Recollections
1938 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
First time Marian went to a cinema was in 1938. Marian went with his school class to a cinema in his home city of Częstochowa. After watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, everyone then made their own way home. At first Marian was not sure where to go, but after he recognised certain buildings, landmarks, he walked home. Marian was 7 years old.
First time Marian went to a cinema was in 1938. Marian went with his school class to a cinema in his home city of Częstochowa. After watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, everyone then made their own way home. At first Marian was not sure where to go, but after he recognised certain buildings, landmarks, he walked home. Marian was 7 years old.
1939-1945 WWII Hunger
The first year and a half or so was the worst with regards to getting food. Often Marian and his family hod NO food. Marian said he found a half frozen onion, and biting into the onion caused tears in his eyes (Marian said schypawo, ie.: causing tears). A lot of children died from diseases – typhus… At the very beginning of World War Two, Marian remembered being at a neighbour’s home and listening to a large old radio – which had globes, to what was happening. The Germans knew where everything was in Częstochowa. The first two bombs hit the Synagogue and Kosher butcher. Chickens went flying everywhere.
The first year and a half or so was the worst with regards to getting food. Often Marian and his family hod NO food. Marian said he found a half frozen onion, and biting into the onion caused tears in his eyes (Marian said schypawo, ie.: causing tears). A lot of children died from diseases – typhus… At the very beginning of World War Two, Marian remembered being at a neighbour’s home and listening to a large old radio – which had globes, to what was happening. The Germans knew where everything was in Częstochowa. The first two bombs hit the Synagogue and Kosher butcher. Chickens went flying everywhere.
WWII Supply Food to Jewish Ghetto
Being Polish Catholic, Marian was able to both enter and leave the Jewish Ghetto in Częstochowa. Marian helped supply food to the Jews there. The Jews had their own police within the ghetto, called Capo. On one occasion, when in the ghetto, Marian saw two German SS and an elderly Jewish man walking nearby. Marian then saw two Jewish Capo, armed with sticks, bash the elderly Jewish man for NO reason. The Jewish Capo were sucking up to the German SS, maybe to get more food, etc. …
Being Polish Catholic, Marian was able to both enter and leave the Jewish Ghetto in Częstochowa. Marian helped supply food to the Jews there. The Jews had their own police within the ghetto, called Capo. On one occasion, when in the ghetto, Marian saw two German SS and an elderly Jewish man walking nearby. Marian then saw two Jewish Capo, armed with sticks, bash the elderly Jewish man for NO reason. The Jewish Capo were sucking up to the German SS, maybe to get more food, etc. …
WWII Stealing to Survive
German soldiers killed a cow and gave it to a butcher to make sausages for them. As the truck was being loaded with sausages, Marian quickly grabbed several large rings of greasy, very hot sausages, putting them inside his shirt so that they burned him, and ran home. Marian knew the butcher’s son.
Marian also recalled how sometimes he would take his menażka, (mess tin) a metal aluminum army food box, from which you could eat food, soup. And together go with other Polish children to the Wehrmacht (Regular German Army) cook. The Germans usually had food left over in a large pot and would fill the children’s menażkas.
German soldiers killed a cow and gave it to a butcher to make sausages for them. As the truck was being loaded with sausages, Marian quickly grabbed several large rings of greasy, very hot sausages, putting them inside his shirt so that they burned him, and ran home. Marian knew the butcher’s son.
Marian also recalled how sometimes he would take his menażka, (mess tin) a metal aluminum army food box, from which you could eat food, soup. And together go with other Polish children to the Wehrmacht (Regular German Army) cook. The Germans usually had food left over in a large pot and would fill the children’s menażkas.
