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[www.Kresy-Siberia.org] Ethnic cleansing in Kresy
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHi Eva! Great tip on Milwaukee airport. Would you share some of the book "Od Caen do Wilhelmshafen" in the Hall of Memories? We need stories and visuals for our "Polish Forces in Western Europe" gallery - ?1PAD especially.? Best regards Stefan Wisniowski Sydney Australia? Begin forwarded message: From: "ebard55" <ebard55@...> Date: 17 May 2013 7:38:02 AEST To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: [] Ethnic cleansing in Kresy Reply-To: Kresy-Siberia@...
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Bernie, thank you for revisiting this topic. We purchased the Piotrowski book a few years ago. It is an excellent source. We've just returned from Chicago. However, we always fly through Milwaukee. The airport has one of the best used bookstores. At times in the past and even last week we have purchased signed Ander's books,some of the Melchior Wankowicz books and even a gut wrenching paperback gem titled "Od Caen do Wilhelmshafen" . This book has individual poems, photographs, drawings and stories by soldiers of the Polish 1st Armored Division and was printed in Belgium in 1945. You have a valuable resource close to you. You probably know about this bookstore but I thought I'd mention it for anyone else living in the area. You honor your family by your research. We are doing the same for our children and grandchildren. |
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Ethnic cleansing in Kresy
Bernie, thank you for revisiting this topic. We purchased the Piotrowski book a few years ago. It is an excellent source. We've just returned from Chicago. However, we always fly through Milwaukee. The airport has one of the best used bookstores. At times in the past and even last week we have purchased signed Ander's books,some of the Melchior Wankowicz books and even a gut wrenching paperback gem titled "Od Caen do Wilhelmshafen" . This book has individual poems, photographs, drawings and stories by soldiers of the Polish 1st Armored Division and was printed in Belgium in 1945. You have a valuable resource close to you. You probably know about this bookstore but I thought I'd mention it for anyone else living in the area. You honor your family by your research. We are doing the same for our children and grandchildren.
Warm regards, Ewa D. - Nevada |
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Re: "They Defended Ukraine"/Displaced Persons
attached: Picture of Galician 14th Division Graves At Cannock, staffs uk
pics of individual headstones available if needed I also photographed the graves of any German Soldier (in both wars) with a Polish name. note that the graves themselved don't dare mention the SS the date of 1986 on the memorial is significant, as in 1986 the 14th Div. were supposedly cleared of war crimes by a Canadian Court, make of that what you will, I'm sure someone here will be able to tell me the real story i started to investigate their record but emails to the Ukranian ex-combatants associations just bounced am i right to assume there was significant crossover between these Nazi Formations and the UPA Butchers of Wolyn? the Soldiers buried at Cannock had retreated to Austria and were captured there by the Brits thanks for the links to the articles re: Trains, the stories here ring so many bells with the what i heard from my Mothers Polish (Catholic) Employers but i was just to young to absorb it properly and the Matriarch has since passed away, i wish i'd had a tape recorder! best regards -- Tim Bucknall Congleton, UK RDR54D1 + CLP5130 |
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Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] Re: British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austr
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýBernie, kuma, i like this.? my Great Grandfather was Robert Swiecicki, he had a brother (name unknown), was a widower with three daughters, Adela, Jadwiga and Kamila (my Grandmother who rode a horse and did the farmwork) who married Mikolaj Chmielewski ?my Grandfather and my mother Helena Chmielewska is one of their daughters. ?They all moved to Zhitomirski Oblast. ?The link will have to come from Robert Swiecicki, who had land in Plock which was taken away by the Germans during Prussian occupation. ?We now have to find a Swiecicki who had a daughter Anna and a son called Robert, which will lead us to your lineage and connect with mine. ?I had a look ?at your link and see the two villages, but I am not clever to give link to mine so will have to give directions. Village Niwna/Nyvna, below Dovbyz, with Novgorad Volynsk above and to left, with Romanowka below and again Zhitomierz below and to the right. In Zhitomirski Oblast, next to Kyievski Oblast. At one time it was all Kyievski Oblast when Poland before Riga Treaty Line 1921. Kind regards Lenarda, Australia ? From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of Bernard Starzewski
