Gallery – Soviet Mass Deportations

Shows the railway network across the whole of the USSR in 1941

During WWII

Russia

These were the types of cattle wagons in which Poles were deported to forced-labour camps throughout the USSR.

New Zealand's First Refugees Pahiatua's Polish Children Polish Children's Reunion Committee 2004 0-476-00739-9

During WWII

USSR

Urszula Muskus was deported from Rawa Rusku to Kazakhstan in 1940. In May 1942 she was arrested by the NKVD, charged with espionage and spent a 10 year sentence in the gulags, followed by a further 4 years forced settlement in Siberia. She was freed in December 1955. Her memoirs have been published in the book, The Long Bridge. The artist, Jane Wilton was an English woman who married a Russian aristocrat. He was executed by the Soviets and she was exiled to Dlugi Most, Long Bridge in Siberia. Here she became a friend of Urszula 1952-55. After their release Jane travelled to Poland and painted the portrait of Urszula.

Peter Muskus

After WWII

Poland

Photo of Jozef Moskal (of Kosciuskow osada)

Leon Kustra

During WWII

Soviet Union

Archangelsk, Lenski

Indigenous villager Omsk region 1942

Henry Sokolowski

During WWII

Poland

Omsk

Indigenous villager Omsk region 1942

Henry Sokolowski

During WWII

Poland

Omsk

modlitewnik

Zofia Helwing

Poland

Warszawa, warszawski, Warszawskie

modlitewnik

Zofia Helwing

Poland

Warszawa, warszawski, Warszawskie

modlitewnik

Zofia Helwing

Poland

Warszawa, warszawski, Warszawskie

modlitewnik

Zofia Helwing

Poland

Warszawa, warszawski, Warszawskie

Joanna Brodniewicz and friends, in Kazakhstan

Joanna Brodniewicz

During WWII

Kazakhstan

Sovhoz Karakol, Semipolatinsk

Written by his daughter and his wife, describing his experiences during WWII.

Ewa Mikusinski

After WWII

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Written by his daughter and his wife, describing his experiences during WWII.

Ewa Mikusinski

After WWII

Polish 2nd Corps in Italy (Gen. Anders)

Confirmation of POW status

Maciej Ciesielski

After WWII

Poland

Photo taken while at the labor camp.

Lucjan Krolikowski

During WWII

Russia

Archangelsk

Map of Mom's "Trip"

Liz Halko

During WWII

1941 Jerzy Kozak and his grandfather (Joachim not sure) in Darovatka. Same man is in the next group photo with Maria + Zenobiusz. Same plank/board pattern, in both photos, likely taken same time. Deported from Sarkowka on Feb 10, 1940

Inscription on photo bottom right - “exile”

Personal collection

During WWII

1941 Jerzy Kozak and his grandfather (Joachim not sure) in Darovatka. Same man is in the next group photo with Maria + Zenobiusz. Same plank/board pattern, in both photos, likely taken same time. Deported from Sarkowka on Feb 10, 1940

Inscription on photo bottom right - “exile”

Personal collection

During WWII

1941 - Kozak family in Darovotka - Maria top middle, Zenobiusz bottom right. Likely grandfather (Joachim not sure) bottom left. Same plank/board pattern, in both photos, likely taken same time. Deported from Sarkowka on Feb 10, 1940. Photo taken before release on November 22, 1941.

During WWII

Russia

Darovatka

1941 - Kozak family in Darovotka - Maria top middle, Zenobiusz bottom right. Likely grandfather (Joachim not sure) bottom left. Same plank/board pattern, in both photos, likely taken same time. Deported from Sarkowka on Feb 10, 1940. Photo taken before release on November 22, 1941.

During WWII

Russia

Darovatka

Group photo

Leokadia Opiola

During WWII

Russia

Group photo

Leokadia Opiola

During WWII

Russia

The back side of the picture drawn by Krystyna of her home in the village of Siemioziernoj in Kazahkstan.

Krystyna Kołodyńska-Downey

During WWII

Kazakhstan

Siemioziernoj

A picture drawn by Krystyna of her home in the village of Siemioziernoj in Kazahkstan. She lived here with her mother, Stanisława and their friends Janina Dmochowska and her baby daughter Teresa.

Krystyna Kołodyńska-Downey

During WWII

Kazakhstan

Siemioziernoj

This photo shows the two women and their daughters who were deported together from Krzemieniec and stayed together right throughout their journey from Siemioziernoj to Teheran, Isfahan to New Zealand. Krystyna is on the left of photo. Photo of from left, Krystyna Kołodyńska, Stanisława Kołodyńska, unknown, Janina and Teresa Dmochowska. Both families had been deported from the town Kryzmieniec, Wołyn district to Kazahkstan together.

Krystyna Kołodyńska-Downey

During WWII

Kazakhstan

Siemioziernoj

Stanislaw Michulka his wife Franciszka and her Sister Aniela Krzesaj with Stanislaw two Children Janina and Jan who were the only two left in Siberia with Stanley and his wife before returning to Zmigrod Poland around 1946/47 Little Jan was Born in Siberia 1946 and Janina born in Siberia also around 1941 and later Died Zmigrod Poland in 1950 ?

Kazimierz Mihulka

After WWII

Russia

Mizgranka camp Novisabirsk/Tomsk, Novisabirsk/Tomsk Oblast

Kazimierz in Middle of picture with two pals in Mizgranka Siberia near Tomsk-Novisabirsk

Kazimierz Mihulka

During WWII

Russia

Tomsk-Novisabirsk

Back of photograph (Kazimierz is in the middle, with two friends, in USSR.)

Władysław Mihułka

During WWII

Russia

Kazimierz is in the middle, with two friends, in USSR.

Władysław Mihułka

During WWII

Russia

Genowefa's friend, Genia Sobczak, painted these roses.

Genowefa Matkowski

During WWII

Russia

Posiołek Wostoczny Camp, Archangelsk