Flags
Polish Freedom Fighters would take down German Nazi flags, and then put up Polish flags, and rig it with a hand grenade. When a German tried to take the Polish flag down the hand grenade went off killing him. Next time a Polish flag was put up, the Germans would try to shoot it down. …
Polish Freedom Fighters would take down German Nazi flags, and then put up Polish flags, and rig it with a hand grenade. When a German tried to take the Polish flag down the hand grenade went off killing him. Next time a Polish flag was put up, the Germans would try to shoot it down. …
WWII Russian Prisoners of War
When the Germans caught Russian soldiers, taking them prisoner, they would not feed them properly. Marian would go with his mum, Michalina, taking a large pot of soup to feed the Russian soldiers. The Russian soldiers made small wooden toys – animals with movable parts and tails, using their pocket knives which they would give to the children.
When the Germans caught Russian soldiers, taking them prisoner, they would not feed them properly. Marian would go with his mum, Michalina, taking a large pot of soup to feed the Russian soldiers. The Russian soldiers made small wooden toys – animals with movable parts and tails, using their pocket knives which they would give to the children.
WWII Only For Germans
Especially in the beginning of the war, first few months, Germans would execute, hang people for NO reason, to put fear into people, to try to make it less likely for them to join partisans and fight back. Germans also placed signs on cinemas, cafes, restaurants, “Nur für Deutsche” (Only for Germans). Once the Polish partisans (Freedom Fighters) became more organised, every time a Polish person was hung, the Polish partisans would catch ten Germans and hang them together with their sign below their neck “Nur für Deutsche”. After this, less Polish people were killed for NO reason. …
Especially in the beginning of the war, first few months, Germans would execute, hang people for NO reason, to put fear into people, to try to make it less likely for them to join partisans and fight back. Germans also placed signs on cinemas, cafes, restaurants, “Nur für Deutsche” (Only for Germans). Once the Polish partisans (Freedom Fighters) became more organised, every time a Polish person was hung, the Polish partisans would catch ten Germans and hang them together with their sign below their neck “Nur für Deutsche”. After this, less Polish people were killed for NO reason. …
WWII Grenades
On one occasion Marian had his brother Bolek (Bolesław), carrying a basket full of hand grenades with chicken eggs on top, were on their way to meet Zygmunt in a prearranged spot, in a forest. Marian and Bolek were stopped by two German Gestapo, who found the hand grenades, and told Marian and Bolek to put their hands up. Zygmunt, who was behind a tree nearby, saw all of this. Zygmunt walked up behind the Gestapo and said “Hände hoch” (Hands Up), and disarmed the Germans as Marian and Bolek quickly stepped away from each other so as to be out of the line of fire, and drew their pistols. Marian had a 7mm Belgian made Beretta pistol (4 inch barrel). Zygmunt took the two Germans further into the forest, and shortly after returned alone. Bolek asked, “Did you let them go?”, and Zygmunt said “Yes.” Marian saw that Zygmunt had a Tłumik (silencer) on his Sten submachine gun. If Zygmunt had let the Gestapo go, the whole forest would have been full of Germans within 10 minutes. …
On one occasion Marian had his brother Bolek (Bolesław), carrying a basket full of hand grenades with chicken eggs on top, were on their way to meet Zygmunt in a prearranged spot, in a forest. Marian and Bolek were stopped by two German Gestapo, who found the hand grenades, and told Marian and Bolek to put their hands up. Zygmunt, who was behind a tree nearby, saw all of this. Zygmunt walked up behind the Gestapo and said “Hände hoch” (Hands Up), and disarmed the Germans as Marian and Bolek quickly stepped away from each other so as to be out of the line of fire, and drew their pistols. Marian had a 7mm Belgian made Beretta pistol (4 inch barrel). Zygmunt took the two Germans further into the forest, and shortly after returned alone. Bolek asked, “Did you let them go?”, and Zygmunt said “Yes.” Marian saw that Zygmunt had a Tłumik (silencer) on his Sten submachine gun. If Zygmunt had let the Gestapo go, the whole forest would have been full of Germans within 10 minutes. …
WWII Submachine Guns
On another occasion, Marian was walking through the city (Częstochowa), pushing a wheelbarrow full of Bergmann submachine guns covered with shit. Marian was helping supply weapons to Polish Freedom Fighters. A German Gestapo stopped Marian saying, “Kinde Kinder” (Children Children), “Little Boy, What do you have there” Marian said, “Shit.” The German looked and said, “Foo Scheisse (Shit) Raus hier (Get out of here).”
