Chapter VIII
Olek Leads a Life of a Soldier
Olek and I continued to correspond for many years. He left Kolchoz Kujbyszew at the end of February 1942. It was very early in the morning. From my bed, I watched him say goodbye to his parents as they both blessed him. It was an emotional farewell and I was wondering if they felt in their hearts that it was really a goodbye. Olek asked my mother to say goodbye to me "because Alina was asleep". But I was not asleep and was disappointed that he did not wake me up for at that time my feelings for him were more than just of a friend. I could not admit that to him, but there was certain new warmth around my heart when I looked at him. How could I confide in him when he tried to sell me to a, Uzbec (young man from Uzbekistan - a province of the Soviet Union).
From our kolchoz, Olek travelled to Kermine, where part of the Polish army was stationed. He joined the army and shortly left for Persia in very much the same way as I did many months later. He arrived in Pahlavi on Easter and was ecstatic that the Russian nightmare was over. Pleasant climate, sufficient food, and the murmur of the Caspian Sea created a New World filled with freedom and hope for the future. At that point, he was hopeful that his parents would join him soon in this place, which could be compared only to paradise. Good health was with him and he could freely thank God for his goodness. Unfortunately, an epidemic of typhoid and dysentery spread and many soldiers were not strong enough to fight off the diseases. After the period of half starvation, when at last they reached the "Promised Land", many of the soldiers lost their lives. Olek remained in Pahlavi until the middle of April. Then with his company he was transported to Teheran - the capital of Persia (Iran). The city was very beautiful in an interesting middle Asian country. The women with veiled faces seemed especially mysterious to an inquisitive Olek.
Since Teheran was only a temporary base, Olek soon travelled to Palestine. The road led through a desert. Heat, dust, and lack of sanitary facilities made the journey very difficult. Everyone was quite happy to arrive in Qastina (Palestine).
Here, at the beginning of May, Olek was assigned to the third Carpatian Division of which one brigade was fighting the Germans in Libya arrived in Palestine. On May 13, 1942, the army began its preparation for the military action. It was necessary to educate the officers, communication teams, drivers, etc. Since Olek had his driver's license from Poland, he became one of the instructors.
Although days were filled with many strenuous military activities, Olek constantly worried about his elderly parents in Russia. He could not be a provider for them now and it made him unhappy. He was worried about their health and was afraid that they might suffer from a lack of food. Sadly his worries proved to be right, for in the summer of 1942, Olek received information from the Red Cross that his parents had passed away due to illness and malnutrition. It was a difficult time emotionally. Olek was a caring son and felt responsible for the well being of his parents but he was away and helpless. He could not be with them. Families were separated and tragedies were numerous. I felt very sorry for Olek and hoped that he would share his feelings of sadness. He never did and I could not pry. He shouldered his sorrow alone.
Intensive military exercises kept Olek and the soldiers busy through the summer. The hot climate brought tropical diseases. However, Olek continued to be in good health. Whenever it was possible, he took some time off and went to the close by city where he could rest from the rigorous army life. He visited many interesting places of pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
At the same time, he went out with his friends to have fun and I am sure that he flirted outrageously.
The life in Qastina came to an end in September of 1942 (I at this time finally left Russia). Part of the Polish Army travelled by the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf until it came to Basra. Then, the journey continued by train through Baghdad to Jaloula in Iraq. The other part of Olek's division, travelled 7 days through the desert. At Jaloula, the army resumed its exercise continuing its preparation for action on the front. In December 1942, Olek was transferred to Mosulu where the army had to protect the oil fields from the enemy. During the summer months, now in Altun Koepru, on the River Lab the heat was so intense that the exercises could be done only very early in the morning and late in the evening. Since the location of the army had to be kept secret from the enemy the postal address was in code. Olek's address was PAI Forces 109 (that is, Persian Egypt and Iraq Forces NV. 109).
In July of 1943, General Sikorski was killed in the plane crash over Gibraltar. He was visiting the Polish Forces and was returning to Great Britain. The armies as well as civilians were devastated. General Sikorski was the head of the Polish army's and a great statesman. As a Prime Minister he negotiated the release of the Polish people from the Russian kulags. He made the organization of the army possible and convinced the western politicians to assure the freedom of Poland. Now this very freedom was in danger. Promises made to General Sikorski could and would be broken.
In the autumn of 1943, it was decided that the army was ready for combat. It was needed on the various battlefields. In November, parts of the division were transported by land to Quastyna 48km from Ismalia in Egypt. Soon they were moved to the seaports of Port Said and Alexandria. On December 12, 1943, the first transport from Port Said, using a Dutch ship began a journey to Italy. Olek's group arrived there January 11th. The regiment was divided into groups, which were transported on different ships to avoid the complete loss of the unit in case of a ship's destruction. Olek and his company travelled on an English ship, which also transported some cannons and vehicles. Their ship was a part of a convoy (many ships traveling together for a mutual protection). The ship arrived in the port of Taranto (Italy). From here the unit was transported to the camp at Masso Case Ile. It was winter; the nights in the tents were quite cold.
