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Hello Group!
When I was reading "Monte Cassino" by Wa?kowicz I couldn't find there
any mention about my grandfather. He served in 2nd Polish Corps in
recon squadron. He was wounded in the battle for Monte Cassino. I
couldn't understand why Wa?kowicz didn't mention about many people
like my grandfather- and I think I found an answer- he had German
origins. He was born in Kaszuby (north Poland,Kartuzy area,till 1998
it was in Gda?sk voivodship/county)- for ages polish historical
region-but during II RP 1918-1939 Kaszuby belonged to III Reich. His
parents were Kaszuby inhabitants, they spoke German and Polish.
Official language was German and at home they used Polish, but they
raised him in Polish tradition. Similiar situation was in Silesia.
Wa?kowicz didn't mention people from Silesia too. My grandfather was
forced to serve in Wehrmacht. He was 18 that time. But when he found
such possibility he escaped and took with himself some important
German documents and gave it to Anders' officers when he got to
Anders Army in USSR. For this he was sentenced for death by Germans.
And then he went all the way with 2nd Corps in recon till Italy and
after the war he came back to Poland to find out if his family is
alive.Didn't he deserve to be mentioned like others? What scared me
most was information that he had 2 older brothers. One of them died
in Aushwitz in gas chamber and scond one was in...SS (yes yes) and
died too on 8th May 1945 in Berlin...(what an irony!) I was thrilled.
One familly and such different experiences.
I was just wondering if anybody in this group can tell me anything
about Viktor Damaschke (or Damaske)or one of his brothers(I don't
know their names), where can I find any info about them? My
grandfather had to change his surname to "Damaszk" after the war
(communistic policy).
Thank you in advance.
Gabriel Damaszk.
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Dear Gabriel
Could there be any other explanation for the omission of your grandfather from the Monte Cassino book? ?(which I am not familiar with, by the way). ?It would astound me (though I learn new things every day) if in the Polish Seconds Corps there was any policy of exclusion or prejudice against Polish soldiers who had been born in German-ruled territory.
It is a well-known fact that General Anders' plan for his army in Italy called for tens of thousands of "reinforcements from the front", i.e. from Polish soldiers deserting the German army they had been forced to serve in and crossing the lines to join the Polish Army. ?Of course, such soldiers would be questioned and their loyalty assessed prior to being cleared for duty, but this process was fairly swift. ?Prior to 1918, of course, Poland did not exist and Poles served in the German (Prussian), Austrian and Russian Armies (including Anders himself). ?So Polish service in a foreign army was not a new thing.
Regarding names, here are some thoughts and theories from me on that. ?German-ruled Poland (Pomerania, Silesia, etc.) had a reputation for "Germanification" of public life, including documents, street and town names, school language, etc, to stamp out Polishness. ?Similarly, the part of Poland ruled by Russia had a "Russification" policy. ??Only Austria adopted a more "ethnic-mosaic" policy in its empire that allowed Lwów, Kraków and the rest of Austrian-ruled Poland (Galicia) to officially retain the Polish language and culture.
After the war, the policy of the Soviet bloc was to create "ethnically correct" countries, hence Ukrainians, Germans, Poles and so on were relocated more or less involuntarily across the new borders to eliminate the mixing of these nationalities that characterised pre-war Central Europe. ?Arguably, the Jews were similarly "encouraged" by the authorities to leave Poland via ?"back-door" exit arrangements across the Iron Curtain and on to Israel. ?In this ethnically-charged atmosphere, the wholesale adoption of "Polonised" names seems to have been the fashion - and in some cases it may have been historically Polish families changing their names back to their historical form. ?Whether this was compulsory or voluntary, I do not know.
What more can you tell us about Viktor - was he the soldier in Anders Army you refer to? ??If so, have you obtained his file from the UK Ministry of Defense yet?
Stefan Wisniowski
Sydney, Australia
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: "razelsmith"
[...] I couldn't understand why Wa?kowicz didn't mention about many people
like my grandfather- and I think I found an answer- he had German origins.