On another occasion, Marian was walking through the city (Częstochowa), pushing a wheelbarrow full of Bergmann submachine guns covered with shit. Marian was helping supply weapons to Polish Freedom Fighters. A German Gestapo stopped Marian saying, “Kinde Kinder” (Children Children), “Little Boy, What do you have there” Marian said, “Shit.” The German looked and said, “Foo Scheisse (Shit) Raus hier (Get out of here).”
WWII Kerosene and Bullets
After curfew, Marian was walking along a street carrying a container full of kerosene. Germans started shooting at people. Everyone ran. The man running next to Marian said, “Ah! (noise of Pain), he had been shot in the leg? As Marian continued to run alongside a fence, a man moved a plank (which had been made movable deliberately) and grabbed Marian, pulling him to safety.
After curfew, Marian was walking along a street carrying a container full of kerosene. Germans started shooting at people. Everyone ran. The man running next to Marian said, “Ah! (noise of Pain), he had been shot in the leg? As Marian continued to run alongside a fence, a man moved a plank (which had been made movable deliberately) and grabbed Marian, pulling him to safety.
WWII German SS and Doberman Attack Dog
And another time… Marian and his brother Bolek (Bolesław) were crawling through a wheat field. Two German SS saw the wheat moving, so they sent in their Doberman Dog (a large dog). The Germans were afraid to go into the wheat field themselves because they did not know who was there. The large German Doberman leapt at Marian. Marian had a one metre long oak pole in his hand (a pole that a forest ranger would normally use to measure firewood in cubic metres to sell to people). Anyway – as the dog attacked Marian, Marian swung the pole striking his belly and genitals. The Doberman yelped and ran back to the two German SS. The German SS then started firing their Bergmann submachine guns into the wheat field. Marian and Bolek, then crawled on earth strys dividing wheat field, so the Germans didn’t see any wheat moving, so Marian’s and Bolek’s position could not be found. Marian and Bolek made it to a river and escaped.
And another time… Marian and his brother Bolek (Bolesław) were crawling through a wheat field. Two German SS saw the wheat moving, so they sent in their Doberman Dog (a large dog). The Germans were afraid to go into the wheat field themselves because they did not know who was there. The large German Doberman leapt at Marian. Marian had a one metre long oak pole in his hand (a pole that a forest ranger would normally use to measure firewood in cubic metres to sell to people). Anyway – as the dog attacked Marian, Marian swung the pole striking his belly and genitals. The Doberman yelped and ran back to the two German SS. The German SS then started firing their Bergmann submachine guns into the wheat field. Marian and Bolek, then crawled on earth strys dividing wheat field, so the Germans didn’t see any wheat moving, so Marian’s and Bolek’s position could not be found. Marian and Bolek made it to a river and escaped.
Strong Neck
A tall German SS with a very powerful build was hung by the neck inside a barn. The rope broke. The German SS was hung on a stronger rope and left handing overnight. In the morning, the German SS was found stumbling around the barn half conscious. This time the beam had broken. The German SS was taken outside and shot. That’s war.
A tall German SS with a very powerful build was hung by the neck inside a barn. The rope broke. The German SS was hung on a stronger rope and left handing overnight. In the morning, the German SS was found stumbling around the barn half conscious. This time the beam had broken. The German SS was taken outside and shot. That’s war.