During January, Olek stayed at different army camps such as, Masa di Tesco, Canosa di Puglio, and Foggia. Olek spent time on preparing and waiting for the further orders. On February 2, 1944, the third Carpatian Regiment of the Light Artillery arrived at the battlefield near the River Sangro. The cold and mountainous region made action quite difficult. The narrow, slippery roads made traveling treacherous.
The objective of the 3D SK/3 Dywizja Strzelcow Karpackich was the protection of the Allied Forces fighting at Monte Cassino. The Monastery of Monte Cassino located on the high mountain became a fortress for German paratroopers. They could control the valley, which was very clearly visible to them. Because of this, they made it impossible for the allied troops to make progress to Rome. In the following months, many armies, American, French, British, New Zealand, and others, took turns storming the mountain without success. They could not dislodge the Germans and obtain their surrender. Polish troops in the meantime were engaged in the diverse action. In May, it was decided that the action would become offensive on the, (by now,) very bloody mountain.
On May 11th at 11:00 p.m., Olek took part in the artillery barrage on Monte Cassino. For two hours over one thousand cannons breathed fire until the earth shook. Then came the army. The desperate fight lasted until May 18 - the day, which was to be victorious for the brave Polish troops. In the morning hours of May 18th, Polish forces conquered the monastery and hoisted the Polish flag at the top of the Mountain of Monte Cassino. The troops of many countries tried but the Poles succeeded. The losses of life were heavy. Over a thousand soldiers and officers lost their lives. Olek once more had a reason to be thankful to God for sparing his life. He suffered a loss of hearing in the left ear, but it seemed very minor to him at that time.
After the battle of Monte Cassino, Olek took part in the action at Ortona, Fermo, Chienti, Loretto, Ozimo, Ancona Nusone, Monte Pelegrino, Polombino, Monte Marciano river, Elino, S. Silvestro, Misa, Senigalia, Seapezzano, St. Lucio, r. Cesano, r. Metaciro, Constanzo and Mondolfo, Civitanova, Devadola, Monte Fortino, Faenza, r. Senio, r. Santernao, Bagnara di Romagna canal di Lugo, r. Gaiana, and Bologna. For this participation, Olek was granted many awards.
Finally on April 29, 1945, the Germans signed the Act of Surrender. The war was almost over. There was a reason for joy for so many people, but the Polish soldiers had to ask, "What now?" Their country was put under Soviet domination. A communist puppet government was installed. For freedom loving people there was no return. To make a new life in a foreign country, without the knowledge of language, or a profession, was very difficult. Family, home and country were lost to Olek who at that time was only 24 years old.
In May of 1945, Olek decided to resume his education by entering School of Commerce. At first it was located in Santo Mero, Italy and later relocated to Bodnay and Fowlmer, England. The move in October 1946 from sunny Italy to cold England was truly shocking. Here the Polish Resettlement Corps was organized for the purpose of facilitating the transition from army to a civilian life. Strict food rationing made it impossible to buy food to supplement meager rations in the camp. Again, Olek experienced the pangs of hunger. The two-year contract with the Polish Resettlement Corps expired for Olek in April 1948. At that time, he received an honorable discharge from the army and began working at St. Catherine's College in Cambridge where he stayed until April 1949. At that time, he moved to Braintree, Essex where he married Maria Alina Lukaszewicz on April 30, 1949.
In the chapter "Olek Leads the Life of a Soldier", I gave the history of Olek's involvement in the action of the World War II beginning with his joining the Polish Army in Kermine, Uzbekistan, and Soviet Russia, his journey through Persia, Iraq, Egypt to Italy and the battles in which he participated in the Italian Campaign from January 1944 to April 29, 1945.
Since I was not participating in this part of his life it was difficult to observe and describe Olek's behavior and feelings. In the letters that he wrote to me, he could not make any reference to the locations or the action in which he was involved because all these were covered with a shroud of military secret. After we met I tried to probe but Olek avoided discussing the war events seriously or sadly. In the end, to realized that his way of survival was to accept the things as they came, dismiss them, and look to the future.
