Description
Object description
Polish Jewish civilian in Poland and Russia, 1939-1942; served with Polish Armed Forces (Anders Army), 1941-1942; worked in hospitals in Persia and Uganda, 1942-1945
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Poland, 1923-1939: family and childhood in Konin; political and religious upbringing; education; memory of seeing Germans entering Lodz; story of walking from Lodz to Konin with other civilians and soldiers during German invasion; separated from rest of family. Aspects of period in Russia, 1939-1942:
story of crossing River Bug into Ukraine and arrival in Koval; description of other refugees; question of not looking characteristically Jewish; story of move to Vologda and work for Russians.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on work in Russia and return to Koval; story of arrest by Russians and journey to camp in Siberia; opinion of treatment by Russians; description of accommodation in barracks; worked in camp kitchen and undertook jobs for Russian soldiers in exchange for food; attitude to anti-Semitism; unaware of German invasion of Russia, 6/1941; moved to Buzuluk and joined Polish Armed Forces (Anders Army), 1941; description of training; iron rations sent to Anders Army from GB; relations between Poles and Jews in Army; story of being discharged for stealing chocolates. Aspects of period in Persia, India and Uganda, 1942-1945: description of voyage to Persia, c.1942; sent to civilian camp in Tehran; opinion of living conditions and treatment in camp; description of training and work at Polish Hospital in Tehran; relations between Persian and Polish Jews.
REEL 3 Continues: lack of awareness of progress of war and Holocaust; relations with Russians and Germans; moved to transit camp outside Bombay, India; mix of nationalities among troops; moved to Koja, Uganda; accommodation in hutted camp near Lake Victoria; description of work in hospital; opinion of British matron Denise Bell; attitude to racism against black Ugandans; moved to Kampala and worked in Polish ward of hospital; reason for converting to Catholicism.
REEL 4 Continues: various memories of Polish soldiers; story of meeting future husband; fate of family during the Holocaust; story of learning to speak English; social life in Kampala; attitude towards black Africans; reason for not talking about wartime experiences to family.