WWII Winter Snow and Wolf
Marian was walking through a forest, on his way to meet his brother Zygmunt and the other Freedom Fighters. As he walked in the snow, Marian saw a large hungry looking wolf. The wolf attacked. As the wolf leapt into the air, going for Marian’s throat, Marian pulled up his top with one hand, as he grabbed his Belgian (7mm Belgian made Beretta pistol) with his right hand, from between his belly and pants (where he usually carried his pistol). There wasn’t enough time or light to line up the sights so Marian just aimed along the barrel, aiming at the wolf’s torso, firing four bullets. Three bullets hit the wolf’s torso, one bullet hit the eye, killing the wolf. Marian wanted to keep the wolf’s fur. The wolf was too big and heavy to carry. So Marian put the wolf’s head on top of his own head and the wolf’s paws on his shoulders, and dragged the wolf. As all of this was going on a large number of partisans (Freedom Fighters) suddenly appeared – they had been doing a training exercise. They had been hidden behind trees, shrubs, up in the tree branches. They had been so quiet, even the wolf had not been aware of them. The wolf’s fur was matted, ie. not too clean.
Marian was walking through a forest, on his way to meet his brother Zygmunt and the other Freedom Fighters. As he walked in the snow, Marian saw a large hungry looking wolf. The wolf attacked. As the wolf leapt into the air, going for Marian’s throat, Marian pulled up his top with one hand, as he grabbed his Belgian (7mm Belgian made Beretta pistol) with his right hand, from between his belly and pants (where he usually carried his pistol). There wasn’t enough time or light to line up the sights so Marian just aimed along the barrel, aiming at the wolf’s torso, firing four bullets. Three bullets hit the wolf’s torso, one bullet hit the eye, killing the wolf. Marian wanted to keep the wolf’s fur. The wolf was too big and heavy to carry. So Marian put the wolf’s head on top of his own head and the wolf’s paws on his shoulders, and dragged the wolf. As all of this was going on a large number of partisans (Freedom Fighters) suddenly appeared – they had been doing a training exercise. They had been hidden behind trees, shrubs, up in the tree branches. They had been so quiet, even the wolf had not been aware of them. The wolf’s fur was matted, ie. not too clean.
WWII Hat With a Bullet Hole
Towards the end of the war, a group of Russian soldiers went inside Marian’s parents home to have a meal, leaving a truck parked outside, with a rifle in it. Marian got up on the truck. Bolek put his hands on the rifle. The rifle fired and Marian’s hat flew off his head. Marian picked up his hat and put a finger through the bullet hole. If the bullet had gone an inch lower, Marian would have been killed. …
Towards the end of the war, a group of Russian soldiers went inside Marian’s parents home to have a meal, leaving a truck parked outside, with a rifle in it. Marian got up on the truck. Bolek put his hands on the rifle. The rifle fired and Marian’s hat flew off his head. Marian picked up his hat and put a finger through the bullet hole. If the bullet had gone an inch lower, Marian would have been killed. …
WWII Fun… and Later Death…
For fun, Marian and Bolek would unscrew anti-aircraft shell tips and take out the gunpowder which looked like spaghetti. They would place the gunpowder under a German helmet and light it and watch as the German helmet flew 40 – 50 metres up in the air, turning, making a whistling noise. On one occasion, Marian wanted to go somewhere (to a group of friends?) but Bolek wanted to go somewhere else. If he had listened to Marian he would have lived. Marian and Bolek ended up standing on a railway line within arms reach of each other. Bolek was trying to unscrew an anti-aircraft shell tip, something which he had done many time before. This time Bolek wasn’t able to unscrew it. He got frustrated and hit the anti-aircraft shell tip against the railway line. The anti-aircraft shell tip exploded. Shrapnel went into Bolek’s torso, damaged part of his jaw, and into his eye. A young boy, 100 metres away yelled in pain, after being hit by shrapnel in the backside. Marian, who was within arms reach of Bolek, was NOT touched (Marian was on the adjacent rail or sleeper). Bolek … “Yenchow” (ie. made some kind of noise in pain). Bolek bled out, died in around 8 minutes. Marian’s aunt was walking nearby, she grabbed Marian and took him home. Marian later saw Bolek in a coffin, one eye bandaged over and jaw straightened – covered with bandage. Marian regretted looking at Bolek in the coffin.
