History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]

I have stumbled across this forum whilst researching my family tree.

My father was born in Wilno in the NE of Poland (now Vilnius). As I understood it he was captured by he Germans following invasion but made his way down to Italy where he fought with the Partisans before joining Anders Army under British Command, and was at Monte Casino.

HOW WRONG CAN YOU BE???

Following a request to the APC Polish Enquiries Record Office at RAF Northolt I have just received his service records and, to say the least, I am gobsmacked as to what they reveal. The records show that.......

Prior to 1939 he lived in Landwarrow, Wilno.

He was deported as forced labour by the Germans in 1942 and was then conscripted into the German Army, where he served from March - September 1944' when he was taken prisoner of war by the Allied Forces at Florence, Italy.

In October he was transferred to the Polish Army and was enlisted in the Polish Forces under British Command.

He was posted to 21 Infantry Battalion, 2 Polish Corps, before ending up in 14 Wilenski Rifle Battalion, 5 Kresowa Infantry Div.

He then saw active service between March -May 1945 at River Senio and the Battle of Bologna/Lombardy Plain.

He was then transferred to the UK where he transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps, being released at Doncaster.

He was released under an 'Aliens Order' to Askern Hostel Colliery, nr Doncaster.

Later he also lived at Northwick Park, Blockley, Gloustershire.

As you can imagine, I have a number of questions.

1. Where was he between 1939 and his conscription to he German army in 1942 - where can I fnd out?
2. His PoW record shows that he was in the German Army and shows he was a OT Speer with Arbeitskommando 6 Komp - I'm guessing that this unit was giving support to the German army and wasn't part of the extermination campaign, since the term Arbeitskommando was used for this also (God I hope not!). Any ideas what he could have actually done?

3. Looks like he was in the German Army during the Mnte Casino battle - if he wasn't in it on the allies side, could his unit have been there for the other side (horrible thought of Poles fighting Poles).

His name was Mieczslaw Hajdukiewicz - would really appreciate if anybody knows anything about his circumstances or, especially, if they actually knew him.

Thanks

History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]

I noticed a message on this site that appears to have been removed (I guess by the moderator). It was a response from an individual giving his views as to why Poles helped the German war effort but 'switched sides' to the Allies when the writing was on the wall.

Since my father was one of these, but I do not know the reasons, and I have seen a number of posts from others in a similar position, I cannot agree with the views of the person who posted his derogatory view. However, since it is his view, I think that the post should be reinstated by the moderator to give users of the forum a rounded understanding of the issues / views.

I would like to believe that my father worked for the German Army under duress; similarly I am sure that for others, it was by clear choice. However, what happened did happen, and I would like to know about both sides of the argument.

History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]

I contacted the records section at RAF Northolt - they were absolutely fabulous, providing me with full copies of my Dads service documents - it was only when I received this that I found out he had been captured by the Allies in Florence, some 12 months after the Battle for Monte Casino.

They also informed me that, for his time with the British Army, as part of Anders, he was entitled to 3 medals that he had never collected - they have now presented these to me, which includes the Italy Star, the War Medal and the 1939-45 Star.

I have also received a letter from the German equivalent, who say that it might be up to 10 months before they can give me any information, so I am still waiting.

I have now got the final letter from Deuch Dienstelle - no record of my fathers service with the German Army whatsoever - the only record they have is of his being a PoW of the British Army - so my options to find how he came to be in German uniform in italy are drying up - any suggestions anyone?

History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]

Thank you so much for this post - the article explains so many reasons why my father thought the way he did - as a young lad growing up in Coventry I couldn't possibly understand. I do know that he felt that he couldn't go back to Poland (having been in the German Army I now understand why); he felt betrayed by Anders and hated the mention of Skiorski; most of all, he felt betrayed by the British Government who had promised him automatic British Citizenship (Churchill), but this did not happen - indeed, he died in 1991 still travelling on a Polish passport.

Your article explains many things and has increased my appetite to learn more.
Thanks

History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]

Hi pipco

Not found anything else - I do have all records from when he was incorporated into Anders army and his resettlement to the UK in the PSC - includes the Doncaster mill that I have seen mentioned, and his Alians order.