He was born in Kaszuby (north Poland,Kartuzy area,till 1998 it was in Gda?sk
voivodship/county)- for ages polish historical region-but during II RP
1918-1939 Kaszuby belonged to III Reich. His parents were Kaszuby
inhabitants, they spoke German and Polish. Official language was German and
at home they used Polish, but they raised him in Polish tradition. [...]
Didn't he deserve to be mentioned like others?
[...] ?I was just wondering if anybody in this group can tell me anything
about Viktor Damaschke (or Damaske)or one of his brothers(I don't know their
names), where can I find any info about them? My grandfather had to change
his surname to "Damaszk" after the war (communistic policy).
Thank you in advance.
Gabriel Damaszk.
|
Dear Stefan!
?
Of course, my grandfather was in Anders Army. I don't know which unit he belonged to (I can't ask him unfortunately, he past away?many years ago when I was too young to talk about it with him), but all I know it was in reconnaissance one. I was thinking about writing to MOD in UK, they must have his files, because they sent him once an invitation for Battle of Monte Cassino anniversary ceremonial?. I tried first to contact them online but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. Do I have to send my request by ordinary mail? And wait wait wait for (if any) their response? What is standard procedure in this matter?
Pozdrawiam!
?
Gabriel Damaszk
Katowice, Polska
Stefan Wisniowski wrote:
Dear Gabriel
Could there be any other explanation for the omission of your grandfather from the Monte Cassino book? ?(which I am not familiar with, by the way). ?It would astound me (though I learn new things every day) if in the Polish Seconds Corps there was any policy of exclusion or prejudice against Polish soldiers who had been born in German-ruled territory.
It is a well-known fact that General Anders' plan for his army in Italy called for tens of thousands of "reinforcements from the front", i.e. from Polish soldiers deserting the German army they had been forced to serve in and crossing the lines to join the Polish Army. ?Of course, such soldiers would be questioned and their loyalty assessed prior to being cleared for duty, but this process was fairly swift. ?Prior to 1918, of course, Poland did not exist and Poles served in the German
(Prussian), Austrian and Russian Armies (including Anders himself). ?So Polish service in a foreign army was not a new thing.
Regarding names, here are some thoughts and theories from me on that. ?German-ruled Poland (Pomerania, Silesia, etc.) had a reputation for "Germanification" of public life, including documents, street and town names, school language, etc, to stamp out Polishness. ?Similarly, the part of Poland ruled by Russia had a "Russification" policy. ??Only Austria adopted a more "ethnic-mosaic" policy in its empire that allowed Lww, Krakw and the rest of Austrian-ruled Poland (Galicia) to officially retain the Polish language and culture.
After the war, the policy of the Soviet bloc was to create "ethnically correct" countries, hence Ukrainians, Germans, Poles and so on were relocated more or less involuntarily across the new borders to eliminate the mixing of these nationalities that characterised pre-war Central Europe.
?Arguably, the Jews were similarly "encouraged" by the authorities to leave Poland via ?"back-door" exit arrangements across the Iron Curtain and on to Israel. ?In this ethnically-charged atmosphere, the wholesale adoption of "Polonised" names seems to have been the fashion - and in some cases it may have been historically Polish families changing their names back to their historical form. ?Whether this was compulsory or voluntary, I do not know.
What more can you tell us about Viktor - was he the soldier in Anders Army you refer to? ??If so, have you obtained his file from the UK Ministry of Defense yet?
Stefan Wisniowski
Sydney, Australia
From: "razelsmith"
[...] I couldn't understand why Wakowicz didn't mention about many people
like my grandfather- and I think I found an answer- he had German origins.
He was born in Kaszuby (north Poland,Kartuzy area,till 1998 it was in Gdask
voivodship/county)- for ages polish historical region-but during II RP
1918-1939 Kaszuby belonged to III Reich. His parents were Kaszuby
inhabitants, they spoke German and Polish. Official language was German and
at home they used Polish, but they raised him in Polish tradition. [...]