For fun, Marian and Bolek would unscrew anti-aircraft shell tips and take out the gunpowder which looked like spaghetti. They would place the gunpowder under a German helmet and light it and watch as the German helmet flew 40 – 50 metres up in the air, turning, making a whistling noise. On one occasion, Marian wanted to go somewhere (to a group of friends?) but Bolek wanted to go somewhere else. If he had listened to Marian he would have lived. Marian and Bolek ended up standing on a railway line within arms reach of each other. Bolek was trying to unscrew an anti-aircraft shell tip, something which he had done many time before. This time Bolek wasn’t able to unscrew it. He got frustrated and hit the anti-aircraft shell tip against the railway line. The anti-aircraft shell tip exploded. Shrapnel went into Bolek’s torso, damaged part of his jaw, and into his eye. A young boy, 100 metres away yelled in pain, after being hit by shrapnel in the backside. Marian, who was within arms reach of Bolek, was NOT touched (Marian was on the adjacent rail or sleeper). Bolek … “Yenchow” (ie. made some kind of noise in pain). Bolek bled out, died in around 8 minutes. Marian’s aunt was walking nearby, she grabbed Marian and took him home. Marian later saw Bolek in a coffin, one eye bandaged over and jaw straightened – covered with bandage. Marian regretted looking at Bolek in the coffin.
WWII Fishing
Marian would throw into the river, either German hand-grenades which had a wooden handle, or mydewka ie. explosive shaped like a bar of soap into which he would press a fuse, light it and throw into the fiver. Stunned fish would fly into the air. Marian gathered the fish with a basket.
Marian would throw into the river, either German hand-grenades which had a wooden handle, or mydewka ie. explosive shaped like a bar of soap into which he would press a fuse, light it and throw into the fiver. Stunned fish would fly into the air. Marian gathered the fish with a basket.
During the war, Marian saw bombings, bashings, shootings, executions, hangings, Germans using flame throwers, also frozen bodies. On one of the mass executions Marian saw, the Germans told people to get of of the area, so people would not see that would happen. On this occasion, Marian was hidden within the roof of a nearby house and could see everything. Marian saw the Germans shooting the people, bodies being put into mass graves, covered with lime and soil. Some of the people were only injured or not even shot – just pretending to be dead. Marian saw the soil move… ie. even if shot in the head, nerves can still cause limbs to twitch and move. And some of the people, under the soil were still alive for a short while…
Planes, Tanks…
Marian could tell if planes were going to or returning from a mission by he sound they made. ie. Going to a mission the planes were heavy – full of bombs and bullets, voo-voo sound… Coming back from a mission the planes were lighter, so made a different sound as they flew… Marian saw one large burned-out German Tiger tank, surrounded by 50 smaller burned-out Russian tanks, with human ashes inside…
Marian could tell if planes were going to or returning from a mission by he sound they made. ie. Going to a mission the planes were heavy – full of bombs and bullets, voo-voo sound… Coming back from a mission the planes were lighter, so made a different sound as they flew… Marian saw one large burned-out German Tiger tank, surrounded by 50 smaller burned-out Russian tanks, with human ashes inside…
Bare Feet
To conserve his boots, Marian would usually only wear them in winter. Marian would often run barefoot to the forest, after curfew at night, to meet up with Zygmunt and the other Freedom Fighters. Often, Marian’s feet and legs were bruised, scratched and cut up from branches and stones. On one occasion, Marian sliced open his heel. Marian was able to hop faster on one leg than other boy were able to run on two legs. …
To conserve his boots, Marian would usually only wear them in winter. Marian would often run barefoot to the forest, after curfew at night, to meet up with Zygmunt and the other Freedom Fighters. Often, Marian’s feet and legs were bruised, scratched and cut up from branches and stones. On one occasion, Marian sliced open his heel. Marian was able to hop faster on one leg than other boy were able to run on two legs. …
WWII Gypsies
Marian’s father, Jan had been taken by the Germans into forced labour. Marian’s mum, Michalina, busy buying and selling on the black market so the family could survive, so she often had no idea what Marian was up to. Marian said it was good for Gypsies to be camped near to where you lived, because Gypsies only stole from people who lived further away. Because the Gypsies were unable to read or write, when they received a letter or wanted to send someone a letter, they would ask Marian to read and also to write letter for them. After Marian read a letter to Gypsies, they would get someone else to read the letter again, just to make sure. Gypsies were talented blacksmiths making their own pots and pans, knives, etc. A Gypsy family wanted Marian to teach their children how to read and write. So Marian ended up living with the Gypsy family for several months, travelling with them, in their horse drawn wagon, from Poland to around the French border. Marian also witnessed two Gypsy men have a knife fight over a woman.