It was only when our friends read the chapter about Olek's life as a soldier and decided that it didn't give a complete picture of Olek's involvement in the War effort that Olek agreed to write his own version of those eventful years. His memories are as follows:
"During the bombing of Baranowicze (Poland) in September 1939 when I saw people being killed and seriously injured I was affected emotionally by the suffering caused by the German pilots. As a young as I was (18) I wanted to join the Polish Army to avenge our losses. At first the obvious enemy targets were Germans. After the invasion of Eastern Poland by the Soviet Army, on September 17, 1939 - we faced two evil forces. Massive arrests and killings, were everyday occurrences. The hate of the enemy culminated when, on Febuary 10, 1940, my parents and I were arrested by Russian soldiers and were deported to Siberia. Our difficult struggles for survivor during the two years in the kulag was described in the chapters, "Deportation to Kulag Poldniewica" and "Life in Poldniewica" of this book by my wife, who as a young girl was a participant and a witness to the tragic event of our life in the Soviet Union. Our journey took different paths when in February of 1942 I was informed by N.K.V.D (secret Russian police} that I, along with Wladyslaw Lukaszewicz (my future father-in-law) and other Polish exiles, had to go to a closest town "Wabkient" to enlist in the Polish army. At that time we lived in the Kolchoz Kuybyszew. We worked in the cotton fields from dusk to dawn suffering from lack of food and general lack of energy. The typhoid epidemic, dysentery, and night blindness were rampart among our people. The whole situation was desperate. The possibility of joining Polish army brought hope for survival for the prospective soldiers and their families. In Wabkient a medical team examined us, mostly women, which (at that time) was quite a new and embarrassing experience. After that we were given a lunch of soup and two slices of bread. What a treat! We had not tasted or seen bread for months!
After a few days we were told that we would have to take a train to Kermine, where the Polish Army was stationed. Saying goodbye to my parents was very difficult. They were older, undernourished, and now they would be alone. I wanted to be optimistic that after I joined the army I would be in a better position to take them away from the misery of kolchoz and assure a better livelihood for them. Unfortunately this did not happen. Soon after I arrived in Kermine, the talk about our evacuation from Russia was becoming a reality. After I received my uniform, Mr. Krycki my father's friend, took my clothes to my parents so that they could barter them for food. This was my last help and my communication with them. In a few months they became the victims of the epidemics- also in Kermine. But by that time I was far away and not able to help them. This was the most tragic and saddest event of my life. I had a chance to escape from the train when we were being deported on February, 10, 1940, but I decided to go to Siberia to protect my parents and when they needed my help the most I could not be there. We were the victims of tragic family separations inflicted on us by evil events and people. Such was our fate. The place of rest of my parents in Kermine is the largest cemetery of Polish exiles. My long lasting desire was to visit this place and to pay my respects. It was not possible during the Soviet regime. Later when Uzbekistan became independent our health stood in away of undertaking such a journey. Also, there was only a small chance of being able to locate the grave of my parents among the thousands.
However, when I left Kermine on my journey to Persia I was still very hopeful about the future of my parents. I was proud to be a soldier in the Polish Army being ready to fight for the freedom of my country and for the normal life for my loved ones, but we still did not feel safe as long as we were stationed on Russian soil. Even when the train left Kermine on the way to the port of Krasnowodsk (Caspian Sea) we felt that the Russians might change their mind and send us into another part of Soviet Union. The train stopped at many stations and whenever it did, our doubts grew stronger. Therefore, we were ecstatic when after four days we finally reached Krasnowodsk, where we boarded a ship, which took us to Pahlavi a port in Persia.
The journey across the Caspian Sea lasted twenty-four hours. Only the excitement and hope for freedom made this voyage bearable. Soldiers, women, and children were packed very close together. There was no water. A few dry food items had to satisfy hunger. Many people were ill. An area of a ship was curtained off and used as a latrine. People had to use it with very little privacy, which was especially difficult for the women. The waste went right into the sea. General Boruta-Spiechowicz spoke to us reminding that when this journey came to an end, we would be free people, away from slavery, prisons, epidemics, and starvation, which all passengers had suffered in Soviet Russia.
The rickety boat reached Persia very early in the morning. We saw the sunrise on Easter Sunday, 1942, and felt that along with Christ we also rose from the grave.
Soon the ship was unloaded and we were moved to the camps on the beaches of Pahlavi. The tents housed women and children. The army camped in an open space. The sunshine warmed up tired bodies and the waves of the sea bathed and refreshed them. Next day we were paraded to the bathhouses. Before we entered the inside, we had to take off our clothes and leave it at the entrance this was called a "delousing program". All these clothes contained not only lice but also the germs of typhoid dysentery and other illnesses, which were so rampant in Russia. All these clothes were burnt. After a good shower (what a luxury) we received the new, clean British uniforms!
We were hungry. When we were told that we would receive 400g of bread a day we grumbled: "In Russia we had 800g of bread and we were hungry". "Don't worry"-said the General- "there is more". We were happily surprised when we received our first meal on the beach, which included: corned beef, cheese, crackers, oranges, dates, and jam. What a feast! For supper we went to the field kitchen. The meal included soup, lamb, rice, and fruit.