Sent: Thursday, 16 May, 2013 11:31 PM To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] Re: British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austr ? ? Lenarda, I have no information regarding Plock. According to a family history dictated by my dziadek Antoni he was born in a town called Radohoscze. His mother's name was Anna Swiencicka (Sweicicka?). Using the AGAD database I have been able to trace a Michal Sweicicki to a town called Radohoscze Mala. This makes sense since he described twin towns and Mala has a twin called Radohoscze Vielke (greater?) Antoni also said that these towns were "in Russia". ?Well they are not in Wolyn Oblast they are in Khmelnytska Oblast which (I believe) remained under Russian control after 1920 so to him it was "in Russia". I am reasonably confident that these are the towns my grandfather spoke of and the place of his birth. ? See map here with slightly different (Ukrainian) spelling? ? So the best clue I have on Anna is this town where we know that a man by that surname lived at about the right time to be Anna's father. ? We know from the records I have found that Wincenty Starzewski lived in Burkazce which is not far away. There can be no question that this is my family because we know his wife's name, Tomazewska and the dates are right to be the parents of Stanislaw. It is also interesting that Wincenty's father's name was also Stanislaw. ? My theory is that Stanislaw (son of Wincenty father of Antoni) went to Radohoscze and married into the Swiecicki family. Because of that it is probable that Anna was an only child and inherited Michal's estate. This could be why it is so difficult to trace them since that branch of the Swiecicki name vanished with her. ? Anna died in child birth when Antoni was only 2 and his step mother disowned him in favor of her own children with Stanislaw when he died in 1914. This is how Antoni came to be in the army at a young age. He became a camp follower for a Polish unit that was camped in the area and the men took a liking to him and allowed him to join them as a messenger just as the war began. ? It would be very interesting to go there and see if a monument could be discovered if there is anything left of the cemetery. ? As a result I would not expect to find any evidence of Starzewski in Radohoscze since Antoni said there was no monument on Stanislaw's grave. ?He had to dig it himself in the winter. But the presence of Michal in that town is a tantalizing clue. ? So, until we can find better evidence I would be proud to call you Kuma! ? Bernie |
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Re: British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austr
Lenarda, I have no information regarding Plock. According to a family history dictated by my dziadek Antoni he was born in a town called Radohoscze. His mother's name was Anna Swiencicka (Sweicicka?). Using the AGAD database I have been able to trace a Michal Sweicicki to a town called Radohoscze Mala. This makes sense since he described twin towns and Mala has a twin called Radohoscze Vielke (greater?) Antoni also said that these towns were "in Russia". ?Well they are not in Wolyn Oblast they are in Khmelnytska Oblast which (I believe) remained under Russian control after 1920 so to him it was "in Russia". I am reasonably confident that these are the towns my grandfather spoke of and the place of his birth. See map here with slightly different (Ukrainian) spelling? So the best clue I have on Anna is this town where we know that a man by that surname lived at about the
right time to be Anna's father. We know from the records I have found that Wincenty Starzewski lived in Burkazce which is not far away. There can be no question that this is my family because we know his wife's name, Tomazewska and the dates are right to be the parents of Stanislaw. It is also interesting that Wincenty's father's name was also
Stanislaw. My theory is that Stanislaw (son of Wincenty father of Antoni) went to Radohoscze and married into the Swiecicki family. Because of that it is probable that Anna was an only child and inherited Michal's estate. This could be why it is so difficult to trace them since that branch of the Swiecicki name vanished with her. Anna died in child birth when Antoni was only 2 and his step mother disowned him in favor of her own children with Stanislaw when he died in 1914. This is how Antoni came to be in the army at a young age. He became a camp follower for a Polish unit that was camped in the area and the men took a liking to him and allowed him to join them as a messenger just as the war began. It would be very interesting to go there and see if a monument could be discovered if there is anything left of the cemetery. As a result I would not expect to find any evidence of Starzewski in Radohoscze since Antoni said there was no monument on Stanislaw's grave. ?He had to dig it himself in the winter. But the presence of Michal in that town is a tantalizing
clue. So, until we can find better evidence I would be proud to call you Kuma! Bernie |
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google book - DPs: Europe's displaced persons, 1945-1951 :- free to read online
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDear group ¨C BOOK - (click on this to get you into link and free to read online)books.google.com.au/books?isbn=0801485428 - 1998 - Political Science Europe's displaced persons, 1945-1951 : [with a new introduction] Mark Wyman. derided the verfluchte Auslander (lit. damned foreigners), and Ukrainian DPs in ... the country in massive numbers as the Bricha from Poland, Czechoslovakia, ... The DP camps are all black market centers, while our own people are starving. ?
