK. Later, Stanislawa became Sister Maria Teresa.
Walerian JAWORSKI - Walerian was deported to Siberia with his family. On release, his father joined the Polish 2nd Corps but he died on arrival in Pahlevi, Persia. Walerian joined the 2nd Corps Cadets in Persia, and later served in the Carpathian Lancers of the Polish 2nd Corps. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Alojzy JEDAMSKI - Alojzy Jedamski was a Soldier of the 2nd Reconnaissance Platoon,10th Dragon Regiment, of the 1st Polish Armored Division. His war epic took him through his experiences from the Armoured Division's trail through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, where he was wounded twice. After the war, Alojzy returned to Poland.
Henryk JEDWAB - Henryk fought in the September Campaign, then evacuated through Romania to join the Polish Army in France. When France collapsed, he joined the Inter-Allied Commando unit. The unit played a major role at Monte Cassino. Henryk Jedwab was wounded in action three times. He was decorated for bravery twenty four times. Among his medals was the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, the Monte Cassino Cross, and the Cross of Valour. After the war, Henryk emigrated to Canada.
KACZMARCZYK family - The family lived on the Sienkiewicz military settlement in Wolyn. The entire family were deported to Siberia. On release, the son Bronislaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps. The fate of the father is unknown. The mother returned to Poland in 1946 & the 3 daughters ended up in a Polish settlement in South Africa. Bronislaw emigrated to Canada.
Jozef KACZMAREK - Jozef was part of the Home Army in Poland during the war. Among other activities, he participated in the Warsaw Uprising, after which he was impriosoned by the Germans. On liberation, he made his way to Italy to the Polish 2nd Corps. Jozef emigrated to Canada on a two-year farm contract.
Mieczyslaw KIERKLO - Arested for being a member of the Home Army (AK), Mieczyslaw was deported to a labour camp in Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish army in the USSR, evacuated to the Middle East with them, then went to Scotland where he joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division and fought in the European Campaign. After the war, he lived in the UK, then emigrated to the USA.
Roza KISIELEWSKA - After her father`s arrest, she was deported to Kazakhstan with her mother and brother. When they reached Persia, she volunteered for the Women`s Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps and served in the Italian Campaign. The family spent some years in South America before settling in Canada.
Zofia KLEBAN - Deported to Siberia with her family. On release they were sent to a Polish settlement in Uganda, Africa where Zofia completed her education. After the war, she spent some years in England and later settled in Canada.
Stanislaw KLOCZKOWSKI - He was a wireless operator in the Polish Air Force during the September Campaign. He evacuated to France abd then to England. In January 1944 he was reassigned to special operations Squadron 301 based in Italy, and he stayed there until the end of the war. After the war, he settled in Canada.
Stefan KNAPP - Stefan had always wanted two things in life - to be an artist and a pilot. He was deported to Siberia after the Soviets murdered his father at Katyn. On release, he joined the Polish army and evacuated to Persia. He was then sent to the UK to pursue training as a pilot. He was assigned to the Polish Air Force in the UK - 318 Squadron. After the war, he studied at the Royal Academy and at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. Many of his paintings and sculptures are in prestigious art galleries and private collections around the world.
Antoni KOBYLAK - Deported to Siberia with his family, several members did not survive. On release, the remaining members of the family made their way south, where Antoni's father joined the Polish 2nd Corps. Antoni, his mother and brother Stanislaw, evacuated to Persia, and made their way to a Polish settlement in Rhodesia. After the war, the family emigrated to the US.
Stanislaw KOBYLAK - Deported to Siberia with his family, several members did not survive. On release, the remaining members of the family made their way south, where Stanislaw's father joined the Polish 2nd Corps. Stanislaw, his mother and brother Antoni,evacuated to Persia, and eventually made their way to a Polish settlement in Rhodesia. After the war, the family emigrated to the US.
Kazimiera KOLODZIEJ - Deported to Siberia with her family, she spent the war years in the Polish settlement in Tengeru, Africa. From Africa she went to the UK, then Canada.
Boleslaw KONTRYM - He was a man who had more lives than a cat - and more medals than a Soviet Marshal. He fought on the Russian side in WW1, eventually joined the Polish side, participated in the Warsaw Uprising, escaped capture and then joined the1st Polish Armoured Division. He returned to Poland after the war and was tortured and executed by the Communist authorities.
Stanisław KOPAŃSKI - Stanisław was a highly decorated and frequently promoted General of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. Among others, he commanded the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade in the battle of Tobruk. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITA CROSS, the Cross of Valour (twice), and many other decorations. After the war he settled in the UK.
