Re: childhood and the blitz
Jan Mokrzycki (xuegxaw@CSV.WARWICK.AC.UK)
Sat, 23 Mar 1996 10:47:53 +0000
Hello Ernest and others,
It is quite amazing what comes out when one
casts one's mind to those long ago days of
childhood.I was six that beautifull autumn
and lived with my parents who were both doctoes
in Warsaw. When Germany attacked Poland, my
father was called up to the army. We all expected
our allies to join in the war and a quick victory.
Just a few days later, with the allies still
sitting on their hands the German army was on
the outskirts of Warsaw.
By then the Polish airforce was destroyed and
the German planes flew freely at low level over
the rooftops machine-gunning everyone, young
and old alike at will. I remember riding my
new bicycle in the streets at will, as a child
you know no fear. Eventually to take some
controll over me mother came over from the
hospital where she worked and took me with her.
It was a long and dangerous journey on foot, I was
told,but I loved every moment of it, especially
the thrilling and beautifull sight of a bombed and
burning glassworks.The multicoloured flames made
a glorious sight in the sky and ofcourse I did
not understand then the real meaning of it.
It was about then that I also discovered the joy
of books.Karl May was translated into Polish and
I loved him,I have never come across his books
in England, have they been translated into
English> I would love to introduce my
grandchildren to them.
I must admit I do not remember playing football
then, I came to love that game over here.
Our most popular game was shooting German
soldiers with make believe guns ie. bits of
stick.The other game was a much more dangerous.
My grandmother had a villa in a small town just
east of Warsaw. The main East-West railway run
through it with slow going transport trains to
the Eastern front.Many of them were coal
transports. The older boys used to jump on and
throw the coal off and we younger ones collected
it in bags- it was an "act of patriotism" but
the guards on the train shot to kill.When
mother found out about this war effort of mine,
I received the biggest hiding of my life.
Yes, the games children will play!
Well, have peacefull dreams everyone.
By the way a friend told me recently about
the Simon Wiesenthal centre, "The Beit
Hushoah museum of tolerance" in Los Angelos.
Has anyone visited it, he says it is fantastic.
Jan. .