Poland WW2

April 12, 2019
The Katyń massacre – one boy’s tragic loss

The massacre of 22,000 men in the Katyń atrocity is difficult to comprehend without relating it to the personal. The story of Bogusław Piesiewicz, who suffered a double tragedy in April 1940 as a...

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November 7, 2018
General Stanisław Maczek – finally honoured in the UK

On Saturday 3 November I travelled to Edinburgh for a weekend of 100 year celebrations since Poland regained its independence, yet Saturday itself was all about this forgotten war hero.  The...

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October 26, 2018
The unbelievable tale of Wojtek the bear in Scotland

The story of Wojtek the bear conjures up fond childhood memories of reading Lasocki's book about him at Polish Saturday School. It is a unique and remarkable tale, one I...

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October 23, 2018
What do Poles and Indians have in common?

Separated by 6000 km, what do Poles and Indians most have in common? Pierogi and samosas perhaps? More than anything, it’s definitely an overwhelming sense of hospitality. The Polish saying ‘Gość...

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September 21, 2018
Finding your Polish family history – the magic of the internet

 The internet and genetic testing have truly revolutionised family history and it is astounding what you can find. Books that have rarely seen the light of day are published page...

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August 24, 2018
Museum of Emigracja, Gdynia, to go or not to go?

It’s a bit like emigrating yourself, as this new museum is placed right on the water’s edge in the renovated Dworzec Morski (Maritime Station), one of the most imposing buildings...

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April 10, 2018
Smolensk air crash – where were you?

Do you remember where you were, when you heard the news?  This week we commemorate two incredibly sad days for the Poles: 10 April, the 8th anniversary of the Smolensk...

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February 10, 2018
The WWII Polish deportations – still an untold story

For years few spoke about it. Many shared the feeling  “You didn’t want to tell them because they wouldn’t understand or would laugh so you just closed yourself up.”  The...

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September 23, 2017
Legendary Pole, Hubal the first Partisan of WWII

Did you know that the Poles were not only the first to fight in World War II, but they set up the first Partyzantka (Partisan Unit) on 23 September 1939....

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August 31, 2017
On this day: 1 September 1939

It was the start of a hot, summery Friday with clear blue skies. Children had been getting ready for school the following week, but school had been called off indefinitely a...

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