Regards, Lenarda, Australia |
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THE WONDERFUL WORK OF UNRRA FOR POLISH DP CAMPS IN GERMANY
¿ªÔÆÌåÓý? The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) and the ¡®world task in public health¡¯ after the Second World War ? SOME NICE PHOTOS OF PEOPLE AND CHILDREN IN DP CAMPS ? Kind regards, Lenarda, Australia |
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History of the Polish Armed Forces 1939-1949 - Angelfire
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDear group in researching displaced person and treatment by British,? found article ?????? ???????????????which is headed by ?quote - ?Chapter 8:"An honour to have such faithful and valiant warriors dwelling among us. "The British Government plans to support the Poles. And continues on with paragraph of interest - quote -¡°At the head of the list of potential workers who could be allowed into Britain, men of the Baltic states were deemed to be the most desirable. According to a letter from the British Consulate in Baden-Baden to the FO Refugee Department, Balts should be given preference over Poles as they were "...a much better type than the Poles, more intelligent, honest and reliable, with a higher standard of education." [49] The plan was guided by the principles of eugenics, if Britain was to have foreign settlers then they should be of 'good stock'; they should be white - thus excluding most of the Empire; Jews were to be excluded at all cost. Of the European DPs, the Poles were to not to be encouraged to join the scheme. Although, technically, the EVW scheme was open to all and no discrimination would be applied, the FO announced: "There is no objection to your making clear that Polish men except miners will not be invited to volunteer for the present." Waterfield of the FO pointed out that this was discrimination by anyone's definition. Although discrimination against the Poles would continue, the Foreign Office would not allow "open discrimination" and to emphasise this point Hankey minuted: "Let discrimination against Poles be hidden so far as possible, please. It will make much trouble for us." [50]¡±?? - ?so it seems we were discriminated ?against from the onset of the war and Britain had to help or lose face to the rest of the world. ? Quote ¨C ¡°After many years and many thousands of miles of wandering "General Sikorski's tourists" had finally found their home - even though it was not the one that they had wanted in the first place.¡± ? Read the full article to get the entire story of rejection and then forced acceptance. Kind regards Lenarda, Australia |
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Ethnic cleansing in Kresy (Re: From Wolyn to Austria
Thank you Bernie,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I need to get the book anyway. I'll see whether a primary source is cited. Andy Golebiowski Buffalo, N.Y. U.S.A. PS. Where are you located ? --- In Kresy-Siberia@..., "bstar53" <bernard_starzewski@...> wrote:
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Magdalena's story The lost child from Siberia
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDear group, story taken from ?? this shows how precious every scrap of information is and how lucky we are, to have our scraps and be what we are now. Have a browse through the site, which links KS WALL OF NAMES as one of its research links. ? Magdalena's story The lost child from Siberia
Magdalena Mokrzycki Regards,Lenarda,Australia ? |
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list of people Ostro??ka
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDear group, if you read between the lines of link, through translation, you may find your family name for OSTROLEKA. ? genealodzy.pl/PNphpBB2-printview-t-8107-start-105....? W 1920r w stopniu sier?anta walczy? w wojnie polsko-bolszewickiej.Razem ..... Sztumpf, Szymczyk, Szymaniewski, Szymanowski, ?piewak, ?wi?tkowski, ?wi?cki, ?wi?cicki ..... Czy wyst?puje tam Ludwik lub Feliks (Felicyan) Kaczy¨½scy? Kamil ... Lenarda, Australia |
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Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria)
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýBarbara, you and others like you, make up for the family we have lost.? It is good to belong and in this we have strength to tell our story, the truth and write history and correct history, because we all tell the same story from a personal ?aspect. With soul and happiness and kind wishes Lenarda, Australia ? ? From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of Barbara Alison
Sent: Thursday, 16 May, 2013 7:30 AM To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria) ? ? Lenarda I agree with you that we are all linked, and what a lovely thought that is.? In fact, I feel that we are part of the same soul group. Best wishes ? Barbara, London UK? ? Barbara Alison Songwriter Website: Web Page: ? ? From: Lenarda Szymczak <szymczak01@...> ? Did you have any family in Plock called Swiecicki, because this is where my Great Grandfather Robert Swiecicki comes from?? I have no records to go back further. But until then you can be my Kuma?, my adopted cousin and i will? be happy also, to call you cousin. One day the link will come. I think all of us, at one stage in past life, we have all cross each other¡¯s paths, but do not know because in peace no one spoke and during the war all was destroyed. This is why we think alike and research the same coming from the same patch of land. Kind regards Lenarda, Australia ? From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of bstar53 ? ? Lenarda, |
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Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria)
Lenarda
I agree with you that we are all linked, and what a lovely thought that is.? In fact, I feel that we are part of the same soul group.