Didn't he deserve to be mentioned like others?
[...] ?I was just wondering if anybody in this group can tell me anything
about Viktor Damaschke (or Damaske)or one of his brothers(I don't know their
names), where can I find any info about them? My grandfather had to change
his surname to "Damaszk" after the war (communistic policy).
Thank you in
advance.
Gabriel Damaszk.
*
KRESY-SIBERIA GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching, remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and killed by the Soviet Union during World War Two."
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Gabriel
One day, the MOD may decide to go online. ?For now, to contact them you should phone them first. ?See details at http://www.aforgottenodyssey.com/mainref.html#r4
Let us know what you find out!
Stefan Wisniowski
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Razel
Of course, my grandfather was in Anders Army. ?[...] What is standard procedure in this matter?
Pozdrawiam!
Gabriel Damaszk
Katowice, Polska
|
Hi,
I'm Linder, from the K-S Group. Have you managed to
contact? MOD in UK yet? I've just come back from holiday and seen you're
posting. If you're stuck, let me know and I'll givre you some tips. Are you in
UK?
Linder
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Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:53
PM
Subject: Re: [Kresy-Siberia] Forgotten
soldiers of 2nd Polish Corps?
Gabriel
One day, the MOD may decide to go online.
?For now, to contact them you should phone them first. ?See details
at
Let
us know what you find out!
Stefan Wisniowski
From: Razel <razelsmith@...>
Of
course, my grandfather was in Anders Army. ?[...] What is standard
procedure in this matter?
Pozdrawiam!
Gabriel Damaszk
Katowice,
Polska
*
KRESY-SIBERIA
GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching,
remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and
killed by the Soviet Union during World War
Two."
*
Discussion
site :
Gallery
(photos, documents) :
Film
and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you
are and describing your interest in the group
to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
|
Hi Linder!
I don't live in UK but in Poland. I had some problems?to contact with MOD but one of our K-S members sent their new address and I think it woun't be a problem this time. I know I have to send my request in special form and I have to prove my kinship. All is understandable. I have only one problem. Nobody in my family knows when my grandfather was really born- he was changing his birthday date to avoid compulsory service in Wehrmacht, and he changed it during the WWII few times, too. I wander if he was sure for himself when was his real birthday? I hope MOD won't reject my request when I'll write? different date from that one in their record.
?
Cheers!
Gabriel
ladbrooke wrote:
Hi,
I'm Linder, from the K-S Group. Have you managed to contact? MOD in UK yet? I've just come back from holiday and seen you're posting. If you're stuck, let me know and I'll givre you some tips. Are you in UK?
Linder
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Kresy-Siberia] Forgotten soldiers of 2nd Polish Corps?
Gabriel
One day, the MOD may decide to go online. ?For now, to contact them you should phone them first. ?See details at
Let us know what you find out!
Stefan Wisniowski
From: Razel <razelsmith@...>
Of course, my grandfather was in Anders Army. ?[...] What is standard procedure in this matter?
Pozdrawiam!
Gabriel Damaszk
Katowice, Polska
*
KRESY-SIBERIA GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching, remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and killed by the Soviet Union during World War Two."
*
Discussion site :
Gallery (photos, documents) :
Film and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you are and describing your interest in the group to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
*
KRESY-SIBERIA GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching, remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and killed by the Soviet Union during World War Two."
*
Discussion site :
Gallery (photos, documents) :
Film and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you are and describing your interest in the group to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
Do you Yahoo!?
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Hi yourself. Glad you've a start on your searches.
Two wonderfully helpful ladies work there [Margaret and Barbara]. If you
explain, they'll go through their name-lists, they both speak Eng and Polish.
?
Where in Poland are you? Your English is better
than mine, and I was born here!
?
Perhaps you can give me some advise? I'm trying to
get a copy of my dad's Birth Cert. I know all the details, but the church
records fr that year we're destroyed in the War. The Civil local office near his
village won't send them, I have to go in person. There must be a 'central' place
I must write to for. Althogh it is now Ukraine, it was Poland in
1914
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Show quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 10:04
AM
Subject: Re: [Kresy-Siberia] Forgotten
soldiers of 2nd Polish Corps?