What a wonderful feeling being assured that the starvation was a part of the past. The beach was a pleasant resting place. This is how my life in freedom began. It felt like a paradise. However, my elation was marred by the thought of my parents, who were still in danger.
Since I had my driver's license from Poland, I was soon assigned to transportation of the Indian Platoon who was also serving under the British Command. They spoke Hindi and while I spoke only Polish and yet we communicated quite well using a sign language. However, I found their food very spicy. Having some pocket money helped because it gave me the chance to eat in the small Persian teahouse. Another wonderful sign of freedom.
The beaches of Pahlavi were not our permanent place. Everyday the trucks transported soldiers and civilians to Teheran-the capitol of Persia (Iran). Soon it was my turn. Luckily our truck had a make shift "roof" which shielded us from the sun. We were young, happy, and free. It was natural to express our feelings in a song. After stopping for a night at Karwin- we arrived in Teheran the very next day. Here, besides the military camps there were also civilian ones, which I visited in search of friends and acquaintances our reunion was not always happy for many were ill. Among them was Ela L., who suffered with gangrene and eventually lost both legs and her life. She was so young and wanted to live! It all left a lasting impression on me.
Soon we left Teheran for Iraq. After two days of a difficult journey in the scorching sun we arrived in Habania. Here we were ordered to wear our helmets all the time to protect ourselves from the sunstroke, which plagued many soldiers. The journey through the desert was monotonous and our weary eyes created their own images. We saw the palms and villages only to be disappointed, when we reached the place, found it empty and realized that it was only an illusion. We were happy to arrive at the British army posts scattered along the desert to receive a proper meal and a shower. We slept in tents and next morning again traveled all day to the next camp.
From Iraq we were moved, through Jordan to Palestine (Israel). When we reached the river Jordan our journey became much easier for we encounter very good roads and the landscape displayed lush greenery, towns, kibutzen and villages filled with beautiful gardens. In the distance we saw some clay huts, which were inhabited by poor Arabs. The difference was staggering. Rich Arabs lived in beautiful homes. Many of them included a harem.
We were glad to arrive at the Polish army training camp in Quastyna. Here the 3rd Carpation Division was being organized under the command of General Kopanski who as the commander of the Polish Brigade, fought in Tobruk, Libya, in 1941. I was assigned to a 3rd Carpatian Artillery Regiment. In Poland the artillery used horses. I was worried because horses needed a great deal of grooming and I knew that I would dislike doing it. When I found out that the British artillery was motorized I was delighted!
From then on we began very intensive military training in preparation for real military action in a war against a formidable enemy, the German army. The days were well structured and we still could not believe our luck of having good, nourishing meals, the freedom to travel, and making our personal decisions.
Here in Palestine, the land of Christ, I began my life of an artilleryman. After a few days I was assigned to drive a special truck to pull the cannon and ammunition wagon. The day began at six o'clock in the morning with vigorous exercises, breakfast and then the military training till ten in the morning. As it was very hot, the break lasted till three o'clock in the afternoon. The lectures and practical instructions in the servicing and using the artillery guns took the remainder of the day. After supper and prayer, at ten o'clock p.m. we were ready to take a well-earned rest and sleep. Such was the plan for five days of the week. On Saturday and Sunday we were allowed to explore the country and visit many of the places, which were of such important significance to every Christian. I felt very happy and privileged to visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
In Jerusalem I followed the Via Dolorosa- the route which Jesus followed to His crucifixion on Golgotha. Nazareth was important because it was a place of the birth of the Holy Virgin Mary. As I thanked God for the opportunity of visiting the Holy Land, I prayed that one day I could come back with my wife and children. Unfortunately constant strife of the area made it impossible to return in safety.
Other sights, which captured my interest, were the Dead Sea, which was difficult to swim or even walk and the Mediterranean Sea, which gave, had a cool rest from the heat. Haifa and Telaviv were beautiful, modern cities where I visited during my holidays. There were many Jewish owners of the restaurants, who once lived in Poland. The Polish songs and music always welcomed us. Communication was easy since the inhabitants spoke very good Polish.
In September of 1942 Persia opened its borders to receive a second transport of the Polish Army and families from Russia. Since there was no hope for the future transports, General Anders also left the Soviet Union and took command of the Polish Forces in the Middle East which were formed mostly from the former inhabitants of the Russian kulags.