Jozef KOSACKI - Jozef particiopated in the September Campaign, then evacuated to Hungary. He eventually made his way to France and then to England as part of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He invented the MINE DETECTOR that was used for the next 50 years and saved countless lives. After the war, he returned to Poland
Henryk KOSIOR - Henryk fought in the September Campaign and was later captured by the Russians. He was sent to a forced labour camp in Vorkuta in Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign. After the war, he returned to Poland, but later moved to Germany.
Kazimierz KOWALISZYN - Deported to Siberia, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps on release.He ferried German POWs to New York, then ferried new recruits to the continent. He volunteered to be a paratrooper in the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade and fought at Arnhem where he was injured. After the war, he spent some years in England before settled in Canada.
Stanislaw J. KOWALSKI - Stanislaw describes the conditions in Kolyma, Siberia which he was one of the few to eventually escape. Freed by the 'amnesty', he made his way to join the Polish 2ns Corps, and was later transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He fought the European Campaign and settled in England after the war.
Marian KOZIELEWSKI - Marian was the brother of Jan Karski, who had changed his name to Karski. During the German occupation, Marian was the head of the Warsaw Police, and he did his best to thwart the German regulations. He was eventually arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Released in 1941, he later participated in the Warsaw Uprising.
Tadeusz KROL -This is a VERY DETAILED memoir of the Krol family experiences during WW2. Ted's father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in Tobruk and the Italian Campaign, Ted joined the CADETS of the Polish 2nd Corps, while the rest of the family spent the war years in Tehran and Lebanon. After the war, the family emigrated to the USA.
Jozef KROLCZYK- He participated in the September Campaign and was later deported to Siberia with his family and his wife's family. His parents and one of his brothers died in Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign. He settled in the UK.
Michal KRUPA - He was deported to Siberia and then. joined the Polish 2nd Corps. He fought in the Italian Campaign, then volunteered to join the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade in order to connect with the Home Army in Poland. After the war, he settled in England and wrote "Shallow Graves in Siberia".
Irena KRZYSKOW-WALLACE - Deported to Siberia with her family. On release, her father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. Irena and her sister Mary, spent the war years in years in Africa - first at the Outschoorn Polish settlement, then Digglefold, and finally Gatooma. In 1947, they joined their father in England, and eventually settled in Canada.
Jan KUDLA - Deported with his parents and siblings to a labour camp in Siberia, and their subsequent journey south to freedom. He joined the Polish 2nd Corps, then transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division and participated in the European Campaign. He returned to Poland after the war and worked for the underground, for which he was imprisoned.
Sronislaw KULIK - Deported with his family, his mother and sister died in Siberia. On release, Stanislaw joined the Polish army, then transferred to Scotland and joined the 1st Independent Paratroop Brigade. He participated in the Battle of Arnhem, was captured by the Germans, and was helped to escape by the Dutch. He settled in Scotland after the war.
Irena KUS - Deported to Siberia with her entire family. On release, her father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. One brother served in 304 Squadron of the Polish Air Force in the UK. Another brother joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division and fought in the European Campaign. Irena, her mother, and youngest brother spent 6 years in the Masindi Polish settlement in Africa, then went to the UK, and eventually settled in Canada.
Waclaw KUZIA - Waclaw fought in the September Campaign in Poland, was captured by the Russians, and sent to several POW camps in the USSR. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and served in the Military Police. After the war, he came to Canada on a 2-year contract, and then settled in Winnipeg.
Maria KWASNIEWSKA - This is the story of how one photo of a famous Polish athlete with Adolf Hitler, became a pass for freedom. Maria won the bronze medal in the Javelin throw, which resulted in a photo taken with Hitler. She used that photo to gain access to the camps and save people from certain death.
Piotr LAGUNA - Piotr served in the Polish Air Force during the September Campaign, then evacuated to France to continue the fight. When France fell, he evacuated to England where he fought in the Battle of Britain. He was the commander of the Polish 302 Squadron when he was killed in action in June 1941.
Waclaw LAPINSKI - Waclaw participated in the September Campaign, was captured by the Russians, and sent to Siberia. His family was later deported to Siberia as well. On release, Waclaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps, fought in the Middle East, at Tobruk, and in the Italian Campaign. After the war, he emigrated to Canada on a 2-year work contract.
Waclaw LAPKOWSKI - Waclaw was a pilot in the Polish Air Force and participated in the September Campaign in Poland. He evacuated to France and then to the UK where he commanded the Polish 303 Squadron. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, and the Cross of Valour (four times). He was killed in action over the English Channel.