Hi Linder!
I don't live in UK but in Poland. I had some problems?to contact
with MOD but one of our K-S members sent their new address and I think it
woun't be a problem this time. I know I have to send my request in special
form and I have to prove my kinship. All is understandable. I have only one
problem. Nobody in my family knows when my grandfather was really born- he was
changing his birthday date to avoid compulsory service in Wehrmacht, and he
changed it during the WWII few times, too. I wander if he was sure for himself
when was his real birthday? I hope MOD won't reject my request when I'll
write? different date from that one in their record.
?
Cheers!
Gabriel
ladbrooke
wrote:
Hi,
I'm Linder, from the K-S Group. Have you
managed to contact? MOD in UK yet? I've just come back from holiday and
seen you're posting. If you're stuck, let me know and I'll givre you some
tips. Are you in UK?
Linder
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:53
PM
Subject: Re: [Kresy-Siberia]
Forgotten soldiers of 2nd Polish Corps?
Gabriel
One day, the MOD may decide to go online.
?For now, to contact them you should phone them first. ?See
details at
Let
us know what you find out!
Stefan Wisniowski
From: Razel <razelsmith@...>
Of
course, my grandfather was in Anders Army. ?[...] What is standard
procedure in this matter?
Pozdrawiam!
Gabriel
Damaszk
Katowice,
Polska
*
KRESY-SIBERIA
GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching,
remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and
killed by the Soviet Union during World War
Two."
*
Discussion
site :
Gallery
(photos, documents) :
Film
and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who
you are and describing your interest in the group
to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
*
KRESY-SIBERIA
GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching,
remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and
killed by the Soviet Union during World War
Two."
*
Discussion
site :
Gallery
(photos, documents) :
Film
and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you
are and describing your interest in the group
to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
Do you Yahoo!?
Exclusive Video Premiere -
*
KRESY-SIBERIA
GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching,
remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and
killed by the Soviet Union during World War
Two."
*
Discussion
site :
Gallery
(photos, documents) :
Film
and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you
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Hi!
?
I'm
also trying to obtain a copy of my father's birth certificate. He was born in
what was former Poland, now Ukraine in 1920.
?
Have
you tried writing to A.G.A.D. - ? Archiwum Glowne Akt Dawnych, 00-263,
Warszawa, Poland.? This is the central Archives office.?I wrote to
them in English, but?I?then received a?letter from
the?Polish Consulate in London,?apparently you?MUST?write
your request?in Polish and there are fees. e.g.$30 initial payment, $15 for
each hour of archive search and $15 for each copy of a document. They?also
gave me the address of the British Consulate in Wraszawa, who they believed
could be helpful; Konsulat Brytyjski, ul. Emilii Plater 28, 00-688 Warszawa,
Poland.?? Tel. 0048 22 6253030 or 6253032, fax; 0048 22
6253472.
?
I
posted a letter to AGAD today with my request in poor Polish. I'll let you know
what the result is. I may have to try the British Consulate.
?
Regards and Good Luck, Ken Fedzin.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Perhaps you can give me some advise? I'm trying
to get a copy of my dad's Birth Cert. I know all the details, but the church
records fr that year we're destroyed in the War. The Civil local office near
his village won't send them, I have to go in person. There must be a 'central'
place I must write to for. Althogh it is now Ukraine, it was Poland in
1914
?
*
KRESY-SIBERIA
GROUP = RESEARCH REMEMBRANCE RECOGNITION
"Dedicated to researching,
remembering and recognising the Polish citizens
deported, enslaved and
killed by the Soviet Union during World War
Two."
*
Discussion
site :
Gallery
(photos, documents) :
Film
and info :
*
To SUBSCRIBE to the discussion group, send an e-mail
saying who you
are and describing your interest in the group
to:
Kresy-Siberia-owner@...
*
Your
use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the .
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