Best wishes
?
Barbara, London UK?
?
Barbara Alison
Songwriter
Website:
Web Page:
?
From: Lenarda Szymczak
To: Kresy-Siberia@... Sent: Wednesday, 15 May 2013, 22:13 Subject: RE: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria) ?
Did you have any family in Plock called Swiecicki, because this is where my Great Grandfather Robert Swiecicki comes from?? I have no records to go back further.
But until then you can be my Kuma?, my adopted cousin and i will? be happy also, to call you cousin. One day the link will come. I think all of us, at one stage in past life, we have all cross each other¡¯s paths, but do not know because in peace no one spoke and during the war all was destroyed. This is why we think alike and research the same coming from the same patch of land.
Kind regards
Lenarda, Australia
?
From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of bstar53 Sent: Thursday, 16 May, 2013 12:32 AM To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria) ?
?
Lenarda, Our families and friends do certainly have a way of crossing! Did I mention that Henryk's mother was also from Markostaw where my father and family lived? All we have to do now is find that missing link to Swiecicki and we will be cousins! :) Bernie |
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Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria)
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýDid you have any family in Plock called Swiecicki, because this is where my Great Grandfather Robert Swiecicki comes from?? I have no records to go back further. But until then you can be my Kuma?, my adopted cousin and i will? be happy also, to call you cousin. One day the link will come. I think all of us, at one stage in past life, we have all cross each other¡¯s paths, but do not know because in peace no one spoke and during the war all was destroyed. This is why we think alike and research the same coming from the same patch of land. Kind regards Lenarda, Australia ? From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of bstar53
Sent: Thursday, 16 May, 2013 12:32 AM To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria) ? ? Lenarda, |
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Re: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] The story of the trains.
Very interesting read. We have been seeing alot of the soviet crimes discussed lately, and the nazis not mentioned.
This is somewhat timely too.
I see The News.PL site announces a new search underway for massacre victims in Piasnica this week.
?
Mark T.
Canada From: bstar53
To: Kresy-Siberia@... Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 10:39:52 AM Subject: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] The story of the trains. ?