At first my hopes soared for I hoped my parents were among the new arrivals. It was with great sadness that I received the news of their untimely death in Kermine. The malnutrition and communicable diseases took my parents away. Since the time we were arrested and deported to Soviet Union, I felt that my parents were my responsibility. Now they were gone and I had not been able to help them in the most difficult time of their lives. I was alone, with no family. Little did I know that Maria Alina Lukaszewicz, who also escaped Russia at this time, would play an important role in helping me to build a new family. She became my wife in 1949 and together we raised a family of four sons and lived long enough to enjoy our grandchildren.
However at that time my future was unknown to me. The reality was another move of our division to Quizil Rabat in Iraq where the army of General W. Anders was stationed in October of 1942. Besides rigorous training we also encountered very strong sand storms, which added to our discomfort. After a while our regiment was sent to Musulu to protect the oil fields in Kurdystan and Iraq. We spent the winter months in a tent camp. Here we received very tragic news of the death of General Sikorski, our Commander in Chief and Prime Minister of the Polish Government in Exile. He just visited our army and was returning to London, England when his plane crashed over Gibraltar. He was a prominent politician who strove to achieve the assurance, of England, U.S.A. and Russia, that Poland would regain her full independence and democracy. Uncertainty set in especially when Russia severed the diplomatic relations after the Polish Government launched a protest upon receiving the information that thousands of Polish officers and other officials were brutally executed by the Soviets in Katyn Forest in April 1940. The Germans discovered the mass graves but Russia would not admit the international Red Cross to establish the truth. In spite of these events, our army was still determined to go on fighting for the independent Poland.
In the meantime the third Carpatain Division was moved to Kirkuk, Iraq, where temperature in the tents reached 50ºC. Training took place only very early in the morning and evening. It was necessary to pour water over both tents and bodies. The drinking water kept in the bags was lukewarm. We dreamt of having a drink of cold water. We were encouraged to drink gallon of water a day.
There was also a change in our command. Our greatly respected and liked General Kapanski became the Chief of Staff in the Polish Government in London. General B. Duch was our new commander. We soon learned to respect and like him for his fairness, patriotism, and bravery.
In October, we went to Qassasin in Egypt where we had to wait for the transport to Italy. We used this time to see the pyramids, sphinx and other architectural marvels as well as Ismalia, Kairo. Alexandria and many other small towns and villages.
In December of 1943, it was decided that our training had prepared us well to take our place on the front. My unit left Alexandria (for now we were in Egypt) in January of 1944. Many found the sea voyage quite unpleasant. After four days journey, we arrived in Syracus and then to Taranto. Finally we were again in Europe where our enemy was responsible for spreading death and devastation. "Bella Italia" was not quite so beautiful. There were many poor people. Hungry children followed us asking for food. Our rations of chocolate helped to make friends among children and senoritas. " The German took everything" everyone said. Very upsetting was a sight of a heavily bombed Fogia. We also stayed for a few days in Frasolone where snow and frost added extra duties. It was necessary to start the vehicles every few hours, day and night, to keep the motors running.
When we moved to Rionero by the River Sangro and Capracota, the heavy snowfall made the roads difficult. Our soldiers also had to build the new bridges to replace the ones that were destroyed.
At the end of April we arrived in the region of St. Michael mountain peak, 782, near Monte Casino. Our commitment to this region played an important role in the outcome of the World War II and history of Europe.
From then on we began our preparation for the fourth battle of Monte Casino. Since January 1944. The allied forces made three attempts to conquer this difficult strategic point. The Monastery of Monte Casino was founded by St. Benedict in 529 A.D. and became a first monastery for the Benedictine monks. The terrain was chosen for its serene beauty inspiring worship and its secure location. However, through the centuries it was subjected to numerous destruction caused sometimes by human hand and sometimes by nature. Now again it faced an evil force whose principles were in conflict with the Monastery's ideals.
The Germans fortified themselves in the monastery and surrounding hills to block the passage of allied forces to Liri Valley leading to Rome. The battle of Monte Casino, therefore, became the battle for Rome.
Since January 1944, three attempts by allied forces to conquer Monte Casino were led first by the Americans, second the British, and finally the New Zealanders and Indians. The fourth one scheduled to begin at midnight on May 11th, ended in victory on May 18th due to gallantry of Poles who captured the high areas, which had not been taken by the previous fighters.
The preparations for the attack were done in total secrecy. Artillery guns and ammunition were moved to their proper positions on the mountains and in the valleys, during the darkness of night. Our trucks were covered with brushwood and other materials. Our regiment had 24 artillery cannons; each one requiring 800 pieces of ammunition, which we had to pull up with ropes from the place where the trucks had to stop. This required tremendous effort. As some infantrymen were passing us, I heard as one of them say: "God, I would not want to be an artillery man. They have to work so hard." Little did he know what was ahead for him as a member of infantry, who actually won the battle. They earned the greatest respect of artillery and other forces and they suffered the greatest loses. Among their ranks was my future brother in law Antoni Lukaszewicz, who was lucky to survive this battle only to be very gravely wounded in the later action. The consequences of serious injury led him to an early death at 38 years old.
