Jaworski, Walerian 'Valek' (Oral history)

Polish civilian deported to Russia, 10/2/1940; private served with Polish Army in Uzbekistan and Persia, 1942

REEL 1 Background in Eastern Poland, 1926-1939: family and education. Recollections of German and Russian invasions of Poland, 9/1939: first news of German invasion, 1/9/1939; evacuees from Western Poland onto his farm, 9/1939; troop movements on railway line between Wilno and Lwow; sight of Russian troops entering Poland Period under Russian occupation in Eastern Poland, 1939-1940: Soviet investigation of local farmers who served with Pilsudski Army of 1920, 11/1939; banning of Polish language in schools, autumn, 1939; relations between Poles and Ukranians in area; relations between different nationalities; start of deportations to Russia, winter 1939-1940; father's plans to escape to central Poland. Recollections of deportation to Russia, 1940-1942: arrival of armed force at farm, 10/2/1940; items family allowed to take from home, 10/2/1940; assembling of deportees in Dombrowica. REEL 2 Continues: settling down of families in train, Dombrowica; change to Russian rail gauge, Sarni, 2/1940; conditions on train journey through Russia; nature of northward journey; arrival in Kotlas, end 2/1940; arrival in logging camp Wilet, ca 3/1940; start of vitamin blindness amongst children; move to larger logging camp Witunino; nature of logging work; schooling received in Witunino; living conditions in camp; disintegration of shoes, summer 1940; collection of forest berries to counteract avitaminosis; state of health of deportees. REEL 3 Continues: death of deportees; lack of effect of Soviet propaganda line on Polish children in school; ex-prisoner status of camp commandant; change of attitudes of authorities after German attack on Russia, 6/1941 including slight improvement in food supply; announcement of Stalin-Sikorski agreement and that Poles could join an army forming in Southern Russia. Recollections of journey to Uzbekistan, 1941-1942 difficulties of Poles in leaving Arkangel region to head south; financing journey by selling valuables; work on cotton farm and hospitality of local Uzbeks; how his brother got temporarily lost on journey. Period with Polish Army in Uzibekistan and Persia, 1942: joining army cadets; contracting dysentery in Uzibekistan. REEL 4 Continues: journey whilst suffering from dysentery from Uzibekistan to Pahlevi in Persia; contrast in conditions between Russia and Persia; issue of British battledress to Polish soldiers; problems of regaining health in Persia, 1942; recovery with aid of Royal Army Medical Corps doctor, Teheran.