Given the other thread about the deporations to Germany and Austria I thought I would post the segment in my father's memoir that talks about the train trip to Germany. The German propaganda machine put out information which flatly stated impossibility for anyone ever return back home. This statements effected many people. The Starzewski family probably was the most convinced of it. To capture the moment of despair of many people like Starzewskis, Germans a string of box cars in the railroad station and at announced that in order to prevent starvation in the city, they will provide food for anyone in need at the station and in these box cars. In no time the cars were filled with people. In few days an additional announcement was made that this train will be taken to Germany. The fear of angry Ukrainians, lack of housings and food, lack of time to evaluate the announcement combined with a promises of work. Very few people had the time to evaluate their decision. The authorities acted quickly, not allowing for possible change of mind and sent the train on the way the very night, with cars locked. To Tony and Kostek, in the little time they had on hand, the decision whether to leave their country became a wrenching moment. Each one in his own way felt an agonizing pain. Tony, being a strong patriot, hesitated the most. After all, he is the head of the family and he must think of their welfare ¨C this is his duty. To stay in town where Germans may deliberately cause hardship it is frightening thought. After all, by now everyone understood the nature of their enemy character ¨C no respect for human life. However, leaving his beloved country, the home of his ancestors for what many have sacrificed their lives, especially emigrating to the country of Poland's enemy, amounted to betrayal of clan's honor, and that bothered him a lot. It was hard for him to separate these two and powerful feelings. Eventually, being a devoted family man, the survival of his family had to come first. Kostek, on the other hand, had less of a problem of uprooting homestead, for in Poland he was kicked around a lot and the thought of escaping it was often on his mind. However, going to a foreign country as a slave was not exactly what he hoped for either. In addition the concern for his parents especially for his mother caused him to wary also. He looked at each of his parents eyes for some confirmation of his thoughts, but to read expressions on their faces was not enough. He needed to hear something, but nothing was forthcoming, both were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Looking at his mother and the way she held her daughters, all he could deduce outwardly that she was concerned greatly for her children. It was obvious she could not tel him anything this way. And yet, he knew instinctively that she was not her normal self, and that there was a lot on her mind. Father did not say a word, but in his eyes and face he could see anger mixed with fear. At one instance looking at Tony, he though he heard his father say, "I will return some day." Then, as if his father understood his son's concern, turn to him and said: "Kostek, if you want to, you can stay in Poland. I am sure the partisans will help you to cope without us." "No dad, I am staying close to the family," Kostek answered quickly, so as not to leave any doubt in Tony's mind. In this fashion both confirmed each other's resolve. THE JURNEY TO GERMANY At the start, the train did not go in the direction of Germany, that is West. In fact, it started out in the direction of the Russian front, East. As the train rolled on, with soldiers escorting it, and before it reached the first processing camp, it had to stop many times in the dense forests because some partisans were attacking it. The German army had to fight their way through. During the second encounter with partisans of unknown affiliation, the doors were opened wide, probably let attackers know that the train is filled with native people, and not German soldiers. Few single men took advantage of the commotion and escaped from the train. The people in the cars lost sense of direction and did not know which way they were headed or even in what part of the country they were at any moment. Many different guesses were made by many different persons, but in reality no one really knew because they were traveling by night. By the daybreak, the train finally arrived at some camp ¨C no one knew even the location of it. After a meager meal, the medical examination started. It was not much of an examination and it was conducted in a very fast pace. Since all the people had disrobe and paraded in front of German officers, it became obvious to Kostek that this process was not for medical reasons but rather a search for Jews. He became even more convinced of it when he observed that fewer people were sent back to the trains then there were at the start. By the early afternoon The Starzewski family found themselves on the train again, and with the car doors only partially open, the journey continued. In the boxcar, the Starzewskis were in, there were many families packed with their many meager belongings. Most of them were strangers to each other. To Kostek's surprise, however, during the first daylight, he noticed Romek's family in the opposite end of the car. Meeting people they knew made somewhat easier on both families. The conversation between them even soothed the anxiety between them, but most of all it lessened their doubt and guilt as to the decision of accepting the German offer. Early in the morning, at daybreak, the train stopped. A German soldier stuck his head into the wagon screaming in a loud voice, "Aus steigen!" No one understood the meaning of these words at first. Then, following the soldier came someone with a translation: "Disembark! Every one disembark! Go to the barracks!" In the barracks the breakfast was waiting, a bowl o soup and two slices of bread. It was not much of a breakfast and there was not mush to the soup either. In fact it became a source of humor floating around. It started with a teacher who claimed to be an English teacher in a special school. "This soup reminds me of a joke in one of the beginning lessons," he announced. "It goes like this: A traveler In London, went to a restaurant for a meal. It was a rainy day. Waiter brought soup first. Being a friendly person, he started a conversation and remarked about the weather. 'It looks like rain.' said the waiter. 'It taste like it too,' the guest replied." without even lifting a head. Many other jokes and comments began to fly even though everyone was hungry. After the meager meal, all people were put through a medical examination again. Every one had to disrobe, and parade in front of a group of Germans. Instantly it became known the reason for it. They were looking once more for Jewish people. In fact the so called medical screening was repeated several times before the German border, and each time fewer of the immigrants remained. There were many retained after each search; so much so that the length of the train after became much shorter. Were all of the retained Jewish or were there other reason for the screening? It became a puzzle. What part of Poland all this took place no one knew and there was no one there to ask. It had to be along the eastern Polish border, because the train was traveling slow in this pairs. However, later and at night the train picked up a very high speed and by morning all found themselves in Germany. |
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The story of the trains.