After we completed putting the canons in the proper positions I had to return the truck to Venafro located 8 km from our area. It was dark, the roads were terrible and there was constant danger of German fire.
At 11 o'clock, all hell broke loose! Over a thousand allied artillery guns fired on German positions for two hours causing great devastation. We saw flickering light and heard thunder that moved of the ground. All this stayed in my memory for many years and I experienced the same sensations every time I revisited the Polish cemetery at Monte Casino on special anniversaries of the battle.
On May 12th, we knew that we hadn't reached our objectives and that the fight must go on. The casualties were very heavy. We had to exchange one of our guns. This was a dangerous operation, which we successfully completed during the next night. Fear or not, this dangerous manoeuvre had to be performed.
On May 13th, all drivers had to go in one place to be ready to move in case of an unexpected enemy attack. As I drove my vehicle I was surrounded by hundreds of jeeps and ambulances bringing wounded and killed soldiers. It was such sombre and tragic events of the war, which brought tears to my eyes and pain into my heart. Among the dead and wounded were some of my close friends. My feelings intensified when I came to a bend in the road and saw General Lees, Commander of eighth army, standing on the jeep saluting all those who were passing by. Through this gesture, he honored us because we were ready to sacrifice our lives for the freedom of Poland and the world. Our regiment fired 8305 shells from the 23:00 May 11th to 7:30, May 12th and by the end of this day we fired another 1700 shells. On May, 17 I replaced one of the artilleryman. After discharging 150 shells I could not hear the officer's command and realized that my hearing was gone. Released from my post initially, I sat by the brook but could not hear anything for three hours. It was very frightening experience and I was very happy when some of my hearing slowly returned. That night we received news that our vice-commander, Major Stajewski, had been killed in action. He was a very understanding and caring officer. We felt as if we had lost a close member of our family.
On May 18th, our army captured the Monastery of Monte Casino and placed the Polish flag on its top. The feelings of pride and happiness were mixed with sadness. We opened the road to Rome for the allied forces but lost so many young people who in their short lives experienced much suffering in Russian slave labour camps and the campaign of 1939. Our Commander, General Wladyslaw Anders congratulated us and expressed sadness because so many lives were lost. There was also another reason for anxiety and sadness because he could not promise us free Poland. This super human effort of Polish soldiers and victory won with such sacrifice was for nothing? Not quite, because Polish soldiers were always faithful to the motto: "we fight for our and your freedom". Did the world recognized this significance? This was not the end of the action.
We began bringing our guns down and worked hard on clearing out the area. At the end of May, we were given a short rest at the city of Moreona. On June 3rd, we were send to Ortona. Here we took part in a fierce battle along with the Canadian army. At the same time we were engaged in chasing the German army. It was a very difficult task for the Germans destroyed bridges and mined the area. However, we were happy now that we were chasing. Next we took Pescara., Fermo, and Loreto. The famous basilica in Loreto was quite badly damaged. The Polish sappers, members of the engineer unit, saved some of it. One chapel, with Polish paintings depicting many victorious battles in the Polish history, was of special interest and a place of prayer to us. Here we lost many soldiers who found their resting place in the Polish Military Cemetery located in a beautiful area close to the basilica. Among others, were graves of my friends with whom I shared the hardships of kulag Poldniewica. After the victory at Loreto, I was transferred to the recognizance unit. Now I travelled on a motorcycle and followed closely the positions of the infantry.
Polish lancers of Carpatian regiment were moving toward Ancona and our artillery supplied the shielding fire. After many fierce battles Ancona was occupied and it became a main base of supplies for the allied forces in Italy. Next came Senigalia. The German army fought hard to stop our advances by planting mines on roads and fields. When finally our troops, together with the Canadian division, occupied Metauro, the Gothic line was broken and the German Army was in the retreat. We then entered Pesaro, which we considered our final battle in the Adriatic campaign. We were proud and happy. The rest period was earned and welcomed.
We were allowed to take time to visit Rome, Vatican, and many other historical and religious sites. All of these made great impressions on me. After six weeks we resumed the battle in the Apennines in the Arezzo region. Extremely muddy roads and fields made our advances very difficult. My motorcycle was useless. Here the infantry, to my amazement, managed to advance and occupy Faenza.