Marian’s father, Jan had been taken by the Germans into forced labour. Marian’s mum, Michalina, busy buying and selling on the black market so the family could survive, so she often had no idea what Marian was up to. Marian said it was good for Gypsies to be camped near to where you lived, because Gypsies only stole from people who lived further away. Because the Gypsies were unable to read or write, when they received a letter or wanted to send someone a letter, they would ask Marian to read and also to write letter for them. After Marian read a letter to Gypsies, they would get someone else to read the letter again, just to make sure. Gypsies were talented blacksmiths making their own pots and pans, knives, etc. A Gypsy family wanted Marian to teach their children how to read and write. So Marian ended up living with the Gypsy family for several months, travelling with them, in their horse drawn wagon, from Poland to around the French border. Marian also witnessed two Gypsy men have a knife fight over a woman.
WWII Training
Marian was able to hit small birds with his 7mm Beretta pistol from 15 – 20 metres. The birds were high up on branches and all that would be left after Marian shot them was some feathers. Zygmunt said, “Don’t shoot the birds.” ie. they sing for us. The other partisans said Marian is a better shot than they are. Marian was the only child there amongst the partisans in the forest. Marian was too young to go on missions with the partisans but did take part in a fair portion of their training, using all types of weapons, hand-to-hand combat, etc. After returning from missions, the partisans would give their guns to Marian, who would then take them apart, clean and oil them, and put them together again. Marian became an expert.
Marian was able to hit small birds with his 7mm Beretta pistol from 15 – 20 metres. The birds were high up on branches and all that would be left after Marian shot them was some feathers. Zygmunt said, “Don’t shoot the birds.” ie. they sing for us. The other partisans said Marian is a better shot than they are. Marian was the only child there amongst the partisans in the forest. Marian was too young to go on missions with the partisans but did take part in a fair portion of their training, using all types of weapons, hand-to-hand combat, etc. After returning from missions, the partisans would give their guns to Marian, who would then take them apart, clean and oil them, and put them together again. Marian became an expert.
To Instil Confidence in Dealing With Unexpected Danger
After Marian had left the partisans in the forest and was walking home, Zygmunt had one of the other partisans sneak up on Marian from behind. Marian pulled his pistol out and before he could shoot anyone, Zygmunt stopped him.
After Marian had left the partisans in the forest and was walking home, Zygmunt had one of the other partisans sneak up on Marian from behind. Marian pulled his pistol out and before he could shoot anyone, Zygmunt stopped him.
WWII Bank Job and Saved From Execution
A group of Polish Freedom Fighters, dressed in high ranking German SS officer uniform, went to a German controlled bank and emptied the safe of all money and left. The Germans then realised they had been robbed and called for backup – more German soldiers. The backup, drove past the Polish Freedom Fighters, thinking they were Germans, saluted them. Further down the road, Germans had rounded up some people including Marian, and were about to execute them. Marian, being a young boy, had NOT been searched, so he still had his pistol, and was just waiting for an opportunity to pull it out and use it. A fancy Mercedes Benz car rolls up and stops. The Polish partisans, in their SS uniforms are also fluent in German, and they also had official paperwork (documents). Note: the Polish Underground also had their people within the German Department which made German documents. The Polish partisans approached the Germans, showing their paperwork and said, “We will take over.” So that’s how Marian was saved from execution this time.