Given the other thread about the deporations to Germany and Austria I thought I would post the segment in my father's memoir that talks about the train trip to Germany.
The German propaganda machine put out information which flatly stated impossibility for anyone ever return back home. This statements effected many people. The Starzewski family probably was the most convinced of it. To capture the moment of despair of many people like Starzewskis, Germans a string of box cars in the railroad station and at announced that in order to prevent starvation in the city, they will provide food for anyone in need at the station and in these box cars. In no time the cars were filled with people. In few days an additional announcement was made that this train will be taken to Germany. The fear of angry Ukrainians, lack of housings and food, lack of time to evaluate the announcement combined with a promises of work. Very few people had the time to evaluate their decision. The authorities acted quickly, not allowing for possible change of mind and sent the train on the way the very night, with cars locked. To Tony and Kostek, in the little time they had on hand, the decision whether to leave their country became a wrenching moment. Each one in his own way felt an agonizing pain. Tony, being a strong patriot, hesitated the most. After all, he is the head of the family and he must think of their welfare ¨C this is his duty. To stay in town where Germans may deliberately cause hardship it is frightening thought. After all, by now everyone understood the nature of their enemy character ¨C no respect for human life. However, leaving his beloved country, the home of his ancestors for what many have sacrificed their lives, especially emigrating to the country of Poland's enemy, amounted to betrayal of clan's honor, and that bothered him a lot. It was hard for him to separate these two and powerful feelings. Eventually, being a devoted family man, the survival of his family had to come first. Kostek, on the other hand, had less of a problem of uprooting homestead, for in Poland he was kicked around a lot and the thought of escaping it was often on his mind. However, going to a foreign country as a slave was not exactly what he hoped for either. In addition the concern for his parents especially for his mother caused him to wary also. He looked at each of his parents eyes for some confirmation of his thoughts, but to read expressions on their faces was not enough. He needed to hear something, but nothing was forthcoming, both were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Looking at his mother and the way she held her daughters, all he could deduce outwardly that she was concerned greatly for her children. It was obvious she could not tel him anything this way. And yet, he knew instinctively that she was not her normal self, and that there was a lot on her mind. Father did not say a word, but in his eyes and face he could see anger mixed with fear. At one instance looking at Tony, he though he heard his father say, "I will return some day." Then, as if his father understood his son's concern, turn to him and said: "Kostek, if you want to, you can stay in Poland. I am sure the partisans will help you to cope without us." "No dad, I am staying close to the family," Kostek answered quickly, so as not to leave any doubt in Tony's mind. In this fashion both confirmed each other's resolve. THE JURNEY TO GERMANY At the start, the train did not go in the direction of Germany, that is West. In fact, it started out in the direction of the Russian front, East. As the train rolled on, with soldiers escorting it, and before it reached the first processing camp, it had to stop many times in the dense forests because some partisans were attacking it. The German army had to fight their way through. During the second encounter with partisans of unknown affiliation, the doors were opened wide, probably let attackers know that the train is filled with native people, and not German soldiers. Few single men took advantage of the commotion and escaped from the train. The people in the cars lost sense of direction and did not know which way they were headed or even in what part of the country they were at any moment. Many different guesses were made by many different persons, but in reality no one really knew because they were traveling by night. By the daybreak, the train finally arrived at some camp ¨C no one knew even the location of it. After a meager meal, the medical examination started. It was not much of an examination and it was conducted in a very fast pace. Since all the people had disrobe and paraded in front of German officers, it became obvious to Kostek that this process was not for medical reasons but rather a search for Jews. He became even more convinced of it when he observed that fewer people were sent back to the trains then there were at the start. By the early afternoon The Starzewski family found themselves on the train again, and with the car doors only partially open, the journey continued. In the boxcar, the Starzewskis were in, there were many families packed with their many meager belongings. Most of them were strangers to each other. To Kostek's surprise, however, during the first