HelenJZK
21 Aug 2021
History / Polish conscripts to German army [132]
My father was one of these conscripts with his 4 sisters and mother at home to protect. My brother found out by reading the immigration form he filled out when applying to come to Australia so this knowledge is very new for us. My understanding is that it would have been his greatest shame, and a huge fear that other Poles might find out. His only visit to Poland to see his sisters and mother wasn't until 1977 and as a child I'd been told that it would be dangerous for him to return to Poland. It is heartening to read that he was far from alone in this but for me it's unbearably sad that he lived his fairly short life with this terrible secret. Thanks to everyone who has posted and for the information on where to go for more information. I tried the German records about 10 years ago but they had nothing so I'll try the UK ones. He had a happy and successful life thankfully, even though he didn't make it to 60..
My father was one of these conscripts with his 4 sisters and mother at home to protect. My brother found out by reading the immigration form he filled out when applying to come to Australia so this knowledge is very new for us. My understanding is that it would have been his greatest shame, and a huge fear that other Poles might find out. His only visit to Poland to see his sisters and mother wasn't until 1977 and as a child I'd been told that it would be dangerous for him to return to Poland. It is heartening to read that he was far from alone in this but for me it's unbearably sad that he lived his fairly short life with this terrible secret. Thanks to everyone who has posted and for the information on where to go for more information. I tried the German records about 10 years ago but they had nothing so I'll try the UK ones. He had a happy and successful life thankfully, even though he didn't make it to 60..