Wladyslawa LECH-BANASIAK - The family was deported by the Russians after her father was arrested. As an officer of the Polish State Police, he was executed in the Katyn massacres. The family spent 5 years in exile before being repatriated to Poland. Here, Wladyslawa describes their exile in great detail.
Kazimierz LESKI - Kazimierz Leski was a naval engineer, co-designer of Dutch-made submarines that would one day fly the Polish banner, and, in WW2, a shot-down pilot, twice-escaped POW, Intelligence ace, Warsaw Uprising hero, and rescuer of Jews. He also impersonated German Generals while travelling in German-occupied territories.
Edmund LEWANDOWSKI - Edmund fount in the September Campaign, was captured by the Germans, escaped, and joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division. After the war, he settled in Breda.
Felicjan LOTH - Doctor Felicjan Loth, a first-rate surgeon, was arrested in February 1941 for helping organize an underground med school. Loth underwent a default beating-and-recovery procedure, but then, instead of Auschwitz or a mass grave just outside the city, he was assigned to the medical personnel of the prison.
Danuta LUKOMSKA - Danuta was deported with her parents and three sisters to the Arkhangelsk region of Siberia. Father died in a Siberian jail. One sister died on the ship on the Indian Ocean. Danuta spent some time at the Polish settlement at Valivade in India, and the Polish Koja camp in Uganda. She settled in Canada after the war.
Wladyslawa MAJEWSKA - Reknowned performer with the "Wesola Lwowska Fala" that evacuated to Romania at the onset of the war, then made their way to France and eventually to Scotland. She performed with the troupe in Scotland and England, and then across Europe with the 1st Polish Armoured Division. She settle in the UK after the war.
Maria MAKOWSKA-OSICKA - Maria was deported to Siberia with her family. Her step-mother and younger brother died there. On release, Maria was sent to the Tengeru Polish camp in East Africa. She then volunteered to join the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish Air Force in the UK, and sailed to England. After the war, she settled in Canada.
Adam MARCINKIEWICZ - During the fighting for the city of Thielt, Belgium the Sherman Tanks of the 1st Polish Armoured Division came under heavy anti-tank fire and Lieutenant Marcinkiewicz carried out a raid on German positions during which a German Panzerfaust blew off his right hand. The German positions were taken and only then did Adam retire to the rear with severe blood loss. For this action he was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour and the British Military Cross.
MARKUT Stanislaw & Antonina - Both families were deported to Siberia. On release, Stanislaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps and was later transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division. Antonina joined the 317 Transport Company of the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps. They met and married after the war and eventually settled in Buffalo, New York.
MARTUSEWICZ-BALUT Krystyna - Krystyna was deported to Siberia with her mother and grandmother. On release, they made their way south and evacuated to Persia with the Polish Army, then were sent to the Polish Valivade settlement in India. In 1947, they were moved to the Koja Polish camp in Uganda. They later emigrated to Canada.
Henryk MARYNOWICZ - Henryk participated in several battles of the September Campaign in Poland. He returned home and was deported to Kazakhstan with his mother, brother Wladyslaw and sister Jadwiga. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and served in the Middle East. He was later seconded for study in the UK, where he settled after the war.
Jozefa MASLANKA - Jozefa was 12 years old when she was deported to Siberia with her parents and brothers in 1940. Released by the 'amnesty' she evacuated to Persia with the Polish army. She joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps and pursued her education in the Middle East and later in England. After the war, she settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Leokadia MASLANKA - Leokadia was deported to Siberia with her family. On release, they evacuated the USSR with the Polish army and were sent to a Polish settlement in Africa. Leokadia later volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish Air Force in the UK. After the war, she settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Adam MERCIK - His father was a member of the General Staff, so he evacuated to Romania with his parents, then made his way to Palestine where he entered Polish 2nd Corps cadet School. At age 17, he enlisted in the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. He completed engineering studies in England and then settled in Canada.
Mikolaj MICHALCZYSZYN - Mikolaj described life under the Russians and the elections they held prior to deporting them to Siberia. He wrote this in answer to a questionnaire as a member of the Polish 2nd Corps in the Middle East in 1942.
Jerzy MONDSCHEIN - Jerzy was part of the Polish Air Force in Poland, France and the UK. He was captured by the Germans and taken to Stalag III POW camp in Sagan, Germany (now Zagan, Poland). He was part of the group that escaped the camp (The Great Escape movie was based on their story). He was killed by the Gestapo during his escape.