In January of 1945, I was chosen to attend the non-commissioned Officers Artillery School in Marcerata-Saracena. Capt. Luczynski, who was my commandeer when I was assigned to the artillery in May of 1942 in Palestine, now became a director of the school in Marcerata. As a member of the group of reconnaissance I studied topography, map reading, terrain study and general artillery information. The program ended in April 1945. We received our diplomas in the presence of our Colonel Z. Lakinski, commander of Artillery of the 3rd Carpation Division who congratulated me, on achieving very good results and a promotion. That night the celebration included a banquet and dance to which the Italian girls were invited too. Very good orchestra kept us dancing and having a good time all through the night.
On April, 3 I returned to my artillery unit. Lieutenant Styczynski welcomed me and expressed his pleasure on having a knowledgeable artilleryman. However after a few days he informed me that, in spite of his petition, I was transferred to the regimental headquarters, where my expertise was put to a very good use.
Our regiment supported lancers & infantry in forceful attack at the River Senio and Santerno. In addition to the difficulties of the battle we suffered heavy losses from the allied air forces "friendly fire". Our infantry with the help of the artillery and tanks broke the German lines of defence. General Rudnicki was in charge of this action.
Among the many casualties was Fr. Waculik, who was shot while ministering a badly wounded soldier. We were sorry to lose such a friend, who brought so much consolation. But the fighting struggle had to go on. General Rudnicki now concentrated on the advance on Bologna, which was liberated by the Polish army on April 21, 1945. We entered Bologna before the Americans.
This was a final action of the Polish army and mine too. On April 29, 1945 German any signed the papers of capitulation. Its army of a million soldiers, stationed in Italy and Austria, surrendered to the allied forces.
After a short break I decided to ask Col. Bilinski for permission to further my education by entering the School of Commerce. Giving his formal consent Col. Bilinski congratulated me on my dedication to the soldier's duties and bestowed on me a Bronze Medal of Merit. In June of 1945, I began my studies while my regiment was moved to south Italy.
Soon, Winston Churchill declared that since the war was over we, the Polish soldiers, should return to Poland. He did not seem to care that we would be in danger from Soviet Union our second enemy into whose hands Churchill and Roosevelt placed our country through Yalta Agreement. Not many Polish people decided to return. Those that did were ones who had their families in Poland. After the strong intervention of the Democratic Polish Government in Exile, Churchill agreed to let the Polish army to be transferred to England for a temporary stay. A special Polish Resettlement Corps. was organized to prepare the transition of Polish soldiers to civilian life or emigration to other countries.
Our journey, by train, from Italy to England led us through Germany and France. In Germany we saw the devastation, brought by the war, which was started by Hitler. The German army believed that it would be the ruler of the world but now, what we saw, was a conquered nation. We were sorry to see the women and children begging for food but it was also a reminder that the Germans brought the same kind of devastation to Poland and many other countries and their peoples. We felt proud that through our sacrifices we were instrumental in ending this devastation caused by a terrible war. Continuing our journey though France we saw some more ruins and poverty. At Calais we boarded the ship and crossed the stormy English Channel.
I arrived in England in November 1946. Our school was located at Bodney, Norfolk. The winter was very cold; water pipes broke often and heat was difficult to maintain. The food was on ration and often we felt hunger pains. Our cafeteria could sell only a cup of tea and a small piece of pastry. In the spring of 1947, our school was moved to Fowlmere (near Cambridge). Here accommodation and food were much better. Slowly we were adjusting to our life in England. Our adjustment was almost a habit since we had made other adjustments to different conditions in many different countries.
On November 4, 1946 I signed a two-year contract with the Polish Resettlement Corps. I continued to receive a soldier's pay and was allowed to continue my education as a part of preparation for civilian life. From time to time we were called to other duties. Such was an assignment to work at the post office warehouse in London to help with the Christmas mail. It was interesting to see so much mail at one building! We enjoyed staying in the hotel and having a chance to visit London. After we returned to school, the lessons began.
In August of 1947, the School of Commerce from Nazareth joined us. Janek Lukaszewicz was among the new arrivals. I knew him and his family quite well because, our both families shared the living quarters in Poldniewrca. I was constantly corresponding with his sister Alina since we parted in Kuybyszew in March 1942. Jokingly, I began calling Janek my brother-in-law so did six of my friends. At that time, I did not know that he would indeed become my true brother-in-law.
On the completion of the program at Commercial College I had to leave the Resettlement Corps, as there were no more classes to attend too. To obtain my discharge I had to go to Newmarket. Here I received a suit, shoes, raincoat and a hat. These were the only possessions with which I entered civilian life in a new country; no family, home, profession or knowledge of English. At the medical examination, I was told that the hearing in my left ear was badly impaired. I asked the doctor not to write it in my discharge papers because I was afraid that it would create some difficulties if I decided to emigrate. I never received a disability pension. In November 1948, I received my final discharge papers.