A group of Polish Freedom Fighters, dressed in high ranking German SS officer uniform, went to a German controlled bank and emptied the safe of all money and left. The Germans then realised they had been robbed and called for backup – more German soldiers. The backup, drove past the Polish Freedom Fighters, thinking they were Germans, saluted them. Further down the road, Germans had rounded up some people including Marian, and were about to execute them. Marian, being a young boy, had NOT been searched, so he still had his pistol, and was just waiting for an opportunity to pull it out and use it. A fancy Mercedes Benz car rolls up and stops. The Polish partisans, in their SS uniforms are also fluent in German, and they also had official paperwork (documents). Note: the Polish Underground also had their people within the German Department which made German documents. The Polish partisans approached the Germans, showing their paperwork and said, “We will take over.” So that’s how Marian was saved from execution this time.
WWII Suicide
Marian saw two small boys near a campfire. The slightly larger boy told the smaller boy to go away. The remaining boy then dropped some bullets into the campfire and hunched over it, watching. The bullets went off, hitting the boy, who then fell into the campfire. Marian is quite sure it was suicide. …
Marian saw two small boys near a campfire. The slightly larger boy told the smaller boy to go away. The remaining boy then dropped some bullets into the campfire and hunched over it, watching. The bullets went off, hitting the boy, who then fell into the campfire. Marian is quite sure it was suicide. …
Frozen Fingers
Marian saw a Russian soldier help a German soldier get out of a trench. As the Russian grabbed hold of the German’s hand the German’s frozen fingers broke off. The German said, “That’s okay, Hitler will give me a new metal hand.”
Marian saw a Russian soldier help a German soldier get out of a trench. As the Russian grabbed hold of the German’s hand the German’s frozen fingers broke off. The German said, “That’s okay, Hitler will give me a new metal hand.”
WWII Dead Drunk
A Russian soldier fell into a large vat (tank) of alcohol and drowned. The other soldiers ignored the body and continued to drink.
A Russian soldier fell into a large vat (tank) of alcohol and drowned. The other soldiers ignored the body and continued to drink.
Hitler Youth
Towards the end of the war there was a lack of men, so the Germans also used Hitler Youth to man anti-aircraft artillery, close to where Marian lived. The Hitler Youth lived in Mobile wagons. They set everything on fire including ammunition artillery shells and fled, as the Russian Army Arrived. For safety Marian was forced to stay at a neighbour’s home because, bullets, artillery shells, etc. were set off by the fire.
Towards the end of the war there was a lack of men, so the Germans also used Hitler Youth to man anti-aircraft artillery, close to where Marian lived. The Hitler Youth lived in Mobile wagons. They set everything on fire including ammunition artillery shells and fled, as the Russian Army Arrived. For safety Marian was forced to stay at a neighbour’s home because, bullets, artillery shells, etc. were set off by the fire.
WWII Towards the End
Towards the end of the war, half of Marian’s immediate and extended family had been killed by the Germans. Marian left home with only what he was wearing. A friend went with him. They mainly walked, going through Poland, Austria, into the Italian Alps and beyond. They slept in barns, people gave them food, clothes that would have belonged to people’s brothers, husbands. Someone also gave them a wooden German hand wagon – the type that German fathers would bake tor their children. Marian and his friend put their acquired supplies on it. Marian wanted to keep going, not really knowing or caring where… But his friend missed home, so they turned back and started walking home. On part of their trip back towards Poland, Marian and his friend got a lift on a truck with Russian soldiers – forgetting about – abandoning their hand wagon and supplies.
Towards the end of the war, half of Marian’s immediate and extended family had been killed by the Germans. Marian left home with only what he was wearing. A friend went with him. They mainly walked, going through Poland, Austria, into the Italian Alps and beyond. They slept in barns, people gave them food, clothes that would have belonged to people’s brothers, husbands. Someone also gave them a wooden German hand wagon – the type that German fathers would bake tor their children. Marian and his friend put their acquired supplies on it. Marian wanted to keep going, not really knowing or caring where… But his friend missed home, so they turned back and started walking home. On part of their trip back towards Poland, Marian and his friend got a lift on a truck with Russian soldiers – forgetting about – abandoning their hand wagon and supplies.