Casimir & Zofia MORAWSKI - The family was deported to Siberia. On release, Zofia and her daughter
ended up at Polish settlement in Valivade, India, while her husband and one son served in the Polish 2nd Corps. The other son was sent to a hospital in South Africa and settled there after the war, they lived in
the UK and eventually emigrated ro Canada.
Zbigniew MUSKUS - After his father's arrest, the family were deported by the Russians. Released by the 'amnesty' they headed south to find the Polish army being formed in the USSR. His father joined the Polish 2nd Corps, Zbigniew joined the Air Force, and his sister Grazyna spent the war years in a Polish settlement in Africa. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Emanuela NADEL - Emanuela was deported to Siberia with her mother. Her father had been arrested by the Soviets, and they learned many years later that he was executed at Katyn. Emanuela and her mother eventually escaped Siberia and returned to Poland. After the war, they lived in Germany before emigrating to Australia.
Wladyslaw NAKIELNY - Wladyslaw fought in the September Campaign in Poland. He evacuated to Romania and made his way to join the Polish Army in France. He then joined the 1st Polish Artmoured Division in Scotland and fought in the European Campaign. After the war he settled in Canada.
Bolesław NIECZUJA-OSTROWSKI - The Brigadier General participated in the September 1939 Campaign, then served in the Home Army (AK). He was highly decorated - among other medals, he was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS. He settled in Elbląg with his wife Bronisława where they raised their 3 children and he devoted the rest of his life to devoted to historical and educational affairs.
Leopold OLENIUK - Leopold fought in the September Campaign, evacuated to Hungary, then made his way to Syria where he fought in the Battle of Tobruk. He served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign with the Polish 2nd Corps and returned to Poland in 1947. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI, the Cross of Valour (three times), and many other medals.
Kazimierz PATALAS - As a teenager, Dr. Kazimierz Patalas was taken to Germany for forced labour. He later joined the resistance movement in Poland. He earned his doctorate there and became renowned in the field of Hydrobiology. In 1967, he was recruited to the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg and settled there. Kazimierz was very active in the local Polish community.
Stanislawa PAWLIK - Deported with her parents and siblings to Zytygara in the northernmost region of Kazakhstan when she was 5 years old. Her parents and one brother died in Teheran in April 1942, just as they had reached freedom. She and her sisters spent the next 3+ years at the Isfahan Polish Orphanage in Persia (Iran), before continuing their studies in Lebanon. Stanislawa sailed to the UK in 1948.
Jan PIECHOTA (aka WIKTOR) - Deported to Siberia with his family - his father and brother died there. On release, he joined the Cadets of the Polish 2nd Corps and later, the Polish Merchant Navy College in the UK. On graduating he spent 5 years in the Merchant Navy, before joining his family in Canada.
Tadeusz PIETRZYKOWSKI -Tadeusz fought in the September Campaign, was later captured by the Germans and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp. He was a renowned boxer & fought in over 40 bouts there. On release, he joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division and continued boxing matches with the Allied Forces in occupied Germany. He returned to Poland in 1947.
Leopold PIKULSKI - Deported to Siberia with his family. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and evacuated to the Middle East.He later volunteered to join the 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland, and fought in the European Campaign. After the war, he settled in Canada.
Franciszek PINDOR - Franciszek served as navigator in the Polish Air Force in the September Campaign. He evacuated to Romania, then to France, and finally to Scotland where he joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He fought in the European Campaign with the division. After the war, he emigrated to Canada.
Jan PIWNIK - A member of the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, the "Sight Unseen", and the Home Army in Poland during the war. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS and a legendary status among Polish WW2 freedom fighters. was killed in action near Wilno, where his troops were fighting in “Operation Tempest”. Jan died in Evlashi, Belarus on 16 June 1944.
Marian PLICHTA - Lt. Marian Plichta, an officer who fought three times under the command of Gen. Stanisław Maczek - in the September Campaign, in the Free Polish Army in France, and in the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS and the Cross of Valour. He returned to Poland after the war.
Wanda POLTAWSKA - Wanda was a Polish medical student when she was arrested by the Germans in 1941 and sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she became one of the hundreds of Polish women subjected to the horrific medical experiments. After the war,she was instrumental in documenting the atrocities.
Zdzislaw PRZYJALKOWSKI - He was a high-ranking officer in the First World War, the Polish-Bolshevik War, and World War Two, who was awarded many medals for his extraordinary service, including the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS. After the war, he emigrated to Sweden.