In recognition of my service I received the following awards: Bronze Cross of Merit, cross of Monte Casino and Army Medal from the army. Gold Cross-of Merit (1960) and Gold Medal (1990) from the Democratic Polish Government in Exile Star, (1939- 1945) Italy Star Defence Medal, War Medal (1939-1945) from the British Ministry of Defence. There were many other "Remembrance" awards. After the war, I received a promotion to sergeant.
As a soldier I swore my allegiance to the President of the Polish Democratic Government in Exile, London, England (since 1939). I decided to remain loyal to this Government even when the Yalta Agreement imposed the Communists on the Polish Nation and the Government in Exile lost its diplomatic recognition. I felt that it was my duty to continue the struggle for the independence of Poland.
In the meantime many Polish families living temporarily in India and Africa began joining their soldiers in England. In May of 1948 the Lukaszewicz family, including Alina arrived to Daglingworth, Gloustershire.
I met Alina in February of 1940 in kulag Poldniewica. She was only fourteen, quite childish some ways and very serious in others.
At first we met occasionally with our mutual friends. Sometimes we even played word games called "flirting", which had some polite, complimentary sentences. Her choice of sentences was intriguing. After awhile, our two families were assigned to the same living quarters. Alina's father made a screen out of blankets around her bed to give her some privacy. We had many discussions about politics, education and our life situation. We also argued a great deal. At 18, I was tempted to show her my other interest, but she would not tolerate it. She was simply not interested in boys and I was afraid to force the issue. However, she did show special interest in me when I was ill with typhus. She visited me in the hospital in spite of me having a communicable disease. She listened to me hallucinating about building a house by the river and having seven sons in the future. It was lucky that I did not name my future wife or Alina's embarrassment would have been even greater. She did charitable work in many other ways.
Our lives at the time were difficult but our families became good friends. We shared the terrible fate of a slave labour camp and it brought us together in many ways. When we parted, in March 1942 in the Kuybyszew, Uzbekistan, I hoped that we would be able to meet again in better circumstances. Luckily my wish came true when Alina came to England, to join her brother Janek in May 1948.
I visited Alina's family in June. At that time they were moving to Rivenhall in Essex. After asking me if this would not take me out of my way to Cambridge. Alina invited me to travel with them to the new location. Naturally I said "no" knowing full well that it would. But it was a good chance to spend more time together and an opportunity to find out about Alina's outlook on life and what my chances were now that she was grown up. I remembered her, from Poldniewica, as a teenager having no interest in any kind of dating. I was afraid to show any romantic interest because it would have met with rejection. However, during the 7- year period of our separation, during which we correspondent regularly, I dared to hope that maybe in the future she would change her mind. Her letters were often serious, sometimes full of humour but always interesting. My friends thought so too. Once I even played a card game to find out the answer to the question, "Will she marry me or not?" Since the answer was "yes", I did not play again being afraid to jinx it.
Uncertain as I was, I decided to examine the situation. After a few drinks I had enough "bravado" to ask her for a kiss and since she did not push me away I decided to visit Alina as often as I could. To my surprise I found out that the journey from Rivenhall to Cambrige was quite complicated. First a two-mile walk (back and forth) change of two busses, train, then another walk quite often in the rain. But who cared, it was worthwhile because things became more promising with each visit.
Alina's health was poor, as the result of all the depravations and tropical diseases so she spent a lot of time in the hospital. She was, however, given a pass to attend dances. This we enjoyed very much because we both loved dancing together. In October, Alina and her friends visited me in Cambridge. It was quite a romantic interlude. We saw "Anna Karenina" and attended a dance at a very elegant ballroom. This date was very significant to both of us.
We wrote each other almost everyday becoming closer and closer. When I visited Alina on December 12 (for my name day) we began planning our future. We became engaged on New Year's Eve setting the date for the wedding on April 30th. I had very little money and I could not afford an engagement ring, but it did not seem to matter to Alina. However, I put a down payment on a house and we were ecstatic to have our wedding reception in our new home. With the help of a friend, I built a few necessary furniture items and bought some too.
Our church wedding ceremony was very short and simple witnessed only by family and a few friends. Beginning our lives together filled us with so much happiness and strength that we were ready to face the future in good times and bad. We were a family now and our four sons have made our happiness complete.
In April 2003, we will be celebrating our 54th wedding anniversary. During our wonderful marriage, God has showered upon us an abundance of blessings.
There were many battles, feelings and thoughts that should have been described in this chapter but the memory of an 81-year-old man has its limitations. The incidents and dates are difficult to remember. Some memories however are clear and never will fade away. The faces of my friends who lost their lives in numerous battles, will be forever young and hopeful. Their sacrifice in bringing freedom to so many nations will never diminish. I also feel proud for being able to participate in this struggle and I feel grateful to God for keeping me safe.