Hi Barney,
?
I'm not an expert, but, from what I've learnt this
year, I don't think anyone would have stayed voluntarily. I think there are
various reasons why so many got left behind. I don't think the Soviet
authorities were very helpful in advising the Poles about the full situation.
I? think?most of them?were not told exactly where to go to find
the Polish army and?I don't think any were actually helped on their exodus
from the USSR. There was a lot of confusion and difficulties in finding
transportation. None of the journeys were easy and many just did not make it to
the right place, at the right time to make that final sea voyage to freedom.
Once the Soviets closed the borders down many would have been trapped and had no
choice but to remain in the USSR. My family were amongst the last ones to
leave...............Thank God! It must have been awful for those that did not
make it.
?
I hope I have given you a true picture of what
happened........please if anyone sees an error in my analysis, I'd like to be
corrected.
?
Dianne
Hitchin, England
?
??
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 5:39
PM
Subject: [Kresy-Siberia] Those that got
left behind
Not all Poles in the USSR left during the organized
transfer of
1944-1947. 1.5 Million went back to Poland but about 700,000
stayed
on in the USSR. The Soviet census of 1959 confirms their survival.
Can anybody in the group offer some insight for the reasons why
some
were left behind. Were they refused permission to leave by
local officials?
or did they voluntarily stay in the USSR? Maybe
they were never told of the
transfer option?
Barney Dombrowski
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