Czeslaw PUKACZ - He was deported from the Krechowiecka military settlement to Archangelsk Siberia with his parents and siblings. On release, he evacuated to Persia and trained with the Polish 2nd Corps in Irak and Palestine before being transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland. He fought in the European Campaign and then settled in the UK.
Wladyslaw RAGINIS - Wladyslaw was a commander of the Border Protection Corps (KOP) during the September Campaign in Poland. At the Battle of Wizna, Raginis' 720 men (out of which roughly 650 were killed) withheld more than 42,000 German soldiers for three days. He was posthumously awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI - GOLD CROSS.
Jerzy REMBOWSKI - An officer of the State Police until 17 Sept. 1939 - A prisoner of the KOZELSK II camp - An officer of the 11th Gendarmerie Squadron of the Polish 2nd Corps. He returned to Poland after the war.
Benjamin ROGOZINSKI - Deported to Siberia with her family. On release, he was conscripted into the Kosciuszko Division and fought in battles from Moscow to Berlin. He moved to Berlin after the war, and eventually settled in Brazil.
Boleslaw ROMANOWSKI - Bolesław Romanowski was the legendary Commander of the following submarines during World War II: ORP "Jastrząb",ORP "Dzik", and ORP "Sokół. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, the Cross of Valour (twice), and several other medals. After the end of World War II, he was one of the few officers who decided to return to Poland.
Janina ROWBICKA-GRYZIAK - Deported to Siberia with her parents and siblings. On release, the family travelled to the southern USSR where her father joined the Polish 2nd Corps. Janina, her mother, and siblings spent the war years at the Kidugala Polish settlement in Tanganyika. They emigrated to Canada
Jerzy RÓŻYCKI - Różycki worked with two other mathematicians (Marian Rejewski and Henryk Zygalski) to decipher the German Enigma machine. Różycki contributed original analytical thinking that helped determine rotor settings and dramatically reduced the time required to break daily keys. Many scholars estimate that this achievement shortened the war in Europe by at least two years, saving countless lives across the continent. Tragically, in January 1942, Różycki was traveling aboard the French liner SS Lamoricière when it sank near the Balearic Islands.
Klemens RUDNICKI - Colonel Rudnicki fought in the September Campaign, then was part of the Home Army (AK) resistance, was captured by the Russians and spent time in prisons and work camps before evacuating to Persia with the newly-formed Polish Army. He joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign, before being transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He was highly decorated, including the VIRTUTI MILITARI CROSS, and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He settled in the UK after the war.
Aniela RUSZEL-PARKITNA - Aniela was deported to Siberia with her parents and siblings from Anielowka near Tarnopol. On release, she journeyed south and evacuated to Persia with the Polish army. She was then sent to the Lusaka Polish settlement in Africa. After the war, she settled in England, spending someyears at the Marsworth Polish Hostel.
Franciszek RUSZKOWSKI - On 9 June 1940 he was incorporated into the Polish Armed Forces near Coëtquidan, France, joining the 7th Infantry Regiment. When France fell, he evacuated to Great Britain (Scotland). On 17 July 1940, he was assigned to the 24th Lancers Regiment of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, and took driving and tank operation courses. He fought in the European Campaign.
Julian RYBARCZYK - Deported with his family, after his father was arrested. His father later joined the Polish 2nd Corps. Julian served in the 5th Battalion of the 2nd Brigade of the Polish 2nd Corps, and participated in the Italian Campaign. Wounded in action, he was sent to a hospital in Perthshire, Scotland. After the war, he remained in Scotland.
Zbigniew RYDELEWSKI - Deported to Siberia with his family. On release, his father joined the Polish 2nd Corps, but was later injured and sent to the Polish settlement at Lusaka in Rhodesia, where his wife and daughter later joined him. Zbigniew went to the Tengeru Polish settlement in East Africa for a short time, then joined the Polish 2nd Corps in Egypt in 1942. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Wladyslaw RYSZKOWSKI - Deported to Siberia with his family, his father later died on the journey south. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and was transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland. He served in the European Campaign and then in the Occupying Forces in Germany from 1945-1947. After the war, he settled in the UK.
RZEWUCKI Family - The family were deported to Siberia on 10 Feb 1940. When they were freed by the 'amnesty', the father Bronislaw, and his eldest son Wladyslaw, enlisted in the Polish 2nd Corps. The mother Marja, and three younger children (Czeslawa, Irena, and Tadeusz) spent the war years in the Tengeru Polish settlement in East Africa. They settled in Canada after the war.