daylight, he noticed Romek's family in the opposite end of the car. Meeting people they knew made somewhat easier on both families. The conversation between them even soothed the anxiety between them, but most of all it lessened their doubt and guilt as to the decision of accepting the German offer. Early in the morning, at daybreak, the train stopped. A German soldier stuck his head into the wagon screaming in a loud voice, "Aus steigen!" No one understood the meaning of these words at first. Then, following the soldier came someone with a translation: "Disembark! Every one disembark! Go to the barracks!" In the barracks the breakfast was waiting, a bowl o soup and two slices of bread. It was not much of a breakfast and there was not mush to the soup either. In fact it became a source of humor floating around. It started with a teacher who claimed to be an English teacher in a special school. "This soup reminds me of a joke in one of the beginning lessons," he announced. "It goes like this: A traveler In London, went to a restaurant for a meal. It was a rainy day. Waiter brought soup first. Being a friendly person, he started a conversation and remarked about the weather. 'It looks like rain.' said the waiter. 'It taste like it too,' the guest replied." without even lifting a head. Many other jokes and comments began to fly even though everyone was hungry. After the meager meal, all people were put through a medical examination again. Every one had to disrobe, and parade in front of a group of Germans. Instantly it became known the reason for it. They were looking once more for Jewish people. In fact the so called medical screening was repeated several times before the German border, and each time fewer of the immigrants remained. There were many retained after each search; so much so that the length of the train after became much shorter. Were all of the retained Jewish or were there other reason for the screening? It became a puzzle. What part of Poland all this took place no one knew and there was no one there to ask. It had to be along the eastern Polish border, because the train was traveling slow in this pairs. However, later and at night the train picked up a very high speed and by morning all found themselves in Germany. |
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[www.Kresy-Siberia.org] British Auslander camps in Germany was (Re: From Wolyn to Austria)
Lenarda,
Our families and friends do certainly have a way of crossing! Did I mention that Henryk's mother was also from Markostaw where my father and family lived? All we have to do now is find that missing link to Swiecicki and we will be cousins! :) Bernie |
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Re: From Wolyn to Austria
Yes, Koch's involvement is well documented.
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The most obvious and direct statements to that fact is in Piotrowski's book "Genocide and Rescue at Wolyn", a book that has oft been quoted here as the definitive work of history on that subject. In the forward on beginning on page 24 he describes the motivations for the uprising and the role of Koch and the ulterior motives of the Germans. While Koch had no use for the Ukrainians either he had no problem dealing with them in order to accomplish his goals. He was both the top organizer and deal maker on the uprising as well as the broker that created the 14th Galizien SS division. Set in a larger context in 1943 the invasion of Russia had gone very badly that winter and Germany was in dire need of manpower for both labor and fighting men. The Ukrainians were natural allies and Koch was the the Riech Commander for the territory and he was an opportunist of the highest order. His primary role in the Kresy was that of acquiring resources for the Reich which included oil and coal which he was heavily involved in before the war as Gaulieter of Easter Prussia. See this page on SS projects in the east: From the piece: "In July of 1941 Sporrenberg was SS and Police leader in Minsk (Russia) before being assigned three weeks later to Erich Koch, the Gauleiter for the Ukraine. From August 1943 to November 1944 he replaced Odilo Globocnik as SS and police leader in Lublin (occupied Poland, General Government). As SSPF (SS leader), he participated actively as overseer of the Erntefest Operation that started on November 3, 1943, and was responsible for the death of about 43,000 Jews. The operation was commanded by Himmler through Kr¨¹ger. While in Poland, he commanded an SS battalion which forced Polish civilians to build fortifications against the Red Army's advance. The bureaucratic entity behind this work program was called the SS Special Staff Sporrenberg (in German, SS Sonderstab Sporrenberg). Even after Sporrenberg left Poland, the bureaucratic entity remained active, which has given a few historians some confusion. The battalion was headquartered at Jedrzejow. The Special Staff was headquartered at Zlota until November of 1944, when they moved to Pinczow, northeast of Krakow. Sporrenberg, however, was sent to southern Norway and stayed there until May of 1945." Bernie --- In Kresy-Siberia@..., "Andrzej w Buffalo" <andywbuffalo@...> wrote:
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